User Equipment (UE) and UE Method

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium. A terminal device receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells. The terminal device determines a reference configuration and applies a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration. In this way, delta configurations can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2-based mobility.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to communication methods, apparatus, and computer storage media for Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, delta configuration is supported for signaling reduction and lossless transmission. For example, in case of handover (HO), the source network device may send the current RRC configuration to the target network device in a HO request message, and the target network device may respond with a delta configuration for the current RRC configuration. As another example, in case of a primary cell (PScell) change of a secondary node (SN), the master node (MN) may provide the current secondary cell group (SCG) configuration of the source SN to the target SN in an SCG addition request message, and the target SN may provide only the delta configuration for the current SCG configuration.

[0003] However, in the case of subsequent cell changes, such as conditional cell changes, Layer 1 (L1) / Layer 2 (L2) based mobility, etc., the above delta configuration behavior may cause an incorrect configuration to be applied by the terminal device, and thus a reconfiguration failure, since the delta configuration is established based on the source cell, but the delta configuration is applied to the current serving cell that changes during the subsequent cell change in the terminal device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, and computer storage medium for RRC configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including: receiving, in a terminal device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device, determining a reference configuration, and applying a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method of communication is provided, comprising: receiving, in a terminal device, from a first network device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells; and applying, according to a decision that a cell change or addition to a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells is performed, a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations, wherein the configuration for the candidate cell and a configuration for a serving cell of the terminal device or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are the same except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including: receiving, at a terminal device, from a first network device, a set of complete configurations for a set of candidate cells, and applying, according to a determination that a cell change or addition to a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells is performed, a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of complete configurations.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including: transmitting, in a first network device, to a terminal device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells and an indication indicating a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells as a reference configuration.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a method of communication is provided, comprising: transmitting, in a first network device, to a terminal device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells, where a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells and a configuration for a serving cell of the terminal device or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are the same except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of communication, the method including: transmitting, in a first network device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells to a terminal device, the configurations in the set of configurations being full configurations for the candidate cells.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a terminal device, the terminal device comprising a processor configured to cause the terminal device to execute a method according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a network device, comprising a processor configured to cause the network device to perform a method according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0018] [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating network protocol layer entities that may be established for a User Plane (UP) protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating network protocol layer entities that may be established for a Control Plane (CP) protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 1D]1 is a schematic diagram of a Centralized Unit (CU) / Distributed Unit (DU) architecture that may be established for a UP protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0021] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a process for communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example process for indicating reference setting, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary process of subsequent CPC, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary process of subsequent CPC, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary communication method implemented in a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates another exemplary communication method implemented in a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 8] FIG. 13 illustrates yet another exemplary communication method implemented in a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 9] FIG. 2 illustrates an example communication method implemented in a network device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 10] FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary communication method implemented in a network device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates yet another exemplary communication method implemented in a network device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] In the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers represent the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only, to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways different from those described below.

[0034] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0035] As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include User Equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices, vehicle-mounted devices for V2X communications where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network, devices for Integrated Access and Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), Small Data Transmission (SDT), Multicast and Broadcast Services (MBS), positioning, dynamic / flexible duplication in commercial networks, Reduced Capability (RedCap), High Altitude Platforms (HAP) including satellites and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The following are examples of the technologies that can be used in the future: satellite-mounted vehicles or aircraft-mounted vehicles in a non-terrestrial network (NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network) including the 3G Platform; extended reality (XR: eXtended Reality) devices including different types of reality such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR: Virtual Reality); unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), which are aircraft without a human pilot and are commonly referred to as drones; and high-speed trains (HST: High Speed ​​Trains).The term "terminal device" includes, but is not limited to, a device on a train, an image capture device such as a digital camera, a sensor game device, a music storage and playback device, or an Internet appliance that allows wireless or wired Internet access and browsing, etc. The "terminal device" may further have "multicast / broadcast" capabilities to support public safety and mission-critical V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, over-the-air software distribution, group communication, and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIMs. The term "terminal device" may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or wireless device.

[0036] The term "network device" refers to a device capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage in which a terminal device can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a transmit / receive point (TRP), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), an IAB node, a femto node, a pico node, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), a low power node such as a network controlled repeater, etc.

[0037] The terminal device or network device may have the capability of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning. Generally, it includes a model trained from a large amount of data collected for a specific function and can be used to predict some information.

[0038] The terminal device or network device may operate on several frequency ranges, such as FR1 (410 MHz-7125 MHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz-71 GHz), frequency bands greater than 100 GHz, and Tera Hertz (THz). It can also operate on licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. The terminal device may have two or more connections with the network device under Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) application scenarios. The terminal device or network device can operate in full duplex, flexible duplex, and cross division duplex modes.

[0039] The network device may have a function of network energy saving, Self-Organizing Networks (SON) / Minimization of Drive Test (MDT). The terminal may have a function of power saving.

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in test equipment, such as, for example, a signal generator, a signal analyzer, a spectrum analyzer, a network analyzer, a test terminal equipment, a test network equipment, a channel emulator, and the like.

[0041] In one embodiment, the terminal device can connect to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device may be a master node and the other may be a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In one embodiment, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In one embodiment, the first RAT device is an eNB and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information about the different RATs may be transmitted from at least one of the first network device or the second network device to the terminal device. In one embodiment, the first information may be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be transmitted from the second network device to the terminal device directly or via the first network device. In one embodiment, information about the configuration of the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information regarding the reconfiguration of the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device directly to the terminal device or via the first network device.

[0042] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "said" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "comprises" and variations thereof should be understood as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Terms such as "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object. The following may include other explicit and implicit definitions.

[0043] In some instances, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as "best," "lowest," "highest," "minimum," "maximum," etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to illustrate that selections can be made from among many functional alternatives used, and that such selections are not necessarily better, smaller, higher, or otherwise more preferred than other selections.

[0044] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "RRC configuration" may be used interchangeably with "radio resource configuration" or "configuration." The term "delta configuration" may be used interchangeably with "delta radio resource configuration" or "delta RRC configuration." An "RRC configuration" of a candidate cell is carried in an RRC reconfiguration message when it is transmitted from a network device to a terminal device or from one network device to another. "Applying an RRC configuration by a terminal device" may be referred to as "applying an RRC reconfiguration message." "Configuration for a candidate cell" may be referred to as "configuration associated with a candidate cell."

[0045] As is known, when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​one cell to the coverage area of ​​another cell, at some point it is necessary to perform a serving cell change. Currently, the serving cell change is performed by a synchronous reconfiguration triggered by Layer 3 (L3) measurements and triggered by RRC signaling for changing the MN's primary cell (PCell) and PSCell, and releasing the SCell if applicable. All these cases include a full L2 and L1 reset, which causes longer latency, higher overhead and longer interruption time than beam switching mobility. As a solution, upon reception of lower layer signaling, e.g. L1 or L2 signaling, the serving cell is changed to perform data transmission, which is called L1 / L2 based mobility. The goal of L1 / L2 based mobility is to enable serving cell change via lower layer signaling to reduce delay, overhead and interruption time.

[0046] In the case of Conditional PSCell Change (CPC) / Conditional PSCell Addition (CPA) in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 17, the terminal device with the CPC / CPA configured must release the CPC / CPA configuration when completing random access to the target PSCell. Therefore, the terminal device has no chance to perform a subsequent CPC / CPA without prior CPC / CPA reconfiguration and reinitialization from the network side. This increases the cell change delay and increases the signaling overhead, especially when frequent SCG changes occur when operating in FR2. Therefore, Multi-Random access technology Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) with selective activation of cell groups aims to enable a subsequent CPC / CPA after SCG change without reconfiguration and reinitialization during CPC / CPA preparation from the network side. This reduces the signaling overhead and interruption time for SCG change.

[0047] As mentioned above, the delta configuration is established based on the source cell. For subsequent CPC or subsequent L1 / L2-based mobility, if the terminal device applies the delta configuration to the current serving cell and the current serving cell is different from the source cell, an incorrect SCG configuration or a reconfiguration failure may occur.

[0048] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for RRC configuration to solve the above and other potential problems. In one aspect, a terminal device receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells. The set of configurations is a delta configuration. In this case, the terminal device determines a reference configuration and applies a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration. Thus, delta configurations can be supported for subsequent conditional PCell or PSCell changes or subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility.

[0049] In another aspect, a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of configurations and a configuration for the terminal device's serving cell or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of configurations are the same except for at least one of the identity, timers, dedicated random access channel configuration, or measurement configuration for the candidate cell. Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional PCell or PSCell changes or subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, the settings in the set of settings are full settings, thus solving the above problem with delta settings.

[0051] The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Communication Network Example

[0052] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication environment 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 provides a cell 111, and the terminal device 120 is located within the cell 111 and is served by the network device 110.

[0053] The communication environment 100 may also include one or more other network devices, such as network devices 130, 140, and 150. The network device 130 provides cells 131, 132, and 133. The network device 140 provides cells 141, 142, and 143, and the network device 150 provides cells 151, 152, and 153. Note that the number of cells is not limited to three, and more or fewer cells may be configured for the terminal device 110.

[0054] Assume that the terminal device 120 is capable of establishing a dual connection (i.e., simultaneous connection) with two network devices. For example, the network device 110 may function as an MN (for convenience, also referred to as MN 110 hereinafter), and the network device 130 may function as an SN (for convenience, also referred to as SN 130 hereinafter). Although only cell 111 is shown, the MN 110 may provide multiple cells, which may form an MCG for the terminal device 120. Assume that the cell 111 is a primary cell (i.e., PCell) in the MCG. Furthermore, the cells 131, 132, and 133 provided by the network device 130 may form an SCG for the terminal device 120. Assume that the cell 131 is a primary cell (i.e., PSCell) in the SCG.

[0055] The communication environment 100 may also include a core network 160. The core network 160 may include a User Port Function (UPF) 161 and an Access Management Function (AMF) 162. It should be understood that the core network 160 may include any other suitable elements.

[0056] The SN 130 may communicate with the terminal equipment 120 via a channel such as a wireless communication channel. Similarly, the MN 110 may also communicate with the terminal equipment 120 via a channel such as a wireless communication channel. The SN 130 may communicate with the MN 110 via a control plane interface such as Xn-C. The MN 110 may communicate with the core network 160, e.g., the AMF 162, via a control plane interface such as NG-C. The SN 130 may also communicate with the MN 110 via a user plane interface such as Xn-U and with the core network 160, e.g., the UPF 161, via a user plane interface such as NG-U.

[0057] It should be understood that the number of devices or cells in Figure 1 is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitations to the present disclosure. Communications environment 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and / or terminal devices and / or cells suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] Communications in communication environment 100 may comply with any suitable standard, including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed according to any generation of communication protocols now known or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or sixth generation (6G) networks.

[0059] Communications in the direction from the terminal device 120 to the network device 110, 130, 140, or 150 are referred to as UL communications, and communications in the direction from the network device 110, 130, 140, or 150 to the terminal device 120 are referred to as DL (Down Link) communications. The terminal device 120 may move between cells of the network device 110, 130, 140, or 150, and possibly other network devices. In UL (Up Link) communications, the terminal device 120 may transmit UL data and control information to the network device 110, 130, 140, or 150 via a UL channel. In DL communications, the network device 110, 130, 140, or 150 may transmit DL data and control information to the terminal device 120 via a DL channel.

[0060] The communication in the communication network 100A may be performed according to the UP and CP protocol stacks. Generally speaking, for a communication device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device), there may be multiple entities of multiple network protocol layers in the protocol stack, and these entities may be configured to perform corresponding processes on data or signaling sent from and received by the communication device. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram 100B showing network protocol layer entities that may be established for a UP protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following, for convenience, the communication between the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 is taken as an example. It should be understood that the following description is also suitable for the communication between the terminal device 120 and the network device 130, 140, or 150.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1B, in the UP, each of the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 may include an L1 layer entity, i.e., a physical (PHY) layer entity (also referred to as a PHY entity), and one or more entities of upper layers (L2 layer and Layer 3 (L3) layer, i.e., higher layers), including a medium access control (MAC) layer entity (also referred to as a MAC entity), a radio link control (RLC) layer entity (also referred to as an RLC entity), a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer entity (also referred to as a PDCP entity), and a service data application protocol (SDAP) layer entity (also referred to as an SDAP entity, which will be established in 5G and subsequent generation networks). In some cases, the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and SDAP entities are in a stack structure.

[0062] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram 100C illustrating network protocol layer entities that may be established for a CP protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1C, in a CP, each of the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 may include one or more entities of higher layers (L2 layer and L3 layer), including an L1 layer entity, i.e., a PHY layer entity (also referred to as a PHY entity), a MAC layer entity (also referred to as a MAC entity), an RLC layer entity (also referred to as an RLC entity), a PDCP layer entity (also referred to as a PDCP entity), and a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer entity (also referred to as an RRC entity). The RRC layer may further be referred to as an Access Stratum (AS) layer, and therefore the RRC entity may further be referred to as an AS entity. As shown in FIG. 1C, the terminal device 120 may further include a Non Access Stratum (NAS) layer entity (also referred to as a NAS entity). The NAS layer on the network side is located not in a network device but in a core network (CN, not shown). In some cases, these entities are arranged in a stack structure.

[0063] In the context of this disclosure, L1 refers to the PHY layer, L2 refers to the MAC or RLC or PDCP or SDAP layer, and L3 refers to the RRC layer. In the context of this disclosure, L1 or L2 may be collectively referred to as a lower layer, and L3 may be referred to as an upper layer. Thus, L1 or L2 signaling may be referred to as a lower layer signaling, and L3 signaling may be referred to as an upper layer signaling.

[0064] 1D is a schematic diagram 100D of a CU / DU architecture that may be established for a UP protocol stack in an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The CU / DU architecture may be established in a network apparatus. For illustration purposes, the following takes a network apparatus 110 as an example.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1D, in the UP, the network device 110 may include one or more CUs. Here, only one CU 161 is shown for convenience. Each CU 161 may communicate with multiple DUs. Here, two DUs 171 and 172 are shown for illustration. More DUs may be provided for the implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the CU 161 may be responsible for achieving the functions of an SDAP entity and a PDCP entity, and the DUs 171 or 172 may be responsible for achieving the functions of an RLC entity, a MAC entity, and a PHY entity. The DU 171 may communicate with transmission / reception points (TRPs) 181 and 182. The DU 172 may communicate with TRPs 163 and 164. It should be understood that this is only an example and any more or less TRPs are possible. The terminal device 120 may communicate with any of these TRPs to communicate with the network device 110.

[0066] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may switch from one TRP to another TRP under the control of the same CU and the same DU. For example, the terminal device 120 may be handed over from TRP 181 to TRP 182. This is referred to as an intra-DU serving cell change. In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may switch from one TRP to another TRP under the control of the same CU and a different DU. For example, the terminal device 120 may be handed over from TRP 182 to TRP 183. In this case, a cell change occurs from DU 181 to DU 182. This is referred to as an inter-DU serving cell change. A cell change between DUs 181, 182, 183, and 184 is referred to as an intra-CU handover.

[0067] In some scenarios, the terminal device 120 may receive from the network device as MN or SN the SSB configuration of the cell with a different PCI for the serving cell change and the RRC configuration for the candidate cell, and store the RRC configuration of the candidate cell for L1 / L2-based mobility. The terminal device 120 may perform beam measurement for the candidate cell and report the beam measurement to the network device. The terminal device 120 may receive L1 or L2 signaling from the network device indicating a change from the serving cell to the selected candidate cell (i.e., a new serving cell), and the TCI state of the selected candidate cell is activated with the serving cell change. This procedure may be referred to as L1 / L2-based mobility. The terminal device 120 may not need to discard the stored RRC configuration. If the terminal device 120 further receives L1 or L2 signaling from the new serving cell indicating the serving cell change, the terminal device 120 may perform data transmission with the serving cell change. This procedure may be referred to as subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility. The stored RRC configuration for the candidate cell may be used for the subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility procedure.

[0068] Returning to FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, the network device 110 may configure a conditional reconfiguration for the terminal device 120. Assume that the cells 131-133, 141-143, and 151-153 are configured as candidate cells in the terminal device 110. In some scenarios, the terminal device 120 may initially communicate only with the network device 110. As the terminal device 120 moves, if a condition for a candidate cell (e.g., cell 131) is met, the terminal device 120 may be allowed to establish a dual connection with the network device 110 and the network device 130. This process of SN addition may be referred to as CPA.

[0069] In some scenarios, the terminal device 120 may establish a dual connection with the network devices 110 and 130. The network device 110 functions as an MN, and the network device 130 functions as an SN. When the terminal device 120 moves, if a condition for another candidate cell (e.g., cell 142) is met, the SN serving the terminal device 120 may be changed from the network device 130 (also referred to as source SN or current SN 130) to the network device 140 (also referred to as target SN 140). This process of PScell ​​change may be referred to as CPC. In some scenarios, after the terminal device is configured with conditional reconfiguration and subsequent CPC is enabled, but before at least one execution condition is met for any candidate PScell, the terminal device 120 may receive an RRC reconfiguration message including reconfigurationWithSync from the network device 110 and perform a PScell ​​change or addition accordingly. This procedure is referred to as a conventional PScell ​​change or addition.

[0070] After the above CPA, CPC, or conventional PSCell change / add procedure, when the terminal device 120 moves further, if the condition for yet another candidate cell (e.g., cell 152) is met, the SN serving the terminal device 120 may be changed from the network device 140 to the network device 150 (also referred to as target SN 150). This SN change process may be referred to as subsequent CPC.

[0071] In 3GPP Release 18, mechanisms and procedures for NR-DC with selective activation of cell groups (at least for SCG) will be defined by allowing subsequent cell group changes after CG changes without CPC / CPA reconfiguration or reinitiation. In this case, the terminal device 120 may not need to discard the CPC / CPA configuration after the PSCell modification / addition procedure is completed. The stored CPC / CPA configuration may be used for subsequent CPCs.

[0072] However, the terminal device 120 may be provided with a delta configuration relative to the source cell configuration, which may continue to change during subsequent CPCs and may be different from the source cell, so how to apply the delta configuration to the current serving cell is an issue.

[0073] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for solving the delta configuration problem for the above subsequent CPC or L1 / L2 based mobility scenarios or any other suitable scenarios, which will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0074] It should be understood that the present solution may be applied in SCG change or MCG change. That is, the present solution may also be applied to subsequent CPC or subsequent conditional handover. Subsequent CPC or subsequent conditional handover may be referred to as selective activation of cell group, selective activation of SCG, subsequent SCG change, subsequent cell group change, or subsequent conditional cell change. For convenience, the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described by taking subsequent CPC as an example. Example of applying delta settings

[0075] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 200 for communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 200 may involve a terminal device 120 and a network device 110 as shown in FIG. 1A. The network device 110 may be a MN or SN serving the terminal device 120.

[0076] 2, the network device 110 transmits (210) a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells to the terminal device 120. The configurations in the set of configurations are delta configurations.

[0077] Terminal device 120 determines a reference configuration (220). In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may determine the reference configuration to be a configuration used for a cell group serving terminal device 120. For example, upon receiving an RRC reconfiguration message including a subsequent conditional cell change or an enablement of L1 / L2-based mobility, terminal device 120 may determine the current RRC configuration as the reference configuration.

[0078] In some embodiments, the network device 110 may transmit an indication to the terminal device 120 indicating a configuration for one of the candidate cells in the set of candidate cells as a reference configuration (222). In this case, the terminal device 120 may determine the configuration for the one of the candidate cells in the set of candidates as a reference configuration based on the indication. For example, the network device 110 may obtain an RRC configuration (full configuration) corresponding to a candidate cell used as a reference for a delta configuration, and provide the RRC configuration to at least one network device of at least one other candidate cell. Then, each of the at least one network device may generate a delta configuration for the corresponding candidate cell based on the provided RRC configuration. The network device 120 may transmit an RRC reconfiguration including a conditional cell change or addition configuration or an L1 / L2-based mobility configuration to the terminal device 110. The conditional cell change or addition configuration or the L1 / L2-based mobility configuration may be configured in a set of RRC configurations for a set of candidate cells. The network device 120 may indicate in the RRC reconfiguration which entry in the set of RRC configurations is the basis for the delta configuration. For illustration, an example for the following CPC is given below with reference to FIG.

[0079] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example process 300 for illustrating reference configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 300 may involve terminal device 120 and network devices 110, 140, and 150 as shown in FIG. 1A. In this example, network device 110 acts as a MN serving terminal device 120, network device 140 acts as a potential target SN (represented as T-SN), and network device 150 acts as another potential target SN.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, the network device 110 may send an SN addition request message including information of the subsequent CPC and the candidate PSCell#1 to the network device 140 (310). The network device 140 may send an SN addition request acknowledgement message including the SCG configuration of the candidate PSCell#1 to the network device 110 (320). In the subsequent CPC phase, the network device 110 may send an SN addition request message including information of the subsequent CPC, a list of other candidate PSCells, and the SCG configuration of the candidate PSCell#1 to the network device 140 (330). The network device 110 may also send an SN addition request message including information of the subsequent CPC, a list of other candidate PSCells, and the SCG configuration of the candidate PSCell#1 to the network device 150 (330'). The network device 140 may send an SN addition request acknowledgement message to the network device 110 (340), which includes configurations of other candidate PSCells, which are delta configurations based on the SCG configuration of the candidate PSCell#1. The network device 150 may also send an SN addition request acknowledgement message to the network device 110 (340'), which includes configurations of other candidate PSCells, which are delta configurations based on the SCG configuration of the candidate PSCell#1. The network device 110 may then send an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device 120 (350), which includes a conditional reconfiguration, which includes the configuration for the candidate PSCell and an indication of which entry in the CPC / CPA configuration is the basis for the delta configuration. It should be understood that the process of FIG. 3 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0081] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may store the reference configuration (221). For example, the reference configuration may be stored in a UE variable. Upon receiving an RRC reconfiguration message including, for example, a subsequent conditional cell change or an L1 / L2-based mobility enablement configuration, the terminal device 120 may store the RRC configuration corresponding to each candidate cell. The terminal device 120 may also store the reference configuration in a UE variable. In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may replace the stored reference RRC configuration with the newly received reference configuration. The terminal device 120 may then transmit an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the network device 110.

[0082] In some embodiments, if a cell group is released, the terminal device 120 may discard the stored reference RRC configuration. In some embodiments, if a handover is performed, for example if a reconfigurationWithSync for an MCG is performed, the terminal device 120 may discard the stored reference RRC configuration. In some embodiments, if a configuration for a candidate cell is released, for example if a conditional reconfiguration or an L1 / L2-based mobility configuration is released, the terminal device 120 may discard the stored reference RRC configuration. In some embodiments, if a subsequent conditional cell change is disabled, the terminal device 120 may discard the stored reference RRC configuration. In this way, storage resources can be well managed.

[0083] Once the reference configuration is determined, the terminal device 120 applies the configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration (230). In an embodiment for a subsequent conditional PSCell or PCell change, if at least one execution condition for the candidate cell (also referred to as a selected candidate cell) is met, the terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell (231). In some embodiments for L1 / L2-based mobility, the terminal device 120 may receive lower layer signaling (e.g., L1 or L2 signaling, which may be a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI)) from the network device 110 indicating the candidate cell (232). In this case, the terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell in response to the lower layer signaling (233).

[0084] In some embodiments where the current RRC configuration is stored as a reference configuration, the terminal device 120 may revert (i.e., fall back) to the stored RRC configuration and apply the configuration for the candidate cell. Alternatively, the terminal device 120 may generate an actual configuration (for convenience, also referred to herein as a first configuration) based on the reference configuration and the configuration for the candidate cell and apply the first configuration for the candidate cell. In other words, if an execution condition is met or if lower layer signaling is received, the terminal device applies the first configuration for the candidate cell.

[0085] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may generate a set of configurations (also referred to as a set of second configurations for convenience) for the set of candidate cells based on the reference configuration and the set of configurations for the set of candidate cells, and store the set of second configurations. For example, when receiving an RRC reconfiguration message including a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells, where the configurations of these candidate cells are delta configurations, the terminal device 120 may generate a new or actual RRC configuration (i.e., a second configuration) corresponding to the candidate cell using or combining the reference RRC configuration and the configuration corresponding to each candidate cell. The terminal device 120 may store the second configuration for the candidate cell in a variable of the terminal device 120, or the terminal device 120 may replace or update the stored second RRC configuration with the newly generated second RRC configuration of the candidate cell. In these embodiments, once an execution condition is met or lower level signaling is received, terminal device 120 may directly apply the currently stored second RRC configuration to the candidate cell.

[0086] So far, a solution has been described for applying delta configuration, which can then be supported for subsequent conditional PCell or PSCell changes or subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility or any suitable scenario. Example of implementing the same delta configuration

[0087] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a solution with substantially identical delta settings for a set of candidate cells, which is conveniently described with reference to FIG.

[0088] In this solution, the terminal device 120 receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from the network device 110, and when a cell change or addition is performed for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, the terminal device 120 applies the configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations. The configuration for the candidate cell and the configuration for the cell group serving the terminal device or the configuration for another candidate cell in the set of configurations are the same except for at least one of the following: identity, timer, dedicated Random Access CHannel (RACH) configuration, or measurement configuration for the terminal device 120. In other words, the configurations of all the candidate cells and the current configuration or the configuration of one of the candidate cells are the same except for at least one of the following: identity, timer, dedicated RACH configuration, or measurement configuration. For example, the identity for the terminal device may be the Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) of the terminal device 120 for the candidate cell. Of course, any other suitable format is also possible. The timer may be a T304 timer or any other similar timer.

[0089] For illustration, an example of subsequent CPC is given below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example process 400 of subsequent CPC according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustration, the process 400 is described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 400 may involve terminal device 120 and network devices 110, 130, 140, and 150 as shown in FIG. 1A. In this example, network device 110 serves as a MN serving terminal device 120, network device 130 serves as a source SN (represented as S-SN), and network devices 140 and 150 serve as potential target SNs (represented as T-SN).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 4, in the subsequent CPC phase, the network device 110 may send an SN addition request message to the network device 140 (410), where the SN addition request message includes information of the subsequent CPC activation and the current SCG setting of the S-SN or the SCG setting of one candidate PSCell. The network device 110 may also send an SN addition request message to the network device 150 (410'), where the SN addition request message includes information of the subsequent CPC and the current SCG setting of the S-SN or the SCG setting of one candidate PSCell. The network device 110 may send an Xn message to the network device 130 (420), where the Xn message includes information of the subsequent CPC activation. The network device 140 may send an SN addition request acknowledgement message to the network device 110 (430), where the SN addition request acknowledgement message includes only at least one of the identity, timer, dedicated random access channel setting, or measurement setting as SCG setting for each candidate PSCell. The network device 150 may also send an SN addition request acknowledgement message to the network device 110 (430'), where the SN addition request acknowledgement message includes only at least one of the identity, timer, dedicated RACH configuration, or measurement configuration as SCG configuration for each candidate PSCell. The network device 130 may send an Xn message for acknowledging the subsequent CPC activation (440), where the Xn message includes only at least one of the identity, timer, dedicated RACH configuration, or measurement configuration as SCG configuration for each candidate PSCell. The network device 110 may send an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device 120 (450), where the configuration for each candidate cell includes only at least one of the identity, timer, dedicated RACH configuration, or measurement configuration as SCG configuration for each candidate PSCell. It should be understood that the process of FIG. 4 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0091] In some embodiments, if the settings for the candidate cell are the same as the settings for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, the terminal device 120 may receive an indication from the network device 110 indicating the other candidate cell and apply the settings for the candidate cell based on the indication.

[0092] In some embodiments for subsequent conditional PSCell or PCell changes, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for a candidate cell if at least one execution condition for the candidate cell is satisfied. In some embodiments for L1 / L2 based mobility, terminal device 120 may receive lower layer signaling (e.g., L1 or L2 signaling) from network device 110 indicating the candidate cell. In this case, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell in response to the lower layer signaling.

[0093] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional PCell or PSCell changes or subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility. Example of a complete configuration

[0094] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a solution with a complete configuration for each candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, which is conveniently described with reference to FIG.

[0095] In this solution, the terminal device 120 receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from the network device 110, and each configuration in the set of configurations is a complete configuration. Thus, when a cell change or addition is performed for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, the terminal device 120 directly applies the configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations.

[0096] For illustration, an example of a subsequent CPC is given below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary process 500 of a subsequent CPC according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustration, the process 500 is described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 500 may involve the terminal device 120 and the network devices 110, 130, 140, and 150 as shown in FIG. 1A. In this example, the network device 110 serves as a MN serving the terminal device 120, the network device 130 serves as a source SN (represented as S-SN), and the network devices 140 and 150 serve as potential target SNs (represented as T-SN).

[0097] As shown in FIG. 5, in the subsequent CPC phase, the network device 110 may send an SN addition request message to the network device 140 (510), where the SN addition request message does not include the current SCG configuration because the network device 110 uses the full configuration. The network device 110 may also send an SN addition request message including information of the subsequent CPC to the network device 150 (510'). The network device 110 may send an Xn message including information of the activation of the subsequent CPC to the network device 130 (520), where the SN addition request message does not include the current SCG configuration because the network device 110 uses the full configuration. The network device 140 may send an SN addition request acknowledgement message including the SCG configuration with the full configuration for each candidate PSCell to the network device 110 (530). The network device 150 may also send an SN addition request acknowledgement message including the SCG configuration with the full configuration for each candidate PSCell to the network device 110 (530'). The network device 130 may send an Xn message for acknowledging the subsequent CPC activation (540), where the Xn message includes an SCG configuration with a full configuration for each candidate PSCell. The network device 110 may send an RRC reconfiguration message including a conditional reconfiguration for the CPC / CPA to the terminal device 120 (550), where the conditional reconfiguration includes a configuration with a full configuration for each candidate PSCell. It should be understood that the process of FIG. 5 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0098] In some embodiments for subsequent conditional PSCell or PCell changes, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for a candidate cell if at least one execution condition for the candidate cell is satisfied. In some embodiments for L1 / L2 based mobility, terminal device 120 may receive lower layer signaling (e.g., L1 or L2 signaling) from network device 110 indicating the candidate cell. In this case, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell in response to the lower layer signaling.

[0099] Thus, full configuration may be supported even for subsequent conditional PCell or PSCell changes or subsequent L1 / L2 based mobility. Example of Dedicated RACH Configuration

[0100] Currently, a dedicated RACH configuration is configured for a reconfigurationWithSync procedure (e.g., handover or PSCell change), and if a subsequent conditional cell change is enabled or a subsequent L1 / L2-based cell change is configured for the terminal device, the dedicated RACH configuration needs to be reserved for a very long time, which results in huge costs and resource waste.

[0101] In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide solutions for resource management, which will be conveniently described with reference to FIG.

[0102] In some embodiments, the configuration for a candidate cell may include a dedicated RACH configuration for the candidate cell. In these embodiments, the terminal device 120 may perform the cell change or addition for the candidate cell once based on the dedicated RACH configuration. If another cell change for the candidate cell is performed, the terminal device 120 may perform the other cell change without using a dedicated RACH configuration. For example, the terminal device 120 may perform the other cell change based on a contention-based random access procedure. In this way, dedicated RACH resources may be reserved for a short period of time.

[0103] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell may include a dedicated RACH configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell. In these embodiments, when the configuration is received, the terminal device 120 may start a timer. When the timer expires, the terminal device 120 may release the dedicated RACH configuration. Thus, since a timer is used to control the use of the dedicated RACH configuration, the dedicated RACH resources can also be reserved for a short period of time.

[0104] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell may not include a dedicated RACH configuration for the candidate cell. In other words, if subsequent CPC or lower layer signaling-based mobility is configured, the dedicated RACH configuration is not configured. In these embodiments, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or cell addition for the candidate cell based only on a contention-based random access procedure. In this way, the above problem regarding the dedicated RACH configuration may be solved. Example of the method

[0105] Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide communication methods implemented in a terminal device and a network device, which are described below with reference to Figures 6 to 11.

[0106] 6 illustrates an example communication method 600 implemented in a terminal device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the method 600 may be performed in a terminal device 120 as shown in FIG. 1A. For purposes of explanation, the method 600 is described below with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that the method 600 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0107] At block 610, terminal device 120 receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device (e.g., network device 110) serving terminal device 120. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2-based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN.

[0108] In block 620, the terminal device 120 determines a reference configuration. In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may determine a configuration of a cell group serving the terminal device 120 as the reference configuration. In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may receive an indication from the first network device indicating a configuration for one cell of the set of candidate cells as the reference configuration, and determine the reference configuration based on the indication.

[0109] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may store the reference configuration in a variable of the terminal device. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may discard the stored reference configuration in response to at least one of: a cell group being released, a handover being performed, the configuration for the candidate cell being released, or a subsequent conditional cell change being disabled.

[0110] In block 630, terminal device 120 applies a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for a candidate cell if at least one execution condition for the candidate cell is satisfied. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell if lower layer signaling is received.

[0111] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may revert to the reference configuration and apply the configuration for the candidate cell. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may generate a first configuration based on the reference configuration and the configuration for the candidate cell and apply the first configuration for the candidate cell. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may generate a set of second configurations for the set of candidate cells based on the reference configuration and the set of configurations for the set of candidate cells and store the set of second configurations. Terminal device 120 may directly apply the stored second configurations to the candidate cell.

[0112] In some embodiments, the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration for the candidate cell, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or addition to the candidate cell based on the dedicated random access configuration. If another cell change to a candidate cell is performed, the terminal device 120 may perform the other cell change without using the dedicated random access configuration.

[0113] In some embodiments, where the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell, when the configuration is received, the terminal device 120 may start a timer, and when the timer expires, the terminal device 120 may release the dedicated random access configuration.

[0114] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or cell addition to the candidate cell solely based on a contention-based random access procedure.

[0115] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any suitable scenario.

[0116] 7 illustrates another exemplary communication method 700 implemented in a terminal device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 700 may be performed in terminal device 120 as shown in FIG. 1A. For purposes of explanation, method 700 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that method 700 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0117] At block 710, terminal device 120 receives a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device (e.g., network device 110) serving terminal device 120. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2-based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN.

[0118] In block 720, the terminal device 120 determines whether a cell change or addition is to be performed for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. If a cell change or addition is to be performed for the candidate cell, the process 700 proceeds to block 730.

[0119] In block 730, the terminal device 120 applies a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of configurations, which is the same as the configuration for the cell group serving the terminal device 120 or for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0120] In some embodiments where the configuration for the candidate cell is the same as the configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, terminal device 120 may receive an indication from the first network device indicating the other candidate cell and apply the configuration for the candidate cell based on the indication.

[0121] In some embodiments, if at least one execution condition for a candidate cell is satisfied, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell if lower layer signaling is received.

[0122] In some embodiments, the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration for the candidate cell, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or addition to the candidate cell based on the dedicated random access configuration. If another cell change to a candidate cell is performed, the terminal device 120 may perform the other cell change without using the dedicated random access configuration.

[0123] In some embodiments, where the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell, when the configuration is received, the terminal device 120 may start a timer, and when the timer expires, the terminal device 120 may release the dedicated random access configuration.

[0124] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or cell addition to the candidate cell solely based on a contention-based random access procedure.

[0125] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any suitable scenario.

[0126] 8 illustrates yet another exemplary communication method 800 implemented in a terminal device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the method 800 may be performed in a terminal device 120 as shown in FIG. 1A. For purposes of explanation, the method 800 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that the method 800 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0127] At block 810, terminal device 120 receives a set of complete configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device (e.g., network device 110) serving terminal device 120. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2-based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN.

[0128] In block 820, the terminal device 120 determines whether a cell change or addition is to be performed for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. If a cell change or addition is to be performed for the candidate cell, the process 800 proceeds to block 830.

[0129] In block 830, terminal device 120 applies the configurations for the candidate cells in the set of complete configurations.

[0130] In some embodiments, if at least one execution condition for a candidate cell is satisfied, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell. In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may apply the configuration for the candidate cell if lower layer signaling is received.

[0131] In some embodiments, the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration for the candidate cell, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or addition to the candidate cell based on the dedicated random access configuration. If another cell change to a candidate cell is performed, the terminal device 120 may perform the other cell change without using the dedicated random access configuration.

[0132] In some embodiments, where the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell, when the configuration is received, the terminal device 120 may start a timer, and when the timer expires, the terminal device 120 may release the dedicated random access configuration.

[0133] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may perform a cell change or cell addition to the candidate cell solely based on a contention-based random access procedure.

[0134] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any suitable scenario.

[0135] 9 illustrates an example communication method 900 implemented in a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 900 may be executed in a first network device. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2 based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN. For purposes of illustration, method 900 is described with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that method 900 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 9, in block 910, a first network device (e.g., network device 110) sends to terminal device 120 a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells and an instruction indicating a configuration for one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells as a reference configuration.

[0137] In some embodiments, network device 110 may transmit the configuration for the one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells to a set of second network devices (e.g., network devices 140 and 150) that provide the set of candidate cells, and receive from the set of second network devices the set of configurations generated based on the configuration for the one candidate cell as the reference configuration.

[0138] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or add configured for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell does not include a dedicated random access configuration for the set of candidate cells.

[0139] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any suitable scenario.

[0140] FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary communication method 1000 implemented in a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1000 may be performed in a first network device. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2 based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN. For illustrative purposes, method 1000 is described with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that method 1000 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0141] 10, in block 1010, a first network device (e.g., network device 110) transmits a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells to a terminal device 120. A configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells and a configuration for a cell group serving the terminal device 120 or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are the same except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0142] In some embodiments, network device 110 may receive the set of configurations from a set of second network devices (eg, network devices 140 or 150) that provide the set of candidate cells.

[0143] In some embodiments where the settings for the candidate cell are the same as the settings for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, network device 110 may send an indication to terminal device 120 indicating the other candidate cell.

[0144] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or add configured for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell does not include a dedicated random access configuration for the set of candidate cells.

[0145] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any suitable scenario.

[0146] 11 illustrates yet another exemplary communication method 1100 implemented in a network device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1100 may be performed in a first network device. In some embodiments for subsequent conditional cell change, the first network device may be an MN. In some embodiments for L1 / L2 based mobility, the first network device may be an MN or an SN. For purposes of illustration, method 1100 is described with reference to FIG. 1A. It should be understood that method 1100 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks that are shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0147] 11, in block 1110, a first network device (e.g., network device 110) transmits a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells to terminal device 120. The configurations in the set of configurations are complete configurations for the candidate cells, i.e., each configuration in the set of configurations is a complete configuration.

[0148] In some embodiments, network device 110 may receive the set of complete configurations from a set of second network devices (eg, network devices 140 and 150) that provide the set of candidate cells.

[0149] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or add configured for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell does not include a dedicated random access configuration for the set of candidate cells.

[0150] Thus, delta configuration can be supported for subsequent conditional cell changes or L1 / L2 based mobility, or any other suitable scenario.

[0151] It should be noted that the operations of methods 600-1100 are similar to those described in connection with FIGS. 2-5, and therefore other details will not be redundantly described here for the sake of brevity. Examples of equipment and devices

[0152] 12 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 1200 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1200 may be considered as another exemplary implementation of the terminal apparatus 120 or the network apparatus 110, 130, 140, or 150 shown in FIG. 1A. Thus, the apparatus 1200 may be implemented in or as at least a part of the terminal apparatus 120 or the network apparatus 110, 130, 140, or 150.

[0153] As shown, the apparatus 1200 comprises a processor 1210, a memory 1220 coupled to the processor 1210, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 1240 coupled to the processor 1210, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 1240. The memory 1210 stores at least a portion of a program 1230. The TX / RX 1240 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 1240 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, although the access nodes referred to herein may in practice have multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication with other network elements, such as an X2 / Xn interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs / gNBs, an S1 / NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / SGW / UPF and an eNB / gNB, an Un interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a Relay Node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a terminal device.

[0154] The program 1230 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1210, enable the device 1200 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein with reference to Figures 1A-11. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be realized by computer software executable by the processor 1210 of the device 1200, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 1210 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the combination of the processor 1210 and the memory 1220 may form a processing means 1250 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0155] The memory 1220 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, by way of non-limiting example, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Although only one memory 1220 is shown in the device 1200, there may be several physically different memory modules in the device 1200. The processor 1210 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 1200 may have multiple processors, for example application specific integrated circuit chips time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0156] In some embodiments, a terminal device comprises circuitry configured to receive a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device, determine a reference configuration, and apply a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration.

[0157] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to determine a configuration of a cell group serving the terminal device as the reference configuration.

[0158] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to determine the reference configuration by receiving an indication from the first network device indicating a configuration for a cell in the set of candidate cells as the reference configuration, and determining the reference configuration based on the indication.

[0159] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to store the reference configuration in a variable of the terminal device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to discard the stored reference configuration in response to at least one of: a cell group being released, a handover being performed, the configuration for the candidate cell being released, or a subsequent conditional cell change being disabled.

[0161] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to apply the setting by restoring the reference setting and applying the setting for the candidate cell.

[0162] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to apply the setting by generating a first setting based on the reference setting and the setting for the candidate cell, and applying the first setting for the candidate cell.

[0163] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to generate a set of second settings for the set of candidate cells based on the reference settings and the set of settings for the set of candidate cells, and store the set of second settings. In these embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to apply the settings by applying the stored second settings to the candidate cells.

[0164] In some embodiments, a terminal device comprises a circuit configured to receive from a first network device a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells and, in accordance with a determination that a cell change or addition is to be performed to a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, apply a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations, wherein the configuration for the candidate cell and a configuration for a cell group serving the terminal device or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are the same except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0165] In some embodiments in which the setting for the candidate cell is the same as the setting for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, the circuitry may be configured to apply the setting by receiving an indication from the first network device indicating the other candidate cell, and applying the setting for the candidate cell based on the indication.

[0166] In some embodiments, the terminal device comprises circuitry configured to receive from a first network device a set of complete configurations for a set of candidate cells and, according to a determination that a cell change or addition to a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells is to be performed, apply a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of complete configurations.

[0167] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to apply the setting by applying the setting for the candidate cell in accordance with a determination that at least one execution condition for the candidate cell is satisfied.

[0168] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to apply the configuration by applying the configuration for the candidate cell in accordance with a determination that lower layer signaling has been received.

[0169] In some embodiments, wherein the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration for the candidate cell, the circuitry may be further configured to perform a cell change or add to the candidate cell based on the dedicated random access configuration, and, pursuant to a determination that another cell change to the candidate cell is to be performed, perform the another cell change without using the dedicated random access configuration.

[0170] In some embodiments, where the configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for a cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell, the circuitry may be configured to start the timer pursuant to a determination that the configuration has been received, and to release the dedicated random access configuration pursuant to a determination that the timer has expired.

[0171] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to perform a cell change or cell addition to the candidate cell only based on a contention-based random access procedure.

[0172] In some embodiments, the network device comprises circuitry configured to transmit to the terminal device a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells and an indication indicating a configuration for one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells as a reference configuration.

[0173] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to transmit the configuration for the one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells to a set of second network devices that provide the set of candidate cells, and to receive from the set of second network devices the set of configurations generated based on the configuration for the one candidate cell as the reference configuration.

[0174] In some embodiments, the network device comprises a circuit configured to transmit to a terminal device a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells, wherein the configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells and a configuration for a cell group serving the terminal device or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are the same except for at least one of an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, or a measurement configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells.

[0175] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to receive the set of configurations from a set of second network devices that provide the set of candidate cells.

[0176] In some embodiments in which the settings for the candidate cell are the same as the settings for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, the circuitry may be further configured to send an indication to the terminal device indicating the other candidate cell.

[0177] In some embodiments, the network device comprises a circuit, the circuit configured to transmit to the terminal device a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells, the configurations in the set of configurations being complete configurations for the candidate cells.

[0178] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to receive the set of complete configurations from a set of second network devices that provide the set of candidate cells.

[0179] In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or add configured for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the configuration for the candidate cell does not include a dedicated random access configuration for the set of candidate cells.

[0180] The term "circuitry" as used herein may refer to a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware. As yet another example, a circuit may be any portion of a hardware processor having software, including a digital signal processor, software, and one or more memories, that cooperate to cause a device, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In yet another example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or a processor, such as a microprocessor or a portion thereof, that requires software / firmware for operation, but the software may not be present if not required for operation. As used herein, the term "circuitry" also includes an implementation of only a hardware circuit or one or more processors, or a portion of a hardware circuit or one or more processors and its (or their) associated software and / or firmware.

[0181] Overall, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described using block diagrams, flow charts, or some other pictorial representations, it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, by way of non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or any combination thereof.

[0182] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, that execute in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform a process or method as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-11. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as appropriate. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed in local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0183] Program codes for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, and when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may run entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a separate software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0184] The above program code may be implemented on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program used by or associated with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the aforementioned media. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium may include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the aforementioned.

[0185] It should be noted that although operations have been described in a particular order, it should not be understood that such operations need to be performed in the particular order shown, or in any sequential order, or that all of the operations described must be performed in order to achieve desired results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although some specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to certain embodiments. Some features described in the context of individual embodiments may be realized in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0186] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims, is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of communication comprising: receiving, at the terminal device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device; Determining a reference configuration; applying a configuration for a candidate cell in the set of configurations based on the reference configuration; The method includes:

2. Determining the reference setting includes: determining a configuration of a cell group serving the terminal device as the reference configuration; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

3. Determining the reference setting includes: receiving an indication from the first network device indicating a configuration for a cell of the set of candidate cells as the reference configuration; determining the reference setting based on the instruction; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

4. storing said reference settings in variables of said terminal device; The method of claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

5. The stored reference settings can be the group of cells has been released; That a handover has been performed; the configuration for the candidate cell has been released, or that subsequent conditional cell changes are disabled, Discard in accordance with at least one of the following: The method of claim 4 further comprising:

6. Applying the setting includes: Returning to said reference setting; applying the configuration for the candidate cell; and The method according to claim 2 or 3, comprising:

7. Applying the setting includes: generating a first configuration based on the reference configuration and the configuration for the candidate cell; applying the first configuration to the candidate cell; and The method according to claim 2 or 3, comprising:

8. generating a set of second configurations for the set of candidate cells based on the reference configuration and the set of configurations for the set of candidate cells; storing said set of second settings; The method of claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

9. Applying the setting includes: applying the stored second configuration to the candidate cell; 9. The method of claim 8, comprising:

10. 1. A method of communication comprising: receiving, at the terminal device, a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells from a first network device; applying a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of configurations according to a determination that a cell change or addition to the candidate cell in the set of candidate cells is performed; The configuration for the candidate cell and the configuration for a cell group serving the terminal device or the configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; or a measurement configuration of a candidate cell in said set of candidate cells; are the same except for at least one of method.

11. The configuration for the candidate cell is the same as the configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, and applying the configuration includes: receiving an indication from the first network device indicating the other candidate cell; applying the configuration for the candidate cell based on the indication; and 11. The method of claim 10, comprising:

12. 1. A method of communication comprising: receiving, at the terminal device, from a first network device, a set of complete configurations for a set of candidate cells; applying a configuration for the candidate cell in the set of complete configurations according to a determination that a cell change or addition to the candidate cell in the set of candidate cells is performed; The method includes:

13. Applying the setting includes: applying the configuration for the candidate cell in accordance with a determination that at least one execution condition for the candidate cell is satisfied.

13. The method of claim 1, 10 or 12, comprising:

14. Applying the setting includes: applying the configuration for the candidate cell in accordance with a determination that lower layer signaling has been received.

13. The method of claim 1, 10 or 12, comprising:

15. The configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration for the candidate cell, and the method further comprises: performing a cell change or addition to the candidate cell based on the dedicated random access configuration; performing the further cell change without using the dedicated random access configuration according to a determination that a further cell change to the candidate cell is performed; and 13. The method of claim 1, 10 or 12, further comprising:

16. The configuration includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for the candidate cell, and the method further comprises: initiating the timer in response to determining that the configuration has been received; and releasing the dedicated random access configuration in response to determining that the timer has expired.

13. The method of claim 1, 10 or 12, further comprising:

17. performing a cell change or cell addition for the candidate cell only based on a contention-based random access procedure; 13. The method of claim 1, 10 or 12, further comprising:

18. 1. A method of communication comprising: transmitting, in the first network device, to a terminal device, a set of configurations for the set of candidate cells and an indication indicating a configuration for one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells as a reference configuration; The method includes:

19. transmitting the configuration for the one candidate cell in the set of candidate cells to a set of second network devices that serve the set of candidate cells; receiving, from the set of second network devices, the set of configurations generated based on the configuration for the one candidate cell as the reference configuration; 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

20. 1. A method of communication comprising: In the first network device, transmitting a set of configurations for a set of candidate cells to a terminal device, wherein the configurations for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells and a configuration for a cell group serving the terminal device or a configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells are: an identity for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; a timer for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; a dedicated random access channel configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells; or a measurement configuration of a candidate cell in said set of candidate cells; are the same except for at least one of method.

21. receiving the set of configurations from a set of second network devices providing the set of candidate cells; 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

22. The configuration for the candidate cell is the same as the configuration for another candidate cell in the set of candidate cells, and the method further comprises: transmitting an indication to the terminal device indicating the other candidate cell; 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

23. 1. A method of communication comprising: and transmitting, in the first network device, to the terminal device, a set of configurations for the set of candidate cells, the configurations in the set of configurations being a complete configuration for the candidate cell. method.

24. receiving the set of complete configurations from a set of second network devices providing the set of candidate cells; 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

25. The configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24.

26. The configuration for the candidate cell includes a dedicated random access configuration and a timer for cell change or addition configured for a candidate cell in the set of candidate cells. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24.

27. The configuration for the candidate cells does not include a dedicated random access configuration for the set of candidate cells. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24.

28. A processor configured to cause a terminal device to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or any one of claims 10 to 11 or any one of claims 12 to 17. Terminal device.

29. A processor configured to cause a network device to perform the method according to any one of claims 18 to 19 or any one of claims 20 to 22 or any one of claims 23 to 27. Network device.

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