Mobility management method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a mobility management method and a communication device. The method includes: a first DU receives a first measurement result reported by a terminal device, and based on the first measurement result, determines target beam information and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information for the terminal device to perform mobility management, notifies the CU of the target beam information and / or the target cell, and requests the second DU through the CU to confirm whether to accept the target beam information and / or the target cell. The first measurement result includes a measurement result corresponding to a current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device. When a CU-DU split architecture is used for an access network device and the mobility of the terminal device between cells of different DUs is considered, the aforementioned method can enable the first DU and the second DU to keep consistency in determining target beam information and support the terminal device in performing fast mobility management and beam management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and more particularly, to a mobility management method and a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In a high-frequency beamforming scenario, since the terminal device moves and the beam coverage area is limited, the terminal device needs to frequently perform cell handover. However, beam management for the target cell included in the mobility process of the terminal device cannot be effectively performed based on the existing beam management mechanism. Therefore, the terminal device usually needs to first execute a mobility process and then execute a beam management process for the target cell. The mobility process and the beam management process not only cause long service interruptions of the terminal device, but also cannot perform high-speed beam alignment quickly matching the movement of the terminal device, and may also cause inaccurate handover decisions and long beam training processes.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a mobility management method and a communication device for supporting a terminal device in implementing high-speed mobility management and beam management, which enables the source DU and the target DU to maintain consistency when determining target beam information when a central unit CU-distributed unit DU split architecture is used for an access network device and the mobility of the terminal device between cells of different DUs is considered.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. The method may be executed by a first DU or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) configured within the first DU. Optionally, the first DU may be a source DU when the terminal device performs mobility management.

[0005] This method includes the following. The first DU receives first measurement results reported by a terminal device. The first measurement results include measurement results corresponding to K cells, where the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer. The first DU transmits a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes target beam information, which is determined based on the first measurement results and is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The first DU receives a first response message from the CU. The first response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0006] In a possible design of the first aspect, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of a second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0007] The foregoing technical solution provides a mobility management procedure on the access network side. The first DU determines target beam information for the terminal device to perform mobility management and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information based on the first measurement results reported by the terminal device, notifies the CU of the target beam information and / or the target cell, and can request the second DU through the CU to confirm whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available.

[0008] In this technical solution, specifically, the first DU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, effectively reducing the signaling overhead between the CU and the DU. The first DU, the CU, and the second DU on the access network side maintain consistency when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, support the terminal device in implementing high-speed mobility management, and enable the implementation of high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0009] In a possible design of the first aspect, when the target beam information cannot be received, the first response message includes the updated target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0010] In a possible design of the first aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU sends a first indication message to the terminal device. The first indication message includes the target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0011] In a possible design of the first aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU receives a first configuration message from the CU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell. The first DU sends a second configuration message to the terminal device. The second configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell.

[0012] In a possible design of the first aspect, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi - co - location QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security - related configuration information, media access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0013] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be executed by the CU, or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the CU.

[0014] This method includes the following. The CU receives a first request message from a first DU. The first request message includes target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The CU sends a second request message to a second DU. The second request message includes target beam information, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information. The CU receives a second response message from the second DU. The second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted. The CU sends a first response message to the first DU. The first response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0015] In a possible design of the second aspect, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to target beam information, identification information of a second DU, or transmission status information of a terminal device. The second request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to target beam information, identification information of a second DU, or transmission status information of a terminal device. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0016] In a possible design of the second aspect, when the target beam information cannot be accepted, the first response message includes updated target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information. The second response message includes updated target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0017] In a possible design of the second aspect, the method includes the following. The CU receives a third configuration message from the second DU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell. The CU transmits a first configuration message to the first DU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device.

[0018] In a possible design of the second aspect, each group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0019] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. The method may be executed by a second DU, or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the second DU. Optionally, the second DU may be the target DU when the terminal device performs mobility management.

[0020] The method includes the following. The second DU receives a second request message from the CU. The second request message includes target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information. The second DU sends a second response message to the CU. The second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0021] In a possible design of the third aspect, the second request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0022] In a possible design of the third aspect, when the second DU does not receive the target beam information, the second response message includes the target beam information updated by the second DU and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0023] In a possible design of the third aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU sends a third configuration message to the CU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0024] In a possible design of the third aspect, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the target cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0025] In a possible design of the third aspect, the method includes the following: The second DU receives feedback information from the terminal device. The feedback information indicates that the terminal device has successfully received the first indication message, and the first indication message includes the target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0026] In a possible design of the third aspect, the method includes the following: The second DU receives feedback information based on the physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0027] For the beneficial effects in the possible designs of the second and third sides, please refer to the corresponding description in the first side. Details will not be described again.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be executed by a first DU, or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the first DU. Optionally, the first DU may be a source DU when the terminal device executes mobility management.

[0029] This method includes the following. The first DU receives first measurement results reported by a terminal device. The first measurement results include measurement results corresponding to K cells, where the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer. The first DU sends a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the at least one candidate beam information is determined based on the first measurement results. The first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to execute mobility management. The first DU receives a first response message from the CU. The first response message includes the target beam information.

[0030] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, that is, cell identification information of a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, identification information of a second DU, transmission status information of the terminal device, or measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The first response message further includes cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0031] The foregoing technical solution provides a mobility management procedure on the access network side. The first DU determines, based on the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, and notifies the CU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, so that the CU can determine the target beam information and / or the target cell based on the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, and can request the second DU to confirm whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available.

[0032] In this technical solution, specifically, the CU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, enabling the CU to perform unified management and scheduling for the cells of the DUs belonging to the CU. The first DU, the CU, and the second DU on the access network side maintain consistency when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, support the terminal device to perform high-speed mobility management, and enable the implementation of high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0033] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU sends a first indication message to the terminal device. The first indication message includes the target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0034] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU receives a first configuration message from the CU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell. The first DU sends a second configuration message to the terminal device. The second configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell.

[0035] In a possible design of the fourth side, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, media access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0036] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be executed by the CU or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the CU.

[0037] This method includes the following. The CU receives a first request message from the first DU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The CU sends a second request message to the second DU. The second request message includes the target beam information, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information. The CU receives a second response message from the second DU. The second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted. The CU sends a first response message to the first DU. The first response message includes the target beam information.

[0038] In a possible design of the fifth aspect, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, that is, the cell identification information of the candidate cell corresponding to each of the at least one candidate beam information, the identification information of the second DU, the transmission status information of the terminal device, or the measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The target cell is the cell of the second DU. The second request message further includes one or more of the following information, that is, the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, the identification information of the second DU, or the transmission status information of the terminal device. The first response message further includes the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0039] In a possible design of the fifth aspect, if the target beam information cannot be received, the first response message includes the updated target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information. The second response message includes the updated target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0040] In a possible design of the fifth aspect, the method includes the following. The CU receives a third configuration message from the second DU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell. The CU transmits a first configuration message to the first DU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device.

[0041] In a possible design of the fifth aspect, each group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, media access control MAC configuration information, radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be executed by a second DU, or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the second DU. Optionally, the second DU may be the target DU when the terminal device executes mobility management.

[0043] This method includes the following. The second DU receives a second request message from the CU. The second request message includes target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to execute mobility management, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information. The second DU transmits a second response message to the CU. The second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0044] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, the second request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0045] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, when the second DU does not receive the target beam information, the second response message includes the target beam information updated by the second DU and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0046] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU sends a third configuration message to the CU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0047] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the target cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi - co - location QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security - related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0048] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU receives feedback information from the terminal device. The feedback information indicates that the terminal device has received the first indication message normally, and the first indication message includes the target beam information and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0049] In a possible design of the sixth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU receives feedback information based on the physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0050] For the beneficial effects in the possible designs of the fifth and sixth sides, please refer to the corresponding description in the first side. Details will not be described again.

[0051] According to the seventh side, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be executed by the first DU, or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the first DU. Optionally, the first DU may be the source DU when the terminal device executes mobility management.

[0052] This method includes the following. The first DU receives the first measurement result reported by the terminal device. The first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, where the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer. The first DU sends a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the at least one candidate beam information is determined based on the first measurement result. The first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to execute mobility management. The first DU receives a first response message from the CU. The first response message includes the target beam information.

[0053] In a possible design of the seventh side, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, the cell identification information of the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, the identification information of the second DU, the transmission status information of the terminal device, or the measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The first response message further includes the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0054] The foregoing technical solution provides mobility management procedures on the access network side. The first DU determines at least one candidate beam information and / or a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, and may notify the CU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. Then, the CU notifies the second DU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The second DU may determine appropriate target beam information and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information with reference to the load status of the cell of the second DU or the signal quality of the uplink reference signal transmitted to the second DU by the terminal device based on the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0055] In this technical solution, specifically, the second DU determines target beam information and / or a target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, effectively implements load balancing of the target cell, and ensures consistency among the first DU, the CU, and the second DU on the access network side when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, supports the terminal device to perform high-speed mobility management, and enables high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0056] In a possible design of the seventh aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU transmits a first indication message to the terminal device. The first indication message includes target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0057] In a possible design of the seventh aspect, the method includes the following. The first DU receives a first configuration message from the CU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell. The first DU transmits a second configuration message to the terminal device. The second configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell.

[0058] In a possible design of the seventh aspect, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, media access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0059] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. The method may be executed by the CU or may be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured in the CU.

[0060] This method includes the following. The CU receives a first request message from a first DU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The CU sends a second request message to a second DU. The second request message includes the at least one candidate beam information, and the second request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information. The CU receives a second response message from the second DU. The second response message includes the target beam information. The CU sends a first response message to the first DU. The first response message includes the target beam information.

[0061] In a possible design of the eighth aspect, the first request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of candidate cells respectively corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, identification information of the second DU, transmission status information of the terminal device, or measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The second request message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of candidate cells respectively corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, identification information of the second DU, transmission status information of the terminal device, or measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The first response message further includes cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The target cell is a cell of the second DU. The second response message further includes cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0062] In a possible design of the eighth aspect, the method includes the following. The CU receives a third configuration message from a second DU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to a target cell. The CU transmits a first configuration message to the first DU. The first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device.

[0063] In a possible design of the eighth aspect, each group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0064] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. The method may be executed by a second DU or by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) configured within the second DU. Optionally, the second DU may be a target DU when the terminal device performs mobility management.

[0065] This method includes the following. The second DU receives a second request message from the CU. The second request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the second request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The second DU transmits a second response message to the CU. The second response message includes the target beam information.

[0066] In a possible design of the ninth aspect, the second request message further includes one or more of the following information, that is, cell identification information of candidate cells corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, identification information of the second DU, transmission status information of the terminal device, or measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The second response message further includes cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The target cell is a cell of the second DU.

[0067] In a possible design of the ninth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU sends a third configuration message to the CU. The third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0068] In a possible design of the ninth aspect, the group of configuration information includes one or more of the following configuration information of the target cell, that is, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance TA information, terminal device identification information, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information.

[0069] In a possible design of the ninth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU receives feedback information from the terminal device. The feedback information indicates that the terminal device has successfully received the first indication message, and the first indication message includes the target beam information and / or cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0070] In a possible design of the ninth aspect, the method includes the following. The second DU receives feedback information based on the physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information corresponding to the target cell.

[0071] For the beneficial effects in the possible designs of the eighth and ninth aspects, refer to the corresponding descriptions in the first aspect. Details will not be described again.

[0072] According to the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may have a function of implementing the first DU, CU, or the second DU in the foregoing aspects. The communication device may be an access network device, or may be a chip included in the access network device.

[0073] The function of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware that executes corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules, units or means corresponding to the function.

[0074] In a possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to support the communication device when executing the corresponding functions of the first DU, CU, or the second DU in the foregoing aspects. The transceiver module is configured to support communication between the communication device and another communication device. For example, when the communication device is the first DU, the transceiver module may send a first request message to the CU. The communication device may further include a storage module. The storage module is coupled to the processing module and stores program instructions and data required for the communication device. In one example, the processing module may be a processor, the communication module may be a transceiver, and the storage module may be a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately from the processor.

[0075] In another possible design, the structure of the communication device may include a processor and may further include a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory and may be configured to execute computer program instructions stored in the memory to enable the communication device to execute the methods in the foregoing aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. When the communication device is a network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. When the communication device is a chip included in a network device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface of the chip. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, and the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0076] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is configured to store a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip system is enabled to implement the methods in the foregoing aspects.

[0077] Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit, and the interface circuit is configured to exchange code instructions with the processor.

[0078] Optionally, one or more processors may be present within the chip system, and the processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in the memory.

[0079] Optionally, there may be one or more memories within the chip system. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately from the processor. For example, the memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory ROM. The memory and the processor may be integrated on the same chip or arranged on different chips respectively.

[0080] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device is enabled to execute the methods in the foregoing aspects or any possible design of the foregoing aspects.

[0081] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When the communication device executes the computer program product, the communication device is enabled to execute the methods in the foregoing aspects or any possible design of the foregoing aspects.

[0082] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a first DU, a CU, and a second DU. Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal device. Optionally, the communication system may further include a core network device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0091] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wireless local area network (WLAN), long-term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, or new radio (NR) system, or future or other similar communication systems.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system according to the present application. The communication system includes an access network device and a terminal device. The terminal device is located within the coverage of one or more cells (carriers) provided by the access network device, and there may be one or more cells that serve the terminal device. When there are multiple cells that provide services to the terminal device, the terminal device may function in a carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or coordinated multipoint transmission / reception (CoMP) mode, and at least one cell may provide wireless resources corresponding to two or more transmission parameter sets to the terminal device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 110 is simultaneously located in the cells of the access network device 120, the cells of the access network device 130, and the cells of the access network device 140. The access network device 120 may be a macro base station (e.g., a macro eNB), and the access network devices 130 and 140 may be micro base stations (e.g., small eNBs). Note that FIG. 1 is merely a schematic diagram. The communication system may further include other network devices such as a core network device, a wireless relay device, and a wireless backhaul device not shown in FIG. 1.

[0094] The number of access network devices, the number of terminal devices, the number of core network devices, and the number of other network devices included in the communication system are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] The access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be compatible with different devices in communication systems of different types or standards. For example, it may be compatible with 5G access network devices (such as gNB or ng-eNB) in a 5G system and 4G access network devices (such as eNB or en-gNB) in a 4G system.

[0096] The access network device and the terminal device may communicate with each other through licensed spectrum, or through unlicensed spectrum, or through both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. The access network device and the terminal device may communicate with each other through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through spectrum above 6 GHz, or through both spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The spectrum resources used between the access network device and the terminal device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0097] The access network device and the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may be deployed on the ground, including indoor or outdoor devices, handheld devices, or in-vehicle devices, or may be deployed on the water surface, or may be deployed on an airplane, balloon, or artificial satellite in the air. The application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0098] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, and it should be noted that they do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art may be aware of the following: With the evolution of communication network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0099] In the following, some terms in the embodiments of this application are described to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0100] (1) The terminal device included in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc., and is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. For example, it is a handheld device or in-vehicle device with a wireless connection function. The terminal device is connected to an access network device in a wireless manner to access the communication system. Currently, some examples of terminal devices include mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with a wireless transceiver function, palmtop computers, mobile Internet devices, wearable devices, virtual reality terminal devices, augmented reality terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in traffic security, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. The specific technologies and specific device forms used by the terminal device are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0101] By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device may alternatively be a wearable device. Wearable devices are sometimes referred to as wearable intelligent devices, intelligent wearable devices, etc., and are general terms for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed for daily wear by applying wearable technologies, such as glasses, gloves, wristwatches, clothes, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that can be directly worn on the user's body or incorporated into clothing or accessories. A wearable device not only is a hardware device but also realizes powerful functions through software support, data exchange, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable intelligent devices include full-featured large devices, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, that can implement all or part of their functions without relying on a smartphone, and devices that are dedicated to only one type of application function and need to operate in cooperation with other devices, such as smartphones, such as various smart bands, smart helmets, or smart jewelry for monitoring physical signs.

[0102] The terminal device may be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit mounted on a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the method in this application by using an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle module assembly, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit incorporated into the vehicle.

[0103] (2) The access network device in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a base station and is a node or device within a radio access network (RAN) configured to connect a terminal device to a wireless network. Currently, some examples of access network devices include a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNB) in an LTE system or an LTE-Advanced system (LTE-A), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G communication system, a transmission and reception point (TRP), a NodeB (NB), a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home (evolved) NodeB (HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a base-band unit (BBU), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The access network device may also be a module or unit that implements some functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0104] The CU-DU split architecture is used for the access network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the CU-DU split architecture may also be called a distributed deployment architecture. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the access network device may logically include one CU and one or more DUs, each DU may be connected to the CU by an F1 interface, and the information exchange between different DUs may be implemented based on the transfer executed by the CU. The CU and the DU may be physically arranged together or physically arranged separately. This is not limited. The CU may support the functions of radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU may support the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer protocol, medium access control (MAC) layer protocol, and physical (PHY) layer protocol.

[0105] The terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably in the embodiments of this application. Note that "a plurality of" means two or more. "A plurality of" means two or more. In view of this point, "a plurality of" in this embodiment of this application may be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two, or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two, or more, and does not limit the items to be included. For example, when at least one of A, B, and C is included, A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C may be included. Similarly, the understanding of descriptions such as "at least one type" is the same. The term "and / or" describes the association relationship for describing associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, only B exists. In addition, the symbol " / " generally indicates the "or" relationship between associated objects.

[0106] Unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, but are not intended to limit the order, chronological order, priority, or importance of the plurality of objects. Also, the descriptions of "first" and "second" do not necessarily indicate that the objects are different.

[0107] The following describes and explains the related technical features included in the embodiments of this application.

[0108] Control Resource Set (CORESET): A control resource set may be understood as a time-frequency resource set, indicating the resource location for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, the amount of time-domain symbols occupied by the PDCCH, the amount of frequency-domain resource blocks, slot allocation, etc. In the time domain, one CORESET may be composed of one or several consecutive OFDM symbols, and in the frequency domain, one CORESET may be a group of continuous or discontinuous frequency-domain resources including search spaces at different aggregation levels.

[0109] Search Space (SS): A search space indicates the generation periodicity of the CORESET and specific resource information of the CORESET, such as the start slot, start symbol, and repetition periodicity, so that the terminal device can monitor the PDCCH at the indicated resource location of the search space. One search space may be associated with at least one CORESET.

[0110] Beam Management: Multiple antennas perform beamforming. By changing the phase and amplitude of the signals from each antenna, the beam can be directed in a specific direction. In the NR system, all uplink and downlink channels are transmitted and received based on beams. Therefore, beam management needs to be executed to enable the transmitting and receiving ends to transmit and receive data on the most appropriate beam, thereby improving the signal strength, avoiding signal interference, and improving the communication quality.

[0111] The beam management mechanism may include the following processes: (1) Beam scanning: Transmitting a beam of a reference signal and performing a spatial scan at a predefined time interval; (2) Beam measurement / decision: Measuring the reference signal by a terminal device and selecting the best beam; (3) Beam reporting: Reporting the beam measurement results by the terminal device; (4) Beam indication: Instructing the terminal device by an access network device to select a specified beam.

[0112] Reference signals for beam management may include synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) in the downlink direction, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), and PRACH and sounding reference signal (SRS) in the uplink direction. SSB is applicable to initial access in the idle mode or the connected mode, PRACH is applicable to initial access in the idle mode, and CSI-RS and SRS are applicable to the connected mode.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present application, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) are merely examples of downlink data channels, downlink control channels, uplink data channels, and uplink control channels in the physical layer. In different systems and different scenarios, data channels and control channels may have different names. This is not limited in the present application.

[0114] When a CU-DU split architecture is used for an access network device, if a terminal device needs to move from a cell of a source DU to a cell of a target DU belonging to the same CU as the source DU, the source DU and the target DU can exchange signaling such as UE context modification requests and responses, UE context setup requests and responses, and RRC reconfiguration through the F1 interface between the source DU and the CU and the F1 interface between the target DU and the CU. In the above process, not only is the signaling overhead high, but it is also impossible to respond in a timely manner to the high-speed movement of the terminal device. Furthermore, in order to perform beam alignment with the target cell, it is impossible to effectively execute beam management for the target cell.

[0115] Regarding the above problems, the present application provides a mobility management method. This method may be applied to a scenario where a terminal device moves between cells of different DUs of the same CU in a CU-DU split architecture. This scenario may also be referred to as an inter-DU mobility management scenario.

[0116] The first DU, CU, and second DU located on the network side can determine the target beam information and / or target cell of the terminal device based on the method provided in the present application through negotiation, and can indicate the target beam information and / or target cell to the terminal device. In this way, the first DU, CU, and second DU can maintain consistency when determining the target beam information and / or target cell. As a result, the terminal device can perform mobility management based on the target beam information and / or target cell and implement rapid beam alignment with the target cell.

[0117] Furthermore, with regard to whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is determined by the first DU, CU, or the second DU, the present application may include three possible technical solutions. For ease of explanation, the three possible technical solutions are referred to as Solution 1, Solution 2, and Solution 3, respectively. Hereinafter, Solution 1, Solution 2, and Solution 3 will be described in detail separately.

[0118] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the first DU and the second DU are different DUs belonging to the same CU. The first DU may be the source DU in the mobility management process of the terminal device, that is, the DU to which the current serving cell of the terminal device belongs. The second DU may be the target DU in the mobility management process of the terminal device, that is, the DU to which the target cell to which the terminal device performs mobility management belongs. The target cell may be the cell to which the terminal device should be handed over, or the cell that should be added or activated as a secondary cell by the terminal device, or the cell that assists the terminal device in data transmission. None of these are limited in the present application.

[0119] Solution 1

[0120] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a mobility management method according to an embodiment of the present application. This method includes the following steps.

[0121] Step S301: The first DU receives the first measurement result reported by the terminal device. The first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, where K is a positive integer.

[0122] In this embodiment of the present application, the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device. The serving cell is a cell of the first DU, and the at least one non-serving cell is a cell of at least one other DU belonging to the same CU as the first DU, and the at least one other DU may include a second DU (i.e., the target DU determined below). Optionally, the at least one non-serving cell is a neighboring cell of the serving cell. Optionally, the first measurement result is obtained by the terminal device by measuring the downlink reference signals of the K cells.

[0123] The measurement result corresponding to the current serving cell of the terminal device may include the measurement result of at least one downlink reference signal of the serving cell, or the average measurement result of the downlink reference signals of the serving cell, or the average measurement result of the top N downlink reference signals having the best signal quality among the downlink reference signals of the serving cell, where N is a positive integer. The measurement result (or average measurement result) may be an indicator indicating the reference signal reception quality such as channel state information (CSI), for example, receive signal received power (RSRP).

[0124] Optionally, the measurement result corresponding to the serving cell may further include cell identification information associated with the downlink reference signal, that is, the cell identification information of the serving cell. The cell identification information may be physical cell identity (PCI).

[0125] Taking one of the at least one non-serving cell as an example, the measurement result corresponding to the non-serving cell may include the measurement result of at least one downlink reference signal of the non-serving cell, or the average measurement result of the downlink reference signals of the non-serving cell, or the average measurement result of N downlink reference signals having the best signal quality among the downlink reference signals of the non-serving cell. Similarly, the measurement result (or average measurement result) may be an index indicating the reception quality of a CSI, such as a reference signal like RSRP.

[0126] Optionally, the measurement result corresponding to the non-serving cell may further include cell identification information associated with the downlink reference signal, that is, the cell identification information of the non-serving cell. The cell identification information may be PCI.

[0127] It should be noted that in the first measurement result, different downlink reference signals may correspond to different beam directions. Based on the measurement result of the downlink reference signal, the signal strength in the beam direction corresponding to the downlink reference signal may be determined. In addition, the cell indication in the first measurement result may be explicitly indicated by including cell identification information such as PCI in the measurement result corresponding to each cell, or implicitly indicated by the reference signal identifier. For example, the association relationship between the reference signal and the cell may be pre-configured. When the reference signal identifier is within the range of a to b, the reference signal belongs to cell 0. When the reference signal identifier is within the range of c to d, the reference signal belongs to cell 1.

[0128] For example, the terminal device reporting the first measurement result to the first DU may be as follows. The terminal device transmits a first measurement message to the first DU. The first measurement message includes the first measurement result.

[0129] Optionally, the first measurement message may be physical layer signaling (e.g., PUCCH signaling), or may be a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) message or an RRC layer message. This is not limited in the present application.

[0130] Furthermore, dedicated scheduling request (SR) resources are configured for the first measurement message to trigger the SR process when there is no available uplink grant resource, and to indicate to the first DU through the PUCCH to send an SR to schedule an uplink grant resource for transmitting the first measurement message. After transmitting the first measurement message, or after receiving a beam indication from the first DU, the terminal device may cancel the SR process.

[0131] In this embodiment of the present application, before the terminal device reports the first measurement result to the first DU, as shown in FIG. 4: In step S401, the CU may send a first configuration message to the first DU, and the first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell. For example, when the at least one non-serving cell includes neighboring cell 1 and neighboring cell 2 of the serving cell, the first configuration message may include a group of configuration information corresponding to neighboring cell 1 and a group of configuration information corresponding to neighboring cell 2.

[0132] Optionally, the first configuration message may further include a group of configuration information corresponding to the serving cell. For example, when the CU updates the related configuration of the serving cell of the first DU (e.g., reconfigures the set of reference signals to be measured for the serving cell), the CU may also send an updated group of configuration information corresponding to the serving cell to the first DU through the first configuration message.

[0133] Each group of configuration information may include one or more of the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely, reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi co-location (QCL) information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, timing advance (TA) information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, MAC configuration information, and RLC configuration information, PDCP configuration information, or SDAP configuration information. It should be noted that the types and specific contents of the configuration information included in the groups of configuration information corresponding to different cells may be the same or different. This is not limited in the present application. For example, the group of configuration information corresponding to a specific cell may include all the types of configuration information listed above, and the group of configuration information corresponding to another cell may include some of the types of configuration information listed above. Optionally, the terminal device may consider that the part of the configuration information that is not included is consistent with the configuration information of the current serving cell.

[0134] The reference signal configuration information includes the related configuration of at least one reference signal of the corresponding cell. The at least one reference signal may include SSB, CSI-RS, SRS, etc.

[0135] Optionally, the reference signal configuration information may further include information indicating the association relationship between the at least one reference signal and the corresponding cell, which may help the terminal device to identify which cell's reference signal a specific reference signal is specifically. For example, the association relationship between the at least one reference signal and the corresponding cell may be indicated in the following two manners.

[0136] Aspect 1. Explicit cell indication: The reference signal configuration information includes cell identification information associated with the at least one reference signal. The terminal device may determine the cell associated with the reference signal based on the cell identification information within the reference signal configuration information.

[0137] Aspect 2. Implicit cell indication: The reference signals are grouped based on the associated cells. The reference signal configuration information includes group information of the at least one reference signal. The group information may be an identifier of the group to which the reference signal belongs, or a value range of the reference signal identifier. The terminal device may determine the cell associated with the reference signal based on the group information of the reference signal within the reference signal configuration information.

[0138] The measurement configuration information includes the configuration regarding the measurement and reporting of at least one reference signal of the corresponding cell. For the downlink reference signal (such as SSB or CSI-RS), the measurement configuration information may include any information related to the reporting of the measurement result, for example, the periodicity of reporting the measurement result, the conditions that need to be met for reporting the measurement result, the resources used for reporting the measurement result, the hysteresis factor, and the result filtering information. In some possible embodiments, the resources used for reporting the measurement result may be the resources of the corresponding cell.

[0139] The beam configuration information includes downlink beam indication information and / or uplink beam indication information for the corresponding cell. The downlink beam indication information may indicate at least one downlink beam direction of the corresponding cell, and the uplink beam indication information may indicate at least one uplink beam direction of the corresponding cell. For example, the downlink beam indication information may include transmission configuration indication (TCI) state information of at least one physical channel of the corresponding cell, and the TCI state information may include a TCI state identifier and a QCL relationship associated with the TCI state. The uplink beam indication information may include a reference signal identifier corresponding to at least one uplink beam, for example, an SRS identifier, an SSB identifier, or a CSI-RS identifier.

[0140] Optionally, the beam configuration information may further include information indicating an association relationship between the downlink beam indication information / uplink beam indication information and the corresponding cell, so that the terminal device can identify which cell's beam indication information a specific downlink beam indication information / uplink beam indication information is. For example, the beam configuration information may include cell identification information of the cell associated with the downlink beam indication information / or the uplink beam indication information. Taking the downlink beam indication information as an example, the TCI state information may be represented as a TCI state identifier and a QCL relationship {reference signal, cell identification information}, indicating that there is a QCL relationship between the TCI state and a specific reference signal of a specific cell. The terminal device can determine the cell associated with the TCI state information based on the cell identification information in the beam configuration information.

[0141] The QCL information includes the QCL relationship between at least one physical channel of the corresponding cell and at least one reference signal of the corresponding cell, and the QCL relationship may be indicated by the TCI state. The at least one physical channel may include PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, PUSCH, etc. The at least one reference signal may include SSB, CSI-RS, SRS, etc.

[0142] The control resource set CORESET configuration information includes the related configuration of the CORESET of the corresponding cell, for example, the CORESET identifier.

[0143] The search space SS configuration information includes the related configuration of the search space of the corresponding cell, for example, the identifier of at least one associated CORESET, the start slot and start symbol, and the periodicity.

[0144] The TA configuration information includes the TA information of the corresponding cell. The TA information may indicate whether the TA of the corresponding cell is 0, or may be the TA value of the terminal device in the corresponding cell. Optionally, the TA value may be estimated by the access network device based on the uplink reference signal transmitted by the terminal device.

[0145] The terminal device identification information includes the terminal device identification information assigned to the terminal device by the corresponding cell, and identifies the terminal device in the corresponding cell. For example, the terminal device identification information may be a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), a temporary C-RNTI (TC-RNTI), etc.

[0146] The sequence information for PDCCH scrambling / descrambling may be different from the terminal device identification information such as C-RNTI.

[0147] The random access resource configuration information includes resources for the random access process, such as the random access preamble of the corresponding cell or available slots for random access. The available slots for random access are for transmitting the random access preamble.

[0148] The PUCCH resource configuration information includes the related configuration of the PUCCH resources of the corresponding cell, and the PUCCH resources may be for transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback, scheduling requests, CSI measurement results, etc.

[0149] The radio link monitoring configuration information includes the radio link monitoring configuration of the corresponding cell, monitors the radio link quality of the corresponding cell, and is for detecting whether the communication link of the corresponding cell has failed, for example, whether the radio link has a fault.

[0150] The security - related configuration information includes configurations such as data encryption and / or integrity protection of the corresponding cell, for example, includes the necessary keys, algorithms, or parameters required to update the keys, and implements encryption and / or integrity protection functions for the data for communication within the corresponding cell, thereby guaranteeing the security of communication.

[0151] The first configuration message may be a UE Context Setup Request message, or may be an interface message such as a UE Context Modification message or an RRC Message Transfer message applicable between the CU and the DU. This is not limited in this application.

[0152] Through the first configuration message, the CU may notify the first DU of the configuration information of the at least one non-serving cell and the configuration information of the serving cell. As a result, it can be seen that the first DU may notify the terminal device of the configuration information of the at least one non-serving cell and the configuration information of the serving cell.

[0153] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration message from the CU, the first DU may further send a response message corresponding to the first configuration message to the CU to confirm or negotiate the configuration information in the first configuration message. Confirming the configuration information in the first configuration message may mean that the first DU sends an acknowledgment (ACK) or negative acknowledgment (NACK) feedback to the CU in response to the received first configuration message. Negotiating the configuration information in the first configuration message may mean that the first DU notifies the CU of the possibility of lack of some configuration information through the response message, and expects that when the CU sends the first configuration message next time, the CU may include the configuration information in the first configuration message.

[0154] Furthermore, in step S402, the first DU may send a second configuration message to the terminal device, and the second configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell. Optionally, the second configuration information may further include a group of configuration information corresponding to the serving cell.

[0155] The second configuration message may be any air interface signaling such as an RRC message or a MAC message, for example, a message such as an RRC configuration message, an RRC setup message, an RRC resume message, or a MAC CE message.

[0156] It can be understood that through the second configuration information, the first DU can notify the terminal device of the configuration information such as the reference signal configuration, measurement configuration, and beam configuration of the at least one non-serving cell. Optionally, the terminal device may further be notified of the terminal device identification information (for example, C-RNTI) assigned to the terminal device by the at least one non-serving cell, and / or the random access resources.

[0157] Optionally, after the first DU sends the second configuration message to the terminal device, the terminal device may further send a response message corresponding to the second configuration message to the first DU to confirm or negotiate the configuration information in the second configuration message.

[0158] In step S403, the terminal device may measure the downlink reference signals of the serving cell and the at least one non-serving cell to obtain a first measurement result, and report the first measurement result to the first DU through step S404.

[0159] For example, the terminal device may measure the downlink reference signal of the serving cell based on the reference signal configuration information of the serving cell to obtain a measurement result corresponding to the serving cell. Similarly, the terminal device may measure the downlink reference signals of each non-serving cell in the at least one non-serving cell respectively based on the reference signal configuration information of the at least one non-serving cell to obtain measurement results corresponding to the at least one non-serving cell.

[0160] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, each DU within the same CU can send the configuration information of at least one cell of the DU to the CU. For example, as shown in step S400 of FIG. 4, the second DU may send a third configuration message to the CU, and the third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one cell of the second DU. The second DU is one of the at least one other DU belonging to the same CU as the first DU as described above, and is also the target DU determined below. The at least one cell includes the target cell determined below, that is, the third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell of the second DU.

[0161] Similarly, the first DU may also send a fourth configuration message to the CU. The fourth configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one cell of the first DU, and the at least one cell of the first DU may include the current serving cell of the terminal device. In this way, the CU receives configuration messages from various DUs belonging to the CU, obtains the configuration information of the at least one non-serving cell through a summary based on the configuration messages from the various DUs, and then may include the configuration information of the at least one non-serving cell in the first configuration message and send the first configuration message to the first DU.

[0162] It should be noted that the third configuration message may be actively sent by the second DU to the CU, or may be sent by the DU in response to a request from the CU after the CU requests the second DU. The same applies to the fourth configuration message and the configuration message sent by another DU to the CU.

[0163] Step S302: The first DU sends a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes target beam information. The target beam information is determined based on the first measurement result. The target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management. The first request message is for requesting to confirm the target beam information.

[0164] Correspondingly, the CU receives a first request message from the first DU.

[0165] Step S303: The CU transmits a second request message to the second DU, where the second request message includes target beam information and is for requesting to confirm the target beam information.

[0166] Correspondingly, the second DU receives the second request message from the CU.

[0167] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first measurement result from the terminal device, the first DU may determine, based on the first measurement result, target beam information for the terminal device to perform mobility management and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The target beam information may include uplink target beam information, or may include downlink target beam information, or may include both uplink target beam information and downlink target beam information. This is not limited. Optionally, when the first measurement result reported by the terminal device includes measurement results corresponding to cells of multiple DUs, or when the K cells measured by the terminal device belong to multiple DUs, the first DU further determines a target DU based on the measurement results corresponding to the cells of the multiple DUs. For example, the second DU may be determined as the target DU from multiple DUs. The target DU may be a DU associated with a beam having the best signal quality or a DU associated with a cell having the best signal quality.

[0168] For example, the first DU may compare the measurement results corresponding to the cells in the first measurement result, and then select the cell and the corresponding beam having the optimal signal quality to determine the target beam information and / or the target cell.

[0169] Furthermore, the first DU can send a first request message to the CU and notify the CU of the determined target beam information and / or the determined target cell through the first request message. After receiving the first request message, the CU can send a second request message to the second DU, notify the second DU of the target beam information and / or the target cell through the second request message, and request the second DU to confirm the target beam information and / or the target cell.

[0170] The first request message may include one or more of the following information, namely, target beam information, cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device.

[0171] The second request message may include one or more of the following information, namely, target beam information, cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device.

[0172] The cell identification information of the target cell may be the PCI of the target cell. The identification information of the second DU indicates that the second DU is the target DU or the target cell belongs to the cell of the second DU.

[0173] The transmission status information of the terminal device may include one or more of PHY layer status information, RLC layer status information, or MAC layer status information. The PHY layer status information may include the status information of the HARQ process used by the terminal device. The status information may be, for example, a new data indication (NDI), or another parameter indicating that the HARQ process is currently in a state where a new data packet should be transmitted or an old data packet should be retransmitted. The RLC layer status information may include the value of the RLC retransmission counter, the applicable window status of the RLC layer for data transmission or reception, for example, the lowest start position of the window. The value of the RLC retransmission counter indicates the current number of retransmissions of the RRC entity, and the applicable window status of the RLC layer for data transmission or reception indicates the execution status of the RLC layer. The MAC layer status information may include the trigger status of the buffer status report (BSR), the value of the counter or the window status used in the related process of the MAC layer, etc. The trigger status of the BSR indicates whether the BSR has been triggered and is in a pending state, and the counter value or window status used in the related process of the MAC layer indicates the current execution status of the MAC layer.

[0174] The first DU exchanges transmission status information with the second DU, and as a result, the transmission status corresponding to the terminal device on the second DU side after the terminal device performs mobility management is consistent with the transmission status corresponding to the terminal device on the first DU side before the terminal device performs mobility management, thereby avoiding resetting the protocol layer, effectively reducing signaling overhead, and improving the efficiency of mobility management.

[0175] Step S304: The second DU transmits a second response message to the CU, and the second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0176] Correspondingly, the CU receives a second response message from the second DU.

[0177] Step S305: The CU transmits a first response message to the first DU, and the first response message indicates whether the target beam information is acceptable.

[0178] Correspondingly, the first DU receives the first response message from the CU.

[0179] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the second request message from the CU, the second DU obtains the target beam information and / or the target cell in the second request message, determines whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available, further determines whether to accept the target beam information and / or the target cell, and can indicate the target beam information and / or the target cell to the CU and the first DU respectively through the second response message and the first response message. Optionally, the first response message and the second response message may include the identification information of the second DU indicating that the second DU is the target DU.

[0180] If the target beam information and / or the target cell is available, the second DU accepts the target beam information and / or the target cell, and notifies the CU through the second response message of the result that the second DU determines to accept the target beam information and / or the target cell, which can help the CU notify the first DU of the result that the second DU determines to accept the target beam information and / or the target cell through the first response message.

[0181] When the target beam information and / or the target cell is not available, the second DU can receive the target beam information and / or the target cell, and notify the CU through the second response message of the result that the second DU decides not to receive the target beam information and / or the target cell, so that the CU can help notify the first DU of the result that the second DU decides not to receive the target beam information and / or the target cell through the first response message.

[0182] Optionally, when the target beam information and / or the target cell is not available, the second DU can further re-determine the target beam information and / or the target cell, and notify the CU of the updated target beam information and / or the updated target cell through the second response message. Then, the CU can notify the first DU of the updated target beam information and / or the updated target cell through the first response message.

[0183] For example, the second DU can determine whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available based on the user load status of the target beam information and / or the target cell. For example, if the user load of the target beam information and / or the target cell determined by the first DU is high, the second DU can determine that the target beam information and / or the target cell is not available and instruct not to receive the target beam information and / or the target cell. Optionally, the second DU can re-determine the target beam information and / or the target cell to update the target beam information and / or the target cell. For example, the second DU may determine a beam direction close to the beam direction indicated by the previous target beam information, or the beam direction indicated by the previous target beam information is a narrow beam, and the target beam information updated by the second DU may indicate a wide beam in the same direction.

[0184] After the first DU receives the first response message from the CU, as shown in the optional step S306 of FIG. 3, the first DU may further transmit a first instruction message to the terminal device. The first instruction message may include target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. Optionally, the first instruction message may further include beam information of a serving cell and / or cell identification information of the serving cell.

[0185] When the second DU accepts the target beam information and / or the target cell determined by the first DU, it can be understood that the target beam information and / or the target cell included in the first instruction message are the target beam information and / or the target cell determined by the first DU based on the first measurement result. When the second DU does not accept the target beam information and / or the target cell determined by the first DU, the first response message and the second response message may include the target beam information and / or the target cell updated by the second DU. Correspondingly, the target beam information and / or the target cell included in the first instruction message are the target beam information and / or the target cell updated by the second DU.

[0186] After receiving the first instruction information from the first DU, the terminal device may perform mobility management based on the content indicated by the first instruction information. Performing mobility management may be to perform any one of the following operations. (1) Performing a handover to the target cell; (2) Determining the target cell as a secondary cell; (3) Camping on the serving cell and performing data transmission through the target cell; (4) Camping on the serving cell and performing data transmission using the beam direction of the target cell through the serving cell.

[0187] Optionally, the first indication message includes terminal operation indication information. For example, one of the above four operations is indicated by 2-bit information. For example, 00 represents operation (1), 01 represents operation (2), 10 represents operation (3), and 11 represents operation (4).

[0188] Optionally, the terminal operation indication information in the first indication message may be selected by the first DU based on the content of the first measurement result. For example, when the RSRP measurement value of the beam of the current serving cell is less than a specified threshold, the terminal operation indication information may indicate to the terminal device to perform a handover to the target cell. When the RSRP measurement value of the beam of the current serving cell is greater than or equal to the specified threshold, the terminal operation indication information may indicate to the terminal device to still camp on the original serving cell and perform data transmission through the target cell. In Solution 2 below, it can be understood that the terminal operation indication information in the first indication message can be selected by the CU based on at least one piece of candidate beam information corresponding to the candidate cell or the content of the measurement result. However, in Solution 3 below, the terminal operation indication information in the first indication message can be selected by the second DU based on at least one piece of candidate beam information corresponding to the candidate cell or the content of the measurement result. Details will not be described again below.

[0189] Determining the target cell as a secondary cell may be to add or activate the target cell as the serving cell of the terminal device, or to add the target cell to the serving cell set of the terminal device. In this case, the original serving cell is the primary cell in the serving cell set, and the target cell is the secondary cell in the serving cell set. For example, the serving cell and the target cell may form carrier aggregation (CA) to jointly serve the terminal device.

[0190] It may be possible to camp on a serving cell and perform data transmission through a target cell as follows. The target cell is not added or activated as a serving cell in a CA (Carrier Aggregation) mode. Instead, data transmission is performed for the terminal device through at least one transmission and reception point (TRP) of the target cell. Optionally, from the perspective of the terminal device, the serving cell remains the original serving cell, and the data transmission capability is additionally provided only through the TRP of the target cell. For example, when the terminal device is located at the edge of Cell 1 with poor signal quality and the signal quality of Cell 2 is better, the terminal device may not perform a handover to Cell 2, may not add or activate Cell 2 as a serving cell, and instead may perform data communication with Cell 2 only through a better beam of Cell 2.

[0191] It may be possible to camp on a serving cell and perform data transmission using the beam direction of a target cell through the serving cell as follows. The target cell is not added or activated as a serving cell in a CA mode, and data transmission is not performed for the terminal device through at least one TRP of the target cell. Instead, data transmission is performed through the original serving cell based only on the beam direction of the TRP of the target cell, and as a result, more beam direction options are provided for the terminal device. Optionally, from the perspective of the terminal device, the serving cell remains the original serving cell, and the reference beam direction is additionally provided only through the TRP of the target cell. For example, when the terminal device determines that the signal quality in the beam direction of Cell 2 is better by measuring the downlink reference signal of Cell 1 and the downlink reference signal of Cell 2, the terminal device may not perform a handover to Cell 2, may not add or activate Cell 2 as a serving cell, and instead may perform data communication with Cell 1 only through the better beam direction of Cell 2.

[0192] Furthermore, the terminal device can establish a communication connection to the target cell and communicate with the target cell through the beam direction indicated by the target beam information. For example, in some possible solutions, when the terminal device is handed over from the serving cell to the target cell, the terminal device can disconnect the communication connection to the serving cell, establish a communication connection to the target cell, and communicate with the second DU through the target cell. In some other possible solutions, when the terminal device is handed over from the serving cell to the target cell, the terminal device can temporarily suspend the communication connection between the terminal device and the serving cell without disconnecting the communication connection to the serving cell. For example, the terminal device can remember the TCI state of the serving cell without releasing the configuration information such as the TCI state of the serving cell. In this way, when the terminal device is handed over back to the serving cell, the communication connection to the serving cell can be restored without re - establishing the communication connection to the serving cell. For example, instead of re - configuring the configuration information such as the TCI state of the serving cell, the configuration information such as the TCI state of the serving cell is directly restored, thereby implementing a fast handover and improving the handover efficiency. In some other possible solutions, when the terminal device decides to add or activate the target cell as a secondary cell, the first DU can schedule resources such as the PUSCH and PDSCH of the target cell through the PDCCH of the serving cell to enable the terminal device to communicate with the target cell. In this case, the terminal device can maintain the TCI state of the PDCCH and align the received beams using the TCI state of the PDSCH of the target cell and the TCI state of the PUSCH of the target cell.

[0193] Optionally, the terminal device may trigger a random access to the target cell, or may not trigger a random access to the target cell and directly communicate with the target cell based on the configuration information of the target cell.

[0194] Optionally, when the first indication information includes target beam information and beam information of the serving cell, the terminal device can determine whether to camp on the serving cell and perform data transmission through the serving cell, or perform a handover to the target cell, or add or activate the target cell as a secondary cell, or camp on the serving cell and perform data transmission through the target cell, or camp on the serving cell and perform data transmission by using the beam direction of the target cell, according to pre-configured rules or autonomous selection. For example, the terminal device may make a decision based on the measured signal quality of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell and the measured signal quality of the downlink reference signal of the target cell. If the signal quality of the downlink reference signal of the target cell in the first measurement result is higher than the signal quality of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell, the terminal device may choose to perform a handover to the target cell, or add or activate the target cell as a secondary cell, or perform data transmission with the assistance of the target cell. Otherwise, the terminal device may continue to camp on the serving cell and perform data transmission through the serving cell. It should be noted that the signal quality of the reference signal mentioned in this application may be the signal quality at the cell level or the signal quality at the reference signal level, which is not limited.

[0195] Optionally, the terminal device may further exchange the functions or roles of the serving cell and the target cell. For example, in one possible solution, the serving cell is the primary cell of the terminal device, and the target cell is the secondary cell of the terminal device. After receiving the first indication message, the terminal device may change the serving cell from the primary cell to the secondary cell and change the target cell from the secondary cell to the primary cell based on the target beam information in the first indication message. For example, when at least one function and related configuration of the serving cell, including but not limited to random access, radio link detection, PUCCH resources, etc., become ineffective, at least one function and related configuration of the target cell, including but not limited to random access, radio link detection, PUCCH resources, etc., begin to become effective. The effective time may be the moment when the first indication message is received, or may be the moment when the first indication message is received plus an offset value. The offset value may be agreed upon in the protocol or pre-configured by the access network device (e.g., the first DU or CU). For example, after the terminal device receives at least one beam information and feeds back a reception success response to the first DU, the at least one function and related configuration of the target cell may become effective.

[0196] Optionally, the first response message and the second response message may further include terminal device identification information (e.g., C-RNTI) and / or random access resource configuration information assigned to the terminal device by the target cell. In this way, the first indication message may also include the terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration information allocated to the terminal device by the target cell to help the first DU transfer the terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration information to the terminal device.

[0197] For example, a possible application scenario in which a first response message, a second response message, or a first indication message carries terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration information assigned to the terminal device by the target cell includes the following. (1) The first DU has not previously provided the terminal device with the terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration information assigned to the terminal device by the target cell. For example, the second configuration information transmitted to the terminal device by the first DU includes a group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell, but the group of configuration information corresponding to the target cell does not include the terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration assigned to the terminal device by the target cell. (2) The first DU pre-provides the terminal device with the terminal device identification information and / or random access resource configuration information assigned to the terminal device by the target cell, but the reserved terminal device identification information is not available, or the beam direction corresponding to the pre-assigned random access resource is significantly different from the target beam direction of the target cell.

[0198] The first indication message may be physical layer signaling (e.g., PDCCH signaling), or may also be a MAC CE message or an RRC layer message. This is not limited in the present application. The RRC message may be, for example, an RRC configuration message, an RRC setup message, or an RRC resume message.

[0199] After the terminal device is handed over to the target cell, in some possible solutions, the terminal device can execute a PDCP data recovery process to retransmit data packets that were not properly acknowledged by the RLC layer, and instruct the PDCP layer to send the data packets through the RLC entity associated with the target cell, ensuring that the PDCP data continuity is not affected by the interruption. For example, a part of the PDCP data between the terminal device and the first DU is not transmitted properly. Therefore, when the terminal device performs data communication from the target cell of the second DU, it is necessary to ensure that a part of the PDCP data is not lost. Therefore, the PDCP data recovery process needs to be triggered.

[0200] In some other possible solutions, the terminal device does not need to execute a PDCP data recovery process, or does not need to execute processes such as RLC reset or MAC reset. Since the first DU sends transmission status information to the second DU, when the terminal device performs data communication with the target cell of the second DU, the terminal device can further continue to communicate with the target cell by using the transmission status of the terminal device on the serving cell of the first DU.

[0201] From the above content, it can be seen that Solution 1 of this embodiment of the present application is to provide a mobility management procedure on the access network side. The first DU determines, based on the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, the target beam information for the terminal device to perform mobility management and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, notifies the CU of the target beam information and / or the target cell, and can request the second DU through the CU to confirm whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available. In Solution 1, the first DU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, effectively reduces the signaling overhead between the CU and the DU, ensures the consistency when the first DU, CU, and second DU on the access network side determine the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, supports the terminal device in implementing high-speed mobility management, and enables the implementation of high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0202] Option 2

[0203] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a mobility management method according to an embodiment of the present application. This method includes the following steps.

[0204] Step S501: The first DU receives the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, and the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, where K is a positive integer.

[0205] For the specific implementation of Step S501, please refer to the above related description of Step S301. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0206] Step S502: The first DU sends a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the at least one candidate beam information is determined based on the first measurement result. The first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management.

[0207] Correspondingly, the CU receives the first request message from the first DU.

[0208] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first measurement result from the terminal device, the first DU may determine the at least one candidate beam information and / or candidate cells corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on the measurement results corresponding to the K cells in the first measurement result. For example, the first DU may determine M candidate beams having good signal quality and L candidate cells corresponding to the M candidate beams based on the measurement results corresponding to the K cells, where both M and L are positive integers.

[0209] Furthermore, the first DU can send the first request message to the CU and request to determine the target beam information and / or target cell based on the at least one candidate beam information in the first request message and / or the candidate cells corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0210] The first request message may explicitly indicate a request to the CU or the second DU to determine the target beam information and / or the target cell, or may not explicitly indicate a request to the CU or the second DU to determine the target beam information and / or the target cell. Instead, it should be noted that the CU determines whether the CU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell, or whether the second DU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell. It should be understood that the CU determining the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponds to Solution 2, and the second DU determining the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponds to Solution 3 described later.

[0211] The first request message may include one or more of the following information, namely, the at least one candidate beam information, the cell identification information of the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, the identification information of the second DU, the transmission status information of the terminal device, or the measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information is a measurement result obtained by the terminal device by measuring the downlink reference signal corresponding to the at least one beam information. The measurement result may be an index indicating the reference signal reception quality such as CSI, for example, RSRP. It can be understood that the measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information is included in the first measurement result.

[0212] Step S503: The CU determines the target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information.

[0213] Step S504: The CU sends a second request message to the second DU. The second request message includes the target beam information and is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information.

[0214] Correspondingly, the second DU receives the second request message from the CU.

[0215] The second request message includes one or more of the following information: target beam information, cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of a second DU, or transmission status information of a terminal device.

[0216] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first request message from the first DU, the CU can determine the target beam information and / or the target cell based on the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, and send a second request message to the second DU.

[0217] For example, the CU can determine the target beam information and / or the target cell from the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on a radio resource management (RRM) algorithm or a beam management algorithm, for example, considering the load status of different beams. For example, the first request message includes beam 2 of cell 1 and beam 5 of cell 2. If the CU determines that there are a large number of users in the direction of beam 2 of cell 1 and the load is high, the CU can determine to preferentially execute a handover to beam 5 of cell 2. When the first request message includes measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, the CU can further make a determination based on the measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0218] Optionally, when there are multiple candidate DUs corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, the CU can further determine a target DU based on the measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, for example, determine the second DU as the target DU.

[0219] Step S505: The second DU sends a second response message to the CU, and the second response message indicates whether the target beam information is acceptable.

[0220] Correspondingly, the CU receives the second response message from the second DU.

[0221] Step S506: The CU sends a first response message to the first DU, and the first response message includes the target beam information.

[0222] Correspondingly, the first DU receives the first response message from the CU.

[0223] In this embodiment of the present application, after the second DU receives the second request message from the CU, the second DU determines whether the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information is available, determines whether to accept the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, and may send a second response message to the CU. For the specific process, refer to the relevant descriptions in steps S304 and S305 above. Details will not be described again.

[0224] When the second DU accepts the target beam information determined by the CU and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, the second response message may indicate the acceptance of the target beam information and / or the target cell. Correspondingly, the first response message may include the cell identification information of the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0225] If the second DU does not accept the target beam information determined by the CU and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, the second response message may indicate that it does not accept the target beam information and / or the target cell. Optionally, the second DU may further update the target beam information and / or determine a target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information. Thus, the second response message may further include the updated target beam information and / or cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information. The first response message may further include the updated target beam information and / or cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the updated target beam information.

[0226] After the first DU receives the first response message from the CU, as shown in optional step S507, it can be understood that the first DU may further send the first instruction message to the terminal device so that the terminal device can perform mobility management based on the first instruction message. For the specific process, please refer to the related description above. Details will not be described again.

[0227] From the above content, it can be seen that Solution 2 of this embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management procedure on the access network side. The first DU determines at least one candidate beam information and / or a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, and notifies the CU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, so that the CU can determine the target beam information and / or the target cell based on the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, and can request the second DU to check whether the target beam information and / or the target cell is available. In Solution 2, the CU determines the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, enabling the CU to perform unified management and scheduling for the cells of the DUs belonging to the CU, and ensuring consistency among the first DU, the CU, and the second DU on the access network side when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, supporting the terminal device in implementing high-speed mobility management, and enabling high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0228] Solution 3

[0229] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a mobility management method according to an embodiment of the present application. This method includes the following steps.

[0230] Step S601: The first DU receives the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, and the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, where K is a positive integer.

[0231] For the specific implementation of Step S601, please refer to the foregoing related description of Step S301. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0232] Step S602: The first DU sends a first request message to the CU. The first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, and the at least one candidate beam information is determined based on the first measurement result. The first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management.

[0233] Correspondingly, the CU receives the first request message from the first DU.

[0234] The first request message may include one or more of the following information, that is, the at least one candidate beam information, the cell identification information of the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, the identification information of the second DU, the transmission status information of the terminal device, or the measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0235] For the specific implementation of step S602, please refer to the above related description of step S503. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0236] Step S603: The CU sends a second request message to the second DU. The second request message includes the at least one candidate beam information, and the second request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information.

[0237] Correspondingly, the second DU receives the second request message from the CU.

[0238] The second request message may include one or more of the following information, namely, the at least one candidate beam information, cell identification information of a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, identification information of a second DU, transmission status information of a terminal device, or a measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0239] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first request message from the first DU, the CU determines that the second DU determines a target beam information and / or a target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and then may notify the second DU of the information carried in the first request message through the second request message.

[0240] Optionally, when there are a plurality of candidate DUs corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, the CU further determines a target DU based on the measurement result corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. For example, the second DU may be determined as the target DU, and the second request message may be further transmitted to the second DU.

[0241] Step S604: The second DU determines a target beam information and / or a target cell based on the at least one candidate beam information.

[0242] In this embodiment of the present application, after receiving the second request message from the CU, the second DU may determine a target beam information and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information and / or a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0243] For example, the second DU may determine the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information from the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on, for example, the load status of different beams or by referring to the signal quality of the uplink reference signal transmitted by the terminal device to the second DU. For example, the first request message includes beam 2 of cell 1 and beam 5 of cell 2. If the CU determines that there are a large number of users in the direction of beam 2 of cell 1 and the load is high, the CU may decide to preferentially perform a handover to beam 5 of cell 2. When the second request message includes the measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, when determining the target beam information and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, the second DU may further perform the determination based on the measurement results corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information.

[0244] Step S605: The second DU transmits a second response message to the CU, and the second response message includes the target beam information.

[0245] Correspondingly, the CU receives the second response message from the second DU.

[0246] In this embodiment of the present application, the second DU may notify the CU of the target beam information determined by the second DU and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information through the second response message. In other words, the second response message may include the target beam information determined by the second DU and / or the cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0247] Step S606: The CU transmits a first response message to the first DU, and the first response message includes the target beam information.

[0248] Correspondingly, the first DU receives the first response message from the CU.

[0249] In this embodiment of the present application, the CU can notify the first DU of the target beam information determined by the second DU and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information through the first response message. In other words, the first response message may include the cell identification information of the target beam information determined by the second DU and / or the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0250] After the first DU receives the first response message from the CU, as shown in optional step S607, it can be understood that the first DU may further send the first instruction message to the terminal device so that the terminal device can perform mobility management based on the first instruction message. For the specific process, please refer to the relevant description above. Details will not be described again.

[0251] From the above content, it can be seen that Solution 3 of this embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management procedure on the access network side. The first DU determines at least one candidate beam information and / or a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information based on the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, and may notify the CU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. Then, the CU notifies the second DU of the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information. The second DU determines an appropriate target beam information and / or a target cell corresponding to the target beam information based on the load status of the cell of the second DU or the signal quality of the uplink reference signal transmitted to the second DU by the terminal device with respect to the at least one candidate beam information and / or the candidate cell corresponding to the at least one candidate beam information, effectively implements load dispersion of the target cell, and enables the first DU, CU, and second DU on the access network side to maintain consistency when determining the target beam information and / or target cell for the terminal device to perform mobility management, supports the terminal device in performing high-speed mobility management, and enables high-speed beam alignment to the target cell.

[0252] An embodiment of the present application further provides another mobility management method. This method is to confirm the opportunity for the terminal device and the target cell of the second DU to perform mobility management, and to align the understanding of the opportunity to perform mobility management between the terminal device and the second DU, thereby avoiding unnecessary data interruptions caused by the second DU not knowing the opportunity for the terminal device to perform mobility management.

[0253] Referring to FIG. 7, a possible implementation of the mobility management method includes the following steps.

[0254] Step S701: The first DU transmits a first instruction message to the terminal device, and the first instruction message includes target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0255] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first instruction message from the first DU.

[0256] Step S702: The terminal device transmits feedback information to the second DU, and the feedback information indicates that the terminal device has successfully received the first instruction message.

[0257] Correspondingly, the second DU receives the feedback information from the terminal device.

[0258] In this embodiment of the present application, the feedback information may be ACK information indicating that the terminal device has successfully received the first instruction message and notifying the second DU of an opportunity for the terminal device to perform mobility management, that is, an opportunity for the terminal device to perform communication by using the configuration information of the target cell. "Successful reception" may be understood as meaning successful decoding or decompilation. Optionally, regarding the opportunity for the terminal device to perform mobility management, the network side may configure an effective time for the terminal device, for example, x slots, and the terminal device starts to use the configuration information of the target cell after x slots in which the feedback information is transmitted.

[0259] ACK information can be transmitted through PUCCH resources. For example, in some possible technical solutions, the second configuration message sent by the first DU to the terminal device includes the PUCCH resource configuration information of the target cell. In this case, the terminal device may send the ACK information to the second DU on the PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resource configuration information based on the PUCCH resource configuration information of the target cell, whereby the second DU can know that the terminal device performs mobility management, for example, performs a handover to the target cell, or adds or activates the target cell as a serving cell, or performs data transmission with the support of the target cell.

[0260] It should be noted that in some possible technical solutions, step 702 may be an optional step. For example, by configuring the valid time, the terminal device starts to use the configuration information of the target cell after x slots in which the first indication message is transmitted / received. Correspondingly, the second DU may consider that the terminal device starts to use the configuration information of the target cell after x slots in which the first indication message is transmitted / received. Thus, based on the foregoing configuration or agreement, the step of transmitting / receiving feedback information between the terminal device and the second DU can be omitted.

[0261] Optionally, after the second DU receives ACK information from the terminal device, in order to notify the CU that the second DU confirms that the terminal device will receive the first indication message and establish data communication with the target cell of the second DU as shown in optional step S703 of FIG. 7, the second DU may further send a second indication message to the CU. In this way, the CU may determine based on the second indication message that the terminal device has completed mobility management with the target beam information and / or the target cell. Further, as shown in optional step S704 of FIG. 7, after receiving the second indication message from the second DU, the CU further sends a response message corresponding to the second indication message to the second DU, indicating that the CU has confirmed that the second indication message has been received, or that the CU has confirmed that the terminal device has received the first indication message and will establish data communication with the target cell of the second DU, to the second DU.

[0262] Optionally, if the terminal device does not receive the first indication message normally, the terminal device may send feedback information to the first DU. In this case, the feedback information may be NACK information indicating that the terminal device has not received the first indication message normally. The NACK information may be sent through the PUCCH resource. For example, the terminal device may send NACK information to the first DU on the PUCCH resource indicated by the PUCCH resource configuration information based on the PUCCH resource configuration information of the current serving cell, enabling the first DU to retransmit the first indication message based on the NACK information.

[0263] Referring to FIG. 8, another possible implementation of the mobility management method includes the following steps.

[0264] Step S801: The first DU sends a first indication message to the terminal device, and the first indication message includes target beam information and / or cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information.

[0265] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives a first instruction message from the first DU.

[0266] Step S802: The terminal device transmits a random access preamble to the second DU, and the random access preamble is for the second DU to confirm that the terminal device has received the first instruction message normally.

[0267] Correspondingly, the second DU receives the random access preamble from the terminal device.

[0268] The random access preamble is included in the random access resource configuration information of the target cell and is for the terminal device to start a random access process to the target cell. When the second DU receives the random access preamble, it may be considered that the terminal device has established a communication connection to the target cell, and data communication may be performed. As described above, the random access resource configuration information of the target cell may be transmitted to the terminal device through the second configuration message or the first instruction message. Details will not be described again.

[0269] Optionally, if the terminal device does not receive the first instruction message, the terminal device may not respond. If the network side does not receive a response within a certain time period, the network side may retransmit the first instruction message. For example, if the second DU does not receive a response within a certain time period, the second DU may notify the first DU to retransmit the first instruction message.

[0270] Optionally, if the terminal device receives the first instruction message but fails to correctly decode the first instruction message, the terminal device may transmit a response for instructing the network side to perform retransmission. For example, the terminal device can transmit a response to the first DU to help the first DU retransmit the first instruction message.

[0271] Step S803: The second DU transmits a random access response (RAR) to the terminal device. Here, the RAR responds to the random access preamble.

[0272] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RAR from the second DU.

[0273] The RAR can include one or more of the uplink grant resources of the target cell, the terminal device identification information allocated to the terminal device by the target cell, and the TA information corresponding to the target cell.

[0274] The uplink grant resources are for the terminal device to perform subsequent data transmission with the target cell. The terminal device identification information identifies the terminal device within the target cell. If the second configuration message or the first indication message includes the terminal device identification information (e.g., C-RNTI) allocated to the terminal device by the target cell, the RAR may include the terminal device identification information re-allocated to the terminal device by the target cell (e.g., the previously allocated terminal device identification information may not be available), or may not include the terminal device identification information. It should be noted that the TA information indicates the timing advance used when the terminal device performs uplink transmission in the target cell and helps the target cell perform time domain alignment when receiving the uplink signal.

[0275] Optionally, the random access preamble may be a contention-based random access preamble. When the random preamble is a contention-based random access preamble, since the second DU cannot identify the terminal device through the random access preamble, as shown in optional step S804 in FIG. 8, the terminal device may send a third indication message to the second DU. The third indication message notifies the second DU that the terminal device accesses the target cell of the second DU. The third indication message may include the terminal device identification information allocated to the terminal device by the target cell so that the second DU can identify that the terminal device accesses the target cell based on the terminal device identification information. Optionally, the third indication message may be a MAC CE message.

[0276] From the above content, in this embodiment of the present application, according to the method shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the second DU can determine the opportunity for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and perform data communication with the terminal device by using the target beam of the target cell, thereby avoiding data interruption.

[0277] It should be noted that the methods shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be combined with Solution 1, Solution 2, or Solution 3, or implemented as an independent method. This is not limited in the present application.

[0278] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 910 and a processing module 920. The communication device may also be configured to implement the functions of the first DU, CU, or second DU in any of the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication device may be the first DU, or CU, or second DU, or a chip or circuit included in the first DU, or a chip or circuit included in the CU, or a chip or circuit included in the second DU.

[0279] For example, when the communication device performs an operation or step corresponding to the first DU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive a first measurement result reported by the terminal device, where the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, and the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer; the processing module 920 is configured to determine target beam information based on the first measurement result; the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send a first request message to the CU and receive a first response message from the CU, where the first request message includes the target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the first response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0280] When the communication device performs an operation or step corresponding to the CU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transceiver module 910 is configured to perform the steps of receiving a first request message from the first DU, where the first request message includes the target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; sending a second request message to the second DU, where the second request message includes the target beam information, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information; receiving a second response message from the second DU, where the second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted; and sending the first response message to the first DU, where the first response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0281] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the second DU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive a second request message from the CU, the second request message includes target beam information, the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the second request message is for requesting the second DU to confirm the target beam information; the processing module 920 is configured to determine whether to accept the target beam information; the transceiver module 910 is further configured to transmit a second response message to the CU, and the second response message indicates whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0282] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the first DU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive a first measurement result reported by the terminal device, the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer; the processing module 920 is configured to determine at least one candidate beam information based on the first measurement result; the transceiver module 910 is further configured to transmit a first request message to the CU and receive a first response message from the CU, the first request message includes the at least one candidate beam information, and the first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the first response message includes the target beam information.

[0283] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the CU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 910 、 theconfigured to receive a first request message from DU 1, the first request message including at least one candidate beam information, the first request message being for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, the target beam information being for the terminal device to perform mobility management; a processing module 920 configured to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information; a transceiver module 910 further configured to perform the steps of: sending a second request message to DU 2, the second request message including target beam information and being for requesting DU 2 to confirm the target beam information; receiving a second response message from DU 2, the second response message indicating whether the target beam information is accepted; and sending a first response message to DU 1, the first response message including the target beam information.

[0284] When the communication device performs operations or steps corresponding to DU 2 in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive a second request message from the CU, the second request message including target beam information, the target beam information being for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the second request message being for requesting DU 2 to confirm the target beam information; a processing module 920 is configured to determine whether to accept the target beam information; and the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send a second response message to the CU, the second response message indicating whether the target beam information is accepted.

[0285] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the first DU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive the first measurement result reported by the terminal device, the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer; the processing module 920 is configured to determine at least one candidate beam information based on the first measurement result; the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send a first request message to the CU and receive a first response message from the CU, the first request message includes the at least one candidate beam information, the first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management, and the first response message includes the target beam information.

[0286] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the CU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transceiver module 910 includes the step of receiving a first request message from the first DU, the first request message includes at least one candidate beam information, the first request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; the step of sending a second request message to the second DU, the second request message includes the at least one candidate beam information, and the second request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information; the step of receiving a second response message from the second DU, the second response message includes the target beam information; and the step of sending a first response message to the first DU, the first response message includes the target beam information.

[0287] When the communication device performs the operations or steps corresponding to the second DU in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transceiver module 910 is configured to receive a second request message from the CU, the second request message includes at least one candidate beam information, the second request message is for requesting to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information, the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; the processing module 920 is configured to determine target beam information based on the at least one candidate beam information; the transceiver module 910 is further configured to transmit a second response message to the CU, and the second response message includes the target beam information.

[0288] The processing module 920 in the communication device may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit components, and the transceiver module 910 may be implemented by at least one transceiver, transceiver-related circuit components, or a communication interface. The operations and / or functions of the modules in the communication device are respectively for implementing the corresponding procedures of the methods shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage module. The storage module may be configured to store data and / or instructions. The transceiver module 910 and / or the processing module 920 can read the data and / or instructions in the storage module to enable the communication device to implement the corresponding method. The storage module may be implemented by, for example, at least one memory.

[0289] The memory module, the processing module, and the transceiver module may exist separately, or all or some of these modules may be integrated. For example, the memory module and the processing module may be integrated, or the processing module and the transceiver module may be integrated.

[0290] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the communication device may be a DU in an access network device, and is configured to implement the function of the first DU or the second DU in any one of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0291] DU 1000 may include at least one antenna 10011, at least one radio frequency unit 10012, at least one processor 10013, and at least one memory 10014. DU 1000 is mainly configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, perform conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals, and perform partial baseband processing.

[0292] In an embodiment, DU 1000 may include one or more boards. The plurality of boards may jointly support a radio access network (for example, a 5G network) having a single access instruction, or may each support radio access networks (for example, an LTE network, a 5G network, or another network) having different access standards. The memory 10014 and the processor 10013 may serve one or more boards. That is, a memory and a processor may be arranged on each board. Alternatively, the plurality of boards may share the same memory and the same processor. In addition, necessary circuits may be further arranged on each substrate.

[0293] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the communication device may be a CU in an access network device and is configured to implement the functions of the CU in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0294] The CU 1100 may include at least one memory 11021 and at least one processor 11022. The CU 1100 is mainly configured to execute baseband processing and control a base station. The CU 1100 is a control center of the base station and may also be called a processing unit. For example, the CU 1100 may be configured to control the base station to execute operations or steps corresponding to the CU in the methods shown in FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0295] In an embodiment, the CU 1100 may include one or more boards. The multiple boards may jointly support a radio access network having a single access instruction (for example, a 5G network), or may respectively support various radio access networks having different access standards (for example, an LTE network, a 5G network, or another network). The memory 10021 and the processor 10022 may serve one or more boards. That is, a memory and a processor may be arranged on each board. Alternatively, multiple boards may share the same memory and the same processor. Also, necessary circuits may be further arranged on each board.

[0296] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip system is enabled to implement a method corresponding to the first DU, CU, or second DU in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0297] Optionally, one or more processors may be present within the chip system. The processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When the processor is implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

[0298] Optionally, one or more memories may be present within the chip system. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately from the processor. This is not limited in the present application. For example, the memory may be a non-volatile processor, such as a read-only memory ROM. The memory and the processor may be integrated on the same chip or separately arranged on different chips. The type of memory, as well as the way of arranging the memory and the processor, are not particularly limited in the present application.

[0299] For example, the chip system may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip.

[0300] <B It should be understood that the steps in the foregoing method embodiments can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits or instructions in the form of software within a processor. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0301] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer can execute the method according to any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0302] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer can execute the method according to any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0303] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes a first DU, a CU, and a second DU. The first DU, the CU, and the second DU cooperate with each other to implement the method in any of the foregoing method embodiments. Optionally, the communication system may further include a terminal device.

[0304] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a CPU, or may be another general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0305] The memory referred to in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or may include a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. It can be understood that the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. For example, but not limited to, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory, dynamic random access memory, synchronous dynamic random access memory, double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory, enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory, synclink dynamic random access memory, and direct ram bus random access memory.

[0306] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or another programmable logic device, discrete gate, transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (memory module) is integrated with the processor.

[0307] It should be noted that the memory described in this specification includes, but is not limited to, these memories and any other suitable type of memory.

[0308] It should be understood that the various sequence numbers of the present application in the embodiments are only for the purpose of distinction to facilitate explanation. The sequence numbers of the foregoing processes or steps do not mean the execution sequence. The execution sequence of the process or step should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the process or step, and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0309] Those skilled in the art can recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the function is executed by hardware or by software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0310] For the convenience of description, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the detailed operation processes of the aforementioned systems, devices, and units, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments. Details will not be described again herein.

[0311] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical function division, and in actual implementation, other divisions may be used. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection can be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units can be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0312] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts presented as units may or may not be physical units. They may be located at one position or may be distributed over a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0313] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0314] When the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, essentially, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for enabling a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0315] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is no logical contradiction, the terms and / or descriptions among different embodiments are consistent and may be cross-referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments may be combined into new embodiments based on their internal logical relationships.

Claims

1. A mobility management method, which is applied to a first distributed unit DU, and the method includes: Receiving a first configuration message from a central unit CU, where the first configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one non-serving cell of a terminal device, and the group of configuration information includes timing advance TA information; Sending a second configuration message to the terminal device, where the second configuration message includes the group of configuration information; Receiving a first measurement result reported by the terminal device, where the first measurement result includes measurement results corresponding to K cells, and the K cells include the current serving cell of the terminal device and the at least one non-serving cell of the terminal device, and K is a positive integer; Sending a first message to the CU, where the first message includes target beam information, the target beam information is determined based on the first measurement result, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; including the method.

2. The first message further includes one or more of the following information, namely, cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, or identification information of a second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device, and the target cell is a cell of the second DU. The method according to claim 1.

3. The method further includes: Sending a first indication message to the terminal device, where the first indication message includes the target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information. The method according to claim 1.

4. The group of configuration information includes the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, namely: Reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, pseudo-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for physical downlink control channel PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information The method according to claim 1, comprising one or more of the above.

5. A mobility management method, which is applied to a central unit CU, and the method includes: Receiving a third configuration message from a second distributed unit DU, where the third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one non-serving cell of a terminal device, and the group of configuration information includes timing advance TA information; Sending a first configuration message to a first DU, where the first configuration message includes the group of configuration information; Receiving a first message from the first distributed unit DU, where the first message includes target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; Sending a second message to the second DU, where the second message includes the target beam information. Method.

6. The first message further includes one or more of the following information: cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device. The second message further includes one or more of the following information: cell identification information of the target cell corresponding to the target beam information, identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device, and the target cell is a cell of the second DU. The method according to claim 5.

7. Each group of configuration information includes the following configuration information of the corresponding cell, that is: Reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, pseudo collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for physical downlink control channel PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security related configuration information, medium access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information The method according to claim 5, comprising one or more of the above.

8. A mobility management method, which is applied to a second distributed unit DU, and the method includes: Transmitting a third configuration message to a central unit CU, where the third configuration message includes a group of configuration information corresponding to at least one non-serving cell of a terminal device, and the group of configuration information includes timing advance TA information; Receiving a second message from the CU, where the second message includes target beam information, and the target beam information is for the terminal device to perform mobility management; Receiving indication information from the terminal device, where the indication information is feedback information indicating that the terminal device has normally received a first indication message, and the first indication message includes target beam information and / or cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, and the target cell is one of the at least one non-serving cell. A mobility management method.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second message further includes one or more of the following information: cell identification information of a target cell corresponding to the target beam information, or identification information of the second DU, or transmission status information of the terminal device, and the target cell is a cell of the second DU.

10. The group of configuration information includes the following configuration information of the target cell, that is: Reference signal configuration information, measurement configuration information, beam configuration information, quasi-collocation QCL information, control resource set CORESET configuration information, search space configuration information, terminal device identification information, sequence information for physical downlink control channel PDCCH scrambling / descrambling, random access resource configuration information, physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information, radio link monitoring configuration information, security-related configuration information, media access control MAC configuration information, and radio link control RLC configuration information, packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration information, or service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration information The method according to claim 8, comprising one or more of the above.

11. The method further comprises: Receiving the feedback information based on the physical uplink control channel PUCCH resource configuration information corresponding to the target cell. The method according to claim 8.

12. A communication device comprising a module configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. A communication device comprising a module configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

14. A communication device comprising a module configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

15. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is configured to control the device to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

16. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is configured to control the device to implement the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

17. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is configured to control the device to implement the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

18. A communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to the other communication device other than the communication device, and the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 through a logic circuit or by executing code instructions.

19. A communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to the other communication device other than the communication device, and the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 through a logic circuit or by executing code instructions.

20. A communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to the other communication device other than the communication device, and the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 through a logic circuit or by executing code instructions.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or the instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is implemented.

22. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or the instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 is implemented.

23. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or the instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of Claims 8 to 11 is implemented.

24. A communication system comprising the communication device according to Claim 12, the communication device according to Claim 13, and the communication device according to Claim 14.

25. A communication system comprising the communication device according to Claim 15, the communication device according to Claim 16, and the communication device according to Claim 17.

26. A communication system comprising the communication device according to Claim 18, the communication device according to Claim 19, and the communication device according to Claim 20.

27. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

28. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of Claims 5 to 7.

29. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of Claims 8 to 11.

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