Communication method, network device, terminal, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method, network equipment, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium. The communication method comprises: a first network device sending first information to a terminal, the first information being used for indicating a conditional switching CHO type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being a continuous CHO. Through the embodiment of the invention, communication resources can be saved.

Description

Communication method, network device, terminal, communication system and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a communication method, a network device, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] A non-terrestrial network (NTN) provides wireless resources through satellites (or unmanned aerial vehicles). In the NTN network architecture, since the satellite is constantly moving, even if the terminal does not move on the ground, handover needs to be performed. Therefore, for a satellite in a non-geosynchronous orbit, it moves at a high speed relative to a fixed position on the earth, resulting in frequent and inevitable handover of the terminal, which causes a large amount of signaling overhead.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] How to save communication resources is a problem to be solved.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a network device, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises: a first network device sending first information to a terminal, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover CHO type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0007] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises: a terminal receiving first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover CHO type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0008] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises: a second network device receiving a first request sent by a first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of a terminal belongs, and the first request being used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, and the first network device comprises: a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a terminal, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover CHO type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including: a transceiver configured to receive first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover, CHO, type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, including: a transceiver configured to receive a first request sent by a first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of the terminal belongs, the first request being used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, including: one or more processors; and wherein the first network device is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including: one or more processors; and wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, including: one or more processors; and wherein the second network device is configured to perform the communication method of the third aspect.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first network device, a terminal and a second network device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the communication method of the third aspect.

[0016] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, when the computer program is executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the communication method of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0018] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network device sends the first information to the terminal, the first information is used to indicate that the CHO type configured for the terminal is continuous CHO, so that the terminal does not release the CHO configuration after performing handover, thereby saving communication resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiments, and the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a transparent mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a regenerative mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a control plane flow of a CHO according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram of a structure of a second network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a structure of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a network device, a terminal, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0037] In a first aspect, a method for communication is provided. The method comprises: sending, by a first network device, first information to a terminal, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the first network device sends the first information to the terminal, and the first information is used to indicate that the CHO type configured for the terminal is continuous CHO, so that the terminal does not release the CHO configuration after performing handover, thereby saving communication resources.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is further used to indicate a candidate cell providing the continuous CHO.

[0040] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is further used to indicate a condition for invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the condition for invalidation or release comprises at least one of: the terminal performing handover a specified number of times using the continuous CHO configuration; the terminal performing handover to a first cell; the terminal repeatedly performing handover to a second cell; and exceeding a first time.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, when the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the serving cell.

[0043] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: sending, by the first network device, a first request to a second network device to which the candidate cell belongs, the first request being used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first network device, second information sent by the second network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides continuous CHO.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first network device, a second time sent by the second network device, the second time being used to determine a valid time or an invalid time of the continuous CHO.

[0046] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: sending, by the first network device, a first identifier to the terminal, the first identifier being used to determine an identifier of the terminal in the candidate cell, and the first identifier being used to identify the terminal on an interface between base stations or cells.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the candidate cell comprises at least one of: a candidate cell of continuous CHO; a cell providing continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

[0048] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the continuous CHO is characterized by at least one of: not releasing CHO configuration after performing radio resource control (RRC) handover; continuing to perform CHO evaluation according to CHO after performing cell handover.

[0049] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, comprising: receiving, by a terminal, first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being continuous CHO.

[0050] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a candidate cell providing the continuous CHO.

[0051] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a condition for invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

[0052] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the condition for invalidation or release comprises at least one of: the terminal performing handover using continuous CHO configuration for a specified number of times; the terminal performing handover to a first cell; the terminal repeatedly performing handover to a second cell; exceeding a first time.

[0053] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: releasing, by the terminal, the CHO configuration when the condition for invalidation or release is met.

[0054] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the serving cell.

[0055] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the terminal, a first identifier sent by the first network device, the first identifier being used to determine an identifier of the terminal in a candidate cell, the first identifier being used to identify the terminal on an interface between base stations or between cells.

[0056] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the candidate cell comprises at least one of: a candidate cell of continuous CHO; a cell providing continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

[0057] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the continuous CHO is characterized by at least one of the following: not releasing the CHO configuration after performing a radio resource control (RRC) handover; continuing to perform CHO evaluation according to the CHO after performing a cell handover.

[0058] In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, including: receiving, by a second network device, a first request sent by a first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of a terminal belongs, the first request being used to request the second network device to provide a continuous CHO.

[0059] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, by the second network device, second information to the first network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides the continuous CHO.

[0060] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, by the second network device, a second time to the first network device, the second time being used to determine an effective time or an invalid time of the continuous CHO.

[0061] In the fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first network device, including: a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a terminal, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being a continuous CHO.

[0062] In the fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being a continuous CHO.

[0063] In the sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a second network device, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first request sent by a first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of a terminal belongs, the first request being used to request the second network device to provide a continuous CHO.

[0064] In the seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first network device, including: one or more processors; and wherein the first network device is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect.

[0065] In the eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal, including: one or more processors; and wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0066] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network device, comprising: one or more processors; and wherein the second network device is configured to perform the communication method of the third aspect.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a first network device, a terminal and a second network device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the communication method of the third aspect.

[0068] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs any of the above communication methods.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, and when the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs any of the above communication methods.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs any of the above communication methods.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform any of the above communication methods.

[0072] It can be understood that the above network device, terminal, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip or chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here.

[0073] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a network device, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the communication method and the information sending method, the information receiving method and other terms can be replaced with each other.

[0074] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or part or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions among the embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0076] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not used as limitations of the present disclosure.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an element expressed in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, unless otherwise specified and logically conflicting, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means two or more.

[0079] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0080] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "A in response to one case and B in response to another case", and the like, according to the case, can include the following technical solutions: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B); A and B are executed in some embodiments (A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0081] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "A or B", and the like, according to the case, can include the following technical solutions: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0082] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and the types thereof can be the same or different. For another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof can be the same or different.

[0083] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0085] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0086] In some embodiments, an apparatus or the like can be interpreted as an entity, and can also be interpreted as virtual, and the name thereof is not limited to the name described in the embodiments. The terms "apparatus", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0087] In some embodiments, a "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus (for example, an access network device, a core network device, and the like) included in the network.

[0088] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal," "terminal device," "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," and so on can be replaced with each other.

[0090] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced with a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced with communication between a plurality of terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminal can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, the terms "uplink," "downlink," and the like can also be replaced with terms corresponding to the inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, the uplink channel, the downlink channel, and the like can be replaced with the side channel, and the uplink, the downlink, and the like can be replaced with the sidelink.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal can be replaced with the access network device, the core network device, or the network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0092] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0093] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0094] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0095] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101, a first network device 102, and a second network device 103.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first network device 102 can be a network device to which a serving cell of the terminal 101 belongs, or can be another network device; the second network device 103 can be a network device to which a candidate cell belongs.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first network device 102 and the second network device 103 can be the same network device, or can be different network devices.

[0099] In some embodiments, the terminal can be a user equipment (UE), and the terminal includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, the network device can be one functional network element in a core network device, which can be one device including the first network element, the second network element, etc., or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc., respectively. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), a next generation core (NGC), for example.

[0101] In some embodiments, the network device can include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0102] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device for accessing a terminal to a wireless network, which can include at least one of an evolved node B (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applicable to an Open RAN architecture, in which case, the interfaces between the access network devices or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be realized through software or programs.

[0104] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, with some of the protocol layers being controlled by the CU and the rest of the protocol layers or all of the protocol layers being distributed in the DUs and controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

[0105] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including one or more network elements, or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the one or more network elements described above. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next-generation core (NGC), for example.

[0106] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear.

[0107] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1A or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1A are exemplary. The communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1A, or can include other subjects other than those in FIG. 1A. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary. Each subject can be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between each subject is exemplary. Each subject can not be connected or can be connected. The connection can be in any manner, can be direct or indirect, and can be wired or wireless.

[0108] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0109] Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) is an important technology introduced by 5G, which provides wireless resources through satellites (or drones) instead of ground base stations.

[0110] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network architecture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 1B, a satellite or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform is in the air, the satellite communicates with a gateway through a feeder link, and the gateway interacts with a data network. The satellite communicates with a user equipment (UE) through a service link, and the UE is located in the beam footprint of the satellite.

[0112] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a transparent mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a regenerative mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] In some embodiments, depending on the way the satellite processes the signal, it can be divided into transparent mode and regenerative mode. The transparent mode is shown in FIG. 1C, the NTN ground station sends the signal of gNB to the satellite, the satellite converts the signal to the satellite frequency band and then sends it to the UE through the satellite frequency band. Except for frequency conversion and signal amplification, the satellite does not demodulate the gNB signal, which is similar to a repeater. The regenerative mode is shown in FIG. 1D, the NTN ground station sends the signal of gNB to the satellite, the satellite first demodulates and decodes the signal and then re-encodes and modulates it (this process is regeneration) and sends the regenerated signal through the satellite frequency band.

[0114] In some embodiments, the NTN gateway communicates with the UE through the NR Uu interface, the gNB communicates with the 5G CN through the NG interface, and the 5G CN communicates with the data network through the NG interface.

[0115] In some embodiments, the gNB communicates with the UE through the NR Uu interface, and the NTN gateway communicates with the gNB through the NG over SRI (satellite radio interface) interface.

[0116] As can be seen from the NTN network architecture, even if the UE does not move on the ground, the UE needs to be handed over due to the movement of the satellite. Therefore, for satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits, they move at high speed relative to fixed positions on the earth, resulting in frequent and inevitable handover of stationary and mobile UEs, which will result in a large amount of signaling overhead.

[0117] For handover, conditional switching (CHO) is currently supported, and the definition of CHO is as follows: CHO refers to a handover performed by a terminal when one or more handover execution conditions are met. The UE starts evaluating the execution conditions upon receiving the CHO configuration and stops evaluating the execution conditions after performing the handover.

[0118] The CHO configuration includes CHO candidate cell configurations generated by candidate gNBs and execution conditions generated by the source gNB.

[0119] The execution conditions can consist of one or two trigger conditions (such as CHO events A3 / A5). Only a single reference signal (RS) type is supported, and at most two different trigger quantities (such as Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ), RSRP and Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), etc.) can be configured simultaneously for evaluating the CHO execution conditions of a single candidate cell.

[0120] Before any CHO execution condition is met, upon receiving a HO command (without CHO configuration) or a LTM (Layer 1 / 2 triggered mobility) cell handover command MAC CE, the UE performs the protocol specified HO procedure or LTM cell handover procedure without considering any CHO configuration received before.

[0121] When performing CHO, the UE does not monitor the source cell from the time the UE starts synchronizing with the target cell.

[0122] In some embodiments, after the UE receives the CHO configuration, the UE maintains the connection with the source gNB and starts evaluating the CHO execution conditions of the candidate cells. If at least one CHO candidate cell meets the corresponding CHO execution condition, the UE detaches from the source gNB, applies the corresponding configuration stored by the selected candidate cell, synchronizes to the candidate cell, and completes the RRC transfer procedure by sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message to the target gNB. After successfully completing the RRC transfer procedure, the UE releases the stored CHO configuration.

[0123] In the related art, the UE starts to evaluate the CHO execution condition when the UE receives the CHO configuration, and stops to evaluate the CHO execution condition once the UE completes the handover. The UE releases the saved CHO configuration once the UE successfully completes the RRC handover procedure. Therefore, according to the current CHO procedure, when the serving cell configures the CHO for the UE, the UE releases the previously configured CHO if the UE completes the handover (regardless of whether it is a CHO).

[0124] In the non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) scenario of the NTN, all RRC connected state UEs need to perform handover, and therefore a large amount of signaling overhead for handover is generated.

[0125] Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. A first network device sends first information to a terminal. The first information is used to indicate that a CHO type configured by the terminal is continuous CHO. Therefore, the terminal does not release the CHO configuration after performing handover, thereby saving communication resources.

[0126] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network device can be a network device to which a serving cell of the terminal belongs, or can be another network device. The second network device can be a network device to which a candidate cell belongs.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first network device and the second network device can be the same network device, or can be different network devices. The second network device can include the first network device.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first network device and the second network device can both be located on a satellite. The first network device and the second network device can be located on different satellites, or can be located on the same satellite.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first network device and the second network device can both be located on the ground.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first network device and the second network device can be located on the ground and on a satellite, respectively.

[0132] In some embodiments, the candidate cell is equivalent to the target cell.

[0133] In some embodiments, the candidate cell represents a candidate cell or a target cell for UE handover.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method. The method includes:

[0135] In step S2101, a first network device sends a first request to a second network device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second network device receives the first request sent by the first network device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second network device is a network device to which a candidate cell of the terminal belongs; the second network device can be one or more.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first request is used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO, and the first request can also be referred to as a continuous CHO request.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first network device can send the first request to the second network device to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first network device can send the first request to the second network device to request the second network device to provide configuration to the terminal for continuous CHO.

[0141] In step S2102, the second network device sends second information to the first network device.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the second information sent by the second network device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate that the second network device provides continuous CHO.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first network device can send the first request to the second network device to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO; the second network device can send second information to the first network device in response to the first request, and the second information is used to indicate whether the configuration provided by the second network device to the terminal is used for continuous CHO.

[0145] In step S2103, the second network device sends second time to the first network device.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the second time sent by the second network device.

[0147] In some embodiments, the second time can be carried in the second information or sent separately.

[0148] In some embodiments, the second time is used to determine the validity time or invalidity time of continuous CHO.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second network device sends the second time to the first network device, and the second time indicates time information of the configuration provided by the second network device to the UE for continuous CHO.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first network device takes the second time sent by the second network device as the effective time or invalid time of the continuous CHO of the terminal.

[0151] In step S2104, the first network device sends the first information to the terminal.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the CHO type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type is a continuous CHO.

[0154] In some embodiments, the CHO type can be a continuous CHO or a non-continuous CHO.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the CHO configured for the terminal is a continuous CHO.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the CHO configuration of the terminal is for a continuous CHO.

[0157] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO represents at least one of the following: the CHO configuration is not released after performing a radio resource control (RRC) handover; the CHO evaluation is continued according to the CHO after performing a cell handover.

[0158] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO means that the terminal does not release the CHO configuration after performing an RRC handover, and / or the terminal continues to perform CHO evaluation according to the CHO configuration after performing a cell handover.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the terminal has configured a continuous CHO, the terminal can not release the CHO configuration after performing a handover, and continue to use the CHO configuration to perform CHO evaluation to determine whether to perform a handover when the CHO condition is met, so that the first network device to which the serving cell of the terminal belongs does not need to send the CHO configuration to the terminal, and signaling can be saved.

[0160] In some embodiments, the configured continuous CHO means that the CHO configuration can be continuously used.

[0161] In some embodiments, the configured continuous CHO means that at least one candidate cell of the CHO can use the continuous CHO configuration.

[0162] In some embodiments, the configured continuous CHO means that the handover configuration provided by the network can be continuously used by the UE.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a candidate cell providing continuous CHO. In some embodiments, the continuous CHO indicates that at least one candidate cell of the CHO can use the continuous CHO configuration.

[0164] For example, in a plurality of candidate cells, some candidate cells provide continuous CHO and some candidate cells do not provide continuous CHO, and the first information sent by the first network device to the terminal indicates the candidate cells capable of providing continuous CHO.

[0165] In some embodiments, if the second network device to which the candidate cell belongs provides continuous CHO, the terminal continues to use the continuous CHO configuration after switching to the candidate cell.

[0166] In some embodiments, if the second network device to which the candidate cell belongs does not provide continuous CHO, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration after switching to the candidate cell.

[0167] In some embodiments, when the candidate cell of the continuous CHO includes a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the serving cell.

[0168] For example, when the candidate cell capable of providing continuous CHO indicated by the first network device includes the current serving cell of the terminal, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the current serving cell.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a condition for invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

[0170] In some embodiments, the condition for invalidation or release includes at least one of the following: the terminal switches a specified number of times using the continuous CHO configuration; the terminal switches to a first cell; the terminal repeatedly switches to a second cell; and a first time is exceeded.

[0171] In some embodiments, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated when at least one of the above conditions is met.

[0172] For example, when the terminal switches a specified number of times using the continuous CHO configuration, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated.

[0173] For example, when the terminal switches to a first cell, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated. The first cell can be a specified target cell.

[0174] For example, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalid when the terminal repeatedly switches to a second cell. The second cell is any one of the cells. For example, the terminal switches from a cell 1 to a cell 2, and then switches from the cell 2 to the cell 1, that is, the terminal repeatedly switches to the cell 1, and the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalid.

[0175] For example, the terminal releases the continuous CHO configuration or the continuous CHO configuration is invalid after a first time. The first time can be the second time described above, or a time configured by the first network device.

[0176] In some embodiments, the method can further include: the first network device sending the first identifier to the terminal.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to determine the identifier of the terminal in the candidate cell.

[0178] In some embodiments, the candidate cell includes at least one of the following: a candidate cell of the continuous CHO; a cell that provides the continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

[0179] For example, each candidate cell can assign an identifier to the terminal, each serving cell can assign an identifier to the terminal, and each cell that configures the continuous CHO for the terminal can assign an identifier to the terminal.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to identify the terminal on an interface between base stations or between cells.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal identifier can be, for example, a source NG-RAN node UE XnAP ID (UE source station XnAP identifier), a target NG-RAN node UE XnAP ID (UE target station XnAP identifier).

[0182] For example, the cell 1 is a serving cell of the terminal, and the cell 2 is a candidate cell for switching. During the process of interacting with the switching message between the cell 1 and the cell 2, the cell 1 and the cell 2 can respectively assign a UE identifier in the cell 1 and the cell 2 to the terminal, which is used to identify the terminal in the interaction between the cell 1 and the cell 2. The cell 1 can send the terminal identifier used to identify the terminal in the interaction between the cell 1 and the cell 2 to the terminal.

[0183] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to send the first information by the first network device to the terminal, and the first information is used to indicate that the CHO type configured by the terminal is the continuous CHO, so that the terminal does not release the CHO configuration after switching, thereby saving communication resources.

[0184] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2101-S2104. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S2101+S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0185] In some embodiments, steps S2102 and S2103 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0186] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0187] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0188] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0189] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 2 can be referred to.

[0190] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and the terms of “information”, “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “codebook”, “codeword”, “codepoint”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, “chip”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0191] In some embodiments, the terms of “time”, “time point”, “time”, “time position”, and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of “time length”, “time period”, “time window”, “window”, “time”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0192] In some embodiments, "acquire", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced by each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomously implementing, and the like.

[0193] In some embodiments, the terms "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced by each other.

[0194] In some embodiments, the terms "certain", "preset", "preset", "set", "indicated", "certain", "arbitrary", "first" and the like can be replaced by each other. "Certain A", "preset A", "preset A", "set A", "indicated A", "certain A", "arbitrary A", "first A" can be interpreted as A specified in advance in protocols and the like, or A obtained by setting, configuration, or indication, or A as certain A, certain A, arbitrary A, or first A, but not limited thereto.

[0195] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but not limited thereto.

[0196] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or not performing subsequent processing on the data and the like after receiving the data and the like; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the content of the sending.

[0197] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first network device, and the above method comprises:

[0198] In step S3101, the first network device sends first information to the terminal.

[0199] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be described here.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first network device sends first information to the terminal, and the first information is used to indicate the CHO type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type is continuous CHO.

[0201] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first network device, and the above method comprises the following steps:

[0202] In step S3201, the first network device sends a first request to a second network device.

[0203] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be described here.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first network device sends a first request to a second network device to which the candidate cell belongs, and the first request is used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0205] In step S3202, the first network device receives second information sent by the second network device.

[0206] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be described here.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first network device receives second information sent by the second network device, and the second information is used to indicate that the second network device provides continuous CHO.

[0208] In step S3203, the first network device receives second time sent by the second network device.

[0209] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be described here.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first network device receives second time sent by the second network device, and the second time is used to determine the validity time or invalidity time of the continuous CHO.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first network device sends a first identifier to the terminal, the first identifier is used to determine the identity of the terminal in the candidate cell, and the first identifier is used to identify the terminal on the interface between the base stations or between the cells.

[0212] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a terminal, and the above method comprises the following steps:

[0213] In step S4101, the terminal receives first information sent by a first network device.

[0214] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first identifier sent by the first network device, the first identifier being used to determine the identifier of the candidate cell of the terminal, and the first identifier being used to identify the terminal between base stations or cells.

[0217] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a second network device, and the above method comprises:

[0218] In step S5101, the second network device receives the first request sent by the first network device.

[0219] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] In some embodiments, the second network device receives the first request sent by the first network device, the second network device being a network device to which the candidate cell of the terminal belongs, and the first request being used to request the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

[0221] In step S5102, the second network device sends second information to the first network device.

[0222] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second network device sends the second information to the first network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides continuous CHO.

[0224] In step S5103, the second network device sends second time to the first network device.

[0225] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second network device sends the second time to the first network device, the second time being used to determine the validity time or invalidity time of the continuous CHO.

[0227] FIG. 6 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0228] In step S6101, the first network device sends first information to the terminal.

[0229] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0230] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] In some embodiments, the above method can include the method of the above embodiments of the communication system side, network device side, terminal side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0232] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a control plane flow of CHO according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises handover preparation, handover execution and handover completion, and specifically comprises the following steps:

[0233] In step S7101, the AMF provides mobility control information.

[0234] In some embodiments, before step S7101, user data is transmitted between the UE and the source gNB, and user data is transmitted between the source gNB and the UPF(s).

[0235] In step S7102, measurement control and reports are performed between the UE and the source gNB.

[0236] In some embodiments, the source gNB configures the UE measurement procedure, and the UE reports according to the measurement configuration.

[0237] In step S7103, the source gNB makes a CHO decision.

[0238] In some embodiments, the source gNB decides to use CHO.

[0239] Step S7104, the source gNB sends a handover request to the target gNB and other potential gNB(s).

[0240] Step S7105, the target gNB and other potential gNB(s) perform admission control.

[0241] Step S7106, the target gNB and other potential gNB(s) send a handover request acknowledge to the source gNB.

[0242] Step S7107, the source gNB sends an RRC reconfiguration to the UE.

[0243] Step S7108, the UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete to the source gNB.

[0244] Step S7108a, the source gNB sends an early status transfer to other potential gNB(s).

[0245] Step S7109, the UE evaluates the CHO conditions.

[0246] Step S7110, the UE detaches from the old cell and synchronizes to the new cell.

[0247] Step S7111, CHO handover completion.

[0248] Step S7111a, the target gNB sends a handover success to the source gNB.

[0249] Step S7111b, the source gNB sends an SN status transfer to the target gNB.

[0250] Step S7111c, the source gNB sends a handover cancel to the target gNB and other potential gNB(s).

[0251] In the NGSO scenario of NTN, all RRC connected UEs need to perform handover, thus generating a large amount of signaling overhead for handover. In order to reduce the signaling overhead, a configuration method of continuous CHO is proposed.

[0252] The method for configuring continuous CHO provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can include: the network indicating that the CHO configuration is a continuous CHO configuration; the network indicating that the UE applies the continuous CHO configuration to a candidate cell in the CHO configuration; the network configuring a release condition of the continuous CHO configuration; the network configuring a UE ID of the UE for identifying the UE at an inter-base station interface for the UE at the serving cell and the candidate cell; and the serving cell of the UE and the candidate cell coordinating the continuous CHO configuration for the UE.

[0253] In some embodiments, the network sends configuration information to the UE, and the configuration information is used to configure the continuous CHO configuration.

[0254] In some embodiments, the configuration information is used to indicate that the CHO configuration is a continuous CHO configuration.

[0255] In some embodiments, the network indicates that the UE uses continuous CHO for a certain candidate cell in the CHO configuration.

[0256] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO configuration contains the serving cell as a candidate cell.

[0257] In some embodiments, the network indicates invalidation information of the continuous CHO configuration or a condition for releasing the continuous CHO configuration information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the invalidation information or the condition for releasing the continuous CHO configuration information includes one of the following:

[0259] The number of handovers, which is used to indicate that the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated or released after the UE uses the continuous CHO configuration for a specified number of times of handover;

[0260] The target cell to which the UE switches, which is used to indicate that the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated or released after the UE switches to a specified target cell;

[0261] Repeated handover, which is used to indicate that the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated or released after the UE switches to a previous serving cell; for example, the UE switches from cell 1 to cell 2, and then switches from cell 2 to cell 1, and the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated;

[0262] Time information, which is used to indicate that the continuous CHO configuration is invalidated or released after a specified time is exceeded;

[0263] In some embodiments, when the candidate cell in the continuous CHO configuration contains the serving cell, the UE does not evaluate the CHO condition for the serving cell.

[0264] In some embodiments, the network sends a continuous CHO request to the candidate cell for requesting the candidate cell to provide a configuration to the UE for continuous CHO.

[0265] In some embodiments, the candidate cell indicates to the network whether the configuration provided to the UE is for continuous CHO.

[0266] In some embodiments, if the candidate cell indicates that the configuration provided to the UE is for continuous CHO, the network indicates in the configuration information to the UE that the candidate cell can apply continuous CHO.

[0267] In some embodiments, the candidate cell indicates to the network time information that the configuration provided to the UE is for continuous CHO, the time information indicating that the configuration to the UE can be used for continuous CHO within the time.

[0268] In some embodiments, the network determines the above-mentioned time information.

[0269] In some embodiments, the network provides a UE identity to the UE, including one of:

[0270] An identity of the UE in the CHO candidate cell;

[0271] An identity of the cell that configures the UE for continuous CHO;

[0272] In some embodiments, the UE identity is used to identify the UE in an inter-base station or inter-cell interface, such as source NG-RAN node UE XnAP ID (UE source site XnAP ID), Target NG-RAN node UE XnAP ID (UE target site XnAP ID).

[0273] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO configuration includes one of:

[0274] The UE does not release the continuous CHO configuration after performing RRC handover;

[0275] The UE still performs CHO evaluation according to the continuous CHO configuration after performing cell handover.

[0276] In some embodiments, the UE applies the CHO configuration according to the continuous CHO configuration, including one of:

[0277] If the candidate cell is configured for continuous CHO, the UE continues to use the continuous CHO configuration after switching to the cell;

[0278] If the candidate cell is not configured for continuous CHO, the UE releases the continuous CHO configuration after switching to the cell.

[0279] In some embodiments, the UE determines that the consecutive CHO configuration is failed or released.

[0280] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps, and optional implementation manners thereof, can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0281] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is proposed, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0282] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into one physical entity, or physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or the functions of the units or modules of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be implemented by designing the hardware circuit, and the hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are implemented by designing the logical relationship of elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of them can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, and the remaining part can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0283] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of a hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), or the like.

[0284] FIG. 8A is a structural schematic diagram of a first network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8A, the first network device 8100 can include a transceiver module 8101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8101 is configured to transmit first information. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the processes performed by the first network device in any of the above methods (for example, step S2101, but not limited thereto), and details are not described herein.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first network device can further include a processing module.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a candidate cell providing the continuous CHO.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a condition for invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

[0288] In some embodiments, the condition of the invalidation or release comprises at least one of the following: the terminal switches a specified number of times using the continuous CHO configuration; the terminal switches to a first cell; the terminal repeatedly switches to a second cell; a first time is exceeded.

[0289] In some embodiments, when the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation for the serving cell.

[0290] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a first request to a second network device to which the candidate cell belongs, the first request being used to request the second network device to provide the continuous CHO.

[0291] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second information sent by the second network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides the continuous CHO.

[0292] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second time sent by the second network device, the second time being used to determine the effective time or invalidation time of the continuous CHO.

[0293] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a first identifier to the terminal, the first identifier being used to determine the identity of the terminal in the candidate cell, and the first identifier being used to identify the terminal in the interface between the base stations or cells.

[0294] In some embodiments, the candidate cell comprises at least one of the following: a candidate cell of the continuous CHO; a cell that provides the continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

[0295] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO is characterized by at least one of the following: the CHO configuration is not released after performing a radio resource control (RRC) handover; the CHO evaluation is continued according to the CHO after performing a cell handover.

[0296] FIG. 8B is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8B, the terminal 8200 can comprise a transceiver module 8201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8201 is configured to receive first information. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the processes performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, and the details are not described herein.

[0297] In some embodiments, the terminal can further comprise a processing module.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a candidate cell that provides the continuous CHO.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a condition for invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

[0300] In some embodiments, the condition for invalidation or release comprises at least one of: the terminal using the continuous CHO configuration for switching for a specified number of times; the terminal switching to a first cell; the terminal repeatedly switching to a second cell; exceeding a first time.

[0301] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to release the CHO configuration when the condition for invalidation or release is met.

[0302] In some embodiments, when the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation for the serving cell.

[0303] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a first identifier sent by the first network device, the first identifier being used to determine an identity of the terminal in a candidate cell, and the first identifier being used to identify the terminal in an interface between base stations or cells.

[0304] In some embodiments, the candidate cell comprises at least one of: a candidate cell of the continuous CHO; a cell providing the continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

[0305] In some embodiments, the continuous CHO is characterized by at least one of: not releasing the CHO configuration after performing a radio resource control (RRC) handover; continuing to perform CHO evaluation according to the CHO after performing a cell handover.

[0306] FIG. 8C is a structural schematic diagram of a second network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8C, the second network device 8300 can comprise a transceiver module 8301. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8301 is configured to receive a first request. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the processing steps performed by the second network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0307] In some embodiments, the second network device can further comprise a processing module.

[0308] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send second information to the first network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides the continuous CHO.

[0309] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a second time to the first network device, the second time being used to determine a valid time or an invalid time of the continuous CHO.

[0310] FIG. 9A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 9100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, which can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0311] As shown in FIG. 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. Optionally, the communication device 9100 is configured to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 9101 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0312] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9102. When the communication device 9100 includes the one or more transceivers 9102, the transceiver 9102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., transmitting and / or receiving) in the above methods, and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps. In optional embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0313] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9103 configured to store data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 9103 can also be outside the communication device 9100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 9100 can include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuit 9104 is connected to the memory 9103, and the interface circuit 9104 can be configured to receive data from the memory 9103 or other devices, and can be configured to send data to the memory 9103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9104 can read the data stored in the memory 9103 and send the data to the processor 9101.

[0314] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 can not be limited by FIG. 9A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, and the like; (6) other devices, and the like.

[0315] FIG. 9B is a structural diagram of a chip 9200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 9100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural diagram of the chip 9200 shown in FIG. 9B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0316] The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. The chip 9200 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0317] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and the like can be replaced with each other. In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 9203 can be outside the chip 9200. Optionally, the interface circuit 9202 is connected to the memory 9203, and the interface circuit 9202 can be configured to receive data from the memory 9203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 9202 can be configured to send data to the memory 9203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9202 can read data stored in the memory 9203 and send the data to the processor 9201.

[0318] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps (such as step S2101, but not limited thereto) in the above methods, such as transmitting and / or receiving. The interface circuit 9202 performing the communication steps in the above methods, such as transmitting and / or receiving, means that the interface circuit 9202 performs data interaction between the processor 9201, the chip 9200, the memory 9203, or a transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0319] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments of the virtual device, the physical device, the chip, etc. can be combined or separated according to circumstances. Alternatively, part or all of the steps can also be performed by multiple modules and / or devices in cooperation, which is not limited here.

[0320] The disclosure further provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Alternatively, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Alternatively, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0321] The disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Alternatively, the program product is a computer program product.

[0322] The disclosure further provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first network device sends first information to the terminal, the first information being used for indicating a conditional handover CHO type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being continuous CHO.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information is also used for indicating a candidate cell providing the continuous CHO.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is also used for indicating a condition of invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The condition of invalidation or release comprises at least one of: The terminal uses the continuous CHO configuration to switch a specified number of times; The terminal switches to a first cell; The terminal repeatedly switches to a second cell; A first time is exceeded.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, When the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the serving cell.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device sends a first request to a second network device to which the candidate cell belongs, the first request being used for requesting the second network device to provide continuous CHO.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device receives second information sent by the second network device, the second information being used for indicating that the second network device provides continuous CHO.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The first network device receives second time sent by the second network device, the second time being used for determining a valid time or invalid time of the continuous CHO.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The first network device sends a first identifier to the terminal, the first identifier being used for determining an identifier of the terminal in the candidate cell, and the first identifier being used for identifying the terminal on an interface between base stations or cells.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The candidate cell comprises at least one of: A candidate cell of the continuous CHO; A cell providing the continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The continuous CHO represents at least one of: Not releasing the CHO configuration after performing radio resource control RRC handover; Continuing to perform CHO evaluation according to the CHO after performing cell handover.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The terminal receives first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used for indicating a conditional handover CHO type configured for the terminal, the CHO type being continuous CHO.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first information is also used for indicating a candidate cell providing the continuous CHO.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information is also used for indicating a condition of invalidation or release of the continuous CHO.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The condition of invalidation or release comprises at least one of: The terminal uses the continuous CHO configuration to switch a specified number of times; The terminal switches to a first cell; The terminal repeatedly switches to a second cell; A first time is exceeded.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: The terminal releases the CHO configuration when the condition of invalidation or release is met.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein, When the candidate cell of the continuous CHO comprises a serving cell, the terminal does not perform CHO evaluation on the serving cell.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The terminal receives a first identifier sent by the first network device, the first identifier being used for determining an identifier of the terminal in the candidate cell, and the first identifier being used for identifying the terminal on an interface between base stations or cells.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The candidate cell comprises at least one of: A candidate cell of the continuous CHO; A cell providing the continuous CHO configuration to the terminal.

20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein, The continuous CHO is characterized by at least one of the following: The CHO configuration is not released after a radio resource control (RRC) handover is performed; CHO evaluation according to the CHO is continued after a cell handover is performed.

21. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: The second network device receives a first request sent by the first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of the terminal belongs, and the first request being used to request the second network device to provide the continuous CHO.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The method further comprises: The second network device sends second information to the first network device, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device provides the continuous CHO.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein, The method further comprises: The second network device sends a second time to the first network device, the second time being used to determine an effective time or an invalid time of the continuous CHO.

24. A first network device, comprising: Comprise: The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the terminal, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type being the continuous CHO.

25. A terminal, characterized by Comprise: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by the first network device, the first information being used to indicate a conditional handover (CHO) type configured for the terminal, and the CHO type being the continuous CHO.

26. A second network device, comprising: Comprise: The transceiver module is configured to receive a first request sent by the first network device, the second network device being a network device to which a candidate cell of the terminal belongs, and the first request being used to request the second network device to provide the continuous CHO.

27. A first network device, comprising: Comprise: One or more processors; The first network device is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 1 to 11.

28. A terminal, characterized by Comprise: One or more processors; The terminal is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 12 to 20.

29. A second network device, comprising: Comprise: One or more processors; The first network device is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 21 to 23.

30. A communication system, characterized by Comprise a first network device, a terminal, and a second network device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the method in any one of claims 1 to 11, the terminal is configured to implement the method in any one of claims 12 to 20, and the second network device is configured to implement the method in any one of claims 21 to 23.

31. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method in any one of claims 1 to 11 or the method in any one of claims 12 to 20 or the method in any one of claims 21 to 23.

32. A program product, characterized by Comprise: A computer program, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method in any one of claims 1 to 11 or the method in any one of claims 12 to 20 or the method in any one of claims 21 to 23.

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