Method and communication device for processing uplink transmissions

Abstract

To provide a method for processing uplink (UL) transmissions for performing cell / beam switching procedures.SOLUTION: A method for processing UL transmissions by a communication device includes the steps of: receiving a first setting including a set of reference signals (RSs) from a network; performing at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report; performing at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one setting different from the first setting; transmitting a first UL channel to the network in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying a condition; and transmitting a second UL channel including the measurement report to the network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 573,489, filed April 3, 2024. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 573,499, filed April 3, 2024, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a method and communication apparatus for use in a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a method and communication apparatus for processing uplink (UL) transmissions. [Background technology]

[0003] The Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, which supports the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel-8 and / or 3GPP Rel-9 standards, is being developed by 3GPP as a successor to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to further enhance the performance of UMTS to meet the growing needs of users.

[0004] The LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, as its name suggests, is an evolution of the LTE system. The LTE-A system targets faster switching between power states, improved performance at the coverage edge of evolved Node Bs (eNBs), increased peak data rates and throughput, and includes advanced technologies such as carrier aggregation (CA), uplink (UL) multiple-input multiple-output (UL-MIMO), etc.

[0005] The Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN), which supports 3GPP Rel-15 through 3GPP Rel-19 standards, is being developed to further enhance the LTE-A system. NG-RAN includes one or more next-generation Node Bs (gNBs) and has characteristics such as wider operating bands, different numerologies for different frequency ranges, massive MIMO, and advanced channel coding.

[0006] In a Layer 1 (L1) / Layer 2 (L2) Triggered Mobility (LTM) or Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system, a communication device may periodically report beam or cell measurement reports to the NG-RAN to perform a cell / beam switching procedure. However, transmitting periodic measurement reports occupies UL resources. Furthermore, a communication device may not know whether to perform a cell / beam switching procedure without a cell / beam switching instruction from the NG-RAN. Therefore, how to process UL transmissions to perform a cell / beam switching procedure is an important issue to be resolved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a method and a communication device for processing uplink (UL) transmission to solve the above problems.

[0008] A method for processing uplink (UL) transmission by a communications device includes receiving a first configuration from a network, the first configuration including a set of reference signals (RSs); performing at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report; performing at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one configuration different from the first configuration; transmitting a first UL channel to the network in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying a condition; and transmitting a second UL channel to the network including the measurement report.

[0009] A communications device for processing uplink (UL) transmissions includes at least one storage device and at least one processing circuit coupled to the at least one storage device, wherein the at least one storage device is configured to store instructions, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the following instructions: receive a first configuration from a network, the first configuration including a set of reference signals (RSs); perform at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report; perform at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one configuration different from the first configuration; transmit a first UL channel to the network in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying a condition; and transmit a second UL channel to the network including the measurement report.

[0010] A method for processing uplink (UL) transmissions by a network includes the steps of: transmitting a first configuration including a set of reference signals (RSs) to a communication device; performing at least one communication operation with the communication device according to at least one configuration different from the first configuration; receiving a first UL channel from the communication device in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying a condition; and receiving a second UL channel from the communication device including a measurement report of the set of RSs.

[0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining whether at least one RS satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] 1 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 10 simply comprises a network 12 and multiple communication devices 14. The wireless communication system 10 may support a time division duplex (TDD) mode, a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, a TDD-FDD interoperation mode, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) mode, or a licensed assisted access (LAA) mode. That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 may communicate with each other via an FDD carrier, a TDD carrier, a licensed carrier (licensed serving cell), and / or an unlicensed carrier (unlicensed serving cell). Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 may support carrier aggregation (CA). That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 may communicate with each other via multiple serving cells (e.g., multiple serving carriers), including a primary cell (e.g., a primary component carrier) and one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondary component carriers).

[0014] 1, the network 12 and the communication device 14 are used merely to illustrate the structure of the wireless communication system 10. In practice, the network 12 may be a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) including at least one Node B (NB) in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). In one embodiment, the network 12 may be an Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) including at least one Evolved NB (eNB) and / or at least one relay node in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, an evolution of the LTE-A system, etc. In one embodiment, the network 12 may be a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) including at least one Next Generation Node B (gNB) and / or at least one Fifth Generation (5G) Base Station (BS). In one embodiment, a gNB or a 5G BS of the network 12 may include a NTN gateway and an NTN payload. In one embodiment, a gNB or a 5G BS of the network 12 may be a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP). In one embodiment, network 12 may be any BS that conforms to a particular communication standard for communicating with communication devices 14 .

[0015] New Radio (NR) is a standard defined for 5G systems (or 5G networks) to provide a unified air interface with better performance. gNBs are deployed to realize 5G systems that support advanced features such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). eMBB provides broadband services with higher bandwidth and low / medium latency. URLLC provides applications (e.g., end-to-end communications) with higher reliability and low latency characteristics. Example applications include the industrial internet, smart grids, infrastructure protection, remote surgery, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). mMTC can support the Internet of Things (IoT) in 5G systems, which includes billions of connected devices and / or sensors.

[0016] Further, the network 12 may include at least one of a UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and a core network, and the core network may include network entities such as a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), a self-organizing network (SON) server and / or a radio network controller (RNC), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), an authentication server function (AUSF), etc. In one embodiment, after the network 12 receives the information transmitted by the communication device 14, the information may be processed only by the UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN, and a decision corresponding to the information is made in the UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN. In one embodiment, the UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN may forward the information to the core network, and a decision corresponding to the information is made in the core network after the core network processes the information. In one embodiment, the information may be processed by both the UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network, and the decision is made after coordination and / or cooperation is performed by the UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network.

[0017] The communication device 14 may be a user equipment (UE), a very small area satellite station (VSAT), a low-cost device (e.g., a machine-type communication (MTC) device), a device-to-device (D2D) communication device, a narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) (NB-IoT), a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, an e-book, a portable computer system, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the network 12 and the communication device 14 may be viewed as a transmitter or a receiver according to the direction (i.e., the direction of transmission), e.g., in the case of an uplink (UL), the communication device 14 is the transmitter and the network 12 is the receiver, and in the case of a downlink (DL), the network 12 is the transmitter and the communication device 14 is the receiver.

[0018] The communication device 14 may perform Layer 1 (L1) measurements to generate L1 measurement results and change the serving cell according to the L1 measurement results. This procedure may be referred to as Conditional L1 / L2 Triggered Mobility (C-LTM). C-LTM may support intra-gNB-Distributed Unit (intra-gNB-DU) mobility, intra-gNB-Central Unit (intra-gNB-CU) mobility, and / or inter-gNB-DU mobility. C-LTM may support intra-frequency mobility and / or inter-frequency mobility. C-LTM may be supported for licensed spectrum. C-LTM may support at least one of a primary cell (PCell) change in a non-CA or / and non-dual connectivity (non-DC) scenario, a PCell and secondary cell (SCell) change in a CA scenario, and a DC scenario. The communication device 14 may execute an L3 handover command sent by the network 12.

[0019] 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 20 may be, but is not limited to, the communication device 14 or the network 12 shown in FIG. 1. The communication device 20 may include at least one processing circuit 200, such as a microprocessor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one storage device 210, and at least one communication interface device 220. The at least one storage device 210 may be any data storage device capable of storing program code 214 that can be accessed and executed by the at least one processing circuit 200. Examples of the at least one storage device 210 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc ROM (DVD-ROM), a Blu-ray disc ROM (BD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a hard disk, an optical data storage device, a non-volatile storage device, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a tangible medium), etc. The at least one communication interface device 220 is preferably at least one transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., data, messages and / or packets) according to the processing results of the at least one processing circuit 200.

[0020] 3 is a flowchart of a process 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 30 may be utilized in a communication device (e.g., communication device 14 of FIG. 1 or communication device 20 of FIG. 2) to process an UL transmission. The process 30 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0021] Step 300 starts.

[0022] In step 302, a first configuration including a set of reference signals (RS) is received from the network.

[0023] In step 304, at least one measurement is performed on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report.

[0024] In step 306, in response to at least one RS in the set of RSs satisfying the condition, transmit the first UL channel to the network.

[0025] In step 308, the second UL channel containing the measurement report is transmitted to the network.

[0026] In step 310, the process ends.

[0027] According to process 30, the communication device receives a first configuration including a set of RSs from the network. The communication device performs at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report (e.g., a beam report). The communication device transmits a first UL channel to the network if (e.g., in response to) at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfies a condition. For example, after transmitting the first UL channel to the network, the communication device transmits a second UL channel including the measurement report to the network. That is, instead of periodically reporting the measurement report, the communication device transmits the measurement report via the second UL channel when a condition occurs. Therefore, UL resources for periodically reporting the measurement report can be saved.

[0028] The implementation of the process 30 is not limited to the above description. To implement the process 30, the following embodiments may be applied.

[0029] In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one configuration. In one embodiment, the at least one configuration is different from the first configuration. In one embodiment, the at least one communication operation includes at least one of receiving downlink (DL) control information (DCI) from the network via a first cell, receiving a DL channel from the network via a second cell, and transmitting a fifth UL channel to the network via the second cell. In one embodiment, the first cell is the same as or different from the second cell. In one embodiment, the at least one configuration includes at least one factor of a search space (SS) set configuration, a control resource set (CORESET) configuration, a second configuration for receiving a DL channel, a third configuration for configuring the first cell to receive DCI, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, and a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI).

[0030] In one embodiment, the first UL channel satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the first UL channel includes (e.g., is) a Physical UL Control Channel (PUCCH); the first UL channel carries one bit of information; at least one of a first period and a first offset is configured in the first UL channel; and the first UL channel indicates (e.g., signals) that the second UL channel carries a measurement report. In one embodiment, the first UL channel carries channel state information (CSI). In one embodiment, the one bit of information indicates whether the second UL channel is transmitted. For example, the one bit of information having a first value (e.g., 0) indicates that the second UL channel is not transmitted. For example, the one bit of information having a second value (e.g., 1) indicates that the second UL channel is transmitted.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second UL channel satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the second UL channel includes a configured grant physical UL shared channel (CG-PUSCH) or a physical UL control channel (PUCCH) (e.g., is a CG-PUSCH or a PUCCH); and at least one of a second period and a second offset is configured for the second UL channel. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the duration of the second UL channel according to the first period. In one embodiment, the second UL channel includes at least one of an event identifier (ID), a candidate ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB) resource indicator (SSBRI), and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource indicator (CRI). In one embodiment, the candidate ID is an ID of a candidate cell, a candidate RS, or a candidate beam.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first UL channel and the second UL channel satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the same period is set for the first UL channel and the second UL channel; and an offset is set for the first UL channel and the second UL channel, respectively. For example, the second period is the same as the first period and the second offset is the same as the first offset. For example, the second period is the same as the first period and the second offset is different from the first offset.

[0033] In one embodiment, if the communication device indicates that the second UL channel will not be transmitted by (or via) the first UL channel, the communication device does not transmit the second UL channel until the communication device indicates that the second UL channel will be transmitted by (or via) the first UL channel. In one embodiment, if the communication device indicates that the second UL channel will be transmitted by the first UL channel, the communication device transmits the second UL channel until the communication device indicates that the second UL channel will not be transmitted by the first UL channel. In one embodiment, the second UL channel is available to the communication device until the communication device transmits the second UL channel when the communication device indicates (or notifies) that the second UL channel will be transmitted by the first UL channel.

[0034] In one embodiment, the communication device starts a first timer after transmitting the second UL channel, and in one embodiment, the communication device does not retransmit the measurement report before the first timer expires (e.g., while the first timer is running).

[0035] In one embodiment, the measurement report includes at least one of a first number of the set of RSs, at least one signal quality, a plurality of differential signal qualities, and an event ID. In one embodiment, the measurement report includes a plurality of capacity indexes for the set of RSs. In one embodiment, the first number is set by a first higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the first number is a fixed value. In one embodiment, the first number of the set of RSs includes a first number of SSBRIs or a first number of CRIs (e.g., the first number of SSBRIs or the first number of CRIs). In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality includes at least one Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power (L1-RSRP), at least one Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or at least one Signal-to-Interference-and-Noise Ratio (SINR) (e.g., at least one L1-RSRP, at least one RSRQ, or at least one SINR). In one embodiment, the total number of the at least one signal quality and the plurality of differential signal qualities is a first number. In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality and the plurality of differential signal qualities are each associated with the signal quality of the first number of the set of RSs.

[0036] In one embodiment, the communication device is configured (e.g., provided) by a second higher layer signal indicating a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state. In one embodiment, the communication device receives a DCI from the network indicating a TCI state of a DL channel (e.g., a physical DL shared channel (PDSCH), a physical DL control channel (PDCCH), and / or a CSI-RS) when the communication device is configured (e.g., if configured) by a second higher layer signal indicating a unified TCI state. In one embodiment, the communication device stops (or inhibits) transmission of a second UL channel when (e.g., if) the communication device receives a DCI indicating the TCI state. In one embodiment, the communication device stops (or inhibits) transmission of a second UL channel when (e.g., if) the communication device receives an activation of the TCI state from the network (e.g., by a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE)). For example, the communication device stops (or inhibits) transmission of the second UL channel when (e.g., if) the communication device receives activation of the TCI state from the network (e.g., by MAC-CE) and when (e.g., if) the communication device is not configured by a second higher layer signal indicating a unified TCI state.

[0037] In one embodiment, the communication device receives a DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command for a candidate cell for the communication device) from a network (e.g., a serving cell for the communication device). In one embodiment, the communication device transmits at least one physical random access channel (PRACH) to the candidate cell for the communication device in accordance with the DCI. In one embodiment, the communication device receives a DL channel (e.g., a DCI or a PDSCH) including a cell switch command from the network (e.g., a serving cell for the communication device). In one embodiment, the communication device performs a cell switch in accordance with the cell switch command.

[0038] In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., an upper layer of the communication device, such as a medium access control (MAC) layer) determines whether the at least one RS satisfies the condition according to the second number and the third number of at least one event instance of the at least one RS. In one embodiment, the third number is set by a third upper layer signal. In one embodiment, the third number is a fixed value.

[0039] In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., an upper layer of the communication device, such as a MAC layer) determines that the at least one RS satisfies the condition in response to the second number of the at least one event instance for the at least one RS being not less than the third number. In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., an upper layer of the communication device, such as a MAC layer) determines that the at least one RS does not satisfy the condition in response to the second number of the at least one event instance for the at least one RS being less than the third number.

[0040] In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., an upper layer of the communication device, such as a MAC layer) determines that the at least one RS satisfies the condition in response to the second number of at least one event instance for the at least one RS within the time window being not less than the third number. In one embodiment, the time window is set by a fourth upper layer signal. In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., an upper layer of the communication device, such as a MAC layer) determines that the at least one RS does not satisfy the condition in response to the second number of at least one event instance for the at least one RS within the time window being less than the third number.

[0041] In one embodiment, the communications device starts (or restarts) a second timer set to a third value in response to the occurrence (or occurrence) of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the third value is set by a fifth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the third value is not less than the minimum of the first period and the second period. In one embodiment, the third value is not greater than twice the minimum value. In one embodiment, the communications device resets a counter (e.g., sets the counter to zero) that determines a second number of at least one event instance in response to the second timer expiring.

[0042] In one embodiment, the communication device sets (or resets) the time window to a fourth value. In one embodiment, the fourth value is set by a sixth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) the time window in response to an occurrence of a first (e.g., earliest) event instance of the at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a third timer set to the fourth value in response to an occurrence of a first event instance of the at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the at least one event instance (e.g., its period) according to the period of the set of RSs.

[0043] In one embodiment, the counter determines (e.g., indicates) a second number of the at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communication device increments the counter by one in response to an occurrence of the event instance (e.g., one of the at least one event instance). In one embodiment, the communication device resets (e.g., sets the counter to zero) the counter that determines the second number of the at least one event instance after the time window. In one embodiment, the communication device resets (e.g., sets the counter to zero) the counter that determines the second number of the at least one event instance in response to a third timer expiring.

[0044] In one embodiment, an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device processes the second timer. In one embodiment, an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device processes the third timer. In one embodiment, an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device processes the counter.

[0045] In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an UL transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS not satisfying the condition.

[0046] In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) after (or within) the time window in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) before, when, or after the third timer expires in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an UL transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) after the time window in response to at least one RS not satisfying the condition. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an UL transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) before, when, or after the third timer expires in response to at least one RS not satisfying the condition.

[0047] In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. "At least one RS satisfies the condition" refers to the second timer not expiring after the time window. In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. "At least one RS satisfies the condition" refers to the second timer not expiring and the third timer expiring. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an UL transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS not satisfying the condition. "At least one RS does not satisfy the condition" refers to the second timer expiring after the time window. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an UL transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to at least one RS not satisfying the condition. "At least one RS does not satisfy the condition" means that the second timer expires after the third timer expires.

[0048] In one embodiment, the communications device performs at least one action in response to at least one RS satisfying the condition. In one embodiment, the at least one action includes at least one of resetting a counter (e.g., setting the counter to zero), starting (or restarting) a second timer set to a fifth value, and starting (or restarting) a third timer set to a sixth value. In one embodiment, the fifth value is the same as or different from the third value. In one embodiment, the sixth value is the same as or different from the fourth value.

[0049] In one embodiment, after performing the at least one operation, the communication device determines (e.g., again) whether the at least one RS satisfies the condition according to the fourth number and the fifth number of the at least one event instance of the at least one RS. In one embodiment, the fourth number is the same as or different from the second number. In one embodiment, the fifth number is the same as or different from the third number. For details of the communication device determining whether the at least one RS satisfies the condition, reference may be made to the previous paragraph, and will not be described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0050] In one embodiment, the at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of the at least one RS is a threshold value better than the signal quality of an RS. In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality includes (e.g., is) at least one L1-RSRP. In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmits at least one indicator to an upper layer (e.g., a MAC layer) of the communication device in response to the occurrence of the at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the at least one indicator indicates that at least one condition corresponding to the at least one RS is satisfied.

[0051] In one embodiment, each of the at least one event instance is associated with a first function of a serving cell of the communication device and / or a second function of a candidate cell of the communication device. In one embodiment, each of the at least one event instance is associated with a first function of a serving RS of the communication device and / or a second function of a candidate RS of the communication device. For example, a condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is satisfied in response to the first function being less than the second function. For example, an event instance occurs in response to the first function being less than a first measurement threshold and / or the second function being greater than a second measurement threshold. In one embodiment, the first measurement threshold and the second measurement threshold are configured by a seventh higher layer signal.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first function is a measurement result of the serving cell (or serving RS). In one embodiment, the first function is a sum of a first measurement offset and a measurement result of the serving cell. In one embodiment, the first measurement offset may be determined according to at least one of a first cell-specific offset, a first RS-specific offset, and a first hysteresis parameter. In one embodiment, the first cell-specific offset, the first RS-specific offset, and the first hysteresis parameter are configured by an eighth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the second function is a measurement result of the candidate cell (or candidate RS). In one embodiment, the second function is a sum of a second measurement offset and a measurement result of the candidate cell. The second measurement offset may be determined according to at least one of a second cell-specific offset, a second RS-specific offset, and a second hysteresis parameter. In one embodiment, the second cell-specific offset, the second RS-specific offset, and the second hysteresis parameter are configured by a ninth higher layer signal.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first measured offset, the second measured offset, the first measurement threshold, and the second measurement threshold are updated in response to the communications device starting (or re-starting) a third timer set to a sixth value. In one embodiment, the first measured offset, the second measured offset, the first measurement threshold, and the second measurement threshold are updated in response to the value of the counter being greater than zero.

[0054] In one embodiment, measurements (e.g., measurements of a serving cell or a candidate cell) are associated with filtering / averaging of channel measurements. For example, an average measurement is an average value of measurements (e.g., L1-RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR) at different time instances (e.g.,

number

number

number

number

[0055] In one embodiment, at least one indicator (e.g., at least one LTM indicator) indicates whether at least one condition corresponding to at least one RS is met. In one embodiment, an indicator (e.g., one of the at least one indicator) having a seventh value (e.g., 1) indicates that the corresponding condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is met. In one embodiment, an indicator (e.g., one of the at least one indicator) having an eighth value (e.g., 0) indicates that the corresponding condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is not met.

[0056] In one embodiment, the communications device starts (or re-starts) the third timer in response to the communications device obtaining a plurality (e.g., consecutive) of first indicators (e.g., at least one indicator) having a seventh value. The number of the plurality (e.g., consecutive) of first indicators may be a third number or a fifth number, but is not limited herein. In one embodiment, after the third timer expires, the communications device determines the number of the plurality (e.g., consecutive) of second indicators (e.g., at least one indicator) having an eighth value that was obtained by the communications device during operation of the third timer.

[0057] In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the condition is met in response to the number of the plurality of (e.g., consecutive) second indicators being less than a threshold. In one embodiment, the communication device performs an UL transmission (e.g., transmits the first UL channel and / or the second UL channel) in response to the condition being met. In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the condition is not met in response to the number of the plurality of (e.g., consecutive) second indicators not being less than a threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold is set by a tenth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the threshold is a fixed value. Note that "the communication device obtains (e.g., consecutive) indicators" refers to a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device transmitting the (e.g., consecutive) indicators to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device.

[0058] In one embodiment, the first UL channel corresponds to a first priority index. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the first UL channel and inhibits transmission of the third UL channel in response to the first priority index being greater than the second priority index of the third UL channel, for example, if the first UL channel and the third UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the communication device inhibits transmission of the first UL channel and transmits the third UL channel in response to the first priority index not being greater than the second priority index of the third UL channel, for example, if the first UL channel and the third UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the first UL channel and inhibits transmission of the third UL channel in case the first UL channel and the third UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the first UL channel may include (e.g., may multiplex) a first UL signal (e.g., a first UCI) of the third UL channel. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the third UL channel and inhibits transmission of the first UL channel in case the first UL channel and the third UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the third UL channel may include (e.g., may be multiplexed with) a second UL signal (e.g., a second UCI) of the first UL channel. In one embodiment, the third UL channel includes (e.g., is) a PUSCH (e.g., a configured grant PUSCH (CG-PUSCH)) or a PUCCH.

[0059] In one embodiment, the second UL channel corresponds to a third priority index. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the second UL channel and inhibits transmission of the fourth UL channel in response to the third priority index being greater than the fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel, for example, if the second UL channel and the fourth UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the communication device inhibits transmission of the second UL channel and transmits the fourth UL channel in response to the third priority index not being greater than the fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel, for example, if the second UL channel and the fourth UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the second UL channel and inhibits transmission of the fourth UL channel in response to the third priority index not being greater than the fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel, for example, if the second UL channel and the fourth UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the second UL channel may include (e.g., may multiplex) a third UL signal (e.g., a third UCI) of the fourth UL channel. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the fourth UL channel and inhibits transmission of the second UL channel in response to the third priority index being greater than the fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel, for example, if the second UL channel and the fourth UL channel collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the fourth UL channel may include (e.g., may be multiplexed with) a fourth UL signal (e.g., a fourth UCI) of the second UL channel. In one embodiment, the fourth UL channel includes (e.g., is) a PUSCH (e.g., a configured grant PUSCH (CG-PUSCH)) or a PUCCH.

[0060] In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the PRACH and inhibits transmission of the first UL channel, for example, when the first UL channel and the PRACH collide within the same period. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the PRACH and inhibits transmission of the second UL channel, for example, when the second UL channel and the PRACH collide within the same period.

[0061] In one embodiment, the communication device receives DCI from the network, the DCI including the request. In one embodiment, the request triggers a CSI report. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits a fifth UL channel (e.g., a PUSCH) carrying the CSI to the network in accordance with the request.

[0062] In one embodiment, the communication device transmits first capability information to the network regarding the maximum number of sets of RSs. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits second capability information to the network. The second capability information indicates at least one of: whether the communication device supports UE-triggered / directed cell switching; whether the communication device supports acquisition before a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports Timing Advance (TA) acquisition after a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports UE-based TA measurement; whether the communication device supports time-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements; and whether the communication device supports spatial-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements.

[0063] In one embodiment, the communication device and network operate in a carrier aggregation (CA) system. In one embodiment, the communication device comprises a plurality of serving cells. In one embodiment, the communication device receives a DL channel (e.g., the DL channel described above, but not limited herein) from a first serving cell of the network in accordance with DCI received from a second serving cell of the network. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits a UL channel (e.g., the first UL channel, the second UL channel, the third UL channel, the fourth UL channel, or the fifth UL channel, but not limited herein) to a third serving cell of the network in accordance with DCI received from a fourth serving cell of the network. In one embodiment, the communication device receives a DL channel from the network in accordance with DCI indicating at least one of a TCI status and an SRI. In one embodiment, the communication device is configured with at least one of an SS set configuration, an SS configuration, a CORESET configuration, and a configuration related to DL channel repetition. In one embodiment, at least one of the SS set configuration, the SS configuration, the CORESET configuration, and a configuration related to DL channel repetition is used to receive (e.g., monitor) the DCI.

[0064] 4 is a flowchart of a process 40 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 40 may be utilized in a network (e.g., the network 12 of FIG. 1 or the communication device 20 of FIG. 2) to process an UL transmission. The process 40 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0065] Step 400 starts.

[0066] In step 402, a first configuration including a set of RSs is sent to the communication device.

[0067] In step 404, receive a first UL channel from the communication device in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying the condition.

[0068] In step 406, a second UL channel containing measurement reports for the set of RSs is received from the communication device.

[0069] In step 408, the process ends.

[0070] According to process 40, the network transmits a first configuration including a set of RSs to the communication device. The network receives a first UL channel from the communication device in response to at least one RS of the set of RSs satisfying a condition. For example, after receiving the first UL channel from the communication device, the network receives a second UL channel from the communication device including a measurement report (e.g., a beam report) of the set of RSs. That is, the network does not receive the measurement report periodically. Therefore, UL resources for reporting the measurement report periodically can be saved.

[0071] Implementation of process 40 is not limited to the above description, and embodiments of process 30 may be applied to process 40 and will not be described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0072] 5 is a flowchart of a process 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 50 may be utilized in a communication device (e.g., communication device 14 of FIG. 1 or communication device 20 of FIG. 2) to process an UL transmission. The process 50 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0073] Step 500 starts.

[0074] In step 502, a first configuration is received from the network, the first configuration including a set of candidate configurations, each candidate configuration including at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, an SSB frequency, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the SSB, an SSB period, and an SSB transmit power.

[0075] In step 504, at least one UL transmission is performed to a candidate cell corresponding to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations according to the at least one indicator.

[0076] In step 506, the process ends.

[0077] According to process 50, the communication device receives a first configuration from the network. The first configuration includes a set of candidate configurations. Each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, an SSB frequency, an SSB SCS, an SSB period, and an SSB transmit power. The communication device performs (e.g., determines to perform) at least one UL transmission to a candidate cell corresponding to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations according to the at least one indicator. That is, information in the first configuration is used by the communication device to perform at least one UL transmission (e.g., transmit a cell switch request). Thus, the communication device can perform a cell switch procedure without a cell switch instruction from the network.

[0078] The implementation of the process 50 is not limited to the above description. To implement the process 50, the following examples may be applied.

[0079] In one embodiment, the communication device receives at least one indicator from the network. In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmits the at least one indicator to a higher layer (e.g., a MAC layer) of the communication device, for example, in response to the occurrence of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of the at least one candidate RS is greater than a first threshold value that is better than the signal quality of the serving RS. In one embodiment, the at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of the at least one candidate RS is greater than a third measurement threshold value and / or the signal quality of the serving RS is less than a fourth measurement threshold value. In one embodiment, the at least one indicator is associated with at least one of a candidate configuration and a first RS (e.g., the candidate RS) in a set of candidate configurations. In one embodiment, the candidate configuration corresponds to the first RS.

[0080] In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one measurement on the first set of RSs according to a second setting (e.g., the first setting in process 30) to generate at least one measurement result. In one embodiment, the second setting is different from the first setting. In one embodiment, the second setting is the same as the first setting. In one embodiment, the communication device determines, according to the at least one measurement result, that at least one condition corresponding to at least one RS in the first set of RSs is satisfied. Details of the at least one condition may refer to the embodiment of process 30 and will not be described herein for brevity.

[0081] In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or re-starts) a first timer (e.g., a third timer in the embodiment of process 30) in response to one of the at least one condition being satisfied. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits an UL channel to a serving cell of the communication device while the first timer is running (e.g., if there is no valid TA in a candidate cell of the communication device after the first period). The first period may be a fixed length or may be set by the network. In one embodiment, the communication device receives at least one indicator (e.g., a PDCCH command) from a serving cell of the communication device, for example, after transmitting the UL channel. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether an execution condition is satisfied in response to the first timer expiring. The execution condition may be a condition in process 30. Details of the execution condition may be referenced to the embodiment of process 30 and will not be described herein for brevity.

[0082] In one embodiment, the UL channel includes (e.g., is) a PUCCH carrying UCI. In one embodiment, the UL channel is associated with TA acquisition or resource acquisition. In one embodiment, the UL resources of the UL channel correspond to at least one of a candidate cell ID and an SSB of the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device indicates a candidate cell ID (e.g., a candidate ID configured by candidate configuration) to a serving cell of the communication device via the UL channel, for example, if one of at least one condition is met. In one embodiment, the communication device indicates a predetermined value, for example, if at least one condition is not met. In one embodiment, the communication device indicates an index (or group index) of an RS to a serving cell of the communication device via the UL channel. In one embodiment, the RS is an SSB or a CSI-RS. In one embodiment, an RS with an odd ID corresponds to a first group index. In one embodiment, an RS with an even ID corresponds to a second group index.

[0083] In one embodiment, the UL channel is configured with a second timer (e.g., ProhibitTimer). In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the UL channel and starts (or re-starts) the second timer in response to the second timer not operating during a second period for transmitting the UL channel. In one embodiment, the UL channel includes a PUCCH or PUSCH carrying a UCI (e.g., SR) or a MAC-CE (e.g., is a UCI or a PUCCH). In one embodiment, the UCI or MAC-CE includes at least one information of a candidate cell ID (e.g., a candidate ID configured by candidate configuration), an index (e.g., SSBRI or CRI) of an RS (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS) of the candidate cell, signal quality of the RS (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, and / or SINR), differential signal quality between the RSs, signal quality of the serving cell (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, and / or SINR), and differential signal quality between the candidate cell (or candidate RS) and the serving cell (or serving RS).

[0084] In one embodiment, the at least one indicator includes a DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command) transmitted by the network. In one embodiment, the DCI includes at least one of a random access preamble (RAP) set indicator, a RAP indicator, an SS / PBCH index, a PRACH mask index, a cell indicator, and a PRACH retransmission indicator. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the RAP according to the DCI. In one embodiment, performing the at least one UL transmission includes transmitting a PRACH (e.g., to a candidate cell) according to the DCI by the communication device. In one embodiment, the RAP set indicator indicates a RAP set configured by a first higher layer signal. The first higher layer signal configures more than one RAP set. In one embodiment, the RAP indicator indicates at least one first RAP index. The at least one first RAP index may be included in the RAP set indicated by the RAP set indicator. In one embodiment, the SS / PBCH index indicates an SS / PBCH that determines a RACH opportunity for a PACH transmission, for example, if the at least one first RAP index is not all zeros. In one embodiment, the SS / PBCH index is reserved, e.g., if at least one first RAP index is all zeros. In one embodiment, the PRACH mask index indicates a RACH opportunity associated with the SS / PBCH indicated by the SS / PBCH index, e.g., if at least one first RAP index is not all zeros. In one embodiment, the cell indicator indicates a cell (e.g., a candidate cell or a serving cell) for PACH transmission. For example, a first bit-field index having a first value (e.g., 0) of the cell indicator is mapped to a serving cell. For example, a second bit-field index having a second value (e.g., a value different from the first value) of the cell indicator is mapped to a candidate cell. In one embodiment, the PRACH retransmission indicator indicates an initial transmission or a retransmission of the PRACH, e.g., if the cell indicated by the cell indicator is a candidate cell.

[0085] In one embodiment, a communication device receives a first DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command) from a network to initiate a random access (RA) procedure. In one embodiment, the communication device determines a cell (e.g., a candidate cell) to initiate the RA procedure according to a cell indicator in the first DCI. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether at least one first RAP index indicated by a RAP indicator in the first DCI is all zeros.

[0086] In one embodiment, in response to at least one first RAP index indicated by a RAP indicator in the first DCI being not all zero, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations: selecting at least one SS / PBCH index corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., SSBRI and / or CRI) of a candidate cell that satisfies one of the at least one conditions (e.g., according to a cell indicator in the first DCI); selecting at least one first PRACH according to at least one of the at least one SS / PBCH index, cell indicator, RAP indicator, and PRACH mask index; and transmitting the selected at least one first PRACH to the candidate cell.

[0087] In one embodiment, in response to at least one first RAP index indicated by a RAP indicator in the first DCI being all zeros, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations: selecting at least one second RAP index from the RAP set corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., SSBRI and / or CRI) of a candidate cell that satisfies one of the at least one conditions (e.g., according to the cell indicator in the first DCI); and performing an RA procedure according to the selected at least one second RAP index.

[0088] In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations in response to at least one first RAP index indicated by a RAP indicator in the first DCI being not all zero: determining whether the RAP indicator indicates more than one RAP index; selecting at least one third RAP index from the at least one first RAP index corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., SSBRI and / or CRI) of a candidate cell that satisfies one of the at least one condition (e.g., according to a cell indicator in the first DCI); and in response to the RAP indicator indicating more than one RAP index, performing an RA procedure in accordance with at least one of the selected at least one third RAP index and a PRACH mask index; and in response to the RAP indicator not indicating more than one RAP index, performing an RA procedure in accordance with at least one of the cell indicator, the RAP indicator, the SS / PBCH index, and the PRACH mask index.

[0089] In one embodiment, the communication device transmits more than one PRACH corresponding to at least one SS / PBCH, eg, provided that the more than one PRACH do not overlap in time.

[0090] In one embodiment, after transmitting at least one first PRACH to a candidate cell, the communication device monitors a first DL channel transmitted by the communication device's serving cell within a first window. In one embodiment, the first DL channel includes (e.g., is) a second DCI. In one embodiment, the first window includes (e.g., is) a random access response (RAR) window configured by a second higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the first window starts after the communication device transmits at least one first PRACH. In one embodiment, the communication device determines (e.g., obtains) at least one of the following information according to the first DL channel (e.g., transmitted by a PDSCH scheduled by the first DL channel) or MAC-CE: a candidate ID (e.g., candidate cell ID), a TA value, scheduling or activation of a PUSCH (e.g., CG-PUSCH), an SS / PBCH for the PUSCH (e.g., CG-PUSCH), and an SS / PBCH for the TA. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a third timer (e.g., a Time Alignment Timer) for the candidate cell (e.g., indicated by a MAC-CE or candidate ID) in response to the communication device obtaining (e.g., receiving) the TA value. In one embodiment, the third timer is configured with a third value. In one embodiment, the third value is configured for each candidate cell (e.g., by a third higher layer signal). In one embodiment, the third value is a common value configured for all candidate cells of the communication device (e.g., by a fourth higher layer signal). In one embodiment, the third value is indicated in the MAC-CE (e.g., transmitted by a PDSCH scheduled by the first DL channel). In one embodiment, the third value is indicated in the first DL channel.

[0091] In one embodiment, the communication device calculates (or computes) at least one TA value for at least one UL transmission, i.e., the communication device performs UE-based TA measurement and determines at least one TA value according to the UE-based TA measurement result.

[0092] In one embodiment, the communication device determines at least one TA value for at least one UL transmission according to the MAC-CE transmitted by the network, and in one embodiment, the communication device starts (or re-starts) a fourth timer in response to receiving the at least one TA value.

[0093] In one embodiment, the at least one UL transmission includes cell switch information. In one embodiment, the at least one UL transmission includes a CG-PUSCH (e.g., is a CG-PUSCH). In one embodiment, the cell switch information includes a cell switch request (e.g., is a cell switch request). In one embodiment, the communication device determines at least one UL resource for the at least one UL transmission according to at least one of higher layer signaling and MAC-CE. In one embodiment, the at least one UL resource for the at least one UL transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: a periodicity is configured for the at least one UL resource for the at least one UL transmission; and the at least one UL resource for the at least one UL transmission is indicated by a third time period and is valid (or available) within the third time period. In one embodiment, the periodicity is configured by a fifth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one UL transmission via the at least one UL resource. In one embodiment, the communication device periodically performs at least one UL transmission via the at least one UL resource according to the periodicity.

[0094] In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the cell switch procedure is complete by receiving a message (e.g., a cell switch complete message) from the network, where the message includes (e.g., is) an indicator or a setting.

[0095] In one embodiment, the at least one indicator indicates at least one of the following events: a fifth timer expiring; and a fourth value of the first counter not being greater than a second threshold. In one embodiment, the second threshold is, but is not limited to, zero or a positive integer. In one embodiment, the fifth timer is associated with a second RS. In one embodiment, the second RS is one of the first set of RSs. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or re-starts) the fifth timer in response to a first condition being satisfied. In one embodiment, the first condition is satisfied in response to a fifth value of the second counter not being less than a third threshold. In one embodiment, the communication device increments (e.g., by one) a fourth value of the first counter in response to at least one event instance not occurring. In one embodiment, the communication device increments (e.g., by one) a fifth value of the second counter in response to at least one event instance occurring. In one embodiment, the fourth value of the first counter indicates the number of at least one event instance that has not occurred. In one embodiment, the fifth value of the second counter indicates the number of at least one event instance that has occurred. In one embodiment, the second and third thresholds are set in the communication device by a sixth higher layer signal.

[0096] In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device transmits an indicator (e.g., an LTM indicator) having a sixth value (e.g., 0) to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device in response to at least one event instance not occurring. In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device transmits an indicator (e.g., an LTM indicator) having a seventh value (e.g., 1) to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device in response to at least one event instance occurring. In one embodiment, a fourth value of the first counter indicates the number of (e.g., consecutive) indicators (e.g., consecutive LTM indicators) having the sixth value. In one embodiment, a fifth value of the second counter indicates the number of (e.g., consecutive) indicators (e.g., consecutive LTM indicators) having the seventh value. In one embodiment, at least one event instance occurs when at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate RS becomes a fourth threshold value that is better (or worse) than the signal quality of the serving RS. In one embodiment, at least one event instance occurs when at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate RS is greater than (or not greater than) a fifth measurement threshold and / or when the signal quality of the serving RS is less than (or not less than) a sixth measurement threshold.

[0097] In one embodiment, the at least one UL transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the at least one UL transmission includes at least one second PRACH in response to TA for the candidate cell not being valid; and the at least one UL transmission includes at least one PUSCH in response to at least one TA for the candidate cell being valid. In one embodiment, the at least one second PRACH includes cell switch information (e.g., a cell switch request). In one embodiment, the at least one PUSCH includes cell switch information (e.g., a cell switch request). In one embodiment, the at least one TA for the candidate cell is valid in response to a sixth timer (e.g., a Time Alignment Timer) associated with the candidate cell not expiring.

[0098] In one embodiment, the at least one UL transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: in response to TA for the candidate cell not being valid, the at least one UL transmission includes at least one second PRACH; in response to at least one TA for the candidate cell being valid and the communication device being in a fourth time period, the at least one UL transmission includes at least one PUSCH transmitted after the fourth time period; and in response to at least one TA for the candidate cell being valid and the communication device not being in the fourth time period, the at least one UL transmission includes at least one PUSCH. In one embodiment, the fourth time period is configured by a seventh higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the fourth time period starts after the communication device transmits at least one first PRACH (e.g., to the candidate cell) in accordance with the first DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command).

[0099] In one embodiment, after transmitting a PRACH (e.g., to a candidate cell) in accordance with the first DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command), the communication device monitors a second DL channel transmitted by the candidate cell of the communication device within a second window. In one embodiment, the second DL channel includes (e.g., is) a third DCI. In one embodiment, the second window includes (e.g., is) an RAR window configured by an eighth higher layer signal.

[0100] In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure (e.g., transmitting cell switch information) for the candidate cell in response to the TA for the candidate cell not being valid. In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell after a fourth time period in response to the TA for the candidate cell not being valid and the communication device being within a fourth time period. In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell in response to the TA for the candidate cell not being valid and the communication device not being within a fourth time period.

[0101] In one embodiment, the at least one UL transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the at least one UL transmission includes at least one PUSCH in response to the at least one TA for the candidate cell being valid; and the at least one UL transmission includes at least one second PRACH in response to the TA for the candidate cell not being valid and a PRACH resource (e.g., for a cell switch procedure) being configured for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communications device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell in response to the TA for the candidate cell not being valid and a PRACH resource (e.g., for a cell switch procedure) not being configured for the candidate cell.

[0102] In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell and then restarts the cell switch procedure for a suitable candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell after a fourth period and then restarts the cell switch procedure for a suitable candidate cell. In one embodiment, the suitable candidate cell satisfies one of at least one condition.

[0103] In one embodiment, the communication device without a valid TA transmits (e.g., decides to transmit) a cell switch request to the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device increments a third counter (e.g., for the candidate cell) by one in response to the communication device without a valid TA transmitting (e.g., deciding to transmit) a cell switch request to the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device without a valid TA continues to perform TA acquisition or resource acquisition (e.g., by transmitting an UL channel as described above) in response to at least one of the candidate cells still satisfying one of the at least one condition and the third counter not being greater than the fifth threshold. In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing a cell switch procedure for the candidate cell in response to at least one of the candidate cells not satisfying one of the at least one condition and the third counter being greater than the fifth threshold.

[0104] In one embodiment, the communications device obtains a plurality of indicators associated with a plurality of candidate cells. In one embodiment, the plurality of indicators includes at least one indicator. In one embodiment, the communications device selects a candidate cell from the plurality of candidate cells in a prioritized order according to at least one factor: a candidate ID or a physical cell ID; a first determination of whether the candidate cell includes at least one valid TA; a second determination of whether the candidate cell is a secondary cell (Scell) of the communications device; and a third determination of whether the candidate cell is configured with at least one PRACH resource.

[0105] In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform the UL synchronization procedure according to higher layer configuration, for example, if the communication device is capable of performing UE-based TA measurements. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits a message or information for a cell switch request (e.g., an UL resource request message) to the network, for example, if the TA value of the candidate cell is the same as the TA value of the serving cell or if the TA value of the candidate cell is zero. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits a message or information for a cell switch request (e.g., an UL resource request message) to the network, for example, if the communication device calculates (or computes) at least one TA value for at least one UL transmission. In one embodiment, the communication device does not transmit a message or information for a cell switch request (e.g., an UL resource request message) to the network, for example, if the communication device is configured with UL resources for the cell switch request (e.g., CG-PUSCH).

[0106] In one embodiment, the at least one first / second PRACH transmitted to the candidate cell is at least one contention-free PRACH resource configured by the network. In one embodiment, the communication device is configured with a set of PRACH resources for each candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device increments a third counter by one after a fourth period in response to the communication device not obtaining a TA value for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device retransmits the at least one first / second PRACH after a fourth period in response to the communication device not obtaining a TA value for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the transmit power of the at least one first / second PRACH according to the third counter.

[0107] In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or re-starts) a third timer (e.g., a Time Alignment Timer) set to a third value in response to the communication device receiving the DL channel. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether the execution condition is met in response to the third timer expiring. In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations in response to the execution condition not being met and the third timer expiring: stopping the execution of the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell; and restarting the cell switch procedure for an appropriate candidate cell after stopping the execution of the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell. The execution condition may be a condition in process 30. Details of the execution condition may be referenced to the embodiment of process 30 and will not be described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0108] In one embodiment, the TA or resource for transmitting the cell switch request becomes invalid before the execution condition is satisfied. In one embodiment, the communication device increments the third counter by one in response to the TA or resource for transmitting the cell switch request being invalid. In one embodiment, the communication device continues to perform TA acquisition or resource acquisition in response to at least one of the candidate cells still satisfying one of the at least one condition and the TA or resource for transmitting the cell switch request being invalid. In one embodiment, the communication device stops performing the cell switch procedure for the candidate cell in response to the candidate cell not satisfying one of the at least one condition.

[0109] In one embodiment, the communication device transmits capability information to the network, where the capability information indicates at least one of the following information: whether the communication device supports UE-triggered / directed cell switching, whether the communication device supports acquisition before a triggering event / condition, whether the communication device supports TA acquisition or resource acquisition after a triggering event / condition, whether the communication device supports UE-based TA measurement, whether the communication device supports time-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements, and whether the communication device supports spatial-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements.

[0110] It should be noted that embodiments of process 30 can be applied to process 50, and embodiments of process 50 can be applied to process 30.

[0111] 6 is a flowchart of a process 60 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 60 may be utilized in a network (e.g., the network 12 of FIG. 1 or the communication device 20 of FIG. 2) to process an UL transmission. The process 60 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0112] Step 600 starts.

[0113] In step 602, a first configuration is generated that includes a set of candidate configurations, each candidate configuration including at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, an SSB frequency, an SCS for the SSB, an SSB period, and an SSB transmit power.

[0114] In step 604, the first configuration is sent to the communication device.

[0115] In step 606, the process ends.

[0116] According to process 60, the network generates a first configuration. The first configuration includes a set of candidate configurations. Each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, an SSB frequency, an SSB SCS, an SSB period, and an SSB transmit power. The network transmits the first configuration to the communication device. That is, the information in the first configuration is used by the communication device to perform at least one UL transmission (e.g., transmission of a cell switch request). Thus, the communication device can perform a cell switch procedure without a cell switch instruction from the network.

[0117] Implementation of process 60 is not limited to the above description, and embodiments of process 50 may be applied to process 60 and will not be described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0118] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of determining 70 whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM1 and a counter. The timer TM1 and the counter are configured with a fixed value T1 and a maximum number Cn_MAX of a variable Cn, respectively. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the maximum number Cn_MAX of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. In FIG. 7, the communication device and the timer TM1 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., a MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to the network at a certain time instance.

[0119] At time instance t1, a first event instance of an RS (e.g., a candidate RS) occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS, increments a counter by one (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM1. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS, increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=2), and restarts the timer TM1. At time instance t3, a third event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the third event instance, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the RS, increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=3), and restarts the timer TM1. At time instance t4, a fourth event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the fourth event instance, the communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the RS and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=4).

[0120] 7, because the counter reaches the maximum number Cn_MAX at time instance t4 (i.e., because the variable Cn is not smaller than the maximum number Cn_MAX), the communication device determines whether the RS satisfies the condition. Specifically, the communication device determines that the RS satisfies the condition in response to the timer TM1 not expiring at time instance t4. Therefore, in response to the RS satisfying the condition, the communication device transmits the UL channel UL_C to the network at time instance t5. Furthermore, in response to the communication device transmitting the UL channel UL_C to the network, the communication device resets the variable Cn to 0.

[0121] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of determining 80 whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM1 and a counter. The timer TM1 and the counter are configured with a fixed value T1 and a maximum number Cn_MAX of a variable Cn, respectively. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the maximum number Cn_MAX of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. In FIG. 8, the communication device and the timer TM1 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to the network at a certain time instance.

[0122] At time instance t1, a first event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS, increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=1), and starts the timer TM1. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS, increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=2), and restarts the timer TM1. At time instance t3, a third event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the third event instance, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the RS, increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=3), and restarts the timer TM1.

[0123] 8, because the counter has not reached the maximum number Cn_MAX at time instance t4 (i.e., the variable Cn is less than the maximum number Cn_MAX), the communication device determines that the RS does not satisfy the condition. Therefore, in response to the RS not satisfying the condition, the communication device does not transmit the UL channel to the network. Furthermore, in response to the timer TM1 expiring, the communication device resets the variable Cn to 0.

[0124] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a determination 90 of whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM2 and a counter. The timer TM2 and the counter are configured with a fixed value T2 and a threshold number Cn_TH of a variable Cn, respectively. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the threshold number Cn_TH of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. In FIG. 9, the communication device and the timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to the network at a certain time instance.

[0125] At time instance t1, a first event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS, increments a counter by one (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS, and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=2). At time instance t3, a third event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the third event instance, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the RS, and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=3). At time instance t4, a fourth event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the fourth event instance, the communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the RS, and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=4). At time instance t5, a fifth event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the fifth event instance, the communication device sends a fifth indicator IN5 corresponding to the RS and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=5). At time instance t6, timer TM2 expires.

[0126] 9, the communication device determines whether the RS satisfies the condition, for example, when timer TM2 expires. Specifically, the communication device determines that the RS satisfies the condition in response to the variable Cn (i.e., 5) being not less than the threshold number Cn_TH. Thus, in response to the RS satisfying the condition, the communication device transmits a UL channel UL_C (e.g., the first UL channel in process 30, at least one PUSCH in the embodiment of process 50, or a UL channel in the embodiment of process 50) to the network at a certain time instance (e.g., time instance t7 after time instance t6). Furthermore, in response to timer TM2 expiring or the communication device transmitting the UL channel UL_C, the communication device resets the variable Cn to 0.

[0127] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of determining 100 whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM2 and a counter. The timer TM2 and the counter are configured with a fixed value T2 and a threshold number Cn_TH of a variable Cn, respectively. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the threshold number Cn_TH of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. In FIG. 10, the communication device and the timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., a MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to the network at a certain time instance.

[0128] At time instance t1, a first event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS, increments a counter by one (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=2). At time instance t3, a third event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the third event instance, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the RS and increments the counter by one (i.e., Cn=3). At time instance t4, the timer TM2 expires.

[0129] 10, the communication device determines whether the RS satisfies the condition when the timer TM2 expires. Specifically, the communication device determines that the RS does not satisfy the condition in response to the value Cn (i.e., 3) being less than the threshold number Cn_TH. Therefore, in response to the RS not satisfying the condition, the communication device does not transmit the UL channel to the network. Furthermore, in response to the timer TM2 expiring, the communication device resets the value Cn to 0.

[0130] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of determining 110 whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM1 and a timer TM2. Timers TM1 and TM2 are set to fixed values ​​T1 and T2, respectively. In FIG. 11, the communication device, timer TM1, and timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to a network at a certain time instance.

[0131] At time instance t1, a first event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS and starts timers TM1 and TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS and restarts timer TM1. At time instance t3, a third event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the third event instance, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the RS and restarts timer TM1. At time instance t4, a fourth event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the fourth event instance, the communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the RS and restarts timer TM1. At time instance t5, timer TM2 expires.

[0132] 11 , the communication device determines whether the RS satisfies the condition, for example, when timer TM2 expires. Specifically, the communication device determines that the RS satisfies the condition in response to timer TM1 not expiring at time instance t5. Thus, in response to the RS satisfying the condition, the communication device transmits a UL channel UL_C (e.g., the first UL channel in process 30, at least one PUSCH in the embodiment of process 50, or a UL channel in the embodiment of process 50) to the network at a time instance after time instance t5 (e.g., time instance t6). Furthermore, in response to timer TM2 expiring or the communication device transmitting the UL channel UL_C, the communication device resets variable Cn to 0.

[0133] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of determining 120 whether at least one RS satisfies a condition (e.g., a condition in process 30 or an execution condition in an embodiment of process 50) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device includes a timer TM1 and a timer TM2. Timers TM1 and TM2 are set to fixed values ​​T1 and T2, respectively. In FIG. 12, the communication device, timer TM1, and timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., physical layer) of the communication device sending an instruction to an upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) of the communication device at a certain time instance, or a communication device transmitting a UL channel to a network at a certain time instance.

[0134] At time instance t1, a first event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the first event instance, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the RS and starts timers TM1 and TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance of the RS occurs. In response to the occurrence of the second event instance, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the RS and restarts timer TM1. At time instance t3, timer TM1 expires. At time instance t4, timer TM2 expires.

[0135] 12, the communication device determines whether the RS satisfies the condition when timer TM2 expires. Specifically, the communication device determines that the RS does not satisfy the condition in response to timer TM1 expiring at time instance t3 before timer TM2 expires. Therefore, in response to the RS not satisfying the condition, the communication device does not transmit the UL channel to the network. Furthermore, in response to timer TM2 expiring, the communication device resets variable Cn to 0.

[0136] 13 is a flowchart of a process 130 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 130 may be utilized in a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to process an UL transmission in accordance with a DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command). The process 130 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0137] Step 1300 starts.

[0138] In step 1302, a DCI is received to initiate an RA procedure.

[0139] In step 1304, a candidate cell for initiating an RA procedure is determined according to the cell indicator in the DCI.

[0140] In step 1306, is at least one first RAP index indicated by the RAP indicator in the DCI all zeros? If yes, execute step 1308. If no, execute step 1312.

[0141] In step 1308, select at least one second RAP index from the RAP set that corresponds to at least one resource indicator of the candidate cell that satisfies the condition.

[0142] In step 1310, an RA procedure is performed according to the selected at least one second RAP index, and step 1318 is performed.

[0143] Step 1312 selects at least one SS / PBCH index corresponding to at least one resource indicator of a candidate cell that satisfies the condition.

[0144] In step 1314, at least one PRACH is selected according to at least one of the at least one SS / PBCH index, cell indicator, RAP indicator, and PRACH mask index in the DCI.

[0145] In step 1316, the selected at least one PRACH is transmitted to the candidate cell.

[0146] In step 1318, the process ends.

[0147] 14 is a flowchart of a process 140 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 140 may be utilized in a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to process an UL transmission in accordance with a DCI (e.g., a PDCCH command). The process 140 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0148] Step 1400 starts.

[0149] In step 1402, a DCI is received to initiate an RA procedure.

[0150] In step 1404, a candidate cell for initiating an RA procedure is determined according to the cell indicator in the DCI.

[0151] In step 1406, is at least one first RAP index indicated by the RAP indicator in the DCI all zeros? If yes, execute step 1408. If no, execute step 1412.

[0152] In step 1408, select at least one second RAP index from the RAP set that corresponds to at least one resource indicator of the candidate cell that satisfies the condition.

[0153] In step 1410, an RA procedure is performed according to the selected at least one second RAP index, and step 1420 is performed.

[0154] In step 1412, does the RAP indicator indicate multiple RAP indices? If yes, execute step 1414. If no, execute step 1418.

[0155] In step 1414, select at least one third RAP index from the at least one first RAP corresponding to at least one resource indicator of a candidate cell that satisfies the condition.

[0156] In step 1416, an RA procedure is performed according to at least one of the selected at least one third RAP index and the PRACH mask index in the DCI, and step 1420 is performed.

[0157] In step 1418, perform an RA procedure according to at least one of the cell indicator, the RAP indicator, the SS / PBCH index, and the PRACH mask index.

[0158] In step 1420, the process ends.

[0159] 15 is a flowchart of a process 150 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 150 may be utilized by a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to handle an UL transmission (e.g., a cell switching procedure for the communication device). The process 150 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0160] Step 1500 starts.

[0161] In step 1502, it is determined to transmit cell switch information to a candidate cell.

[0162] In step 1504, is TA valid for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1506. If no, execute step 1508.

[0163] In step 1506, at least one PUSCH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1510 is performed.

[0164] In step 1508, at least one PRACH is transmitted to the candidate cell.

[0165] In step 1510, the process ends.

[0166] 16 is a flowchart of a process 160 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 160 may be utilized by a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to handle an UL transmission (e.g., a cell switching procedure for the communication device). The process 160 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0167] Step 1600 starts.

[0168] In step 1602, it is determined to transmit cell switch information to a candidate cell.

[0169] In step 1604, is TA valid for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1606. If no, execute step 1608.

[0170] In step 1606, at least one PUSCH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1614 is performed.

[0171] In step 1608, is the communication device within a certain period? If yes, execute step 1610. If no, execute step 1612.

[0172] In step 1610, transmit at least one PRACH to the candidate cell after the period, and perform step 1614.

[0173] In step 1612, at least one PRACH is transmitted to the candidate cell.

[0174] In step 1614, the process ends.

[0175] 17 is a flowchart of a process 170 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 170 may be utilized by a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to handle an UL transmission (e.g., a cell switching procedure for the communication device). The process 170 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0176] Step 1700 starts.

[0177] In step 1702, it is determined to transmit cell switch information to a candidate cell.

[0178] In step 1704, is TA valid for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1706. If no, execute step 1708.

[0179] In step 1706, at least one PUSCH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1712 is performed.

[0180] In step 1708, the execution of the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell is stopped.

[0181] Step 1710 restarts the cell switching procedure to a suitable candidate cell.

[0182] In step 1712, the process ends.

[0183] 18 is a flowchart of a process 180 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 180 may be utilized by a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to handle an UL transmission (e.g., a cell switching procedure for the communication device). The process 180 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0184] Step 1800 starts.

[0185] In step 1802, it is determined to transmit cell switch information to a candidate cell.

[0186] In step 1804, is TA valid for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1806. If no, execute step 1808.

[0187] In step 1806, at least one PUSCH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1816 is performed.

[0188] In step 1808, is the communication device within a certain period? If yes, execute step 1810. If no, execute step 1812.

[0189] Step 1810 stops performing the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell after that period and step 1814 is performed.

[0190] In step 1812, the execution of the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell is stopped.

[0191] Step 1814 restarts the cell switching procedure to a suitable candidate cell.

[0192] In step 1816, the process ends.

[0193] 19 is a flowchart of a process 190 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 190 may be utilized by a communication device (e.g., the communication device 14 of FIG. 1) to handle an UL transmission (e.g., a cell switching procedure for the communication device). The process 190 may be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0194] Step 1900 starts.

[0195] In step 1902, it is determined to transmit cell switching information to the candidate cell.

[0196] In step 1904, is TA valid for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1906. If no, execute step 1908.

[0197] In step 1906, at least one PUSCH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1916 is executed.

[0198] In step 1908, are PRACH resources for the cell switching procedure configured for the candidate cell? If yes, execute step 1910. If no, execute step 1912.

[0199] In step 1910, at least one PRACH is transmitted to the candidate cell, and step 1916 is performed.

[0200] In step 1912, the execution of the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell is stopped.

[0201] Step 1914 restarts the cell switching procedure to a suitable candidate cell.

[0202] In step 1916, the process ends.

[0203] In processes 150 and 160, at least one PUSCH includes a cell switch request and / or at least one PRACH includes a cell switch request.

[0204] In the processes 170 to 190, at least one PUSCH includes a cell switch request, and the suitable candidate cell satisfies a condition (eg, one of the at least one condition in the embodiment of the process 50).

[0205] The terms "first," "second," ..., "ninth," and "tenth" above are used to distinguish related statements and do not limit the order of related statements. The operation "determine" above can be replaced with the operations "calculate," "calculate," "obtain," "generate," "output," "use," "select / select," "judge," or "configured to." The phrase "according to" above can be replaced with "in response to." The term "via" above can be replaced with "on," "in," or "in." The terms "if," "if," or "for" above can be replaced with "in response to." The term "candidate cell" above can be replaced with the terms "candidate RS" or "candidate beam." The term "cell switch request" above can be replaced with a "cell switch command." The term "cell switch" above can be replaced with a "beam switch." The term "time window" above can be replaced with a "period" or "duration."

[0206] Those skilled in the art will easily make combinations, modifications, and / or alterations to the above-described descriptions and examples. The above-described descriptions, steps, and / or processes, including the suggested steps, can be realized by means that may be hardware, software, firmware (also known as a combination of a hardware device and computer instructions and data residing as read-only software on a hardware device), an electronic system, or a combination thereof. One example of the means may be a communication device.

[0207] Examples of hardware may include analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and / or mixed circuitry. For example, the hardware may include an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, combined hardware components, or a combination thereof. In another example, the hardware may include a general-purpose processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination thereof.

[0208] Examples of software may include a set of code, a set of instructions, and / or a set of functions that are retained (e.g., stored) on a storage unit, e.g., a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include a SIM, a ROM, a flash memory, a RAM, a CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / BD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, an optical data storage device, a non-volatile storage unit, or a combination thereof. The computer-readable medium (e.g., a storage unit) may be internally (e.g., integrated) or externally (e.g., separate) coupled to at least one processor. At least one processor, which may include one or more modules, is capable of executing (e.g., configured to execute) the software in the computer-readable medium. The set of code, the set of instructions, and / or the set of functions can cause at least one processor, module, hardware, and / or electronic system to perform associated steps.

[0209] Examples of electronic systems may include a system on a chip (SoC), a system in a package (SiP), a computer on a module (CoM), a computer program product, a device, a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, an e-book or portable computer system, and a communication device 20.

[0210] In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a communication device for processing UL transmission. Instead of periodically reporting measurement reports, the communication device transmits measurement reports over an UL channel when a specific condition occurs. Therefore, UL resources for periodically reporting measurement reports can be saved. Furthermore, a communication device (e.g., with a valid TA) performs UL transmission without a cell / beam switch instruction from the network to perform a cell / beam switch procedure.

[0211] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for processing uplink (UL) transmissions by a communication device, comprising: receiving a first configuration from a network, the first configuration including a set of reference signals (RS); performing at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report; performing at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one configuration different from the first configuration; transmitting a first UL channel to the network in response to at least one RS in the set of RSs satisfying a condition; transmitting a second UL channel including the measurement report to the network.

2. The first UL channel the first UL channel includes a physical UL control channel (PUCCH); the first UL channel carrying one bit of information; At least one of a first period and a first offset is configured for the first UL channel; the first UL channel indicates that the second UL channel carries the measurement report.

3. The second UL channel is the second UL channel includes a configured grant physical UL shared channel (CG-PUSCH); and at least one of a second period and a second offset is configured for the second UL channel.

4. The first UL channel and the second UL channel The same period is set for the first UL channel and the second UL channel; and and an offset is set for the first UL channel and the second UL channel, respectively.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of a first number of the set of RSs, at least one signal quality, a plurality of differential signal qualities, and an event identifier (ID), and the first number is set by a first higher layer signal.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is configured by a second higher layer signal indicating a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state.

7. determining that at least one RS satisfies the condition in response to a second number of at least one event instance of the at least one RS within a time window being not less than a third number; the time window is set by a third higher layer signal; The method of claim 1 , wherein the third number is set by a fourth higher layer signal.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the event instances indicates that at least one signal quality of at least one of the RSs is a threshold value better than the signal quality of an RS.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one signal quality comprises at least one Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power (L1-RSRP).

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising initiating a time window in response to an occurrence of a first event instance of the at least one event instance.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining at least one of the event instances according to a periodicity of the set of RSs.

12. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that at least one RS does not satisfy the condition in response to a second number of at least one event instance of the at least one RS within the time window being less than a third number.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising resetting a counter that determines the second number of at least one event instance after the time window.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first UL channel corresponds to a first priority index.

15. transmitting the first UL channel and inhibiting transmission of a third UL channel in response to the first priority index being greater than a second priority index of the third UL channel; and inhibiting transmission of the first UL channel and transmitting the third UL channel in response to the first priority index being not greater than the second priority index of the third UL channel.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second UL channel corresponds to a third priority index.

17. transmitting the second UL channel and inhibiting transmission of a fourth UL channel in response to the third priority index being greater than a fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel; and inhibiting transmission of the second UL channel and transmitting the fourth UL channel in response to the third priority index being not greater than the fourth priority index of the fourth UL channel.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting capability information regarding the maximum number of sets of RSs to the network.

19. At least one of the communication operations includes: receiving downlink (DL) control information (DCI) from the network via a first cell; receiving a DL channel from the network via a second cell; transmitting a fifth UL channel to the network via the second cell; The method of claim 1 , wherein the first cell is the same as or different from the second cell.

20. At least one of the settings may include: Setting a search space (SS) set; Setting a control resource set (CORESET); a second configuration for receiving a DL channel; a third configuration for configuring the first cell to receive the DCI; TCI state, and a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI).

21. 1. A communication device for processing uplink (UL) transmissions, comprising: at least one storage device; and at least one processing circuit coupled to the at least one memory device, the at least one memory device configured to store instructions, the at least one processing circuit: instructions for receiving a first configuration from a network, the first configuration including a set of reference signals (RS); instructions for performing at least one measurement on the set of RSs to generate a measurement report; instructions for performing at least one communication operation with the network according to at least one setting different from the first setting; instructions for transmitting a first UL channel to the network in response to at least one RS in the set of RSs satisfying a condition; and transmitting a second UL channel including the measurement report to the network.

22. 1. A method for processing uplink (UL) transmissions by a network, comprising: transmitting a first configuration to the communication device, the first configuration including a set of reference signals (RS); performing at least one communication operation with the communication device according to at least one setting different from the first setting; receiving a first UL channel from the communication device in response to at least one RS in the set of RSs satisfying a condition; receiving a second UL channel from the communication device, the second UL channel including measurement reports for the set of RSs.

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