Early measurement for adding PSCell after handover

Abstract

To achieve rapid setup DC for target cells in a context of CHO.SOLUTION: Among other things, a method is disclosed that includes obtaining measurement configuration information indicative of a measurement configuration for measurements in at least one target secondary cell of a mobile communication network, performing a handover to the target cell, and initiating measurements in the at least one target secondary cell before and / or during the handover on the basis of at least in part, the measurement configuration information. Further disclosed is a method and the like that include receiving, from a target node, target secondary cell information indicative of at least one target secondary cell, and upon receiving the target secondary cell information, transmitting measurement configuration information indicative of a measurement configuration for measurements in the at least one target secondary cell on the basis of at least in part, the target secondary cell information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to the field of handover, e.g., conditional handover, and more particularly to systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing early measurements for PSCell addition, e.g., conditional PSCell addition, after handover, e.g., conditional handover. [Background technology]

[0002] 3GPP Rel-16 specifies the conditional handover (CHO) procedure. Further improvements are to be considered in Rel-17 to achieve reliable, low-latency handovers between nodes supporting dual connectivity (DC). The Rel-17 MR-DC WI RP-193249 defines one of the goals related to support for conditional primary SCG cell (PSCell) change / addition, specifically supporting scenarios not addressed in the Rel-16 NR mobility WI. Furthermore, it includes aspects of NR Rel-16 MobEnh that contribute to the MR-DC Rel-17 WI listed above, such as CHO-related aspects.

[0003] Additionally, 3GPP Rel-16 includes several enhancements to improve the efficiency of Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) configurations and MR-DC performance, for example, through early measurement reporting.

[0004] In an MR-DC deployment, when a user equipment (UE) is moving between nodes that support DC, it is desirable to perform a direct DC handover or quickly add a secondary cell group (SCG) after handover, which may require up-to-date information of all PSCells known as sources via neighbor cell information.

[0005] In the case of CHO, handover is triggered in radio conditions where the target PSCell may not be visible during the configuration of the CHO, and therefore PSCell measurements may not be configured during the CHO configuration. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A problem associated with current CHO approaches is that the SN can only be added by the handover target PCell a) after the UE has been configured with measurements for the PSCell, and b) after measurements have been taken, which can take time and delay the DC configuration. This delay in setting up the SN can result in losses in radio link throughput and reliability.

[0007] Therefore, a drawback of CHO is that the target node does not know the status of the measurements made by the UE. In some cases, the measurement configuration from the source node may not include measurement objects related to the target secondary cell. In such cases, when CHO is triggered, the target node needs to start measurements related to that secondary cell along with the CHO measurements at the source node.

[0008] It has been considered that the target node can trigger measurement reporting via signaling if necessary, and furthermore, it has been considered that the source cell can send UE measurement results to the target cell before the CHO, for example in an HO request message.

[0009] However, this method has the following problems. a) The source cell may not have information (e.g., frequency) about the PSCells under the control of the target PCell, so the measurements sent by the source cell may not be related to the target PCell. b) Furthermore, since the time between CHO preparation and CHO execution can be up to several seconds, these measurements can easily become outdated. Adding a PSCell after handover using outdated measurements can lead to handover failure.

[0010] Therefore, among other things, an objective of the disclosed embodiments is to enable rapid setup DC of target cells in the context of a CHO. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to a first exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising: - obtaining measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell of the mobile communication network; - performing a handover to a target cell; and - initiating measurements in at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the measurement configuration information before and / or during the handover; Includes.

[0012] The target secondary cell may be part of a target secondary cell group (SCG), and measurements on the target secondary cell may be measurements on a frequency set managed by the SN that includes the target secondary cell.

[0013] The handover may be a normal handover or a conditional handover.

[0014] The target secondary cell may specifically be a candidate secondary cell for the target cell (i.e., PCell).

[0015] In the above method, before and / or during execution of handover to the target cell (CHO or normal HO), measurements of the target secondary cell, e.g., measurements of a candidate PSCell, may be initiated in advance. Specifically, when a device, specifically an Internet of Things (IoT) or user equipment (UE), is still served by the source node, i.e., before and / or during triggering of execution of handover (CHO or normal HO), some early or earlier measurements on potential target secondary cell frequencies may be initiated. In this way, it may be achieved that SN addition / Conditional PSCell Addition (CPA) may be performed more quickly, specifically to achieve fast DC setup and configuration on the target side.

[0016] Specifically, this may be beneficial for direct DC handover if the source node performs additional measurements on potential PSCells along with measurements on the primary cell (PCell) mobility. Furthermore, early measurements at the source of a potential target PSCell selected by the target may be important for faster DC activation during mobility. Furthermore, when CHO is triggered, the target node may also need to initiate measurements related to its secondary cells along with the CHO measurements at the source.

[0017] The method may be performed and / or controlled, for example, by a mobile device, such as an automated IoT device and / or a UE. For example, the method may be performed and / or controlled using at least one processor of the mobile device.

[0018] The mobile communication network may be, for example, a cellular network. The mobile communication network may be, for example, a mobile phone network and / or a future cellular communication network, such as 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G / New Radio (NR). The 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G / NR cellular wireless communication standards are developed by 3GPP and are currently available at http: / / www.3gpp.org / .

[0019] According to a further exemplary aspect, a computer program is disclosed which, when executed by a processor, causes an apparatus, e.g., a server, to perform and / or control actions of a method according to the first exemplary aspect.

[0020] The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, particularly a tangible and / or non-transitory medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, a disk or a memory. The computer program may be stored in the computer-readable storage medium in the form of instructions that encode the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be a device, such as an internal memory or an external memory, intended to be involved in the operation of a computer, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a hard disk, or may be intended for distribution of the program, such as an optical disk.

[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that is configured to perform and / or control or comprises respective means for performing and / or controlling the method according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0022] The means of the apparatus may be implemented in hardware and / or software. The means of the apparatus may, for example, comprise at least one processor for executing computer program code for performing functions, at least one memory for storing program code, or both. Alternatively, the means of the apparatus may, for example, comprise circuitry implemented in a chipset or chip, such as an integrated circuit, designed to implement the functions. In general, the means may, for example, comprise one or more processing means or processors.

[0023] According to a further exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, using the at least one processor, for example, to cause the apparatus to perform and / or control at least a method according to the first exemplary aspect.

[0024] The above-described apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may be a module or component of a device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may be a device, such as a server or a server cloud. The apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may include the components of the present disclosure, such as a means, a processor, a memory, or may further include one or more additional components.

[0025] As used herein, such a device (e.g., a mobile device) may be portable (e.g., weighing less than 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 kg, or less), such as, for example and without limitation, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant device, a computer, or a laptop computer. The device may, for example and without limitation, include or be connectable to a display for displaying information, such as a photo or video transferred to the device via a mobile communications network. The device may, for example, include or be connectable to a means for outputting sound, for example, in the form of voice commands or voice information.

[0026] According to a second exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising: - receiving, from the target node, target secondary cell information indicating at least one target secondary cell; - upon receiving the target secondary cell information, transmitting measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on the at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the target secondary cell information; Includes.

[0027] The method may specifically include receiving, from the target node, target secondary cell information indicating a target secondary cell group (SCG) including at least one target secondary cell.

[0028] The at least one target secondary cell may specifically be a candidate secondary cell for the target cell.

[0029] The target secondary cell information may specifically indicate measurement-related information for measurements related to at least one target secondary cell.

[0030] For example, the target secondary cell information may indicate a request to include measurement configuration information in the configuration, eg, source configuration, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell.

[0031] The transmission of the measurement configuration information is specifically a transmission to an apparatus according to the first aspect, for example a UE or an IoT device.

[0032] By using the method disclosed above, measurement configuration information for cell measurements, e.g., candidate PSCell measurements for the target node, can be provided to the source node in advance before and / or during the execution of CHO to the target node. In this way, early or earlier measurements can be performed with the configuration related to the target node, initiated before and / or during the triggering of HO execution (CHO or normal HO), when the IoT device / UE is still being served by the source node. In this way, it can be achieved that SN addition / CPA can be performed more quickly, specifically to achieve fast DC setup and configuration on the target side.

[0033] The method may be performed and / or controlled by an apparatus, e.g., a radio access node, e.g., a primary node, e.g., an en-gNB or an ng-eNB. Alternatively, the method may be performed and / or controlled by two or more apparatuses, e.g., a master node (e.g., an eNB or an ng-eNB) and a secondary node. For example, the method may be performed and / or controlled by using at least one processor of the radio access node.

[0034] According to a further exemplary aspect, a computer program is disclosed which, when executed by a processor, causes an apparatus, e.g., a server, to perform and / or control actions of a method according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0035] The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, particularly a tangible and / or non-transitory medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, a disk or a memory. The computer program may be stored in the computer-readable storage medium in the form of instructions that encode the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be a device, such as an internal memory or an external memory, intended to be involved in the operation of a computer, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a hard disk, or may be intended for distribution of the program, such as an optical disk.

[0036] According to a further exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that is configured to and comprises performing and / or controlling or comprising respective means for performing and / or controlling the method according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0037] The means of the apparatus may be implemented in hardware and / or software. The means of the apparatus may, for example, comprise at least one processor for executing computer program code to perform the required functions, at least one memory for storing the program code, or both. Alternatively, the means of the apparatus may, for example, comprise circuitry implemented in a chipset or chip, such as an integrated circuit, designed to implement the required functions. In general, the means may, for example, comprise one or more processing means or processors.

[0038] According to a further exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, using the at least one processor, for example, to cause the apparatus to perform and / or control at least a method according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0039] The above-described apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may be a module or component of a device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may be a device, such as a server or a server cloud. The apparatus of the present disclosure according to any aspect may include only the components of the present disclosure, such as a means, a processor, or a memory, or may further include one or more additional components.

[0040] According to a further exemplary aspect, a system is disclosed comprising at least one device according to the first exemplary aspect disclosed above and at least one device according to the second exemplary aspect disclosed above.

[0041] The above aspects may enable fast or faster setup and configuration of DC in a candidate target NR NodeB (gNB). Furthermore, the target node may better make a decision on whether to activate DC based on early measurements. Furthermore, the target node may have more accurate knowledge of the measurements required to configure and activate DC.

[0042] Exemplary features and exemplary embodiments of all aspects are described in further detail below.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, the handover is from a source cell to a target cell of a mobile communication network, and obtaining the measurement configuration information includes receiving the measurement configuration information from the source node. In this way, for example, the UE / IoT device may receive in advance from the source node the measurement configuration information for performing early measurements related to the target node before and / or during HO (CHO or normal HO).

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - obtaining handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target node; Further includes:

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, obtaining the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information includes or comprises receiving a radio resource control (RRC) configuration, the RRC configuration comprising the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information.

[0046] In this way, the source node can send measurement configuration information and handover configuration information in one message, and the UE / IoT device can receive measurement configuration information and handover configuration information in one message, thereby reducing the number of messages to be exchanged.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, the radio resource control configuration further includes (or comprises) a conditional PSCell addition configuration.

[0048] Specifically, the RRC configuration may include CPA configuration information indicating the CPA configuration.

[0049] In such a case, the target node may inform the source node to include or provide a measurement identifier (ID) of the PSCell in the source configuration, e.g., with the triggering condition postponed until after HO (CHO or normal HO) execution. Specifically, according to an example embodiment, first a PCell HO is triggered, and then any PSCell addition execution or CPA may be performed, specifically without new signaling regarding CPA configuration from the new source (i.e., previous target) (e.g., explicitly). This may be the case, for example, for CPA configuration to set up one or more SCGs.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - Obtaining the CPA configuration after performing a handover to the target cell Further includes:

[0051] In this case, the CPA configuration may be specifically acquired (eg, received) from the new source node, i.e., from the previous target node. Specifically, CPA configuration information indicating the CPA configuration may be received.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, the measurement configuration information indicates one or more measurement identifiers (IDs), each measurement ID indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on a respective potential target secondary cell.

[0053] In this way, the source node may provide one or more measurement IDs, specifically a list of measurement IDs, whose measurement results are relevant to the target node for a decision regarding SN addition or CPA. In this way, the UE / IoT device may specifically initiate or perform early measurements on one or more candidate PSCells of the target node. Specifically, the source node may be informed by the target node to include or comprise one or more measurement IDs in a configuration, e.g., a source configuration, whereby the one or more measurement IDs may be sent to the UE / IoT device, e.g., for such early measurements.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - mapping measurement results of measurement identifiers to target measurement identifiers in the target measurement configuration; Further includes:

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - after performing the handover, sending measurement result information indicating the result of the measurement; Further includes:

[0056] The transmission of the measurement result information may in particular be a transmission to a target node which is or represents the new source node after the handover has been performed.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - after performing the handover, sending a handover complete message indicating completion of the handover, where the handover complete message includes or comprises measurement result information. Further includes:

[0058] Specifically, the UE / IoT device may provide the measurement results to the target node as soon as possible after HO (CHO or normal HO). In this way, the network may be able to configure Dual Connectivity Carrier Aggregation (DC / CA) as quickly as possible after HO. For this purpose, the UE / IoT device may specifically provide the measurement results in advance in the HO Complete message.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, a method includes: - activating dual connectivity based at least in part on the CPA configuration after performing the handover; Further includes:

[0060] Specifically, handover, e.g., PCell HO execution, may be performed before and / or during any addition of a secondary target cell, e.g., PSCell addition. In other words, according to example embodiments, PCell HO may be triggered first, and then any PSCell addition or CPA may be performed, specifically (e.g., explicitly) without new signaling regarding CPA configuration from a new source.

[0061] The addition of the secondary target cell, eg, a PSCell addition, may be a conditional addition of the secondary target cell, eg, a conditional PSCell addition.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first exemplary aspect, the apparatus is or is part of a mobile device and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, the target secondary cell information and / or the measurement configuration information includes one or more measurement identifiers indicating respective target secondary cells.

[0064] For example, such a measurement identifier may be assigned to a particular PSCell and / or PSCell characteristics, such as a frequency or frequency band, etc. In this way, target secondary cell information may be provided by the target node to the source node, which may enable early measurements related to the target node before and / or during handover to the target node.

[0065] Specifically, the target secondary cell information and / or measurement configuration information may include or comprise a list of two or more measurement identifiers indicating respective target secondary cells. In this way, measurements of several candidate target secondary cells may be initiated, for example, before and / or during handover.

[0066] For example, the measurement configuration may include one or more of the following: a measurement ID, a measurement object ID, a measurement report ID.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, receiving the second target cell information from the target node may be receiving the second target cell information without a CPA configuration. Specifically, the measurement-related configuration may be received from the target node without a CPA configuration. In such a case, the CPA configuration may be sent to the UE / IoT device by the new source node (i.e., by the previous target node) after the PCell HO is triggered.

[0068] Specifically, in such a case, the source node may be notified by the source node to include or comprise the measurement identifier in the source configuration. Then, a PCell HO may be triggered first, after which the new source (e.g., the previous target node) may send a CPA configuration that may be applied immediately thereafter. Furthermore, in such a case, the UE / IoT device may perform or at least initiate measurements based on the measurement identifier before and / or during the CHO. The UE / IoT device may then provide the measurement results to the target node, for example, as soon as possible after the HO (CHO or normal HO). In this way, the network may configure DC / CA as fast as possible after the HO. For example, the UE / IoT device may provide the measurement results in the HO Complete message in advance.

[0069] The source node may provide the UE / IoT device with a list of one or more measurement IDs whose measurement results are associated with the target node for the decision regarding secondary node addition or CPA.

[0070] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, the target secondary cell information indicates a request to replicate in the source configuration one or more measurement identifiers indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on the respective target secondary cell, e.g., a target SCG including the target secondary cell.

[0071] Specifically, the request may be to replicate one or more measurement identifiers, e.g., {A, B, C}, into the source configuration with new or different measurement identifiers, e.g., {A1, B1, C1}, in this way allowing the source node to distinguish between measurement identifiers from the target node, e.g., {A1, B1, C1}, and measurement identifiers from the source node.

[0072] Furthermore, the method may include adding a new or different measurement identifier to the measurement configuration information to be transmitted. Thus, the measurement configuration information may comprise the new or different measurement identifier. The measurement configuration information may in particular be transmitted as part of an RRC configuration, e.g., an RRC-reconfiguration.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, a method includes: - mapping measurement identifiers to source measurement identifiers in the source measurement configuration; Further includes:

[0074] The measurement identifier is specifically a new or different measurement identifier added to the measurement configuration information of the transmitted RRC (re)configuration including the CHO configuration. The target measurement configuration may specifically be a target measurement configuration linked to the conditional PSCell addition.

[0075] The measurement ID linked to the conditional PSCell addition may result in triggering a measurement report to the target master radio access node (MN) to prepare the SN as part of the post-handover CPA procedure.

[0076] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, a method includes: - after sending the measurement configuration information, receiving handover success information indicating that the handover to the target node is successful. Further includes:

[0077] To enable the UE / IoT device to start measurements early, the measurement configuration information may be sent to the UE / IoT device, in particular before and / or during handover to the target node, in particular before receiving handover success information.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment of the second exemplary aspect, receiving the request information and / or transmitting the source configuration is performed via a source master node of the mobile communication network.

[0079] The above features and exemplary embodiments may equally relate to different aspects.

[0080] It should be understood that the embodiments and aspects of this section are examples only and are non-limiting.

[0081] Other features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for illustrative purposes only, and reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and are intended only to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0082] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system according to an exemplary aspect. [Figure 2a] 1 is a signaling chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for conditional handover between a source node and a target node. [Figure 2b] 1 is a signaling chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for conditional handover between a source node and a target node. [Figure 3] 1 is a signaling chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect and further illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect; [Figure 4a] 4 is a signaling chart illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect and further illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second exemplary aspect; [Figure 4b]4 is a signaling chart illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect and further illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second exemplary aspect; [Figure 5a] 4 is a signaling chart illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect and further illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second exemplary aspect; [Figure 5b] 4 is a signaling chart illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect and further illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second exemplary aspect; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus configured to perform a method according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus configured to perform a method according to a second exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] It should be understood that the following description is provided to further the understanding of the exemplary embodiments and is intended to supplement and be read in conjunction with the description provided in the Summary section herein above.

[0084] 1 is an example of a high-level schematic block diagram of a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 100 comprises a mobile device 130, which may be a UE / IoT device.

[0085] The system 100 further includes multiple gNBs 120-1 to 120-7, whose signals are observable by a mobile device 130. The gNBs 120-1 to 120-7 are part of a mobile communication network.

[0086] Initially, mobile device 130 is served by gNB 120-3 as a master PCell (thick solid double arrow) and by gNB 120-1 as a secondary PSCell via DC (thin solid double arrow), which may provide, for example, increased reliability, lower latency, and / or improved bandwidth.

[0087] Dual connectivity is used as an example, embodiments and aspects may also be applied to multi-connectivity type environments, for example.

[0088] When the mobile device 130 moves to a neighboring cell (as illustrated by dashed arrow 2 and dashed outline 130'), a handover, e.g., conditional HO or normal HO, may be performed from the PCell of the source master node gNB120-3 to the PCell of the target master node gNB120-5.

[0089] 2a-2b are signaling charts 200 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of how a standard process for conditional handover of a UE 230 between a source gNB 220-3 and a target gNB 220-5 may be implemented. FIG. 2a shows an upper (first) portion 200a of chart 200, and FIG. 2b shows a lower (second) portion 200b. For clarity, the labels "UE," "source gNB," etc. for the respective entities are repeated in FIG. 2b.

[0090] For example, UE130 may be configured as UE230, source gNB120-3 may be configured as gNB220-3, and / or target gNB120-5 may be configured as gNB220-5.

[0091] The process may include some or all of the following steps: Step 201: The UE sends a measurement report to the source gNB. Step 202: The source gNB determines whether to initiate a CHO based at least in part on the measurement report. Step 203: The source gNB sends an HO request to the target gNB. Step 204: The source gNB may also send an HO request to one or more further potential target nodes. Step 205: The target gNB performs admission control for the requested HO. Step 206: Further potential target gNBs may also perform admission control for the requested HO. Step 207: To acknowledge the HO request, the target gNB sends an HO request acknowledgement to the source gNB. Step 208: Similarly, further potential target gNBs may also send respective HO request acknowledgements to the source gNB. Step 209: The source gNB sends an RRC reconfiguration to the UE, where the RRC reconfiguration includes a CHO configuration including at least one CHO condition for performing HO to the target cell of the target node. Step 210: The UE evaluates the CHO condition from the RRC reconfiguration and continues exchanging user data with the source gNB. Step 211: When the CHO condition is met for (one of) the target cells, the UE stops TX / RX with the source node. Step 212: The UE transmits a physical layer random access channel (PRACH) preamble to the target gNB. Step 213: In response, the target gNB sends a random access channel (RACH) response to the UE. Step 214: The UI sends RRC reconfiguration completion information to the target gNB, indicating that the RRC reconfiguration has been completed. Step 215: The target gNB then sends handover success information to the source gNB. Step 216: Upon receiving the handover success information, the source gNB may stop TX / RX with the UE and start sending data to the target gNB. Step 217: The source gNB sends SN status transfer information to the target gNB. Step 218: The source gNB may further perform data transmission to the target gNB. Step 219: The source gNB may further release other potential target nodes by sending release CHO preparation information. Step 220: The communication path is switched.

[0092] 2a-2b show a CHO procedure that supports the preparation of multiple target cells. With CHO, HO is conditioned on satisfying the evaluation configuration conditions, but the HO command can be received by the UE or is most likely to be received. Therefore, CHO aims to improve the robustness of HO. With CHO, the UE continues TX / RX with the source cell until the CHO execution conditions are satisfied for one of the prepared target nodes. A low-speed data transmission (step 218) may be performed, which may be triggered when the source gNB receives an "HO successful" message from the target node (step 215).

[0093] The target node may provide the conditional configuration as part of the HO-REQ-ACK.

[0094] The first possible configuration (Configuration 1) may include measurement identifiers of the source configuration for the master cell group configuration, e.g., A3. Configuration 1 may include only CHO-related measurements, e.g., if it does not yet have a CPA configuration.

[0095] A second possible configuration (Configuration 2) may include a second cell group configuration in addition to Configuration 1. For example, Configuration 2 may specifically include a measurement identifier for the target configuration for A4 (CPA after CHO).

[0096] The measurement identifier of the source node may be retained after the CHO, thus allowing the pending measurement status to continue at the target node once the target measurement is initiated.

[0097] FIG. 3 is a signaling chart 300 illustrating an example of how an exemplary process for conditional handover of a UE 330 between a source gNB 320-3 and a target gNB 320-5 may be performed.

[0098] For example, UE130 may be configured as UE330, source gNB120-3 may be configured as gNB320-3, and / or target gNB120-5 may be configured as gNB320-5.

[0099] 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect, and further illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the UE 330 may be an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the first exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the source gNB 320-3 may be an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0100] The process in FIG. 3 may be performed, for example, after an HO request from a source node, for example, source node 320-3, to a target node, for example, target node 320-5 (as in step 203).

[0101] The process may include some or all of the following steps: Step 331: The target node prepares a target RRC configuration. Specifically, the target node adds measurement configuration information to the target RRC configuration, the measurement configuration indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell, for example, a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell. According to option 1, the measurement configuration information may specifically include at least one of a new measurement object identifier (A), a new reporting configuration identifier (B), and a new measurement identifier (C), which may be linked to a CPA. Step 332: The target node sends an HO request acknowledgment, e.g., HO-REQ-ACK, to the source node to acknowledge the source node's previous HO request, where the HO-REQ-ACK further includes a request to replicate the new measurements {A, B, C} into the source configuration with different IDs {A1, B1, C1}. Step 333: When the source node sends an RRC reconfiguration including the CHO configuration to the UE 330 (as in step 209), the source node adds information for adding the new measurement (e.g., by adding measurement identifiers {A1, B1, C1}). The RRC reconfiguration may or may not include the CPA configuration. Step 334: When the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration, it processes the source measurement configuration, specifically based at least in part on the Modify-measurement-configuration, to create at least one of a new measurement object (e.g., A1), a new reporting configuration (e.g., B1), and a new measurement identifier (e.g., C1). Step 335: The UE 330 may then use the measurement configuration from step 334 to start early measurements on the target PScell. Step 336: After step 335, when the CHO condition is met, CHO is performed. If possible, the UE 330 may continue measurement using the source configuration of the selected measurement ID. Step 337: The UE 330 transfers the new measurement result (C1) to the original measurement result (C), and then deletes the new measurements (A1, B1, C1).

[0102] 3, the target node 320-5 creates a new measurement identifier for the source configuration, e.g., at least one of a new measurement object-ID A, a new reporting configuration-ID B, or a new measurement ID-ID C. In this example, the target node 320-5 creates a new measurement ID for configuration 2 for the target UE context. The target node 320-5 notifies the source node 320-3 to include this measurement ID in the source configuration, with the trigger condition deferred until after handover execution.

[0103] To that end, in the example of Figure 3, the target node and the source node negotiate a mapping from measurement IDs {A, B, C} at the target to IDs {A1, B1, C1} at the source. This may be called measurement lending based on measurement ID mapping. If there is no associated CPA in the target configuration, the target node may, for example, propose a new measurement (shown as {A, B, C} in the given example) to the source without creating one in the target configuration. Such a variant may be performed, for example, when an early measurement is required for the target node and when it is sufficient to perform a CPA later based on the measurement results.

[0104] Measurement identifiers, e.g., {A, B, C}, are linked to the CPA. In this way, measurements related to the target can be initiated before and / or during CHO.

[0105] In the above example, measurement of the Measurement ID at the source may continue seamlessly during and / or after the CHO, and after the CHO, if a trigger condition is met, the CPA configuration may be executed.

[0106] This may be advantageous if the UE provides measurement results to the target node as soon as possible after HO, e.g., CHO or normal HO, so that the network (NW) can configure DC / CA / multi-connectivity as quickly as possible after HO. For example, the UE may provide the measurement results in advance in an HO Complete message or, e.g., in a Reconfiguration Complete message, denoted here as Msg3. Reporting early measurements in Msg3 may be beneficial for scenarios in which the target node may decide whether to continue CPA based on, e.g., intermediate measurement results reported in Msg3. Msg3 is an example.

[0107] 3 encompasses an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the UE 330 may be or may be part of an apparatus according to the first aspect.

[0108] The UE 330, which may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are used by the at least one processor to provide the UE with at least: In step 333, from the source node 320-3, e.g. i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration{A1,B1,C1}, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group (SCG) including at least one target secondary cell; and ii) Handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell of the target node 320-5, e.g., CHO-Configuration obtaining an RRC reconfiguration including at least one of: - in step 336, performing a handover from the source cell of the source node 320-3 to the target cell of the target node 320-5 based at least in part on the handover configuration information; - before and / or during the handover, initiating measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g. on a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell, based at least in part on the measurement configuration information in step 335, e.g. by creating new measurement objects / measurement reports / measurement identifiers and mapping them to a given target PSCell frequency in step 334; The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0109] 3 further encompasses an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Specifically, in this example, the source node 320-3 may be or may be part of an apparatus according to the second aspect.

[0110] The target node comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being used by the at least one processor to provide the target node with at least: - in step 332, receiving target secondary cell information, e.g., an HO-REQ-ACK, from the target node 320-5, indicating at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell; Upon reception of target secondary cell information, e.g., HO-REQ-ACK, in step 333, e.g., i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements in at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell or cell group assigned to {A1, B1, C1} based at least in part on the target secondary cell information, e.g., the HO-REQ-ACK; and ii) Handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell of the target node 320-5, e.g., CHO-Configuration transmitting an RRC configuration, e.g., RRC-reconfiguration, to the UE 330, the RRC configuration including at least one of: The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0111] 3, the target secondary cell information indicates a request to replicate new measurements, e.g., {A,B,C}, into the source configuration with different measurement identifiers, e.g., {A1,B1,C1}. Source 320-2 can then configure the UE for the {A1,B1,C1} objects for early measurements based at least in part on this target secondary cell information, e.g., by sending a Modify-measurement-configuration.

[0112] The request information (e.g., HO-REQ-ACK) may include or comprise a list of measurement identifiers indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on each target secondary cell or target secondary cell group of the target node. Furthermore, the measurement configuration information of the source configuration may include or comprise a corresponding list of measurement identifiers. In this way, the source can trigger the UE to perform measurements on several candidate target PSCells associated with the target node.

[0113] 4a-4b are signaling charts 400 illustrating a further example of how an exemplary process for conditional handover of a UE 430 between a source gNB 420-3 and a target gNB 420-5 may be implemented. FIG. 4a shows an upper (first) portion 400a of chart 400, and FIG. 4b shows a lower (second) portion 400b. For clarity, the labels "UE," "source gNB," etc. for the respective entities are repeated in FIG. 4b.

[0114] For example, UE130 may be configured as UE430, source gNB120-3 may be configured as gNB420-3, and / or target gNB120-5 may be configured as gNB420-5.

[0115] 4a-4b also illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect, and further illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the UE 430 may be a further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the first exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the source gNB 420-3 may be a further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0116] The process in FIGS. 4a-4b may include some or all of the following steps. Step 431: This step corresponds to step 331 from FIG. Step 432: This step corresponds to step 332 from FIG. Step 433: This step corresponds to step 333 from Figure 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the RRC reconfiguration does not include the CPA configuration. Step 434: This step corresponds to step 334 from FIG. Step 435: This step corresponds to step 335 from FIG. Step 436: In this step, the source node 430-3 may send an RRC reconfiguration to the UE, including the CHO-configuration and priorities for the target PSCells, eg, PSCell_1 and PSCell_2. Step 437: This step corresponds to step 336 from FIG. Step 438: This step corresponds to step 212 from Figure 2a-2b. Step 439: The target node may send a Random Access Response (RAR) in response to the PRACH (see also step 213 from Figures 2a-2b). Step 440: The UE 430 then sends an RRCReconfigurationComplete to the target node 420-5 (as in step 214 from Figures 2a-2b). In this example embodiment, if option 2 is used, the RRCReconfigurationComplete includes measurement results for the candidate target PSCells. Step 441: The target node 420-5 determines whether to activate a DC based at least in part on the measurement results of the candidate target PSCells received in step 440. Step 442: If the target node 420-5 determines to activate DC in step 441, the target node 420-5 may send a DC activation command / configuration (including an RRC configuration with an SCG) to the UE 430. In this way, the target PCell can add the DC configuration by sending an RRC reconfiguration with a secondary cell group configuration to the UE. Step 443: The UE 430 activates the DC. Step 444: The UE 430 transmits a PRACH to the selected target secondary node 420-7 (target PSCell).

[0117] Subsequently, steps corresponding to steps 543 and 544 described below may be performed.

[0118] 4a-b show an example where the measurement report is included in the HO complete message, eg RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0119] When measurement results are included or provided in an HO complete message, e.g., RRCRecofigurationComplete, one or more of the following may be performed and / or controlled, for example: The source node may configure measurement IDs for event-based reporting of measurement objects of potential target PSCell frequencies. There may be multiple such measurement identifiers for different PSCell frequencies of the target node. The target node may select a subset of required measurement IDs, for example in Msg3, as part of the HO preparation, since the target may consider these measurement IDs for DC or carrier aggregation (CA) setup. In one example, the target node may provide a "Preferred Measurement ID" for early reporting in the HO-REQ-ACK. In another example, the source node may include a "priority measurement ID" for early reporting instead of all results of the PSCell (see also Figures 5a-5b).

[0120] During CHO, the available mapped measurements may be forwarded to the target node 420-5, after which a DC configuration may be sent based on the measurements by the new source, i.e., the previous target node 420-5.

[0121] 4a-4b encompass an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect. Specifically, in this example, the UE 430 may be an apparatus according to the first aspect.

[0122] The UE 430, which may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are used by the at least one processor to provide the UE with at least: In step 433, from the source node 420-3, e.g. i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration{A1,B1,C1}, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group (SCG) including at least one target secondary cell; and ii) Handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell of the target node 420-5, e.g., CHO-Configuration obtaining an RRC reconfiguration including at least one of: - in step 437, performing a handover from the source cell of the source node 420-3 to the target cell of the target node 420-5 based at least in part on the handover configuration information; - before and / or during the handover, initiating measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g. on a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell, based at least in part on the measurement configuration information in step 435, e.g. by creating new measurement objects / measurement reports / measurement identifiers and mapping them to a given target PSCell frequency in step 434; The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0123] 4a-4b further encompasses an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Specifically, in this example, the source node 420-3 may be or may be part of an apparatus according to the second aspect.

[0124] The source node 420-3 comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the source node, using the at least one processor, to at least: - in step 432, receiving target secondary cell information, e.g., an HO-REQ-ACK, from the target node 420-5, indicating at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell; Upon reception of target secondary cell information, e.g., HO-REQ-ACK, in step 433, e.g., i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements in at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell or cell group assigned to {A1, B1, C1} based at least in part on the target secondary cell information, e.g., the HO-REQ-ACK; and ii) Handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell of the target node 420-5, e.g., CHO-Configuration transmitting an RRC configuration, e.g., RRC-reconfiguration, to the UE 430, the RRC configuration including at least one of: The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0125] 5a-5b are signaling charts 500 illustrating a further example of how an exemplary process for conditional handover of a UE 530 between a source gNB 520-3 and a target gNB 520-5 may be implemented. FIG. 5a shows an upper (first) portion 500a of chart 500, and FIG. 5b shows a lower (second) portion 500b. For clarity, the labels "UE," "source," etc. for the respective entities are repeated in FIG. 5b.

[0126] For example, UE130 may be configured as UE530, source gNB120-3 may be configured as gNB520-3, and / or target gNB120-5 may be configured as gNB520-5.

[0127] 5a-5b also illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect, and further illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the UE 530 may be a further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the first exemplary aspect. Furthermore, the source gNB 520-3 may be a further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0128] The process in Figures 5a-5b includes the following steps: Step 531: This step corresponds to step 431 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 532: This step corresponds to step 432 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 533: This step corresponds to step 333 from Figure 3. Different from step 433 from Figures 4a-4b, the RRC reconfiguration in this exemplary embodiment includes CPA configuration. Step 534: This step corresponds to step 434 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 535: This step corresponds to step 435 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 536: This step corresponds to step 436 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 537: This step corresponds to step 437 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 538: This step corresponds to step 438 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 539: This step corresponds to step 439 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 540: This step corresponds to step 440 from Figures 4a-4b. In case of option 2, the RRCReconfigurationComplete may include measurement results for the candidate PSCells. Step 541: According to option 3, the UE 530 may continue measurements on the candidate PSCell during and / or after the CHO. The UE 530 does not need to report the measurement results to the target node 520-5. Since the UE in this example received the CPA configuration in step 533, the UE may continue measurements on the candidate PSCell during and / or after the CHO and perform CPA when the CPA conditions are met. Step 542: This step corresponds to step 444 from Figures 4a-4b. Step 543: The target secondary node 520-7 (PSCell) responds to the PRACH by sending an RAR to the UE 530. Step 544: The UE 530 sends an RRCReconfigurationComplete to the target secondary node 520-7.

[0129] In one example, source measurements may be continued further in the target after handover if linked to conditional PSCell addition, e.g., in that case no further reporting of measurements is required upon completion of handover.

[0130] 5a-5b encompass an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first exemplary aspect. Specifically, in this example, a UE 530 may be an apparatus according to the first aspect.

[0131] The UE 530, which may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are used by the at least one processor to provide the UE with at least: In step 533, from the source node 520-3, e.g. i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration{A1,B1,C1}, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group (SCG) including at least one target secondary cell; and ii) handover configuration information indicating the handover configuration for performing the handover to the target node 520-5, e.g., CHO-Configuration; iii) CPA configuration information indicating the CPA configuration obtaining an RRC reconfiguration including at least one of: - in step 537, performing a handover from the source cell of the source node 520-3 to the target cell of the target node 520-5 based at least in part on the handover configuration information; - before and / or during the handover, initiating measurements on at least one target secondary cell, e.g. on a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell, based at least in part on the measurement configuration information in step 535, e.g. by creating new measurement objects / measurement reports / measurement identifiers and mapping them to a given target PSCell frequency in step 534; The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0132] 5a-5b further encompasses an exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second exemplary aspect. Specifically, in this example, the source node 520-3 may be or may be part of an apparatus according to the second aspect.

[0133] The source node 520-3 comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the source node, using the at least one processor, to at least: - in step 532, receiving target secondary cell information, e.g., an HO-REQ-ACK, from the target node indicating at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell group including at least one target secondary cell; and Upon receiving a request, e.g., a HO-REQ-ACK, in step 533, e.g., i) Measurement configuration information, e.g., Modify-measurement-configuration, indicating a measurement configuration for measurements in at least one target secondary cell, e.g., a target secondary cell or cell group assigned to {A1, B1, C1} based at least in part on the target secondary cell information, e.g., the HO-REQ-ACK; ii) handover configuration information, e.g., CHO-Configuration, indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to the target cell of the target node 520-5; and iii) CPA configuration information indicating the CPA configuration transmitting an RRC configuration, e.g., RRC-reconfiguration, to the UE 530, including The method is configured to perform the following steps.

[0134] For example, measurements from the source node 520-3 may be continued further in the target node 520-5 after handover, e.g., if linked to a conditional PSCell addition. In this case, reporting of measurements at handover completion may be omitted. Such an example is also shown in Figures 5a-5b as "Option 3".

[0135] 5a-5b show an example in which a CPA is included in a CHO configuration, where the UE 530 can continue measurements to find potential PSCells while and / or after the CHO target is accessed.

[0136] In another example, the CHO configuration may include a condition for initiating "relevant early measurements" for a PSCell instead of blindly initiating early measurements for all PSCells. The UE may initiate measurements only for PSCell candidates that are likely candidates for CHO execution, configured by the target cell (see "Option 2" in Figures 4a-4b and 5a-5b). The "likelihood" may be implemented using another intermediate measurement threshold, allowing the UE to determine that this cell is a likely target for which the CHO condition will be triggered.

[0137] In another example, the UE / IoT device may follow a gradual measurement approach, i.e., starting with a rough initial setting and gradually increasing the frequency of these measurements. This reduces the measurement burden on the UE. Similarly, the opposite happens for those that do not meet the threshold, i.e., measurements are performed in a more gradual manner.

[0138] In another example, the target node provides measurement-related configurations, but these do not include CPA configurations. In this case, the target node informs the source node to include these measurement IDs in the source configuration. This is the case when a PCell HO is triggered first and then a new source sends a CPA configuration that will be applied immediately afterward. These measurements are performed before and / or during CHO. In other words, in this case, the UE sequentially provides the measurement results to the target node as soon as possible after HO (CHO or normal HO) to enable the NW to configure DC / CA as quickly as possible after HO, i.e., the UE provides the measurement results in advance, for example, in an HO Complete message. In this case, the source node may also provide a list of measurement IDs whose measurement results are relevant to the target node, for example, for SN addition or CPA decisions.

[0139] For example, to perform SN addition / CPA more quickly (e.g., for fast DC setup and configuration at the target side), earlier / earlier measurements on the (candidate) target SCG may be initiated from the source itself (e.g., when the UE is still served by the source cell before and / or during triggering of CHO execution). This means that the UE may start performing candidate (P)SCell measurements in advance before and / or during CHO to the target node.

[0140] In another example, the CHO configuration also includes or comprises a CPA configuration. In this case, the target node informs the source node to include or comprise this measurement ID in the source configuration, with the triggering condition deferred until after handover execution. That is, first a PCell HO is triggered, and then any PSCell addition execution or CPA can be performed without new or additional signaling from the new source regarding the CPA configuration (e.g., explicitly). This is the case for CPA configuration for setting up one or more SCGs.

[0141] In another example, measurement results of new measurement IDs added in an RRC reconfiguration that includes or comprises a CHO configuration are also mapped to measurement IDs in the target measurement configuration linked to the conditional PSCell addition, e.g., the measurement IDs linked to the conditional PSCell addition will trigger measurement reporting to the target MN to prepare the SN as part of the post-handover CPA procedure.

[0142] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 600 according to an example aspect, which may represent, for example, the mobile device 130 of FIG.

[0143] The device 600 comprises a processor 610 , a working memory 620 , a program memory 630 , a data memory 640 , a communication interface 650 , an optional user interface 660 , and an optional sensor 670 .

[0144] The apparatus 600 may be configured to perform and / or control or comprise a respective means (at least one of 610-670) for performing and / or controlling a method according to the first exemplary aspect, for example. The apparatus 600 comprises at least one processor (610) and at least one memory (620) containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the apparatus, e.g., the apparatus 600, to perform and / or control, by means of the at least one processor, at least a method according to the method according to the first exemplary aspect.

[0145] The processor 610 may, for example, comprise as a functional and / or structural unit an information obtainer 611. The information obtainer 611 may, for example, be configured to obtain (e.g., retrieve) information such as measurement configuration information, handover configuration information, RRC configuration, CPA configuration information, or a combination thereof, to name a few non-limiting examples, respectively.

[0146] The processor 610 may comprise, for example, as a functional and / or structural unit, a handover performer 612. The handover performer 612 may be configured, for example, to perform (e.g., implement and / or control) a handover.

[0147] The processor 610 may, for example, comprise as a functional and / or structural unit a measurement initiator 613. The measurement initiator 613 may, for example, be configured to initiate measurements on the target secondary cell before and / or during execution of a handover.

[0148] The processor 610 may further control, for example, memories 620-640, a communication interface 650, an optional user interface 660, and an optional sensor 670.

[0149] The processor 610 may, for example, execute computer program code stored in the program memory 630, which may represent, for example, a computer-readable storage medium containing program code that, when executed by the processor 610, causes the processor 610 to perform a method according to the first exemplary aspect.

[0150] Processor 610 (and any other processors mentioned herein) may be any suitable type of processor. Processor 610 may include, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors, one or more processors with one or more digital signal processors, one or more processors without digital signal processors, one or more special-purpose computer chips, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more controllers, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more computers. The associated structure / hardware is programmed to perform the described functions. Processor 610 may be, for example, an application processor running an operating system.

[0151] Program memory 630 may also be included in processor 610. This memory may, for example, be fixedly connected to processor 610 or may be at least partially removable from processor 610, for example in the form of a memory card or stick. Program memory 630 may, for example, be non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may, for example, be any (or a portion thereof) of flash memory, ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory, or a hard disk (or a portion thereof), to name a few. Program memory 630 may also include an operating system for processor 610. Program memory 630 may also comprise firmware for device 600.

[0152] The device 600 comprises a working memory 620, for example in the form of a volatile memory. The volatile memory may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), to name a few non-limiting examples. The working memory 620 may be used by the processor 610, for example, when executing an operating system and / or computer programs.

[0153] The data memory 640 may be, for example, a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be, for example, a flash memory (or a portion thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory (or a portion thereof), or a hard disk (or a portion thereof), to name a few examples. The data memory 640 may store, for example, measurement configuration information, handover configuration information, RRC configuration, CPA configuration information, or a combination thereof, to name a few non-limiting examples.

[0154] The communication interface 650 enables the device 600 to communicate with other entities, such as the gNBs 120-1 through 120-7 of FIG. 1. The communication interface 650 may comprise, for example, a wireless interface, such as a cellular wireless communication interface and / or a WLAN interface, and / or a wired interface, such as an IP-based interface, for communicating with entities, for example, via the Internet. The communication interface may enable the device 600 to communicate with other entities not shown in FIG. 1.

[0155] User interface 660 may optionally include a display for displaying information to a user and / or an input device (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, etc.) for receiving information from a user.

[0156] Sensor 670 is optional and may include, for example, a barometric pressure sensor for collecting pressure information, for example.

[0157] Some or all of the components of device 600 may be connected, for example, via a bus. Some or all of the components of device 600 may be combined, for example, into one or more modules.

[0158] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 700 according to an exemplary aspect, which may represent, for example, one of gNBs 120-1 to 120-7 of FIG.

[0159] The apparatus 700 comprises a processor 710 , a working memory 720 , a program memory 730 , a data memory 740 , a communication interface 750 , and an optional user interface 760 .

[0160] The apparatus 700 may be configured to perform and / or control or comprise a respective means (at least one of 710-760) for performing and / or controlling a method according to the second exemplary aspect, for example. The apparatus 700 may likewise constitute an apparatus comprising at least one processor (710) and at least one memory (720) containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the apparatus, e.g., the apparatus 700, to perform and / or control at least a method according to the second exemplary aspect, using the at least one processor.

[0161] The processor 710 may, for example, comprise as a functional and / or structural unit a measurement result mapper 711. The measurement result mapper 711 may, for example, be configured to map one or more measurements.

[0162] The processor 710 may further control, for example, memories 720-740, a communication interface 750, an optional user interface 760, and an optional sensor 770.

[0163] The processor 710 may, for example, execute computer program code stored in program memory 730, which may represent, for example, a computer-readable storage medium containing program code that, when executed by the processor 710, causes the processor 710 to perform a method according to the second exemplary aspect.

[0164] Processor 710 (as well as any other processors mentioned herein) may be any suitable type of processor. Processor 710 may include, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors, one or more processors with one or more digital signal processors, one or more processors without digital signal processors, one or more special-purpose computer chips, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more controllers, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more computers. The associated structure / hardware is programmed to perform the described functions. Processor 710 may, for example, be an application processor running an operating system.

[0165] Program memory 730 may also be included in processor 710. This memory may, for example, be fixedly connected to processor 710 or may be at least partially removable from processor 710, for example in the form of a memory card or stick. Program memory 730 may, for example, be non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may, for example, be any (or a portion thereof) of flash memory, ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory, or a hard disk (or a portion thereof), to name a few. Program memory 730 may also include an operating system for processor 710. Program memory 730 may also comprise firmware for device 700.

[0166] The device 700 comprises a working memory 720, for example in the form of a volatile memory. The volatile memory may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), to name a few non-limiting examples. The working memory 720 may be used by the processor 710, for example, when executing an operating system and / or computer programs.

[0167] The data memory 740 may be, for example, a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be, for example, a flash memory (or a portion thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory (or a portion thereof), or a hard disk (or a portion thereof), to name a few examples. The data memory 640 may store, for example, measurement configuration information, handover configuration information, RRC configuration, CPA configuration information, or a combination thereof, to name a few non-limiting examples.

[0168] The communication interface 750 enables the device 700 to communicate with other entities, such as the mobile device 130 of FIG. 1. The communication interface 750 may comprise, for example, a wireless interface, such as a cellular wireless communication interface and / or a WLAN interface, and / or a wired interface, such as an IP-based interface, for communicating with entities, for example, via the Internet. The communication interface may enable the device 700 to communicate with other entities, such as the other gNBs 120-1 through 120-7 of FIG. 1.

[0169] User interface 760 may optionally include a display for displaying information to a user and / or an input device (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, etc.) for receiving information from a user.

[0170] Some or all of the components of device 700 may be connected, for example, via a bus. Some or all of the components of device 700 may be combined, for example, into one or more modules.

[0171] The following embodiments shall also be considered to be disclosed.

[0172] Embodiment 1: - obtaining measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell of the mobile communication network; - performing a handover to a target cell; and - initiating measurements in at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the measurement configuration information before and / or during the handover; A method comprising:

[0173] Embodiment 2: - the handover is from a source cell to a target cell of the mobile communication network; - obtaining the measurement configuration information includes receiving the measurement configuration information from the source node; 2. The method of embodiment 1.

[0174] Embodiment 3: - obtaining handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell; 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising:

[0175] Embodiment 4: - obtaining the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) configuration, the RRC configuration comprising the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information; 4. The method of embodiment 3.

[0176] Embodiment 5: - the RRC configuration further includes a conditional PSCell addition (CPA) configuration; 5. The method of embodiment 4.

[0177] Embodiment 6: - Obtaining the CPA configuration after performing a handover to the target cell 6. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, further comprising:

[0178] Embodiment 7: - the measurement configuration information indicates one or more measurement identifiers (IDs), each of which indicates a measurement configuration for a measurement on a respective target secondary cell; 7. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6.

[0179] Embodiment 8: - mapping measurement results of measurement identifiers to target measurement identifiers in the target measurement configuration; 8. The method of embodiment 7, further comprising:

[0180] Embodiment 9: - after performing the handover, sending measurement result information indicating the result of the measurement; 9. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising:

[0181] Embodiment 10: - after performing the handover, sending a handover complete message indicating completion of the handover, where the handover complete message includes the measurement result information. 10. The method of embodiment 9, further comprising:

[0182] Embodiment 11: - activating dual connectivity based at least in part on the CPA configuration after performing the handover; 11. The method of any one of embodiments 6 to 10, further comprising:

[0183] Embodiment 12: A method as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein obtaining measurement configuration information, performing handover, and / or initiating measurements is performed on or using a mobile device and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

[0184] Embodiment 13: - receiving, from the target node, target secondary cell information indicating at least one target secondary cell; - upon receiving the target secondary cell information, transmitting measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on the at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the target secondary cell information; A method comprising:

[0185] Embodiment 14: - the target secondary cell information and / or the measurement configuration information includes one or more measurement identifiers; 14. The method of embodiment 13.

[0186] Embodiment 15: - mapping measurement identifiers to source measurement identifiers in the source measurement configuration; 15. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising:

[0187] Embodiment 16: - after sending the measurement configuration information, receiving handover success information indicating that the handover to the target node is successful. 16. The method of any one of embodiments 13 to 15, further comprising:

[0188] Embodiment 17: 17. A method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the method is performed on or using a source master node of a mobile communication network.

[0189] Embodiment 18: A tangible computer readable medium storing computer program code, which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to: - obtaining measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell of the mobile communication network; - performing a handover to a target cell; and - initiating measurements in at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the measurement configuration information before and / or during the handover; A tangible computer-readable medium for implementing and / or controlling the

[0190] Embodiment 19: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - the handover is from a source cell to a target cell of the mobile communication network; - obtaining the measurement configuration information includes receiving the measurement configuration information from the source node; 20. The tangible computer-readable medium of embodiment 18, which performs and / or controls the

[0191] Embodiment 20: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - obtaining handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell; 20. A tangible computer-readable medium as described in embodiment 18 or 19, which causes the computer to perform and / or control the above.

[0192] Embodiment 21: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - obtaining the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) configuration, the RRC configuration comprising the measurement configuration information and the handover configuration information; 21. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 20, for performing and / or controlling:

[0193] Embodiment 22: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - The RRC configuration further includes a conditional PSCell addition (CPA) configuration 22. A tangible computer-readable medium as described in embodiment 21, which performs and / or controls the following:

[0194] Embodiment 23: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - Obtaining the CPA configuration after performing a handover to the target cell 23. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 18 to 22, which performs and / or controls the above.

[0195] Embodiment 24: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - the measurement configuration information indicates one or more measurement identifiers (IDs), each of which indicates a measurement configuration for a measurement on a respective target secondary cell; 24. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 18 to 23, which performs and / or controls the following:

[0196] Embodiment 25: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - mapping measurement results of measurement identifiers to target measurement identifiers in the target measurement configuration; 25. A tangible computer-readable medium as described in embodiment 24, which causes the computer to perform and / or control

[0197] Embodiment 26: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - after performing the handover, sending measurement result information indicating the result of the measurement; 26. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 18 to 25, which performs and / or controls the above.

[0198] Embodiment 27: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - after performing the handover, sending a handover complete message indicating completion of the handover, where the handover complete message includes the measurement result information. 27. A tangible computer-readable medium as described in embodiment 26, which causes the computer to perform and / or control

[0199] Embodiment 28: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - activating dual connectivity based at least in part on the CPA configuration after performing the handover; 28. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 22 to 27, for performing and / or controlling:

[0200] Embodiment 29: A tangible computer readable medium storing computer program code, which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to: - receiving, from the target node, target secondary cell information indicating at least one target secondary cell; - upon receiving the target secondary cell information, transmitting measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on the at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the target secondary cell information; A tangible computer-readable medium for implementing and / or controlling the

[0201] Embodiment 30: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - the target secondary cell information and / or the measurement configuration information includes one or more measurement identifiers 30. The tangible computer-readable medium of embodiment 29, which performs and / or controls the

[0202] Embodiment 31: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - mapping measurement identifiers to source measurement identifiers in the source measurement configuration; 31. A tangible computer-readable medium as described in embodiment 30, which causes the computer to perform and / or control the above.

[0203] Embodiment 32: The computer program code, when executed by a processor, causes the device to: - after sending the measurement configuration information, receiving handover success information indicating that the handover to the target node is successful. 32. A tangible computer-readable medium according to any one of embodiments 29 to 31, which performs and / or controls the above.

[0204] Embodiment 33: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, using the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to implement and / or control a method of at least a first exemplary aspect.

[0205] Embodiment 34: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to cause, using the at least one processor, the apparatus to perform and / or control a method of at least a second exemplary aspect.

[0206] Thus, the exemplary embodiments may be utilized to enable enhancements and solutions necessary to support high accuracy (e.g., horizontal and / or vertical), low latency, network efficiency (scalability, RS overhead, etc.), and device efficiency (power consumption, complexity) requirements for commercial use cases in general, including (I) IoT use cases in particular.

[0207] In this specification, connections presented in the described embodiments should be understood as involving operatively coupled components. Thus, connections may be direct or indirect connections through any number or combination of intervening components, and only a functional relationship may exist between the components.

[0208] Furthermore, any of the methods, processes, and actions described or illustrated herein may be implemented using executable instructions resident in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, etc.) and executed by such a processor. References to a "computer-readable storage medium" should be understood to encompass specialized circuitry such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal processing devices, and other devices.

[0209] The expression "A and / or B" is to be considered to include any one of three scenarios: (i) A, (ii) B, (iii) A and B. Furthermore, the article "a" should not be understood as "one", i.e., the use of the expression "an element" does not exclude the presence of further elements. The term "comprising" should be understood in an open sense, i.e., in the sense that an object "comprising element A" may comprise further elements in addition to element A.

[0210] It will be understood that all presented embodiments are exemplary, and that any feature presented for a particular exemplary embodiment can be used in any aspect of the present invention by itself, or in combination with any feature presented for the same or another specific exemplary embodiment, and / or in combination with other features not mentioned. Specifically, the embodiments presented herein should be understood to be disclosed in all possible combinations with each other, as far as is technically reasonable, and exemplary embodiments are not alternatives to each other. Furthermore, it will be understood that any feature presented for an exemplary embodiment in a particular category (method / apparatus / computer program / system) can also be used in a corresponding manner in exemplary embodiments of any other category. It should also be understood that the presence of a feature in a presented exemplary embodiment does not necessarily mean that this feature forms an essential feature of the present invention and cannot be omitted or substituted.

[0211] A statement that a feature comprises at least one of the following listed features does not necessarily mean that the feature comprises all of the following listed features or at least one of the following listed features. It is also possible to select any combination of the listed features or to select one of the listed features. Specific combinations of all of the following listed features are also contemplated. It is also possible for one of the listed features to be possible.

[0212] The order of all method steps presented above is not required, and alternative orders may be possible. Nevertheless, the particular order of method steps illustratively shown in the figures shall be considered one possible order of method steps for each embodiment illustrated by each figure.

[0213] The present invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that alternative methods and variations exist, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and which can be implemented without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0214] The invention and its different aspects described herein may enable, for example, one or more of the following to be achieved: - enabling fast setup and configuration of DCs in candidate target gNBs; The target node may better determine whether to activate the DC based on early measurements; - The target may have more accurate knowledge of the measurements required to configure and activate the DC.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: From the source master node, measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements in at least one target secondary cell of the mobile communication network; handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell; and receiving a radio resource control (RRC) configuration including a conditional PSCell addition (CPA) configuration; performing a handover from a source primary cell of the source master node to a target primary cell of a target master node; initiating measurements on at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the measurement configuration information before and / or during the handover; After the handover is performed, transmitting measurement result information indicating the result of the measurement to the target master node. An apparatus configured to perform the steps of:

2. the handover is a handover from a source cell to the target cell of the mobile communication network; obtaining the measurement configuration information includes receiving the measurement configuration information from the source master node; 10. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the measurement configuration information indicates one or more measurement identifiers (IDs), each measurement ID indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on a respective target secondary cell.

4. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: mapping measurement results of said measurement identifiers to target measurement identifiers in a target measurement configuration; The apparatus of claim 3 further configured to:

5. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: After the handover is performed, transmitting measurement result information indicating a result of the measurement. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further configured to perform:

6. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: After performing the handover, transmitting a handover completion message indicating completion of the handover, wherein the handover completion message includes the measurement result information. The apparatus of claim 1 , further configured to:

7. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: activating dual connectivity based at least in part on the CPA configuration after performing the handover.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further configured to:

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device is or is part of a mobile device and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

9. 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to cause the apparatus, using the at least one processor, to: receiving, from a target master node, target secondary cell information indicating at least one target secondary cell; Upon receiving the target secondary cell information, measurement configuration information indicating a measurement configuration for measurements on at least one target secondary cell based at least in part on the target secondary cell information; handover configuration information indicating a handover configuration for performing a handover to a target cell; and Conditional PSCell Addition (CPA) Configuration transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to the user equipment, the RRC configuration including: configured to cause the the measurement configuration causes the user equipment to transmit measurement result information indicative of a result of a measurement on at least one target secondary cell after execution of a handover from a source primary cell of a source master node to a target primary cell of the target master node.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the target secondary cell information and / or the measurement configuration information includes one or more measurement identifiers.

11. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: mapping said measurement identifier to a source measurement identifier in a source measurement configuration; The apparatus of claim 10 further configured to:

12. The at least one memory and the computer program code cause the device, using the at least one processor, to: receiving handover success information indicating a successful handover to the target cell after transmitting the measurement configuration information; The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further configured to:

13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said device is or is part of a source master node of said mobile communication network.

14. At least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; At least one device according to any one of claims 9 to 13; A system comprising:

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