User device, secondary node, and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium. The terminal device receives information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report from a first network device, and based on the above information, directly or via a second network device, transmits the application layer measurement report to the first network device. In this way, application layer measurements in NR-DC can be appropriately supported.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to a communication method, apparatus, and computer storage medium for application layer measurement in a New Radio-Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) scenario.

Background Art

[0002] The function of collecting application layer measurements enables the collection of application layer measurements from a terminal device. Currently, it is expected to support application layer measurements in NR-DC, for example, enable application layer measurement reports at a master node (MN) / secondary node (SN) in the case of an NR-DC architecture, and maintain the continuity of application layer measurement reports. However, the mechanism of application layer measurement in NR-DC is still incomplete and needs further development.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, and computer storage medium for application layer measurement in NR-DC.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a terminal device, information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report from a first network device, and transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device directly or via a second network device based on the information.

[0005] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes, in a first network device, transmitting information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report to a terminal device, and receiving the application layer measurement report from the terminal device directly or via a second network device.

[0006] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes, in a second network device, receiving an application layer measurement report from a terminal device, and transmitting the application layer measurement report to a first network device.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processor configured to cause the device to execute the method according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed in at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to execute the method according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] Other features of the present disclosure should be easily understood through the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] By describing some embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should become clearer.

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[0023] Throughout all the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Here, the principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are intended to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways different from those described below.

[0025] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure.

[0026] 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, all Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, in-vehicle devices for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), spacecraft or aircraft in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) including a High Altitude Platform (HAP) that includes satellite and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), extended reality (XR) devices including different types of reality such as Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Virtual Reality (VR), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly referred to as drones which are aircraft without a human pilot, devices on high speed trains (HSTs), or image acquisition devices such as digital cameras, sensors, game devices, music storage and playback devices, or Internet appliances that enable wireless / wired Internet access and browsing, etc., including but not limited to these.The "terminal device" may further have a "multicast / broadcast" function to support V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, software delivery via wireless, group communication, and IoT applications that prioritize public safety and missions. Also, one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIM, may be incorporated. The term "terminal device" may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or wireless device.

[0027] The term "network device" means a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage capable of communicating with a terminal device. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), IAB node, femto node, pico node, and other low-power nodes, and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS).

[0028] The terminal device or network device may have the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning. Generally, it includes models that can learn from a large number of data collected for specific functions and be used to predict some information.

[0029] The terminal device or the network device may operate on, for example, several frequency ranges such as FR1 (410 MHz to 7125 MHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz to 71 GHz), frequency bands greater than 100 GHz, and terahertz (THz). Furthermore, it can operate on licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. The terminal device may have one or more connections with the network device under a multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) application scenario. The terminal device or the network device can operate in full-duplex, flexible-duplex, cross-split duplex modes.

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in test devices such as, for example, signal generators, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, test terminal devices, test network devices, channel emulators, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected 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 some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device, and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is an eNB, and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information related to different RATs may be transmitted from at least one of the first network device or the second network device to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the first information may be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be directly transmitted from the second network device to the terminal device or transmitted via the first network device. In some embodiments, information related to the settings of the terminal device set by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information related to the reconfiguration of the terminal device set by the second network device may be directly transmitted from the second network device to the terminal device or transmitted via the first network device.

[0032] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising", "including", and variations thereof are to be construed as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to". The term "based on" is to be construed as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be construed as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be construed as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different objects or the same object. Other definitions, whether explicit or implicit, may be included in the following description.

[0033] In some instances, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as "optimal", "lowest", "highest", "minimum", "maximum", etc. Such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection is possible among a plurality of functional alternatives being used, and it will be understood that such selections need not be superior, smaller, higher, or more preferred than other selections.

[0034] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "packet duplication" may be used interchangeably with "packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) duplication" or "PDCP packet duplication".

[0035] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "application layer measurement information" may refer to at least one of the following. - Normal application layer measurement information including at least one of the following: - Application layer measurement reference, - Service type, - Area scope of application layer measurement collection, - Measurement collection entity Internet protocol address, - Application layer measurement status, - A container for application layer measurement settings, - A slice support list for application layer measurement collection, or - Drive test minimization (MDT) alignment information, or - Radio access network (RAN) visible application layer measurement information including at least one of the following: - Available RAN visible application layer measurement metrics such as whether buffer levels are collectable, whether playout delays are collectable, etc.

[0036] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "application layer measurement setting" may refer to at least one of the following. - Normal application layer measurement settings including at least one of the following: - The identity (ID) of the application layer measurement setting - The settings of the application layer measurement carried in a container - Service type, - An indication of whether the terminal device should send an indication at the start and end of a session at the application layer, or - RAN visible application layer measurement settings including at least one of the following: - The periodicity of RAN visible reporting - The maximum number of buffer level entries reportable for RAN visible application layer measurement, or - An indication of whether the terminal device should report an initial playout delay for RAN visible application layer measurement

[0037] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "application layer measurement report" may refer to at least one of the following. - ID of the application layer measurement setting - Normal application layer measurement results including at least one of the following: - Application layer measurement carried in a container, or - Instruction to start or stop an application layer measurement session in the application layer, or - RAN visible application layer measurement results including at least one of the following: - Application layer buffer level, - Application layer initial layout delay, or - Identity list of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions

[0038] As described above, it is expected to support application layer measurements in NR-DC. For example, enabling application layer measurement reports via the SN is expected. It is expected to define application layer measurement settings and measurement reports at the MN / SN for the NR-DC architecture, and to define application layer measurement reports at other DC legs to maintain the continuity of reports. Further, in the NR-DC scenario, it is expected to support RAN visible application layer measurements, as well as radio-related measurement settings and reports. Also, it is expected to define the continuity of application layer measurements in the NR-DC mobility scenario and to define the alignment of application layer measurements and radio-related measurements in NR-DC.

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication solution that supports application layer measurements in an NR-DC scenario. In this solution, the terminal device receives information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report from a first network device. Based on this information, the terminal device directly or via a second network device transmits the application layer measurement report to the first network device. In this way, when the network is overloaded, the application layer measurement report can be continuous.

[0040] The principle and implementation of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Example of a communication network

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication network 100 in which some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may include a terminal device 110 and network devices 120, 130. The network device 120 may provide a group of cells (for the sake of simplicity, only one cell 121 is shown) to provide services to one or more terminal devices. The network device 130 may also provide a group of cells (for the sake of simplicity, only one cell 131 is shown) to provide services to one or more terminal devices. For the sake of simplicity, the term "group of cells" may be used interchangeably with "cell group".

[0042] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be located in cell 121 and receive services from the network device 120. In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may be located in cell 131 and receive services from the network device 130. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may simultaneously establish a connection with the first network device 120 and a connection with the second network device 130. In this case, the first network device 120 may be the MN and the second network device 130 may be the SN. Alternatively, the first network device 120 may be the SN and the second network device 130 may be the MN. For the sake of explanation, hereinafter, the provision of services by the first network device 120 as the MN and the provision of services by the second network device 130 as the SN will be described. The cell group provided by the MN is called the master cell group (MCG), and the cell group provided by the SN is called the secondary cell group (SCG).

[0043] The communication network 100 may further include a core network (CN) 140. The CN 140 may include a plurality of network devices having various functions. For the sake of explanation, only the AMF 141 is shown. It should be understood that the AMF 141 is only an example, and other suitable forms are also possible. The communication network 100 may further include operation administration and maintenance (OAM) 150.

[0044] The communication network 100 further includes a network device 132. In some embodiments where the network device 120 provides services as the MN and the network device 130 provides services as the SN, the MN of the terminal device 110 may be transferred from the network device 120 to the network device 132. In this case, the network device 120 may be called the source MN, and the network device 132 may be called the target MN.

[0045] It should be understood that the number of devices and cells in FIG. 1 is shown for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation to the present disclosure. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and / or terminal devices and / or cells suitable for implementing the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0046] In some embodiments, the terminal device (e.g., terminal device 110) and the network device (e.g., network device 120 or 130) may communicate with each other via a channel such as a wireless communication channel in an air interface (e.g., Uu interface). The wireless communication channel may include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical random access channel (PRACH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Of course, any other suitable channels are also possible.

[0047] Communication in the communication network 100 may conform to any suitable standard, and the standards include, but are not limited to, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA (registered trademark)), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed according to any generation of communication protocol known currently or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, the communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, 5G-Advanced Network, or sixth generation (6G) network.

[0048] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may perform application layer measurements based on signaling. In this case, an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) function (not shown) may initiate the activation of application layer measurements of a specific terminal device via a core network (CN) (not shown), and a network device (e.g., network device 120) may receive one or more application layer measurement settings by signaling associated with the terminal device. The application layer measurement settings for signaling-based activation may include an application layer measurement setting list, corresponding information for application layer measurement collection, e.g., application layer measurement reference, service type, the Internet protocol (IP) address of a measurement collection entity (MCE), slice scope, area scope, minimization of drive tests (MDT) alignment information, and an indication of an available radio access network (RAN) visible QoE metric, etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may perform application layer measurements based on management. In this case, the OAM function may directly send one or more application layer measurement settings to a network device (e.g., network device 120). The application layer measurement settings for management-based activation may also include an application layer measurement setting list and corresponding information for application layer measurement collection. Each application layer measurement setting is encapsulated in a transparent container and sent to the terminal device 110. The network device 120 may select a terminal device that meets the required application layer measurement capabilities, area scope, and slice scope.

[0050] In some embodiments, for the purpose of QoE analysis, radio-related measurements may be collected via immediate MDT for all supported types of services. The MCE / Trace Collection Entity (TCE) associates the immediate MDT results collected at the same terminal device with the application layer measurement results. Alignment between signaling-based application layer measurements and signaling-based MDT measurements may be supported. In this case, the NG-RAN trace identity (ID) of the signaling-based MDT measurement may be included in the signaling-based application layer measurement settings transmitted to the network device 120. Alignment between management-based application layer measurements and management-based MDT measurements may be supported.

[0051] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may communicate via a direct SRB between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 and the network device 130 may communicate via a direct SRB between the terminal device 110 and the network device 130.

[0052] A split SRB is an SRB between network devices having RLC bearers in both the MCG and the SCG. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may communicate via a split SRB that includes one or more legs between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 and another one or more legs between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 via the network device 130. One of the legs may be set as the primary path. In some embodiments where packet duplication is set for the terminal device 110, PDCP packets from the PDCP entity of the terminal device 110 may be repeatedly transmitted to the network device 120 via the legs.

[0053] Currently, the method of performing application layer measurement reports on the other leg when an overload occurs on one leg is still unknown. Also unknown are the method of setting allocation layer management based on signaling and management, and the method of realizing the continuity of application layer measurement in a mobility scenario in NR-DC.

[0054] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication solution for application layer measurement to solve the above or other potential problems. For the sake of explanation, the more detailed content of this solution will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Exemplary implementation of an application layer measurement report

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram showing a communication process 200 for application layer measurement reports according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The terminal device 110 and the network devices 120 and 130 shown in FIG. 1 may be involved in the process 200. It is assumed that the terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with the network devices 120 and 130.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, a first network device (e.g., network device 120) transmits (210) information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report to the terminal device 110. The application layer measurement report is transmitted from the terminal device 110 to the network device 120. In some embodiments, the network device 120 may be an MN, and the network device 130 may be an SN. In some embodiments, the network device 120 may be an SN, and the network device may be an SN.

[0057] Based on that information, the terminal device 110 transmits an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 (220). In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may directly transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 (221). In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via a second network device (e.g., the network device 130) (222). Trigger for Path Switching

[0058] In some embodiments, the information indicating path switching for the application layer measurement report may be an instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report. The network device 120 may send an instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report (for convenience, also referred to as the first instruction here). For example, IE pausReporting in the RRC reconfiguration message may be set to true. It should be understood that any other appropriate form is also possible. In these embodiments, the terminal device 110 may transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 130.

[0059] In some embodiments, the information indicating path switching for the application layer measurement report may be an instruction to change the primary path of one SRB to the cell group of the network device 130. The network device 120 may send an instruction to change the primary path of one SRB to the cell group of the network device 130 (for convenience, also referred to as the second instruction here). In some embodiments where the network device 120 is the MN, it is necessary to change the primary path of the SRB received from the network to the cell group of the SN. Also in these embodiments, the terminal device 110 may transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 130.

[0060] In some embodiments, the information indicating the path switching for the application layer measurement report may be an instruction to resume the application layer measurement report. The network device 120 may send an instruction (hereinafter also referred to as the fifth instruction for convenience) to resume the application layer measurement report. For example, IE pausReporting may be set to false. It should be understood that any other suitable form is also possible. In these embodiments, the terminal device 110 may send the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 120.

[0061] In some embodiments, the information indicating the path switching for the application layer measurement report may be an instruction to change the primary path of one SRB to the cell group of the network device 120. The network device 120 may send an instruction (hereinafter also referred to as the sixth instruction for convenience) to change the primary path of one SRB to the cell group of the network device 120. In some embodiments where the network device 120 is an SN, it is necessary to change the primary path of the SRB received from the network to the cell group of the SN. Also in these embodiments, the terminal device 110 may send the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 120.

[0062] In this way, the continuity of the application layer measurement in the NR-DC scenario can be ensured. Transmission via SN

[0063] In some embodiments where the application layer measurement report is sent to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 130, the terminal device 110 may send the application layer measurement report using the split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110.

[0064] In some embodiments, the split SRB may include split SRB1. In some embodiments, the split SRB may include split SRB4. For example, when network device 120 is the MN and network device 130 is the SN, the split SRB may be split SRB4. In some embodiments, the split SRB may include split SRB3. For example, when network device 120 is the SN and network device 130 is the MN, the split SRB may be split SRB3. It should be understood that the split SRB may be any suitable existing or future-developed SRB. In some embodiments, in order to establish a split SRB, network device 120 may need to notify network device 130 that resources for the split SRB are required for SRB4, SRB3, or a future-developed SRB. In some embodiments, the split SRB may be the same as the SRB between network device 120 and terminal device 110 used for direct transmission of application layer measurements from terminal device 110 to network device 120. In some embodiments, the split SRB may be different from the SRB between network device 120 and terminal device 110 used for direct transmission of application layer measurements from terminal device 110 to network device 120.

[0065] In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may transmit an application layer measurement report using the SRB between network device 130 and terminal device 110. In this case, when network device 130 receives the application layer measurement report, it may transfer the application layer measurement report or the RAN visible application layer measurement report to network device 120 via the Xn interface.

[0066] In some embodiments, the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 may include SRB3, SRB4, or an SRB to be developed in the future. For example, when the network device 120 is an MN and the network device 130 is an SN, the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 may be SRB3 or an SRB to be developed in the future. When the network device 120 is an SN and the network device 130 is an MN, the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 may be SRB4.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 or the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may send an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the network device 130. In other words, when the terminal device 110 receives information indicating a path switch, it may determine whether the split SRB or the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110. When the split SRB or the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may send an application layer measurement report via the network device 130.

[0068] In some embodiments, when the split SRB and the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 are not set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may interrupt the transmission of the application layer measurement report and store the application layer measurement report. For example, the terminal device 110 may interrupt the transmission of the application layer measurement report container and store the application layer measurement report received previously or to be received later.

[0069] In some embodiments, the above split SRB may have a higher priority than the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110. In some embodiments, when the terminal device 110 receives information indicating a path switch, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the above split SRB is set in the terminal device 110. If the above split SRB is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may transmit an application layer measurement report via the above split SRB. If the above split SRB is not set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110. If the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may transmit an application layer measurement report via the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110.

[0070] In some embodiments, when an application layer measurement report is transmitted via the leg of the above split SRB corresponding to the network device 130, the application layer measurement report may be transmitted by a MeasurementReportAppLayer message or a ULDedicatedMessageSegment embedded with a segment of MeasurementReportAppLayer. In some embodiments, when an application layer measurement report is transmitted by the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, the application layer measurement report may be transmitted by a MeasurementReportAppLayer message embedded in a ULInformationTransferMRDC message. Alternatively, the application layer measurement report may be transmitted by a ULDedicatedMessageSegment embedded with a segment of MeasurementReportAppLayer, and the ULDedicatedMessageSegment is embedded in a ULInformationTransferMRDC message.

[0071] In this way, when the network is overloaded, it is possible for the application layer measurement reports to be continuous. Impact on Split SRB due to Packet Duplication

[0072] In the case of split SRB, the settings related to packet duplication may not match the transmission direction of the application layer measurement report. For example, packet duplication may be activated. However, the terminal device may report the application layer measurement report to only one network device. In another example, packet duplication is not activated and the primary path is a certain network device. However, the terminal device may report the application layer measurement report to another network device. Since the PDCP entity does not recognize the content of the packet, it cannot submit the packet to the correct RLC entity.

[0073] In some embodiments where the application layer measurement report is transmitted to the network device 120 via the cell group associated with the network device 130, the PDCP of the terminal device 110 may submit the PDCP packet including the application layer measurement report to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130. In some embodiments, the RRC layer of the terminal device 110 may need to notify the PDCP layer of the terminal device 110 to submit the PDCP packet including the application layer report to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130.

[0074] In some embodiments, when packet duplication is set or activated for the split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may submit an application layer measurement report and an instruction indicating that the packets corresponding to the application layer measurement report are to be submitted only to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130 (for convenience, also referred to herein as the third instruction) from the upper layer (e.g., the RRC layer) to the lower layer (e.g., the PDCP layer) of the terminal device 110.

[0075] For example, when the RRC layer of the terminal device 110 receives information indicating a path switch, it submits an RRC message including an application layer measurement report to the lower layer (PDCP) and notifies the lower layer (PDCP) to submit the corresponding packets / PDUs only to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130. When the PDCP entity of the terminal device 110 receives an instruction from the RRC layer, it submits PDCP packets to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130. Otherwise, the PDCP entity of the terminal device 110 may submit the replicated PDCP packets to the RLC entity activated for PDCP duplication.

[0076] In some embodiments, when packet duplication is not set or activated for the split SRB and the primary path is set to the cell group of the network device 120, the terminal device 110 may also submit an application layer measurement report and an instruction indicating that the packets corresponding to the application layer measurement report are to be submitted to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130 (for convenience, also referred to herein as the fourth instruction) from the upper layer (e.g., the RRC layer) to the lower layer (e.g., the PDCP layer) of the terminal device 110.

[0077] For example, when the RRC layer of the terminal device 110 receives information indicating a path switch, it may submit an RRC message including an application layer measurement report to the lower layer (PDCP), and notify the lower layer (PDCP) to transfer the corresponding packet / PDU to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130. When the PDCP entity of the terminal device 110 receives an instruction from the RRC layer, it may submit a PDCP packet to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130. Otherwise, the terminal device 110 may submit a PDCP packet to the primary RLC entity (i.e., the RLC entity associated with the primary path).

[0078] In some alternative or additional embodiments, when packet duplication is not set or activated for the split SRB and the primary path is set to the cell group of the network device 120, the terminal device 110 may change the primary path to the cell group of the network device 130.

[0079] In this way, the PDCP layer can submit a PDCP packet including an application layer measurement report only to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of another network device. Exemplary implementation of an application layer measurement setting

[0080] In some embodiments, independent application layer measurement settings may be provided for the MN and the SN. In some embodiments, in the case of application layer measurement based on signaling, the application layer measurement information for the MN and the application layer measurement information for the SN may be provided to the MN. The MN may transfer the application layer measurement information for the SN to the SN. For the sake of illustration, an exemplary process will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0081] FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a communication process 300A for signaling-based application layer measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, process 300A will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Terminal device 110, network devices 120, 130, and AMF 141 shown in FIG. 1 may be involved in process 300A. It is assumed that terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with network devices 120 and 130. Network device 120 provides services as the MN, and network device 130 provides services as the SN.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3A, AMF 141 may send to network device 120 (i.e., the MN) application layer measurement information about the MN and application layer measurement information about the SN (310).

[0083] Network device 120 may send to network device 130 (i.e., the SN) application layer measurement information about the SN (311). In some embodiments, network device 120 may transfer to network device 130 application layer measurement information about the SN via an SN addition request message, an SN modification request message, or any other suitable message.

[0084] Network device 120 may generate an application layer measurement setting (for convenience, also referred to here as the first setting) from the application layer measurement information about the MN and send the first setting to terminal device 110 (312).

[0085] Network device 130 may generate an application layer measurement setting (for convenience, also referred to here as the second setting) from the application layer measurement information about the SN and send the second setting to terminal device 110 (313).

[0086] Based on the first setting, the terminal device 110 may perform application layer measurements on the network device 120 and send an application layer measurement report (for convenience, also referred to as the first application layer measurement report here) to the network device 120 (314).

[0087] Based on the second setting, the terminal device 110 may perform application layer measurements on the network device 130 and send an application layer measurement report (for convenience, also referred to as the second application layer measurement report here) to the network device 130 (315).

[0088] In some embodiments, in the case of management-based application layer measurements, the application layer measurement information about the MN and the application layer measurement information about the SN may be provided to the MN and the SN respectively. For the sake of explanation, an exemplary process will be described with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0089] FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram illustrating a communication process 300B for management-based application layer measurements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300B will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 300B may involve the terminal device 110, the network devices 120 and 130, and the OAM 150 shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that the terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with the network devices 120 and 130. The network device 120 provides services as the MN, and the network device 130 provides services as the SN.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 3B, the OAM 150 may send the application layer measurement information about the MN to the network device 120 (i.e., the MN) (320). The OAM 150 may send the application layer measurement information about the SN to the network device 130 (i.e., the SN) (321).

[0091] The network device 120 may generate an application layer measurement setting (hereinafter also referred to as the first setting for convenience) from the application layer measurement information about the MN and transmit the first setting to the terminal device 110 (322).

[0092] The network device 130 may generate an application layer measurement setting (hereinafter also referred to as the second setting for convenience) from the application layer measurement information about the SN and transmit the second setting to the terminal device 110 (323).

[0093] The terminal device 110 may execute an application layer measurement on the network device 120 based on the first setting and transmit an application layer measurement report (hereinafter also referred to as the first application layer measurement report for convenience) to the network device 120 (324).

[0094] The terminal device 110 may execute an application layer measurement on the network device 130 based on the second setting and transmit an application layer measurement report (hereinafter also referred to as the second application layer measurement report for convenience) to the network device 130 (325).

[0095] In some embodiments, for both the MN and the SN, the management-based application layer measurement shall not overwrite the signaling-based application layer measurement.

[0096] In some embodiments, a single application layer measurement setting may be provided for both the MN and the SN. For the sake of explanation, referring to FIG. 3C, an exemplary process of signaling-based application layer measurement will be described.

[0097] Figure 3C shows a schematic diagram illustrating another communication process 300C for signaling-based application layer measurements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, process 300C will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The terminal device 110, network devices 120, 130, and AMF 141 shown in FIG. 1 may be involved in process 300C. It is assumed that the terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with the network devices 120 and 130. The network device 120 provides services as the MN, and the network device 130 provides services as the SN.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 3C, the AMF 141 may transmit application layer measurement information to the network device 120 (i.e., the MN) (330). In some embodiments, the application layer measurement information may include at least one of normal application layer measurement information or RAN visible application layer measurement information. In some embodiments, the RAN visible application layer measurement information may include RAN visible application layer measurement information about the SN and RAN visible application layer measurement information about the MN.

[0099] The network device 120 may send to the network device 130 (i.e., SN) at least one of the RAN visible application layer measurement information, the ID of the application layer measurement information about the MN and SN, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope (331). The network device 130 may generate the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the SN and send the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the SN to the network device 120 (332). In some embodiments, the network device 130 may provide the network device 120 with the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the SN and the related ID of the application layer measurement information. In some embodiments, the network device 130 may send the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the SN and the related ID of the application layer measurement information via an SN addition request confirmation message, an SN modification request confirmation message, an SN change required message, or any other appropriate message.

[0100] The network device 120 may generate an application layer measurement setting including at least one of a normal application layer measurement setting (also referred to herein as a set of setting parameters), the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the MN, or the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for the SN. The network device 120 may send the application layer measurement setting to the terminal device 110 (333).

[0101] The terminal device 110 may perform application layer measurements based on application layer measurement settings and send an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 (i.e., MN) (334). In some embodiments, the application layer measurement report may include at least one of normal application layer measurement results (also referred to herein as a set of result parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement results for the MN, and RAN visible application layer measurement results for the SN. In some embodiments, the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the SN or MN may include cell ID information.

[0102] The network device 120 may transfer the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the SN to the network device 130 (335).

[0103] An exemplary process of application layer measurement based on management will be described with reference to FIG. 3D. FIG. 3D shows a schematic diagram showing another communication process 300D of application layer measurement based on management according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300D will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 300D may involve the terminal device 110, network devices 120 and 130, and OAM 150 shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that the terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with the network devices 120 and 130. The network device 120 provides services as the MN, and the network device 130 provides services as the SN.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 3D, the OAM 150 may send at least one of RAN visible application layer measurement information, application layer measurement reference, service type, area scope, or slice scope to the network device 130 (340).

[0105] The network device 130 may send the RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130 and the corresponding application layer measurement reference to the OAM 150 (341).

[0106] OAM150 may transmit application layer measurement information to the network device 120 (342). The application layer measurement information may include at least one of normal application layer measurement information (also referred to here as a set of parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement information about the network device 120, or RAN visible application layer measurement settings about the network device 130.

[0107] The network device 120 may transmit application layer measurement settings to the terminal device 110 (343). The application layer measurement settings may include at least one of normal application layer measurement settings (also referred to here as a set of setting parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement settings about the network device 120, or RAN visible application layer measurement settings about the network device 130.

[0108] The terminal device 110 may execute application layer measurements based on the application layer measurement settings and transmit an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 (344). In some embodiments, the application layer measurement report may include at least one of normal application layer measurement results (also referred to here as a set of result parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement results about the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement results about the network device 130. In some embodiments, the RAN visible application layer measurement results about the network device 120 or 130 may include cell ID information.

[0109] The network device 120 may transfer the RAN visible application layer measurement results about the network device 130 to the network device 130 (345).

[0110] Another exemplary process of management-based application layer measurement will be described with reference to FIG. 3E. FIG. 3E shows a schematic diagram illustrating another communication process 300E of management-based application layer measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, process 300E will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Terminal device 110, network devices 120, 130, and OAM 150 shown in FIG. 1 may be involved in process 300E. It is assumed that terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with network devices 120 and 130. Network device 120 provides services as an MN, and network device 130 provides services as an SN.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 3E, OAM 150 may transmit application layer measurement information including at least one of normal application layer measurement information (also referred to herein as a set of parameters) or RAN visible application layer measurement information to network device 120 (350).

[0112] OAM 150 may transmit at least one of RAN visible application layer measurement information, an application layer measurement reference (also referred to herein as a measurement reference), a service type, an area scope, or a slice scope to network device 130 (351).

[0113] Network device 130 may transmit the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for network device 130 and the corresponding application layer measurement reference to network device 120 (352). In some embodiments, network device 130 may transmit the RAN visible application layer measurement setting for network device 130 and the corresponding application layer measurement reference via an Xn setup request message, an Xn setup response message, an NG-RAN node configuration update message, an NG-RAN node configuration update confirmation message, or any other suitable message.

[0114] The network device 120 may transmit application layer measurement settings to the terminal device 110 (353). The application layer measurement settings may include at least one of normal application layer measurement settings (also referred to herein as a set of setting parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, or RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130.

[0115] The terminal device 110 may execute application layer measurements based on the application layer measurement settings and transmit an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 (354). In some embodiments, the application layer measurement report may include at least one of normal application layer measurement results (also referred to herein as a set of result parameters), RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130. In some embodiments, the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 120 or 130 may include cell ID information.

[0116] The network device 120 may transfer the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130 to the network device 130 (355).

[0117] In this way, a mechanism for setting application layer measurements based on signaling and management in the NR-DC scenario is provided. Exemplary implementation regarding application layer measurement continuity

[0118] In the NR-DC handover scenario, the method for transferring application layer measurement settings for the SN during the handover (HO) procedure is still unknown.

[0119] In view of this point, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for solving the above problems. This solution will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0120] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram showing a communication process 400 of application layer measurement settings in a mobility scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 400 may involve the terminal device 110 and the network devices 120, 130, 132 shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that the terminal device 110 establishes simultaneous connections with the network devices 120 and 130. The network device 120 provides services as an MN, and the network device 130 provides services as an SN. The network device 120 provides services as a source MN, and the network device 132 provides services as a target MN.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 4, the network device 120 (i.e., the source MN) determines (410) whether the network device 120 has at least one of the information on the application layer measurement of the SN (i.e., the network device 130) or the information on the RAN visible application layer measurement of the SN.

[0122] If the network device 120 does not have at least one of the information on the application layer measurement of the SN or the information on the RAN visible application layer measurement of the SN, the network device 120 may send an SN modification request message to the network device 130 (420). The network device 130 may send to the network device 120 at least one of the information on the application layer measurement of the SN or the information on the radio access network visible application layer measurement of the SN, for example, in an SN modification request confirmation message (430).

[0123] The network device 120 may send an HO request message to the network device 132 (i.e., the target MN) (440). In some embodiments, the HO request message may include at least one of the information of the application layer measurement about the SN or the information of the RAN visible application layer measurement about the SN.

[0124] In this way, the target MN has the application layer measurement information of the SN and can provide it to the target SN. Exemplary implementation of a method

[0125] Corresponding to the above content, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method implemented by a terminal device and a network device. These methods will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0126] In the context of the present disclosure, the first network device may refer to the MN or the SN, and the second network device may refer to the SN or the MN. The third network device may refer to a network device having the same functions as the AMF, and the fourth network device may refer to a network device having the same functions as the OAM. The fifth network device may refer to the target MN.

[0127] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary communication method 500 implemented by a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the method 500 may be executed by the terminal device 110 as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. The method 500 may include additional blocks not shown and / or some of the shown blocks may be omitted, and it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0128] In block 510, the terminal device 110 receives information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report from a first network device (e.g., the network device 120).

[0129] In block 520, the terminal device 110 transmits an application layer measurement report to the network device 120 based on the above information, either directly or via a second network device (e.g., network device 130).

[0130] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive the above information by at least one of receiving a first instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report or receiving a second instruction to change the primary path to the cell group of the network device 130. In these embodiments, the terminal device 110 may transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the network device 130.

[0131] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 transmits the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the network device 130 by at least one of transmitting the application layer measurement report using a split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 or transmitting the application layer measurement report using an SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110.

[0132] In some embodiments, if a split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 or an SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may transmit the application layer measurement report to the network device 120 via the network device 130.

[0133] In some embodiments, when the split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may transmit an application layer measurement report via the split SRB. When the split SRB is not set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110. When the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may transmit an application layer measurement report via the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110.

[0134] In some embodiments, when neither the split SRB nor the SRB between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 is set in the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may interrupt the transmission of the application layer measurement report and store the application layer measurement report.

[0135] In some embodiments, the split SRB may include at least one of split SRB1, split SRB3, or split SRB4.

[0136] In some embodiments, when packet duplication is set or activated for the split SRB between the network device 120 and the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may submit from the upper layer to the lower layer of the terminal device 110 an application layer measurement report and a third indication indicating that the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report is submitted only to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of the network device 130.

[0137] In some embodiments, when packet duplication is not set or activated for the split SRB and the primary path is set to the cell group of network device 120, terminal device 110 may submit an application layer measurement report and a fourth instruction indicating that the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report is submitted to the RLC entity associated with the cell group of network device 130 from the upper layer to the lower layer of terminal device 110. Alternatively, terminal device 110 may change the primary path to the cell group of network device 130.

[0138] In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may receive the above information by at least one of receiving a fifth instruction to resume the application layer measurement report or receiving a sixth instruction to change the primary path to the cell group of network device 110. In these embodiments, terminal device 110 may directly transmit the application layer measurement report to network device 120.

[0139] In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may perform at least one of receiving, from network device 120, a first setting of a first application layer measurement report for network device 120, receiving, from network device 130, a second setting of a second application layer measurement report for network device 130, transmitting the first application layer measurement report to network device 120, or transmitting the second application layer measurement report to network device 130.

[0140] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the MN, a setting of application layer measurements including a set of setting parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the MN, and RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the SN. The terminal device 110 may transmit a report of the application layer measurements to the MN. The report may include a set of result parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement results for the MN, and RAN visible application layer measurement results for the SN.

[0141] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive, from the network device 120, a setting of application layer measurements including a set of setting parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130. The terminal device 110 may transmit a report of the application layer measurements to the network device 120. The report may include a set of result parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130.

[0142] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary communication method 600 implemented by a first network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the method 600 may be executed by the network devices 120, 130, or 132 as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. It should be understood that the method 600 may include additional blocks not shown and / or may omit some of the blocks shown, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 6, in block 610, a first network device (e.g., the network device 120) transmits information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report to the terminal device 110.

[0144] In block 620, the network device 120 receives an application layer measurement report from the terminal device 110 directly or via a second network device (e.g., network device 130).

[0145] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may transmit the above information by at least one of transmitting a first instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report or transmitting a second instruction to change the primary path to a cell group of the second network device. In these embodiments, the network device 120 may receive the application layer measurement report via the network device 130.

[0146] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may transmit the above information by at least one of transmitting a third instruction to resume the application layer measurement report or transmitting a fourth instruction to change the primary path to a cell group of the first network device. In these embodiments, the network device 120 may receive the application layer measurement report directly from the terminal device 110.

[0147] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may perform at least one of receiving first information on application layer measurement for the network device 120 from a third network device (e.g., AMF 141), transmitting a first setting of the first application layer measurement report for the network device 120 to the terminal device 110, or receiving the first application layer measurement report from the terminal device 110.

[0148] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may receive second information on application layer measurement for the network device 130 from the AMF 141 and transmit the second information to the network device 130.

[0149] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may perform at least one of receiving, from the AMF 141, information on application layer measurements and information on RAN visible application layer measurements; transmitting to the network device 130 at least one of the information on RAN visible application layer measurements, the identity of the application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope; receiving from the network device 130 the RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130; transmitting to the terminal device 110 an application layer measurement setting including a set of configuration parameters, the RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, and the RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130; receiving from the terminal device 110 an application layer measurement report including a set of result parameters, the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 120, and the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130; or transmitting to the network device 130 the RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130.

[0150] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may perform at least one of receiving, from a fourth network device (e.g., OAM 150), application layer measurement information including at least one of a set of parameters, RAN visibility application layer measurement for the network device 120, or information on RAN visibility application layer measurement settings for the network device 130; transmitting, to the terminal device 110, application layer measurement settings including a set of configuration parameters, RAN visibility application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, and RAN visibility application layer measurement settings for the network device 130; receiving, from the terminal device 110, an application layer measurement report including a set of result parameters, RAN visibility application layer measurement results for the network device 120, and RAN visibility application layer measurement results for the network device 130; or transmitting, to the network device 130, RAN visibility application layer measurement results for the network device 130.

[0151] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may perform at least one of the following: receiving, from a fourth network device (e.g., OAM 150), information on application layer measurements including a set of configuration parameters or at least one of information on RAN visible application layer measurements; receiving, from the network device 130, RAN visible application layer measurement settings and measurement references for the network device 130; transmitting to the terminal device 110 an application layer measurement configuration including a set of configuration parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130; receiving from the terminal device 110 a report on application layer measurements including a set of result parameters, RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 120, and RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130; or transmitting to the network device 130 RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130.

[0152] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may perform at least one of the following: transmitting to a fifth network device (e.g., network device 132) an HO request message including at least one of information on application layer measurements for the network device 130 or information on RAN visible application layer measurements for the network device 130; transmitting a SN correction request to the network device 130 if the network device 120 does not have at least one of the above information on application layer measurements for the network device 130 or information on RAN visible application layer measurements for the network device 130; or receiving from the network device 130 at least one of the above information on application layer measurements for the network device 130 or information on RAN visible application layer measurements for the network device 130.

[0153] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary communication method 700 implemented in a second network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 700 may be executed by network devices 120, 130, or 132 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of discussion, method 700 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. Method 700 may include additional blocks not shown and / or may omit some of the blocks shown, and it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 7, at block 710, a second network device (e.g., network device 130) receives an application layer measurement report from terminal device 110.

[0155] At block 720, network device 130 transmits the application layer measurement report to a first network device (e.g., network device 120).

[0156] In some embodiments, network device 130 may perform at least one of receiving second information of application layer measurements for network device 130 from network device 120 or a third network device (e.g., AMF 141), transmitting a second setting of a second application layer measurement report for network device 130 to terminal device 110, or receiving a second application layer measurement report from terminal device 110.

[0157] In some embodiments, the network device 130 may perform at least one of receiving from the network device 120 at least one of information on RAN visible application layer measurements, an identity of RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 120, a service type, an area scope, or a slice scope, transmitting RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130 to the network device 120, or receiving RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130 from the network device 120.

[0158] In some embodiments, the network device 130 may perform at least one of receiving from a fourth network device (e.g., OAM 150) at least one of information on RAN visible application layer measurements, a measurement reference, a service type, an area scope, or a slice scope, transmitting RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130 and the measurement reference to OAM 150, or receiving RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130 from the network device 120.

[0159] In some embodiments, the network device 130 may perform at least one of receiving from OAM 150 at least one of information on RAN visible application layer measurements, a measurement reference, a service type, an area scope, or a slice scope, transmitting RAN visible application layer measurement settings for the network device 130 and the measurement reference to the network device 120, or receiving RAN visible application layer measurement results for the network device 130 from the network device 120.

[0160] In some embodiments, the network device 130 may perform at least one of receiving an SN correction request from the network device 120, or transmitting at least one of information on application layer measurements for the network device 130 or information on RAN visible application layer measurements for the network device 130 to the network device 120.

[0161] In some embodiments, the network device 120 is an MN and the network device 130 is an SN. In some embodiments, the network device 120 is an SN and the network device 130 is an MN.

[0162] It should be understood that the operations of methods 500 to 700 are similar to those described in relation to FIGS. 2 to 3E, and for the sake of brevity, other details will not be repeated here. Exemplary implementation of a device and apparatus

[0163] FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 800 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 800 can be considered as a further exemplary implementation of the terminal device 110 or the network device 120 or the network device 130 or the network device 132 or the AMF 141 or the OAM 150 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the apparatus 800 can be implemented in or at least as part of the terminal device 110 or the network device 120 or the network device 130 or the network device 132 or the AMF 141 or the OAM 150.

[0164] As shown in the figure, the apparatus 800 includes a processor 810, a memory 820 coupled to the processor 810, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 840 coupled to the processor 810, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 840. The memory 810 stores at least a part of the program 830. The TX / RX 840 is for two-way communication. The TX / RX 840 has at least one antenna for facilitating communication. In fact, the access node described in the present application may have a plurality of antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communicating with other network elements, for example, the X2 / Xn interface for two-way communication between eNBs / gNBs, the S1 / NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / SGW / UPF and an eNB / gNB, the Un interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a relay node (RN), or the Uu interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a terminal device.

[0165] The program 830 is assumed to include program instructions. When the program is executed by the associated processor 810, it enables the apparatus 800 to operate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 herein. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 810 of the apparatus 800, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The processor 810 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the combination of the processor 810 and the memory 820 may constitute a processing means 850 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0166] Memory 820 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and by way of non-limiting example, may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, a fixed memory, and a removable memory. Only one memory 820 is shown within device 800, but there may be several physically different memory modules within device 800. Processor 810 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and by way of non-limiting example, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 800 may have an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is temporally dependent on a clock that synchronizes a plurality of processors, e.g., a main processor.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terminal device includes a circuit configured to receive information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report from a first network device and, based on the information, transmit the application layer measurement report to the first network device directly or via a second network device.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first network device includes a circuit configured to transmit information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report to a terminal device and receive the application layer measurement report from the terminal device directly or via a second network device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second network device includes a circuit configured to receive an application layer measurement report from a terminal device and transmit the application layer measurement report to the first network device.

[0170] As used herein, the term "circuit" may mean a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, the circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware. As yet another example, the circuit may be any part of a hardware processor with software, including a digital signal processor, software, and memory, that cooperate to cause a device such as a terminal device or a network device to perform various functions. In yet another example, the circuit may be a hardware circuit that requires software / firmware for operation and / or a processor such as a microprocessor or a part thereof, where the software may or may not be present if not required for operation. As used herein, the term "circuit" includes implementation only with a hardware circuit or a processor or a part of a hardware circuit or a processor and its (or their) associated software and / or firmware.

[0171] In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide the following solutions.

[0172] In one solution, the communication method includes, at a terminal device, receiving, from a first network device, information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report, and based on the information, transmitting the application layer measurement report directly or via a second network device to the first network device.

[0173] In some embodiments, receiving the information includes at least one of receiving a first instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report or receiving a second instruction to change a primary path to a cell group of the second network device. In these embodiments, transmitting the application layer measurement report includes transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device.

[0174] In some embodiments, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes at least one of transmitting the application layer measurement report using a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device, or transmitting the application layer measurement report using a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0175] In some embodiments, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device according to a determination that a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device, or a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device, is set in the terminal device.

[0176] In some embodiments, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes transmitting the application layer measurement report via the split signaling radio bearer according to a determination that the split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device, determining whether a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device according to a determination that the split signaling radio bearer is not set in the terminal device, and transmitting the application layer measurement report via the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device according to a determination that the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device.

[0177] In some embodiments, the method further includes interrupting the transmission of the application layer measurement report and storing the application layer measurement report according to a determination that the split signaling radio bearer and the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device are not set in the terminal device.

[0178] In some embodiments, the split signaling radio bearer includes at least one of split signaling radio bearer 1, split signaling radio bearer 3, or split signaling radio bearer 4.

[0179] In some embodiments, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes submitting, from the upper layer to the lower layer of the terminal device, a third instruction indicating that the application layer measurement report and the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report are submitted only to the radio link control entity associated with the cell group of the second network device according to a determination that packet duplication is set or activated for the split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device, or submitting, from the upper layer to the lower layer of the terminal device, a fourth instruction indicating that the application layer measurement report and the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report are submitted to the radio link control entity associated with the cell group of the second network device according to a determination that packet duplication is not set or activated for the split signaling radio bearer and the primary path is set to the cell group of the first network device, or changing the primary path to the cell group of the second network device.

[0180] In some embodiments, receiving the above information includes at least one of receiving a fifth instruction to resume the above application layer measurement report, or receiving a sixth instruction to change the above primary path to a cell group of the above first network device. In these embodiments, transmitting the above application layer measurement report includes directly transmitting the above application layer measurement report to the above first network device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving, from the above first network device, a first setting of a first application layer measurement report for the above first network device; receiving, from the above second network device, a second setting of a second application layer measurement report for the above second network device; transmitting the above first application layer measurement report to the above first network device; or transmitting the above second application layer measurement report to the above second network device.

[0182] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, from the above master node, a setting of application layer measurement including a set of setting parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the above master node, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the above secondary node; and transmitting, to the above master node, a report of the above application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the above master node, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the above secondary node.

[0183] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, from the first network device, a setting of application layer measurement including a set of setting parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device; and transmitting, to the first network device, a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device.

[0184] In another solution, the communication method includes, in a first network device, transmitting, to a terminal device, information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report; and receiving, directly or via a second network device, the application layer measurement report from the terminal device.

[0185] In some embodiments, transmitting the information includes at least one of transmitting a first instruction for pausing the application layer measurement report or transmitting a second instruction for changing a primary path to a cell group of the second network device. In these embodiments, receiving the application layer measurement report includes receiving the application layer measurement report via the second network device.

[0186] In some embodiments, transmitting the information includes at least one of transmitting a third instruction for resuming the application layer measurement report or transmitting a fourth instruction for changing the primary path to a cell group of the first network device. In these embodiments, receiving the application layer measurement report includes receiving the application layer measurement report directly from the terminal device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of: receiving, from a third network device, first information of application layer measurement for the first network device; transmitting, to the terminal device, a first setting of a first application layer measurement report for the first network device; or receiving, from the terminal device, the first application layer measurement report.

[0188] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, from the third network device, second information of application layer measurement for the second network device; and transmitting the second information to the second network device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of: receiving, from a third network device, information on application layer measurements and information on radio access network visible application layer measurements; transmitting, to the second network device, at least one of the information on the radio access network visible application layer measurements, an identity of an application layer measurement setting for the first network device, a service type, an area scope, or a slice scope; receiving, from the second network device, a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device; transmitting, to the terminal device, a set of setting parameters and an application layer measurement setting including the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device and the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device; receiving, from the terminal device, a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device; or transmitting, to the second network device, the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a fourth network device, application layer measurement information including at least one of a set of parameters, radio access network visible application layer measurement information for the first network device, or radio access network visible application layer measurement settings for the second network device; transmitting, to the terminal device, application layer measurement settings including a set of configuration parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement settings for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement settings for the second network device; receiving, from the terminal device, a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the first network device, and radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the second network device; or further including at least one of transmitting, to the second network device, the radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the second network device.

[0191] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a fourth network device, information on application layer measurements including at least one of a set of configuration parameters or information on radio access network visible application layer measurements; receiving, from the second network device, radio access network visible application layer measurement settings and measurement references for the second network device; transmitting to the terminal device configuration settings for application layer measurements including a set of configuration parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement settings for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement settings for the second network device; receiving from the terminal device a report on application layer measurements including a set of result parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the second network device; or further including at least one of transmitting to the second network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement results for the second network device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting, to a fifth network device, a handover request message including at least one of information on application layer measurements for the second network device or information on radio access network visible application layer measurements for the second network device; transmitting, to the second network device, a secondary node modification request according to a determination that the first network device does not have at least one of the information on application layer measurements for the second network device or the information on radio access network visible application layer measurements for the second network device; or further including at least one of receiving, from the second network device, at least one of the information on application layer measurements for the second network device or the information on radio access network visible application layer measurements for the second network device.

[0193] In another solution, the communication method includes, at a second network device, receiving an application layer measurement report from a terminal device and transmitting the application layer measurement report to a first network device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving, from the first network device or a third network device, second information on application layer measurements for the second network device; transmitting, to the terminal device, a second setting of a second application layer measurement report for the second network device; or receiving, from the terminal device, the second application layer measurement report.

[0195] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving from the first network device at least one of the information of the radio access network visible application layer measurement, the identity of the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope, transmitting to the first network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device, or receiving from the first network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving from a fourth network device at least one of the information of the radio access network visible application layer measurement, the measurement reference, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope, transmitting to the fourth network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting and the measurement reference for the second network device, or receiving from the first network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving from a fourth network device at least one of the information of the radio access network visible application layer measurement, the measurement reference, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope, transmitting to the first network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting and the measurement reference for the second network device, or receiving from the first network device the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device.

[0198] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving a secondary node modification request from the first network device, or transmitting at least one of information on application layer measurements for the second network device, or information on radio access network visible application layer measurements for the second network device, to the first network device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first network device is a master node and the second network device is a secondary node. In some embodiments, the first network device is a secondary node and the second network device is a master node.

[0200] In another solution, a communication device includes a processor configured to cause the device to execute the method according to any one of the above claims.

[0201] Overall, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although the various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or 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 example, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or any combination thereof.

[0202] 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 program modules, that are executed within a device on a target physical processor or virtual processor to perform the processes or methods described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules may be combined or divided among the program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0203] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure may be described in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes are provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, and when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram are realized. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0204] The above program code may be implemented on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that can be utilized by or associated with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and that can contain or store a program for the same. 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, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing media. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium may include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or a flash memory, an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0205] Note that although the operations have been described in a particular order, it should be understood that such operations may be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all of the described operations may be required to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while some specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Some of the features described in the context of individual embodiments may be combined in a single embodiment to be implemented. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0206] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of 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 exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. In a terminal device, receiving information indicating path switching for an application layer measurement report from a first network device; Based on the information, directly or via a second network device, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device; A communication method including the above.

2. Receiving the information includes: Receiving a first instruction for suspending the application layer measurement report, or Receiving at least one of a second instruction for changing the primary path to a cell group of the second network device, Transmitting the application layer measurement report includes: Transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device, The method according to claim 1.

3. Transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes: Transmitting the application layer measurement report using a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device, or Transmitting the application layer measurement report using a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device, including at least one of the above, The method according to claim 2.

4. Transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes: According to the determination that a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device or a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device, transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device, The method according to claim 2.

5. Transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes: According to the determination that a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device, transmitting the application layer measurement report via the split signaling radio bearer, Determining whether a signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device according to a determination that a split signaling radio bearer is not set in the terminal device; Transmitting the application layer measurement report via the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device according to a determination that the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device is set in the terminal device; including; The method according to claim 2.

6. Interrupting the transmission of the application layer measurement report, and storing the application layer measurement report according to a determination that the split signaling radio bearer and the signaling radio bearer between the second network device and the terminal device are not set in the terminal device; Interrupting the transmission of the application layer measurement report; Storing the application layer measurement report; further including; The method according to claim 5.

7. The split signaling radio bearer includes at least one of split signaling radio bearer 1, split signaling radio bearer 3, or split signaling radio bearer 4; including; The method according to claim 5.

8. Transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device via the second network device includes submitting, from an upper layer to a lower layer of the terminal device, a third instruction indicating that the application layer measurement report and a packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report are submitted only to a radio link control entity associated with the cell group of the second network device according to a determination that packet duplication is set or activated for a split signaling radio bearer between the first network device and the terminal device, or submitting, from an upper layer to a lower layer of the terminal device, a fourth instruction indicating that the application layer measurement report and the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report are submitted to the radio link control entity associated with the cell group of the second network device according to a determination that packet duplication is not set or activated for the split signaling radio bearer and the primary path is set to the cell group of the first network device; or submitting, from an upper layer to a lower layer of the terminal device, a fourth instruction indicating that the application layer measurement report and the packet corresponding to the application layer measurement report are submitted to the radio link control entity associated with the cell group of the second network device according to a determination that packet duplication is not set or activated for the split signaling radio bearer and the primary path is set to the cell group of the first network device; Changing the primary path to the cell group of the second network device including The method according to claim 2

9. Receiving the information includes receiving a fifth instruction for resuming the application layer measurement report, or receiving at least one of a sixth instruction for changing the primary path to the cell group of the first network device Transmitting the application layer measurement report includes directly transmitting the application layer measurement report to the first network device The method according to claim 1

10. Receiving, from the first network device, a first setting of a first application layer measurement report for the first network device Receiving, from the second network device, a second setting of a second application layer measurement report for the second network device Transmitting the first application layer measurement report to the first network device, or further including at least one of transmitting the second application layer measurement report to the second network device The method according to claim 1

11. Receiving, from the master node, a setting of application layer measurement including a set of setting parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the master node, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the secondary node Transmitting, to the master node, a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the master node, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the secondary node further including The method according to claim 1

12. Receiving, from the first network device, a setting of application layer measurement including a set of setting parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device Transmitting to the first network device a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device. Further comprising The method according to claim 1.

13. In a first network device, transmitting to a terminal device information indicating a path switch for an application layer measurement report. Receiving the application layer measurement report directly from the terminal device or via a second network device. A communication method including.

14. Sending the information Includes at least one of sending a first instruction to suspend the application layer measurement report, or sending a second instruction to change the primary path to a cell group of the second network device. Receiving the application layer measurement report Includes receiving the application layer measurement report via the second network device. The method according to claim 13.

15. Sending the information Includes at least one of sending a third instruction to resume the application layer measurement report, or sending a fourth instruction to change the primary path to a cell group of the first network device. Receiving the application layer measurement report Includes directly receiving the application layer measurement report from the terminal device. The method according to claim 14.

16. Receiving from a third network device first information of an application layer measurement for the first network device. Sending to the terminal device a first setting of a first application layer measurement report for the first network device. Or further includes at least one of receiving the first application layer measurement report from the terminal device. The method according to claim 13.

17. Receiving from the third network device second information of an application layer measurement for the second network device. Sending the second information to the second network device. Further comprising ​ ​ The method according to claim 16.

18. Receiving information on application layer measurements and information on radio access network visible application layer measurements from a third network device; Transmitting at least one of the information on the radio access network visible application layer measurement, the identity of the application layer measurement setting for the first network device, the service type, the area scope, or the slice scope to the second network device; Receiving a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device from the second network device; Transmitting an application layer measurement setting including a set of setting parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device to the terminal device; Receiving from the terminal device a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device, or Further including at least one of transmitting the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device to the second network device; The method according to claim 13.

19. Receiving from a fourth network device application layer measurement information including at least one of a set of parameters and information on a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device or a radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device; Transmitting an application layer measurement setting including a set of setting parameters, the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the first network device, and the radio access network visible application layer measurement setting for the second network device to the terminal device; Receiving, from the terminal device, a report of the application layer measurement including a set of result parameters, a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the first network device, and a radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device, or Transmitting the radio access network visible application layer measurement result for the second network device to the second network device Further including at least one of: The method according to claim 13.

20. A communication device comprising a processor configured to cause the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or any one of claims 13 to 19.

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