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

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a communication method, a terminal, network equipment, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. The communication method may be applied to a terminal, the method comprising: receiving a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance for a first cell; therefore, through the scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the switching delay is reduced.

Description

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

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

[0002] In various types of cell switching processes or cell group changing processes, since the terminal initiates a random access process in the target cell, the delay of the cell switching process or the cell group changing process is increased. However, the current random access channel-less (RACH-less) switching process requires that the time advance (TA) of the target cell and the TA of the source cell are the same or the TA is equal to 0. For the case that the TA of the target cell and the TA of the source cell are not the same or the TA is not equal to 0, the terminal still initiates a random access process in the target cell, which increases the delay of the cell switching process or the cell group changing process.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] For various types of cell switching processes or cell group changing processes, it is necessary to consider how to cancel the random access process of the terminal in the switching process, so as to reduce the switching delay.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product, which can make the terminal not initiate a random access process in the switching process, thereby reducing the switching delay.

[0006] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a terminal, and the method comprises: receiving a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a time advance, the time advance being used for a first cell.

[0007] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a network device, and the method comprises: sending a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a time advance, the time advance being used for a first cell.

[0008] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a time advance, the time advance being used for a first cell.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device comprises a transceiver configured to transmit a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided. The terminal comprises one or more processors; and wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device comprises one or more processors; and wherein the network device is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a terminal and a network device. The terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to the first aspect, and the network device is configured to perform the communication method according to the second aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium is provided. The computer storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system computer program product is provided. The computer program product, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided. The computer program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0016] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a chip or chip system is provided. The chip or chip system comprises a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0017] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal obtains the timing advance indicated by the network device through the first RRC message, so that the terminal can cancel the random access procedure based on the timing advance in the handover process, thereby reducing the handover delay.

[0018] It should be understood that the general description above and the following detailed description below are only exemplary and explanatory, and are not limiting to the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

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

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method performed by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method performed by a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4A is another schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method performed by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4B is another schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method performed by a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a structure of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product.

[0030] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, performed by a terminal, comprising: receiving a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal obtains the timing advance indicated by the network device through the first RRC message, so that the terminal can cancel the random access procedure based on the timing advance in the handover process, thereby reducing the handover delay.

[0032] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first cell is one cell, or the first cell comprises at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

[0033] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message further comprises: cell information, the cell information being used to indicate the first cell.

[0034] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises at least one of: a cell identifier; a cell configuration; an identifier of a timing advance group.

[0035] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell identifier comprises at least one of: a physical cell identifier; a serving cell identifier; a secondary cell identifier; a cell group identifier; a cell type identifier; frequency information corresponding to the cell; frequency band information corresponding to the cell; an identifier of a timing advance group; a type of the timing advance group.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises the cell identifier and the cell configuration, and the first cell is a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information comprises a cell identifier of the first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell.

[0037] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell configuration comprises first information, the first information being used to indicate a candidate configuration, the candidate configuration being associated with a timing advance, and the first cell is a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

[0038] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: after the first time point, transmitting an uplink signal on the first cell according to the timing advance.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time point is any one of: a second time point delayed by a first time length; a third time point delayed by the first time length; a fourth time point delayed by the first time length; wherein the second time point is a time point at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time point is a time point at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; the fourth time point is a time point at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0040] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message is transmitted without segmentation, and the first time point is a fifth time point delayed by a first time length, the fifth time point being a time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC message; and the first time length being a processing time length of the terminal.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the processing time length of the terminal is associated with at least one of: a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; and a preconfigured processing delay.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining, according to the timing advance, that the random access procedure is not initiated in the first cell.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the case that the handover procedure is controlled by the RRC message, the terminal can obtain the timing advance through the first RRC message, so that the random access procedure can be not initiated based on the timing advance in the handover procedure, thereby reducing the handover delay.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: starting, at the sixth time, the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth time comprises at least one of: the second time delayed by a first time length; the third time delayed by the first time length; the fourth time delayed by the first time length; the second time; the third time; the fourth time; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0046] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending third information, the third information being used by the network device to determine the first time and / or the sixth time, the first time being a time at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission of the first cell, and the sixth time being a time at which the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0047] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the case that the RRC message is segmented and transmitted, the terminal indicates the first time and / or the sixth time to the network device, so that the terminal and the network device can reach a consistent understanding of the application time of the timing advance of the first cell and / or the start time of the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell, thereby improving the system performance.

[0048] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the timing advance of the first cell is used by the terminal to perform a cell handover procedure or a cell group change procedure, and the method comprises: in the cell handover procedure or the cell group change procedure, the random access procedure is not initiated.

[0049] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, performed by a network device, the method comprising: sending a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used by a terminal for a first cell.

[0050] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell is one cell, or the first cell comprises at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

[0051] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message further comprises cell information, and the cell information is used to indicate the first cell.

[0052] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a cell configuration; an identifier of a timing advance group.

[0053] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell identifier comprises at least one of the following: a physical cell identifier; a serving cell identifier; a secondary cell identifier; a cell group identifier; a cell type identifier; frequency information corresponding to the cell; frequency band information corresponding to the cell; an identifier of a timing advance group; a type of a timing advance group.

[0054] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises a cell identifier and a cell configuration, and the first cell is a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information comprises a cell identifier of the first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell.

[0055] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell configuration comprises first information, the first information is used to indicate a candidate configuration, a first timing advance is associated with the candidate configuration, and the first cell is a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

[0056] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, after the first time point, an uplink signal sent by the terminal on the first cell according to the timing advance.

[0057] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time point comprises at least one of the following: a second time point delayed by a first time length; a third time point delayed by the first time length; a fourth time point delayed by the first time length; wherein the second time point is a time point at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time point is a time point at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; the fourth time point is a time point at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0058] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message is not segmented for transmission, the first time point is a fifth time point delayed by a first time length, the fifth time point is a time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC message, and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0059] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing duration of the terminal is associated with at least one of: a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; a pre-configured processing delay.

[0060] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending third information, the third information being used for the network device to determine the first time and / or the sixth time, the first time being a time at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission of the first cell, and the sixth time being a time at which the terminal starts a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0061] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth time comprises at least one of: the second time delayed by a first duration; the third time delayed by the first duration; the fourth time delayed by the first duration; the second time; the third time; the fourth time; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first duration is a processing duration of the terminal.

[0062] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

[0063] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell is one cell, or the first cell comprises at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

[0064] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message further comprises: cell information, the cell information being used to indicate the first cell.

[0065] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises at least one of: a cell identifier; a cell configuration; an identifier of a timing advance group.

[0066] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cell identifier comprises at least one of: a physical cell identifier; a serving cell identifier; a secondary cell identifier; a cell group identifier; a cell type identifier; frequency point information corresponding to the cell; frequency band information corresponding to the cell; a timing advance group identifier; a timing advance group type.

[0067] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises a cell identity and a cell configuration, the first cell being a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information comprises a cell identity of the first cell, the first cell being a serving cell.

[0068] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cell configuration comprises first information, the first information being used to indicate a candidate configuration, the candidate configuration being associated with the timing advance, the first cell being a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

[0069] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: after the first time, transmit, on the first cell, the uplink signal according to the timing advance.

[0070] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time is any one of: a second time delayed by a first time length; a third time delayed by the first time length; a fourth time delayed by the first time length; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0071] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message is not segmented for transmission, the first time is a fifth time delayed by a first time length, the fifth time being a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC message; and the first time length being a processing time length of the terminal.

[0072] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the processing time length of the terminal is associated with at least one of: a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; and a preconfigured processing delay.

[0073] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal further comprises a processing module configured to determine, according to the timing advance, that a random access procedure is not initiated on the first cell.

[0074] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal further comprises a processing module configured to start, at a sixth time, a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0075] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth time point comprises at least one of the following: the second time point delayed by a first time length; the third time point delayed by the first time length; the fourth time point delayed by the first time length; the second time point; the third time point; the fourth time point; wherein the second time point is a time point at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment; the third time point is a time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment; the fourth time point is a time point at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0076] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: send third information, the third information being used by the network device to determine the first time point and / or the sixth time point, the first time point being a time point at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission of the first cell, and the sixth time point being a time point at which the terminal starts a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0077] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the timing advance of the first cell is used by the terminal to perform a cell switching process or a cell group change process, and the transceiver is further configured to: in the cell switching process or the cell group change process, not initiate a random access process.

[0078] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device, comprising: a transceiver configured to send a first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

[0079] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell is one cell, or the first cell comprises at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

[0080] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message further comprises: cell information, the cell information being used to indicate the first cell.

[0081] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a cell configuration; an identifier of a timing advance group.

[0082] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the cell identifier comprises at least one of the following: a physical cell identifier; a serving cell identifier; a secondary cell identifier; a cell group identifier; a cell type identifier; frequency point information corresponding to the cell; frequency band information corresponding to the cell; a timing advance group identifier; a timing advance group type.

[0083] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information comprises a cell identity and a cell configuration, the first cell being a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information comprises a cell identity of the first cell, the first cell being a serving cell.

[0084] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the cell configuration comprises first information, the first information being used to indicate a candidate configuration, the first timing advance being associated with the candidate configuration, the first cell being a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

[0085] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive, after the first time, an uplink signal transmitted by the terminal on the first cell according to the timing advance.

[0086] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time comprises at least one of: a second time delayed by a first time length; a third time delayed by the first time length; a fourth time delayed by the first time length; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0087] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first RRC message is not segmented for transmission, the first time is a fifth time delayed by a first time length, the fifth time being a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC message; and the first time length being a processing time length of the terminal.

[0088] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing time length of the terminal is associated with at least one of: a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; and a preconfigured processing delay.

[0089] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit third information, the third information being used for the network device to determine the first time and / or a sixth time, the first time being a time at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission on the first cell, and the sixth time being a time at which the terminal starts a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0090] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth time comprises at least one of: the second time delayed by a first time length; the third time delayed by the first time length; the fourth time delayed by the first time length; the second time; the third time; the fourth time; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

[0091] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal. The terminal comprises one or more processors; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0092] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device. The network device comprises one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0093] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system comprises a terminal and a network device. The terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and possible implementation manners thereof, and the network device is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0094] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0095] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer performs the communication method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0097] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof.

[0098] It can be understood that the terminal, the network device, the communication system, the computer storage medium, the computer program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are used to execute the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects achieved thereby can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0099] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms of the communication method, the information processing method, the information transmission method, the timing advance sending method, the timing advance transmission method, the uplink signal sending method, the uplink signal transmission method, and the like can be replaced with each other. The terms of the terminal, the network device, the communication device, the information processing device, the timing advance sending device, the timing advance transmission device, the transmission device, and the like can be replaced with each other. The terms of the information processing system, the communication system, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0100] 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.

[0101] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment according to the logical relationship between them.

[0102] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0103] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the elements expressed in singular form, such as "one", "a", "the", "above", "said", "preceding", "this" and the like, can represent "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one" and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" and the like in English, the noun after the article can be understood as singular expression, or as plural expression.

[0104] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0105] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more of”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0106] In some embodiments, the description of “at least one of A, B” “A and / or B”, “in one case A, in another case B”, “in response to a case A, in response to a case B” and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B are executed (A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0107] In some embodiments, the description of “A or B” and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed (A and B are selectively executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0108] 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, sequence, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments in the context of the description, 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 sequence between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the sequence 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 their types 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 their contents can be the same or different.

[0109] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] In some embodiments, an apparatus and 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] In some embodiments, the terms "network device", "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "node", "access network node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femtocell", "picocell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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), or the like). 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the location is situated.

[0119] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0120] 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.

[0121] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. The network device 102 can also be referred to as an access network device.

[0122] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a 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, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0123] In some embodiments, the network device 102, for example, is a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the network device 102 can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (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 RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0124] In some embodiments, the network device 102 can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit (control unit), and the CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the network device 102, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but are not limited thereto.

[0125] In some embodiments, the CU and the DU can be centrally deployed in one network device, or can be distributedly deployed in multiple network devices.

[0126] In some embodiments, one network device 102 can include one CU and at least one DU. One CU can be connected with multiple DUs, and one DU can only be connected with one CU.

[0127] 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 present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0128] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, or part of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are illustrative, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is illustrative, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0129] 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), 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-Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth (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).

[0130] Hereinafter, terms related to the present disclosure are explained and interpreted.

[0131] I. Introduction to handover procedure

[0132] In a conventional cell handover procedure or cell group change procedure (e.g., primary secondary cell (PSCell) or primary cell (PCell) change), a source node sends a handover request message to a target node, and the target node sends a handover command to a terminal through the source node. After receiving the handover command, the terminal initiates a random access procedure in a target cell according to a random access configuration of the target cell (e.g., PSCell or PCell) in the handover command, thereby establishing an uplink synchronization relationship with the target cell and then being able to send uplink data.

[0133] II. RACH-less handover

[0134] In a cell handover procedure or cell group change procedure, if a source cell is the same as a target cell, the target cell can reuse a TA value of the source cell. The network side can indicate the terminal to reuse the TA value of the source cell when accessing the target cell in the handover command, or, for a case where the target cell has a small coverage, indicate that the target cell TA = 0, so that the terminal can not initiate a random access procedure when accessing the target cell, and perform RACH-less handover, thereby reducing the handover delay.

[0135] III. Introduction to dual connectivity (DC)

[0136] A terminal can be configured with two cell groups at the same time, i.e., a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0137] In some embodiments, the MCG can include at least one PCell and can also include one or more secondary cells (SCells). The SCG can include at least one PSCell and can also include one or more SCells.

[0138] In some embodiments, a network node for managing the MCG is a master node (MN), and a network node for managing the SCG is a secondary node (SN). The PCell and the PSCell can be collectively referred to as a special cell (SpCell).

[0139] IV. Introduction to dynamic cell (or cell group) change

[0140] In the 5G system, the network side can provide a terminal with multiple "candidate cells or cell groups". The network side can control the terminal to change in multiple "candidate cells or cell groups" through layer 1 (L1) (such as downlink control information (DCI)) or layer 2 (L2) (such as medium access control-control element (MAC-CE)) signaling, for example, changing the working cell or cell group from "candidate cell or cell group-1" to "candidate cell or cell group-2". Wherein, one serving cell or cell group can correspond to one or more "candidate cells or cell groups".

[0141] In some embodiments, the above process can also be referred to as L1 / L2 triggered mobility (LTM) handover process.

[0142] Five, introduce timing advance (TA).

[0143] After receiving the downlink signal, the terminal can determine the position of the downlink signal subframe. In order to avoid uplink interference, the network needs to ensure that the uplink signals sent by different terminals arrive at a fixed time. Therefore, the network side needs to configure the terminal with the corresponding uplink TA for uplink transmission. After the terminal receives the uplink TA, when it needs to send an uplink signal, it can send the uplink signal by advancing the time length of the TA with the downlink subframe position as the reference.

[0144] In some embodiments, the network device can configure one or more timing advance groups (TAGs) for the terminal, one TAG can include one or more cells, and the cells in one TAG can use the same TA. The TAG containing the SpCell is called the primary TAG (pTAG), and the TAG containing only SCells is called the secondary TAG (sTAG).

[0145] In some embodiments, for the acquisition of TA, the terminal only needs to obtain the TA value when it is in the uplink out-of-sync state, therefore, the terminal can trigger or be triggered by the network side to initiate a random access process, and the network device sends the TA to the terminal in the random access response (RAR) message.

[0146] In some embodiments, the validity of the TA needs to be maintained due to the continuous change of the terminal's location. In an embodiment, the network device can maintain the TA, for example, the network device sets a timing advance timer (e.g., timeAlignmentTimer, TAT) for the terminal's TA, the TAT is started when the network device sends the TA to the terminal, and the network device sends a new TA to the terminal after the TAT expires. In an embodiment, the terminal can maintain the TA, for example, the terminal starts or restarts the TAT according to the TAT set by the network device when receiving the TA, and considers the TA invalid after the TAT expires, at which time the terminal is in an uplink out-of-sync state.

[0147] In some embodiments, the uplink TA sent by the network device to the terminal can include the following two types:

[0148] The first type is absolute TA. In an embodiment, the value of the absolute TA can be indicated by the "Timing Advance Command" information field (12 bits) in the absolute timing advance command (absolute timing advance command, MAC control element, MAC CE), i.e., "Absolute Timing Advance Command MAC CE". In this way, the terminal can directly use the absolute TA for uplink signal transmission after obtaining the absolute TA.

[0149] The second type is relative TA. In an embodiment, the value of the relative TA can be indicated by the "Timing Advance Command" information field (6 bits) in the "Timing Advance Command MAC CE". In this way, the terminal can combine (e.g., increase or decrease) the relative TA with the current TA of the terminal after obtaining the relative TA, and then use the combined TA for uplink signal transmission.

[0150] For various types of cell switching processes or cell group change processes, the terminal initiates a random access process in the target cell, which increases the delay of the cell switching process or the cell group change process. Currently, the RACH-less switching process requires that the TA of the target cell and the TA of the source cell be the same or the TA be 0, so for the case where the TA of the target cell and the TA of the source cell are not the same or the TA is not 0, the terminal still initiates a random access process in the target cell. In this case, how to reduce the switching delay is a problem to be solved.

[0151] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises steps S201-S204.

[0152] In step S201, the network device sends a first RRC message.

[0153] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first RRC message.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first RRC message contains second information. The second information is used to indicate the timing advance of the first cell. In an embodiment, the timing advance of the first cell can be a first TA (such as NTA). TA

[0155] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited, for example, it can be uplink timing command, uplink timing information, uplink timing configuration information, uplink timing indication information, etc.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second information can include at least one of the first TA and cell information. At this time, the first TA is associated with the first cell, and the cell information included in the second information can indicate the first cell. In an embodiment, the first TA can be an absolute TA or a relative TA.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first cell can be one cell or multiple cells. In an embodiment, the multiple first cells can belong to the same TAG, and at this time, the values of the first TAs associated with the multiple first cells are the same. In an embodiment, the multiple first cells can belong to different TAGs, and at this time, the values of the first TAs associated with the multiple first cells included in each TAG are the same. In some embodiments, the cell information can include at least one of the cell identifier, the cell configuration, and the group information of the TAG. In an embodiment, in the case where the cell information includes the cell identifier and the cell configuration, the first cell can be a cell associated with the cell configuration, and at this time, the cell identifier is the identifier of the cell associated with the cell configuration. In an embodiment, in the case where the cell information only includes the cell identifier, the first cell can be a serving cell of the terminal, and at this time, the cell identifier is the identifier of the serving cell.

[0158] In an example, the cell identifier can include at least one of the following: physical cell identifier (such as PhysCellId), serving cell identifier (such as serving cell index), SCell identifier (such as SCell index), cell group identifier (such as MCG index or SCG index), cell type identifier (such as PCell, PSCell, SpCell, SCell, etc.).

[0159] ​In an example, the cell configuration can comprise at least one of: frequency point information of the cell, frequency band information of the cell. In an example, the frequency point information can comprise absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN), evolved universal terrestrial radio access absolute radio frequency channel number (EARFCN), center frequency of the frequency band, etc. In an example, the frequency band information can be band number.

[0160] In an embodiment, the cell configuration can also indicate the first cell as a cell identity, and the cell identity can also comprise at least one of the frequency point information of the cell and the frequency band information of the cell.

[0161] In an embodiment, the cell configuration can further comprise first information, and the first information can be used to indicate one or more candidate configurations. In an embodiment, the first information can comprise at least one of candidate configuration identity and candidate configuration. The candidate configuration identity is an identity of a candidate configuration for the LTM. In some embodiments, when the first information comprises the candidate configuration identity, the first TA is associated with the candidate configuration indicated by the candidate configuration identity. In an embodiment, when the first information comprises the candidate configuration, the first TA is associated with the candidate configuration. Based on this, the terminal can apply the first TA to the candidate cell (such as the first cell) corresponding to the candidate configuration indicated by the first information. In an example, the first cell can be a cell (such as MCG PCell or SCG PSCell) contained in the spCell or pTAG of the candidate configuration indicated by the first information.

[0162] In an embodiment, in order to save signaling, the first TA can also be contained in the candidate configuration indicated by the first information. In this way, the terminal can obtain the corresponding first TA through the candidate configuration, and transmit uplink signals on the cell (such as the cell contained in the spCell or pTAG) corresponding to the candidate configuration according to the first TA, thereby realizing the LTM.

[0163] In an embodiment, the group information of the TAG can comprise at least one of an identity of the TAG (TAG ID) and a type of the TAG (TAG type). In an example, the TAG ID = 0 or 1. In an example, the TAG type = pTAG or sTAG.

[0164] In an embodiment, the group information of the TAG can indicate the first cell as a cell identity, and the cell identity can further include at least one of an identity of the TAG and a type of the TAG.

[0165] It should be noted that the second information can include at least one of the following: the first TA, the PhysCellId, the serving cell index, the SCell index, the MCG index, the SCG index, the PCell index, the PSCell index, the SpCell index, the SCell index, the ARFCN, the EARFCN, the center frequency of the frequency band, the frequency band number, the candidate configuration identity, the candidate configuration, the TAG ID, and the TAG type.

[0166] Of course, the above is only an example of the second information, and the second information can also include other parameters to indicate the first TA, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first TA can be carried by a second information field in the first RRC message. In an example, when the TA indicated by the second information is an absolute TA, the first RRC message can be an “Absolute Timing Advance Command RRC”, that is, an RRC message for indicating an absolute TA. In an example, when the TA indicated by the second information is a relative TA, the first RRC message can be a “Timing Advance Command RRC”, that is, an RRC message for indicating a relative TA. In an example, the above-mentioned second information field can be a “Timing Advance Command”.

[0168] In some embodiments, in order to improve the transmission performance, the RRC message can be transmitted in segments, and then the first RRC message can be divided into multiple RRC segments for transmission. Then, the second information can be contained in one RRC segment or multiple RRC segments of the first RRC message for transmission.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first RRC message can be an RRC message in a cell switching procedure or a cell group changing procedure. In an example, the first RRC message can be an RRC connection configuration (RRCconnectionconfiguration) message, an RRC connection reconfiguration (RRCconnectionreconfiguration) message, a handover command, a handover preparation, an RRC connection reestablishment message, etc. At this time, the first TA is used in the cell switching procedure or the cell group changing procedure. Based on this, the multiple RRC signaling overheads can be reduced, and the TA indicated by the second information can be associated with the SpCell in the cell switching procedure or the cell group changing procedure, further saving the signaling overheads.

[0170] In some embodiments, in order to ensure the reliability of transmission, the first RRC message can prohibit segmented transmission.

[0171] In step S202, after the first time, the terminal transmits an uplink signal in the first cell according to the first TA.

[0172] In some embodiments, the network device receives the uplink signal transmitted by the terminal in the first cell according to the first TA after the first time.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first time is the application time of the first TA. In some embodiments, the first time is the effective time of the first TA. In some embodiments, the first TA starts to take effect at the first time. In some embodiments, the first TA starts to enable at the first time. In some embodiments, the first time is the time when the terminal uses the first TA for the uplink signal transmission of the first cell.

[0174] In some embodiments, the terminal applies the first TA to the uplink signal transmission of the first cell at the first time after receiving the first RRC message. Then, after the first time, when the terminal needs to transmit uplink information on the first cell, the terminal can transmit the uplink signal on the first cell according to the first TA.

[0175] In some embodiments, in the case where the first TA is used in the cell switching procedure or the cell group changing procedure, the terminal can not initiate a random access procedure in the cell switching procedure or the cell group changing procedure, but directly transmit the uplink signal on the target cell (such as the first cell) according to the first TA.

[0176] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine not to initiate the random access procedure on the first cell according to the first TA. In an embodiment, after obtaining the first TA, the terminal can perform uplink synchronization on the first cell according to the first TA, and at this time, the terminal can not initiate the random access procedure on the first cell.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first time can be a time at which the terminal receives one or more segments of the first RRC message. In an embodiment, in the case of segmented transmission of the first RRC message, the first time can be a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the second time). In an embodiment, in the case of segmented transmission of the first RRC message, the first time can be a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the third time).

[0178] In some embodiments, the first time can be a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message (e.g., the fourth time). At this time, the first RRC message can be repeatedly transmitted a plurality of times, and the first RRC message can not be segmented.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first RRC message can also be repeatedly transmitted in segments. At this time, the first RRC message can be repeatedly transmitted a plurality of times, and the first RRC message can be segmented in one transmission. In an embodiment, the first time can be a time at which the terminal first receives a last RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the seventh time). In an embodiment, the first time can be a time at which the terminal first receives a first RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the eighth time).

[0180] In some embodiments, the first time can also be the above-mentioned time at which the first RRC message is received, delayed by a first time length considering a processing delay (e.g., the first time length) inside the terminal. In an embodiment, the first time can be the second time delayed by the first time length. In an embodiment, the first time can be the third time delayed by the first time length. In an embodiment, the first time can be the fourth time delayed by the first time length. In an embodiment, the first time can be the seventh time delayed by the first time length. In an embodiment, the first time can be the eighth time delayed by the first time length.

[0181] In an example, in case of the first RRC message segmented transmission, the first time can be the time when the terminal receives the last RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the second time) delayed by the first time length. In an example, in case of the first RRC message segmented transmission, the first time can be the time when the terminal receives the first RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the third time) delayed by the first time length. In an example, the first time can be the time when the terminal first receives the first RRC message (e.g., the fourth time) delayed by the first time length. In an example, the first time can be the time when the terminal first receives the last RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the seventh time) delayed by the first time length. In an example, the first time can be the time when the terminal first receives the first RRC segment of the first RRC message (e.g., the eighth time) delayed by the first time length.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first time length can be associated with at least one of the following: a processing delay of the terminal receiving the first RRC message, a physical channel processing delay of the terminal receiving the first RRC message, an uplink channel preparation delay, a maximum adjustment value of the TA, and a preconfigured processing delay. In an embodiment, the processing delay of the terminal receiving the first RRC message can be a processing delay of the RRC message, such as 10 milliseconds (ms). In an example, the physical channel processing delay of the terminal receiving the first RRC message can be a processing delay of a physical downlink share channel (PDSCH), such as 2 ms. In an example, the uplink channel preparation delay can be a preparation delay of a physical uplink share channel (PUSCH), such as 2 ms. In an example, the maximum adjustment value of the TA can be a preconfigured maximum adjustment value of the TA, such as 33 microseconds (μs). In an example, the preconfigured processing delay is a fixed processing delay, such as 1 ms.

[0183] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned first time length can be preconfigured, such as specified by a protocol, determined by the terminal according to its own implementation.

[0184] In some embodiments, in the case of non-segmented transmission of the first RRC message, the first time point can be the time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC message (such as the fifth time point). In some embodiments, in the case of non-segmented transmission of the first RRC message, the first time point can be the time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC message (such as the fifth time point) delayed by a first time length. In some embodiments, in the case of non-segmented transmission of the first RRC message, the first time point can be the time point at which the terminal receives the first RRC message (such as the fifth time point) delayed by a first time length. In some embodiments, in the case of non-segmented repeated transmission of the first RRC message, the first time point can be the time point at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message (such as the fourth time point) delayed by a first time length.

[0185] In step S203, at the sixth time point, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

[0186] In some embodiments, the sixth time point is the starting time point of the timing advance timer (such as TAT) corresponding to the first cell. In some embodiments, the time length of the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell can be configured by the system information (such as system information block 1 (SIB1)) of the first cell. The terminal can determine the time length of the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell according to the SIB1, and start the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the sixth time point. At this time, the terminal is in an uplink synchronization state. Then, after the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell times out, the terminal is in an uplink out-of-sync state, and the network device needs to indicate a new first TA for the terminal, at which time steps S201 to S203 are repeated.

[0187] In some embodiments, the sixth time instant can be at least one of the first time instant, the second time instant, the third time instant, the fourth time instant, and the fifth time instant. In an embodiment, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first TA takes effect. In an example, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the last RRC segment of the first RRC message is received with a delay of the first time duration (e.g., the second time instant with a delay of the first time duration). In an example, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC segment of the first RRC message is received with a delay of the first time duration (e.g., the third time instant with a delay of the first time duration). In an example, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC message is first received with a delay of the first time duration (e.g., the fourth time instant with a delay of the first time duration). In an example, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the last RRC segment of the first RRC message is first received with a delay of the first time duration. In an example, when the sixth time instant is the first time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC segment of the first RRC message is first received with a delay of the first time duration. In an embodiment, when the sixth time instant is the second time instant, the first RRC message is segmented transmission, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the one or more RRC segments of the first RRC message are received. In an example, when the sixth time instant is the second time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the last RRC segment of the first RRC message is received. In an example, when the sixth time instant is the third time instant, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC segment of the first RRC message is received. In an embodiment, when the sixth time instant is the fourth time instant, the first RRC message is repeated transmission, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC message is first received. In an embodiment, when the sixth time instant is the seventh time instant, the first RRC message is repeated segmented transmission, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the last RRC segment of the first RRC message is first received. In an embodiment, when the fifth time instant is the eighth time instant, the first RRC message is repeated segmented transmission, the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the same time when the first RRC segment of the first RRC message is first received.

[0188] In an example, in a case that the sixth time instant is the fifth time instant, the first RRC message is not segmented and transmitted, and the terminal starts the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the time instant of receiving the first RRC message, with a delay of the first time duration (e.g., the fifth time instant is delayed by the first time duration).

[0189] In some embodiments, in a case that the first cell indicated by the first RRC message belongs to multiple TAGs, the terminal can start one timing advance timer for each TAG, and maintain uplink synchronization on the first cell corresponding to each TAG respectively when the timing advance timer corresponding to the different TAGs is running.

[0190] In some embodiments, the step S202 and the step S203 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0191] In the step S204, the terminal sends the third information.

[0192] In some embodiments, the network device receives the third information.

[0193] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate at least one of the first time instant and the sixth time instant, to assist the network device to determine the application time instant of the first TA and the starting time instant of the timing advance timer of the first cell. In some embodiments, the third information is used by the network device to determine at least one of the first time instant and the sixth time instant.

[0194] In some embodiments, after determining at least one of the first time instant and the sixth time instant, the terminal can notify the network device, so as to achieve the consistent understanding of the network device and the terminal on the application time instant of the first TA and the starting time instant of the timing advance timer of the first cell.

[0195] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, for example, it can be indication information, timing advance indication information, timing advance report, etc.

[0196] In some embodiments, the third information can be contained in an RRC message, a MAC CE, uplink control information (UCI), signaling in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), signaling in a PUSCH, etc.

[0197] In some embodiments, after step S201, the network device can also determine at least one of the first time and the sixth time by itself using the method in steps S202 and S203, so as to achieve a consistent understanding between the network device and the terminal on the application time of the first TA and the start time of the timing advance timer of the first cell, avoid uplink out-of-sync of the terminal, and improve system performance. At this time, step S204 is omitted.

[0198] In an example, the third information can indicate the start time (such as the sixth time) of the timing advance timer, and at this time, the reference time of the timing advance timer can be the reference time (such as the time domain resource position) of the first cell. In an example, the reference time can be system frame number (SFN) 1, slot 1, and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) 1. In an example, the third information can indicate the application time (such as the first time) of the timing advance timer, and at this time, the reference time can be SFN 1, slot 1, and OFDM 1. In an example, the third information can indicate the time (such as the fourth time) at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message. In an example, the third information can indicate the time (such as the second time) at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment of the first RRC message. In an example, the third information can indicate the time (such as the third time) at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment of the first RRC message. In an example, the third information can indicate the time (such as the sixth time) at which the terminal first receives the last RRC segment of the first RRC message. In an example, the third information can indicate the time (such as the seventh time) at which the terminal first receives the first RRC segment of the first RRC message.

[0199] At this time, the sending process of the uplink signal of the terminal in the first cell is completed.

[0200] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the case of using the RRC message to control the handover process, the terminal can obtain the timing advance amount through the first RRC message, so that the random access process can not be initiated based on the timing advance amount in the handover process, thereby reducing the handover delay.

[0201] In some embodiments, for the case of RRC message segmentation transmission, the terminal indicates the first time and / or the sixth time to the network device, so that the terminal and the network device can reach a consistent understanding on the application time of the timing advance amount of the first cell and / or the start time of the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell, and improve system performance.

[0202] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S201 to S204. For example, step S201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of step S201 and step S202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of step S201, step S202, and step S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of step S201, step S202, and step S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of steps S201 to S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0203] In some embodiments, steps S202, S203, and S204 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0204] In some embodiments, steps S203 and S204 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0205] In some embodiments, steps S202 and S204 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0206] In some embodiments, step S204 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0207] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as “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.

[0208] In some embodiments, the terms of “carrying”, “including”, “containing” and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0209] In some embodiments, the terms of “first type of mobility”, “second type of mobility”, “first mobility”, “second mobility” and the like can be replaced with each other, the terms of “downlink”, “downlink”, “physical downlink” and the like can be replaced with each other, the terms of “side”, “sidelink”, “sidelink communication”, “sidelink communication”, “direct connection”, “direct connection link”, “direct connection communication”, “direct connection link communication” and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terms of “acquiring”, “obtaining”, “getting”, “receiving”, “transmitting”, “bidirectional transmission”, “sending and / or receiving” can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, processing to get, autonomously implementing and the like.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terms of “sending”, “transmitting”, “reporting”, “issuing”, “transmitting”, “requesting”, “bidirectional transmission”, “sending and / or receiving” and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0212] In some embodiments, the terms of “certain”, “preseted”, “preset”, “set”, “indicated”, “certain”, “arbitrary”, “first” and the like can be replaced with 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, can be interpreted as A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating and the like, can be interpreted as certain A, certain A, arbitrary A, or first A, but not limited thereto.

[0213] 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.

[0214] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method performed by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method performed by a terminal 101 in a communication system 100. The above method includes steps S3101 to S3104.

[0215] In step S3101, a first RRC message is received.

[0216] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to step S201 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises second information, and the second information comprises the first TA.

[0218] In step S3102, after the first time, the uplink signal is transmitted in the first cell according to the first TA.

[0219] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] In step S3103, at the sixth time, a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell is started.

[0221] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0222] In step S3104, the third information is transmitted.

[0223] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to step S2104 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate at least one of the first time and the sixth time.

[0225] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S3101 to S3104. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of step S3101 and step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of step S3101, step S3102 and step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of step S3101, step S3102 and step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0226] In some embodiments, steps S3102, S3103 and S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0227] In some embodiments, step S3103, step S3104 are optional, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0228] In some embodiments, step S3102, step S3104 are optional, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0229] In some embodiments, step S3104 is optional, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0230] In some embodiments, step S3102 and step S3103 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0231] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a method for performing communication on the network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for communication, which is performed by the network device 102 in the communication system 100. The above method comprises steps S3201 to S3203.

[0232] In step S3201, a first RRC message is sent.

[0233] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to step S201 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises second information, and the second information is used to indicate the first TA.

[0235] In step S3202, after the first time, an uplink signal sent by the terminal in the first cell according to the first TA is received.

[0236] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to step S202 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0237] In step S3203, third information is received.

[0238] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to step S204 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate at least one of the first time and the sixth time.

[0240] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3201 to S3203. For example, step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of step S3201 and step S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of step S3201 and step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, a combination of steps S3201 to S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited to this.

[0241] In some embodiments, steps S3202 and S3203 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0242] In some embodiments, step S3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0243] In some embodiments, step S3203 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0244] In some embodiments, steps S3202 and S3203 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0245] FIG. 4A is another flow diagram of a communication method performed by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method performed by a terminal 101 in a communication system 100. The above method includes step S4101.

[0246] In step S4101, a first RRC message is received.

[0247] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to step S201 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be described here.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first RRC message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate the first TA.

[0249] FIG. 4B is another flow diagram of a communication method performed by a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method performed by a network device 102 in a communication system 100. The above method includes step S4201.

[0250] In step S4201, a first RRC message is sent.

[0251] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to step S201 in FIG. 2 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first RRC message comprises second information, and the second information is used to indicate the first TA.

[0253] Hereinafter, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily described through specific embodiments.

[0254] In some embodiments, the network side sends the "uplink timing information of a specified cell (or TAG)" (such as the second information) to the terminal side through an RRC message (such as the first RRC message). The "uplink timing information of a specified cell" comprises: uplink timing information (such as the first TA), and cell information corresponding to the uplink timing information (such as the cell information of the first cell).

[0255] In some embodiments, the "cell information corresponding to the uplink timing information" comprises at least one of the following: a cell identifier, and cell configuration information.

[0256] In some embodiments, the terminal uses the "uplink timing information" (such as the first TA) for the "specified cell" (such as the first cell).

[0257] In some embodiments, the application delay of the "uplink timing information" is any one of the following:

[0258] Mode 1: from the time position of receiving the last segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information" (for example, an RRC message may be divided into multiple segments for transmission), plus the "terminal processing delay".

[0259] Mode 2: from the time position of receiving the first segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information", plus the "terminal processing delay".

[0260] Mode 3: from the time position of first successfully receiving the message for sending the "uplink timing information", plus the "terminal processing delay".

[0261] In some embodiments, the starting time of the "uplink timing timer" (such as the timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell) comprises any one of the following:

[0262] Mode 4: the time of successfully receiving the message for sending the "uplink timing information of a specified cell".

[0263] Mode 5: the time of receiving the last segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information".

[0264] Mode 6: the time of receiving the first segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information".

[0265] Way 7: Application time of the "uplink timing information".

[0266] In some embodiments, the terminal can report at least one of the following information to the network side: the starting time of the "uplink timing timer" (such as the sixth time), the application time of the "uplink timing information" (such as the first time), the receiving time of the first successful reception of the "uplink timing information" (such as the fourth time), the time of receiving the last segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information" (such as the second time), and the time of receiving the first segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information" (such as the third time).

[0267] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the "uplink timing information of a specified cell (or TAG)" sent by the network through an RRC message.

[0268] In some embodiments, the network device sends the "uplink timing information of a specified cell (or TAG)" to the terminal through an RRC message.

[0269] In some embodiments, the communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the following steps:

[0270] Step 1: The network device sends the "uplink timing information of a specified cell (or TAG)" to the terminal side through an RRC message.

[0271] In some embodiments, the "uplink timing information of a specified cell" can be included in the "cell switching process or cell group change" signaling. In this way, through this method, the loss of multiple RRC signaling can be reduced, and the "uplink timing information of a specified cell" is default bound with the SpCell of the "cell switching process or cell group change" signaling, saving the signaling overhead.

[0272] In some embodiments, the "uplink timing information of a specified cell" includes: uplink timing information and cell information corresponding to the uplink timing information.

[0273] In some embodiments, the "uplink timing information" type includes any one of the following: absolute timing information and relative timing information; the "cell information corresponding to the uplink timing information" includes at least one of the following: cell identification, cell configuration information. The "cell identification" includes any one of the following: physical cell identification (e.g., PhysCellId), serving cell identification (e.g., serving cell Index), SCell identification (e.g., SCell Index), cell group identification (e.g., MCG Index or SCG Index), cell type identification (e.g., PCell, PSCell, SpCell, SCell, etc.), frequency point information corresponding to the cell (e.g., ARFCN), frequency band information corresponding to the cell (e.g., band number), timing advance group identification (e.g., TAG = 1), timing advance group type (e.g., pTAG or sTAG).

[0274] In some embodiments, when the "cell identification" and "cell configuration information" are configured at the same time, the "cell identification" can be the "cell identification" of the configured cell included in the "cell configuration information", or when only the "cell identification" is configured, the "cell identification" can be the "cell identification" of the serving cell currently configured by the terminal.

[0275] In some embodiments, the "cell configuration information" includes at least one of the following: cell configuration identification and candidate cell (or cell group) configuration information. In an example, the cell configuration identification is a candidate configuration identification for the LTM procedure. The terminal uses the "uplink timing information" for the SpCell or pTAG (e.g., MCG PCell or SCG PSCell) of the "candidate configuration" corresponding to the "candidate configuration identification". In an example, the "uplink timing information" can be included in the candidate configuration of the LTM procedure, so that the "uplink timing information" corresponds to the "candidate configuration" and is used for the SpCell or pTAG (e.g., MCG PCell or SCG PSCell) of the "candidate configuration".

[0276] Step 2: After the terminal receives the "uplink timing information of the specified cell" in step 1, the terminal uses the "uplink timing information" for the "specified cell".

[0277] In some embodiments, if the "uplink timing information of the specified cell" is used for "cell switching procedure or cell group change", the terminal does not initiate a random access procedure in the "cell switching procedure or cell group change".

[0278] In some embodiments, the application delay of the "uplink timing information" (i.e., the time delay from the terminal receiving the "uplink timing information" to actually adjusting the uplink timing due to the processing delay inside the terminal) is any one of the following:

[0279] Method 8: From the time position of receiving the last segment of the message sending the "uplink timing information" (e.g., an RRC message can be segmented into multiple segments for transmission), plus a "terminal processing delay". Further, the "terminal processing delay" is related to at least one of the following components: a processing delay of receiving the "uplink timing information" message (e.g., an RRC message processing delay of 10 ms), a physical channel processing delay of receiving the "uplink timing information" (e.g., a PDSCH channel processing delay of 2 ms), an uplink channel preparation delay (e.g., a PUSCH channel preparation delay of 2 ms), an uplink timing adjustment maximum value (e.g., a protocol agreed TA adjustment maximum value of 33 us), a protocol agreed fixed processing delay (e.g., 1 ms).

[0280] Method 9: From the time position of receiving the first segment of the message sending the "uplink timing information", plus a "terminal processing delay". The "terminal processing delay" is the same as in Method 8.

[0281] Method 10: From the time position of first successfully receiving the message sending the "uplink timing information", plus a "terminal processing delay". The "terminal processing delay" is the same as in Method 8.

[0282] In some embodiments, for Method 8 or Method 9 above, the network side can be restricted from segmenting the message sending the "uplink timing information", so that Method 8 and Method 9 are the same, and in this case, the RRC message has only one segment.

[0283] In some embodiments, after receiving the "specified cell uplink timing information", the terminal starts an uplink timing timer (e.g., a TAT timer).

[0284] In some embodiments, the starting time of the "uplink timing timer" includes any one of the following:

[0285] Method 11: the time of successfully receiving the message sending the "specified cell uplink timing information"

[0286] Method 12: the time of receiving the last segment of the message sending the "uplink timing information"

[0287] Method 13: the time of receiving the first segment of the message sending the "uplink timing information"

[0288] Method 14: the application time of the "uplink timing information". In an example, according to the "uplink timing information application delay", the terminal applies the "uplink timing information" for uplink signal transmission after receiving the "uplink timing information" for the "uplink timing information application delay", at the time of applying the "uplink timing information".

[0289] In some embodiments, the terminal can report at least one of the following information to the network side: the starting time of the "uplink timing timer" (e.g., the starting time position of the "uplink timing timer" at SFN=1, slot=1, OFDM=1), the application time of the "uplink timing information" (e.g., the application time position of the "uplink timing information" at SFN=1, slot=1, OFDM=1), the receiving time of the first successful reception of the "uplink timing information", the receiving time of the last segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information", and the receiving time of the first segment of the message for sending the "uplink timing information".

[0290] In some embodiments, the terminal reports at least one of the above information to the network side, which can assist the network side in determining the TAT starting time of the terminal or determining the application time of the "uplink timing information" of the terminal.

[0291] In some embodiments, when the terminal obtains the uplink timing of multiple TAGs (e.g., the RRC message indicates multiple TAGs (one TAG contains one or more cells)), the terminal starts the corresponding "uplink timing timer" for different TAGs.

[0292] Embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the network device in any of the above methods.

[0293] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus 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 realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above 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 realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0294] 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 CPU, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can also 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 can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is an ASIC or a PLD implemented hardware circuit, such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit 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), and the like.

[0295] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication apparatus 500 can include at least one of a transceiver module 501 and a processing module 502.

[0296] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 500 can be a terminal. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 501 can be configured to receive a first RRC message, the first RRC message including a timing advance, the timing advance being for a first cell. Optionally, the transceiver module 501 can be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S201, S202, S204, but not limited thereto) of the sending and / or receiving performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again. In some embodiments, the processing module 502 can be configured to start a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at the sixth time. Optionally, the processing module 502 can be configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S203, but not limited thereto) other than the communication steps of the sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again.

[0297] In some embodiments, the communication device 500 can be a network device. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 501 can be configured to transmit the first RRC message, the first RRC message comprising the timing advance, the timing advance being for the first cell. Optionally, the transceiver module 501 can be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, S204, but not limited to) of transmitting and / or receiving performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0298] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can comprise a transmitting module and / or a receiving module. The transmitting module and the receiving module can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be mutually replaced with the transceiver.

[0299] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or comprise a plurality of sub-modules. Optionally, the plurality of sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module respectively. Optionally, the processing module can be mutually replaced with the processor.

[0300] FIG. 6A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a terminal, a network device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0301] As shown in FIG. 6A, the communication device 6100 comprises one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 can be a general-purpose 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 network nodes (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process data of programs. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to implement any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 6101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 6100 to implement any of the above methods.

[0302] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6102. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6102, the transceiver 6102 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S201, S202, S204, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S203, but not limited to). In alternative embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Alternatively, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0303] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 6103 can also be outside the communication device 6100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 6100 can include one or more interface circuits 6104. Alternatively, the interface circuit 6104 is connected with the memory 6103, and the interface circuit 6104 can be used to receive data from the memory 6103 or other devices, and can be used to send data to the memory 6103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read the data stored in the memory 6103 and send the data to the processor 6101.

[0304] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments can be a terminal or a network device, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device 6100 can not be limited by Figure 6A. 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 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, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0305] Figure 6B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B can be referred to, but is not limited to this.

[0306] The chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. The chip 6200 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0307] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and the like can replace each other. In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6203 can be outside the chip 6200. Optionally, the interface circuit 6202 is connected with the memory 6203, the interface circuit 6202 can be configured to receive data from the memory 6203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 6202 can be configured to send data to the memory 6203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6202 can read the data stored in the memory 6203 and send the data to the processor 6201.

[0308] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S201, step S202, step S204, but not limited to) of transmitting and / or receiving in the above methods. The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as transmitting and / or receiving in the above methods means that the interface circuit 6202 performs data interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S203, but not limited to).

[0309] The modules and / or devices described in each of the embodiments of the virtual device, the physical device, the chip, and the like can be combined or separated as appropriate. Optionally, part or all of the steps can also be performed by multiple modules and / or devices in cooperation, which is not limited here.

[0310] The embodiments of the present disclosure further propose a storage medium, and the storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions run on the communication device 6100, the communication device 6100 performs any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, 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. Optionally, 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.

[0311] The embodiments of the present disclosure further propose a computer program product, which is executed by the communication device 6100, so that the communication device 6100 performs any of the above methods.

[0312] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0313] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present disclosure following, in general, the principles of the present disclosure and including such

[0314] It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise structures herein described and illustrated in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A communication method, performed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving a first radio resource control (RRC) message, the first RRC message comprising a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first cell is one cell, or the first cell comprises at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first RRC message further comprises cell information, the cell information being used to indicate the first cell.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The cell information comprises at least one of: a cell identity; a cell configuration; an identity of a timing advance group.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The cell identity comprises at least one of: a physical cell identity; a serving cell identity; a secondary cell identity; a cell group identity; a cell type identity; frequency information corresponding to the cell; band information corresponding to the cell; an identity of a timing advance group; a type of a timing advance group.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The cell information comprises the cell identity and the cell configuration, and the first cell is a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information comprises the cell identity, and the first cell is a serving cell.

7. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The cell configuration comprises first information, the first information being used to indicate a candidate configuration, the candidate configuration comprising the timing advance, and the first cell being a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The method further comprises: after a first time, transmitting an uplink signal on the first cell according to the timing advance.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first RRC message comprises a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time is any one of: a second time delayed by a first time length; a third time delayed by the first time length; a fourth time delayed by the first time length; wherein the second time is a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment, the third time is a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment, the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message, and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first RRC message is not segmented for transmission, the first time is a fifth time delayed by the first time length, the fifth time is a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC message, and the first time length is the processing time length of the terminal.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein, The processing time length of the terminal is associated with at least one of: a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; a pre-configured processing delay.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The method further comprises: determining not to initiate a random access procedure on the first cell according to the timing advance.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The method further comprises: starting a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell at a sixth time.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The sixth time comprises at least one of: the second time delayed by the first time length; the third time delayed by the first time length; the fourth time delayed by the first time length; the second time; the third time; the fourth time; wherein the second time is the time at which the terminal receives the last RRC segment, the third time is the time at which the terminal receives the first RRC segment, and the fourth time is the time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message. The first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The method further includes: sending third information, the third information being used for the network device to determine a first time and / or a sixth time, the first time being a time at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission of a first cell, and the sixth time being a time at which the terminal starts a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, The timing advance is used for the terminal to perform a cell switching process or a cell group changing process, and the method includes: In the cell switching process or the cell group changing process, it is determined not to initiate a random access process.

17. A communication method, performed by a network device, the method comprising: sending a first radio resource control (RRC) message, the first RRC message including a timing advance, the timing advance being used for a first cell.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first cell is one cell, or the first cell includes at least two cells, and the first cell belongs to one or more timing advance groups.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The first RRC message further includes cell information, the cell information being used to indicate the first cell.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a cell configuration; an identifier of a timing advance group.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The cell identifier includes at least one of the following: a physical cell identifier; a serving cell identifier; a secondary cell identifier; a cell group identifier; a cell type identifier; frequency information corresponding to the cell; band information corresponding to the cell; an identifier of a timing advance group; a type of a timing advance group.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein, The cell information includes the cell identifier and the cell configuration, and the first cell is a cell associated with the cell configuration; or the cell information includes the cell identifier, and the first cell is a serving cell.

23. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein, The cell configuration includes first information, the first information being used to indicate a candidate configuration, the first timing advance being associated with the candidate configuration, and the first cell being a cell corresponding to the candidate configuration.

24. The method of any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein, The method further includes: after the first time, receiving an uplink signal sent by the terminal on the first cell according to the timing advance.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, The first RRC message includes a plurality of RRC segments, and the first time is any one of the following: a second time delayed by a first time length; a third time delayed by a first time length; a fourth time delayed by a first time length; The second time is a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; and the first time length is a processing time length of the terminal. The first RRC message is not segmented for transmission, the first time is a fifth time delayed by a first time length, the fifth time being a time at which the terminal receives the first RRC message, and the first time length being a processing time length of the terminal.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein, The processing time length of the terminal is associated with at least one of the following:

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein, a processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; a physical channel processing delay for receiving the first RRC message; an uplink channel preparation delay; a maximum adjustment value of the timing advance; a preconfigured processing delay. The method further includes:

28. The method of any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein, ​ transmit third information, the third information being used for the network device to determine a first time and / or a sixth time, the first time being a time at which the terminal uses the timing advance for uplink signal transmission of the first cell, and the sixth time being a time at which the terminal starts a timing advance timer corresponding to the first cell.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The sixth time includes at least one of the following: The second time is delayed by a first time length; The third time is delayed by the first time length; The fourth time is delayed by the first time length; The second time; The third time; The fourth time; The second time is a time at which the terminal receives a last RRC segment; the third time is a time at which the terminal receives a first RRC segment; and the fourth time is a time at which the terminal first receives the first RRC message; The first time length is a processing time length of the terminal.

30. A terminal, characterized by comprise: one or more processors; The terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

31. A network device, comprising: comprise: one or more processors; The terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 29.

32. A communication system including a terminal and network equipment, wherein The terminal is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and the network device is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 29.

33. A storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, 17 to 29.

34. A program product comprising a program and / or instructions, characterized in that The program and / or instructions, when executed by the communication device, implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, 17 to 29.

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