Communication device, base station, and communication method

Abstract

A communication device (100) is capable of communicating with a plurality of networks (200A, 200B) by using a plurality of subscriber identification modules. This communication device comprises: a control unit (130) that controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to a first network (200A); a transmission unit (120T) that transmits, to the first network, identification information for identifying, from among the plurality of cells, a target cell for which the communication is to be interrupted during a gap for the purpose of communicating with a second network (200B); and a reception unit (120R) that receives, from the first network, configuration information for configuring the gap.

Description

Communication device, base station, and communication method CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Patent Application No. 2022-115854, filed July 20, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a base station, and a communication method used in a mobile communication system.

[0003] 3GPP (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a standardization project for mobile communication systems, specifies a communication device (hereinafter referred to as a MUSIM (Multi-Universal Subscriber Identity Module) communication device) that communicates with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules. The MUSIM communication device can be configured with a period (hereinafter referred to as a MUSIM gap) during which communication with a first network can be temporarily interrupted in order to receive signaling (e.g., monitoring paging, acquiring a system information block (SIB), etc.) from another network (hereinafter referred to as a second network) while maintaining a connection with the first network.

[0004] Currently, a work item is being launched to develop a function for a MUSIM communication device to communicate with multiple networks using two transceivers (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0005] 3GPP contribution “RP-220955”

[0006] A communication device according to a first aspect is a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, and includes: a control unit that controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to a first network; a transmission unit that transmits, to the first network, identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which communication with a second network is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network; and a reception unit that receives, from the first network, setting information for setting the gap.

[0007] A base station according to a second aspect is a base station of a first network in a mobile communication system having a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, the base station comprising: a receiving unit that receives, from the communication device that controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to the first network, identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which communication is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network; and a transmitting unit that transmits, to the communication device, setting information for setting the gap.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a communication method executed by a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, the communication method comprising the steps of: controlling communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to a first network; transmitting to the first network identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which communication with a second network is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network; and receiving from the first network configuration information for configuring the gap.

[0009] Objectives, features, advantages, etc. of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a protocol stack of the mobile communication system according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an assumed scenario. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a UE according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a base station of a first network according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first operation example according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining information elements in the first operation example according to the embodiment.

[0010] A mobile communication system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0011] When a MUSIM communication device communicates with multiple cells in a first network, it is assumed that it will use one transceiver unit to communicate with some of the multiple cells, while using the other transceiver unit to communicate with the remaining cells of the multiple cells.

[0012] Here, a MUSIM communication device in which a MUSIM gap is set continues communication with some cells using one transceiver unit, while suspending communication with the remaining cells during the MUSIM gap and performing a signaling reception operation in the second network using the other transceiver unit, thereby enabling communication with the first network to continue even during the MUSIM gap, thereby improving communication performance.

[0013] However, currently, the first network does not know which cell among the multiple cells used for communication with the MUSIM communication device to continue communication with, and therefore communication between the first network and the MUSIM communication device must be interrupted during the MUSIM gap, which still raises concerns that communication performance cannot be improved.

[0014] Therefore, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device, a base station, and a communication method that enable communication with a first network to be continued while receiving signaling in a second network during a MUSIM gap between the first network and the communication device.

[0015] [Embodiment] (System Configuration) The configuration of a mobile communication system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following, an example in which the mobile communication system 1 is a fifth-generation system (5G / NR: New Radio) conforming to the 3GPP standard will be mainly described, but a fourth-generation system (4G / LTE: Long Term Evolution) system and / or a sixth-generation system may also be applied at least in part to the mobile communication system 1.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication system 1 according to the embodiment includes a user equipment (UE) 100, a first network 200A, and a second network 200B.

[0017] The UE 100 is an example of a communication device. The UE 100 may be a mobile wireless communication device. The UE 100 may be a device used by a user. For example, the UE 100 may be a mobile phone terminal (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a communication module (including a communication card or a chipset), a sensor or a device provided in a sensor, a vehicle or a device provided in a vehicle (e.g., a Vehicle UE), or an aircraft or a device provided in an aircraft (e.g., an Aerial UE). The UE 100 may be referred to by other names such as a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a mobile device, a mobile unit, a subscriber station, a subscriber terminal, a subscriber device, a subscriber unit, a wireless station, a wireless terminal, a wireless device, a wireless unit, a remote station, a remote terminal, a remote device, or a remote unit.

[0018] The UE 100 can communicate with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs). The UE 100 may be a multi-SIM device that supports multiple SIMs. The UE 100 may be referred to as an MUSIM device, for example. While an example in which the UE 100 supports two SIMs will be mainly described below, the UE 100 may also support three or more SIMs. "Supporting multiple SIMs" means that the UE 100 has the ability to handle multiple SIMs, and does not necessarily require that the UE 100 be equipped with multiple SIMs. Such a UE 100 may be referred to as a "UE that supports multiple SIMs." The SIM is not limited to a card-type SIM (a so-called SIM card), but may also be an embedded SIM (a so-called eSIM) that is previously embedded in the UE 100. The SIM is sometimes called a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module).

[0019] The first network 200A is a network associated with one SIM of the UE 100. The second network 200B is a network associated with the other SIM of the UE 100. The UE 100 performs location registration with the first network 200A using one SIM, and performs location registration with the second network 200B using the other SIM. That is, the UE 100 is present in each of the first network 200A and the second network 200B. The first network 200A and the second network 200B may be networks of different telecommunications carriers. However, the first network 200A and the second network 200B may be networks of the same telecommunications carrier. Different PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) IDs may be assigned to the first network 200A and the second network 200B.

[0020] The first network 200A includes a base station 210A constituting a radio access network and a core network 220A. The core network 220A includes, as core network devices, a mobility management device 221A and a gateway device 222A. Similarly, the second network 200B includes a base station 210B constituting a radio access network and a core network 220B. The core network 220B includes, as core network devices, a mobility management device 221B and a gateway device 222B. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the base stations 210A and 200B, they will be simply referred to as base station 210; when there is no need to distinguish between the mobility management devices 221A and 221B, they will be simply referred to as mobility management device 221; and when there is no need to distinguish between the gateway devices 222A and 222B, they will be simply referred to as gateway device 222.

[0021] The base station 210 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the UE 100. The base station 210 manages one or more cells. The base station 210 performs wireless communication with the UE 100 that has established a connection with its own cell in the radio resource control (RRC) layer. The base station 210 has a radio resource management (RRM) function, a user data (hereinafter simply referred to as "data") routing function, a measurement control function for mobility control and scheduling, and the like. The term "cell" is used to indicate the smallest unit of a wireless communication area. The term "cell" is also used to indicate a function or resource for performing wireless communication with the UE 100. One cell belongs to one carrier frequency. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the base station 210A manages the cell C1 and the base station 210B manages the cell C2. The UE 100 is located in the overlapping area of ​​the cells C1 and C2.

[0022] The base station 210 may be a gNB, which is a 5G / NR base station, or an eNB, which is a 4G / LTE base station. The following mainly describes an example in which the base station 210 is a gNB. The base station 210 may be functionally divided into a CU (Central Unit) and a DU (Distributed Unit). The base station 210 may be a relay node such as an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node.

[0023] The mobility management device 221 is a device corresponding to the control plane and performs various mobility management for the UE 100. The mobility management device 221 communicates with the UE 100 using NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling and manages information on the tracking area in which the UE 100 is located. The mobility management device 221 performs paging through the base station 210 to notify the UE 100 of an incoming call. The mobility management device 221 may be a 5G / NR AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) or a 4G / LTE MME (Mobility Management Entity).

[0024] The gateway device 222 is a device corresponding to the user plane and controls the transfer of data of the UE 100. The gateway device 222 may be a 5G / NR UPF (User Plane Function) or a 4G / LTE S-GW (Serving Gateway).

[0025] (Configuration Example of Protocol Stack) With reference to Fig. 2, a configuration example of a protocol stack of the mobile communication system 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the protocol of the wireless section between the UE 100 and the base station 210 has a physical (PHY) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and a radio resource control (RRC) layer.

[0026] The PHY layer performs encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, antenna mapping / demapping, and resource mapping / demapping. Data and control information are transmitted between the PHY layer of the UE 100 and the PHY layer of the base station 210 via a physical channel.

[0027] The MAC layer performs data priority control, retransmission processing using Hybrid ARQ (HARQ), random access procedures, etc. Data and control information are transmitted between the MAC layer of UE 100 and the MAC layer of base station 210 via a transport channel. The MAC layer of base station 210 includes a scheduler. The scheduler determines the uplink and downlink transport format (transport block size, modulation and coding scheme (MCS)) and the resources to be allocated to UE 100.

[0028] The RLC layer transmits data to the RLC layer on the receiving side using the functions of the MAC layer and the PHY layer. Data and control information are transmitted between the RLC layer of the UE 100 and the RLC layer of the base station 210 via logical channels.

[0029] The PDCP layer performs header compression / decompression and encryption / decryption.

[0030] A Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer may be provided as an upper layer above the PDCP layer. The SDAP layer maps IP flows, which are units for Quality of Service (QoS) control by the core network, to radio bearers, which are units for QoS control by an Access Stratum (AS).

[0031] The RRC layer controls logical channels, transport channels, and physical channels according to the establishment, re-establishment, and release of radio bearers. RRC signaling for various settings is transmitted between the RRC layer of the UE 100 and the RRC layer of the base station 210. When an RRC connection exists between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state. When there is no RRC connection between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210, the UE 100 is in an RRC idle state. When the RRC connection between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210 is suspended, the UE 100 is in an RRC inactive state.

[0032] The NAS layer, which is positioned above the RRC layer, performs session management and mobility management for the UE 100. NAS signaling is transmitted between the NAS layer of the UE 100 and the NAS layer of the mobility management device 221.

[0033] The modes (NAS states) in the NAS layer of UE 100 include idle mode and connected mode. In connected mode, context information of UE 100 is held in the network, and in idle mode, context information of UE 100 is not held in the network. When UE 100 is in connected mode, UE 100 is in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state. When UE 100 is in idle mode, UE 100 is in an RRC idle state.

[0034] The mode at the NAS layer may be a 5G Mobility Management (5GMM) mode, in which the connected mode may be a 5GMM-connected mode and the idle mode may be a 5GMM-idle mode.

[0035] The UE 100 has an application layer and the like in addition to the radio interface protocol.

[0036] (Assumed Scenario) An assumed scenario in the mobile communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. 3GPP, a standardization project for the mobile communication system 1, defines a UE 100 that communicates with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules. In such a UE 100, a period (hereinafter referred to as a MUSIM gap) can be set during which communication with a certain network (e.g., the first network 200A) can be temporarily interrupted in order to perform a signaling reception operation (e.g., paging monitoring, system information block (SIB) acquisition, measurement, etc.) from another network (e.g., the second network 200B) while maintaining a connection with the first network 200A.

[0037] Currently, in 3GPP Release 18, a work item is being launched to define a function for a UE 100 having two transceivers to communicate with multiple networks using multiple SIMs. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A , when the UE 100 communicates with a first network 200A using SIM 111, the UE 100 can use the first transceiver 121 and the second transceiver 122 for communication with the first network 200A. As shown in FIG. 3B , when the UE 100 communicates with a second network 200B using SIM 112, it is assumed that the second transceiver 122 is switched to communication with the second network 200B. This allows the UE 100 to communicate with the second network 200B using the second transceiver 122 while maintaining communication with the first network 200A using the first transceiver 121.

[0038] Here, when UE100 is communicating with multiple cells in the first network 200A, it is assumed that it will communicate with some of the multiple cells using one transceiver unit (e.g., the first transceiver unit 121) while communicating with the remaining cells of the multiple cells using the other transceiver unit (e.g., the second transceiver unit 122).

[0039] The UE 100 in which the MUSIM gap is set can continue communication with the first network 200A even during the MUSIM gap by continuing communication with some cells using the first transceiver 121, while suspending communication with the remaining cells during the MUSIM gap and performing a signaling reception operation in the second network 200B using the second transceiver 122. This makes it possible to improve communication performance.

[0040] However, currently, the first network 200A does not know which cell of the multiple cells used for communication with the UE 100 it should continue communication with. Therefore, communication between the first network 200A and the UE 100 must be interrupted during the MUSIM gap, and there is still a concern that communication performance cannot be improved. In one embodiment described later, the present disclosure describes an operation for enabling communication with the first network to be continued while performing a signaling reception operation in the second network during the MUSIM gap between the first network and the communication device.

[0041] (Example of UE configuration) An example of the configuration of UE 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, UE 100 has antenna 101, antenna 102, SIM 111, SIM 112, communication unit 120, and control unit 130. Antenna 101 and antenna 102 may be provided outside UE 100. SIM 111 and SIM 112 may be SIM cards or eSIMs.

[0042] The SIM 111 stores subscriber information and setting information necessary for the UE 100 to communicate with the first network 200A. The SIM 111 stores identification information of the UE 100 in the first network 200A, such as a telephone number and an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). The SIM 111 corresponds to a first subscriber information module. The UE 100 communicates with the first network 200A using the SIM 111.

[0043] The SIM 112 stores subscriber information and setting information necessary for the UE 100 to communicate with the second network 200B. The SIM 112 stores identification information of the UE 100 in the second network 200B, such as a telephone number and an IMSI. The SIM 112 corresponds to a second subscriber information module. The UE 100 communicates with the second network 200B using the SIM 112.

[0044] The communication unit 120, under the control of the control unit 130, performs wireless communication with the first network 200A and the second network 200B via the antenna 101 and the antenna 102. The communication unit 120 has a plurality of transceivers. The transceivers may be referred to as transceivers or as radio frequency (RF) chains. In this embodiment, the communication unit 120 has a first transceiver 121 and a second transceiver 122. The first transceiver 121 and the second transceiver 122 each have a receiving unit 120R and a transmitting unit 120T. The receiving unit 120R converts radio signals received by each antenna into received signals, which are baseband signals, performs signal processing on the received signals, and outputs the received signals to the control unit 130. The transmitting unit 120T performs signal processing on transmission signals, which are baseband signals, output by the control unit 130, converts the transmitted signals into radio signals, and transmits the radio signals from each antenna. The receiving unit 120R may be referred to as a receiver, an Rx chain, or an Rx branch. The transmitting unit 120T may be referred to as a transmitter, a Tx chain, or a Tx branch. In this embodiment, the first transceiver unit 121 has a first receiving unit 121R as the receiving unit 120R and a first transmitting unit 121T as the transmitting unit 120T. The second transceiver unit 122 has a second receiving unit 122R as the receiving unit 120R and a second transmitting unit 122T as the transmitting unit 120T.

[0045] The control unit 130 controls the communication unit 120 and performs various controls in the UE 100. The control unit 130 controls communication with the first network 200A using the SIM 111 and controls communication with the second network 200B using the SIM 112. The control unit 130 includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor and information used in processing by the processor. The memory may include at least one of ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and flash memory. The processor may include a digital signal processor (DSP) that performs digital processing of digital signals, and a central processing unit (CPU) that executes programs. Note that a portion of the memory may be provided in the communication unit 120. The DSP may also be provided in the communication unit 120.

[0046] In the UE 100 configured in this manner, the control unit 130 controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to the first network 200A. The transmission unit 120T transmits, to the first network 200A, identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which communication is to be suspended during the MUSIM gap. The reception unit 120R receives, from the first network 200A, configuration information for setting the MUSIM gap. This allows the first network 200A (specifically, the base station 210A) to identify the target cell for which communication by the UE 100 is to be suspended. This allows the first network 200A to know that communication with cells other than the target cell can be continued, and to know which cell of the plurality of cells used for communication with the UE 100 should be continued. By communicating with the target cell, the UE 100 and the first network 200A can continue communication even during the MUSIM gap, thereby improving communication performance.

[0047] In addition, the operation of the functional units (specifically, at least one of antenna 101, antenna 102, SIM 111, SIM 112, communication unit 120, and control unit 130) of UE 100 may be described as the operation of UE 100.

[0048] (Configuration Example of Base Station) An example configuration of the base station 210A of the first network 200A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that the base station 210B of the second network 200B has the same configuration as the base station 210A, and therefore its description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 5, the base station 210A has an antenna 211, a wireless communication unit 212, a network communication unit 213, and a control unit 214.

[0049] The wireless communication unit 212 communicates with the UE 100 via the antenna 211 under the control of the control unit 214. The wireless communication unit 212 has a receiving unit 212R and a transmitting unit 212T. The receiving unit 212R converts the wireless signal received by the antenna 211 into a received signal, which is a baseband signal, performs signal processing on the received signal, and outputs the received signal to the control unit 214. The transmitting unit 212T performs signal processing on the transmission signal, which is a baseband signal, output by the control unit 214, converts the transmission signal into a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal from the antenna 211.

[0050] The network communication unit 213 is connected to the core network 220A. Under the control of the control unit 214, the network communication unit 213 performs network communication with the mobility management device 221A and the gateway device 222A.

[0051] The control unit 214 controls the wireless communication unit 212 and performs various controls in the base station 210A. The control unit 214 includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor and information used in processing by the processor. The memory may include at least one of ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, and flash memory. The processor may include a digital signal processor (DSP) that performs digital processing of digital signals and a central processing unit (CPU) that executes programs. Note that a portion of the memory may be provided in the wireless communication unit 212. The DSP may also be provided in the wireless communication unit 212.

[0052] In the base station 210 configured in this manner, the receiver 212R receives, from the UE 100, identification information for identifying a target cell from among multiple cells for which communication is to be suspended during the MUSIM gap. The transmitter 212T transmits configuration information for setting the MUSIM gap to the UE 100. This allows the first network 200A (specifically, the base station 210A) to know the target cell from which the UE 100 is to suspend communication. This allows the first network 200A to know that communication with cells other than the target cell can be continued, and to know which cell from among the multiple cells used for communication with the UE 100 the communication should be continued with. By communicating with the target cell, the UE 100 and the first network 200A can continue communication even during the MUSIM gap, thereby improving communication performance.

[0053] The operation of the functional units (specifically, at least one of the antenna 211, the wireless communication unit 212, the network communication unit 213, and the control unit 214) of the base station 210A may be described as the operation of the base station 210A.

[0054] (Operation of Mobile Communication System) A first operation example of the mobile communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this operation example, the UE 100 is present in the primary cell (P cell) 210P and secondary cell (S cell) 210S of the first network 200A. One base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the P cell 210P and the S cell 210S. Alternatively, one base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the P cell 210P, and another base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the S cell 210S. Note that the P cell 210P may be a P cell in carrier aggregation operation. Also, the S cell 210S may be an S cell in carrier aggregation operation. Also, the P cell 210P may be a P cell belonging to a master cell group (MCG) in dual connectivity operation. The S cell 210S may also be a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) in dual connectivity operation. The S cell 210S may also be a secondary cell (S cell) belonging to a master cell group (MCG) and / or a secondary cell group (SCG) in dual connectivity operation.

[0055] Here, in dual connectivity operation, a P cell of a master cell group (MCG) and / or a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) is also referred to as a special cell (SP cell). Also, in dual connectivity operation, a MAC entity may be associated with each of the master cell group (MCG) and the secondary cell group (SCG).

[0056] Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, in this embodiment, a P cell belonging to a master cell group (MCG) will also be referred to as a P cell. Also, a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) will also be referred to as a secondary cell. That is, in this embodiment, a P cell may be replaced with a P cell belonging to the master cell group (MCG). Also, in this embodiment, a secondary cell may be replaced with a primary secondary cell (PS cell) and / or a secondary cell (S cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state in the first network 200A. In the RRC connected state, the UE 100 has an RRC connection established between the first network 200A and the UE 100. Therefore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 and the control unit 214 of the base station 210 perform control to establish an RRC connection between the UE 100 and the base station 210. In addition, the UE 100 may be in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state in the second network 200B.

[0058] Furthermore, the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A. The UE 100 is communicating in the first network 200A. The UE 100 is provided with services such as voice calls from the first network 200A, for example. In this embodiment, the UE 100 controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to the first network 200A. The UE 100 is communicating with a P cell 210P and an S cell 210S as the plurality of cells. The control unit 130 of the UE 100 controls communication with the P cell 210P and the S cell 210S. Note that "in communication" means that the UE 100 is at least in an RRC connected state in the network. Therefore, when the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A, the UE 100 is continuously exchanging data with the network, either continuously or discontinuously.

[0059] Hereinafter, the communication between the UE 100 and the base station 210A may be, for the UE 100, communication between the UE 100 and the cell of the base station 210A (specifically, the P cell 210P, the S cell 210S), that is, communication between the cell in which the UE 100 is located. The same applies to the communication between the UE 100 and the base station 210B. Furthermore, the communication between the UE 100 and a node belonging to the first network 200A (for example, the base station 210A (i.e., the P cell 210P, the S cell 210S), the mobility management device 221A, the gateway device 222A) may be referred to as the communication between the UE 100 and the first network 200A. The same applies to the communication between the UE 100 and a node belonging to the second network 200B.

[0060] Furthermore, in the following description, UE 100 communicates with first network 200A (specifically, transmitting and receiving / notifying messages, etc.) via communication unit 120 (specifically, receiving unit 120R and / or transmitting unit 120T), but for ease of explanation, the description of communication via communication unit 120 will be omitted as appropriate. Similarly, the description of communication between UE 100 and second network 200B will be omitted as appropriate as communication via communication unit 120. Therefore, the transmission and / or reception of messages, etc. by UE 100 may be the transmission and / or reception of messages, etc. by communication unit 120 (specifically, receiving unit 120R and / or transmitting unit 120T) of UE 100.

[0061] Step S101: As shown in FIG. 6 , the controller 130 of the UE 100 generates a UE assistance information message used for indicating UE assistance information to the first network 200A. The controller 130 may generate the UE assistance information message, for example, when providing MUSIM assistance information. Here, the MUSIM assistance information may include the UE 100's preference for the MUSIM. That is, the controller 130 may generate a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preference regarding information such as that shown below. For example, in the case of an RRC connected state in the first network 200A, the controller 130 may generate a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preference for the MUSIM.

[0062] The control unit 130 includes, in the UE assistance information message, identification information for identifying a target cell among multiple cells in which communication is to be suspended during a gap for communication with the second network 200B (hereinafter referred to as an MUSIM gap). The MUSIM gap may be a period during which signaling reception is performed in the second network 200B. For example, the control unit 130 may include, in the UE assistance information message, identification information for identifying a cell in which a gap for MUSIM is to be set. Here, the cell in which a gap for MUSIM is to be set may include a primary cell, a primary secondary cell, and / or a secondary cell. That is, the target cell may include a primary cell, a primary secondary cell, and / or a secondary cell.

[0063] The control unit 130 may determine the target cell based on, for example, the status of the communication load of each cell that communicates in the first network 200 A. The control unit 130 may also determine the target cell based on, for example, the frequency band used in the second network 200 B.

[0064] As described above, the control unit 130 may, for example, determine the secondary cell as the target cell, or may determine at least one cell belonging to a secondary cell group (for example, the primary secondary cell and / or the secondary cell) as the target cell. The control unit 130 may, for example, determine the target cell as a cell within a frequency range that overlaps with at least a portion of the frequency band used in the second network 200B. The control unit 130 may also determine the target cell as a cell in frequency range 2 (FR2).

[0065] The identification information may be, for example, a cell group identifier (e.g., CellGroupId) for identifying a cell group including the target cell. The control unit 130 may include, for example, a cell group identifier indicating a secondary cell group to which the S cell 210S belongs, in the UE assistance information message. Furthermore, the identification information may be, for example, a physical cell identifier of the target cell. The control unit 130 may include, for example, a physical cell identifier indicating the S cell 210S, in the UE assistance information message.

[0066] The identification information may be a frequency identifier of the target cell. The identification information may be, for example, the absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN) of the target cell. The identification information may also indicate, for example, a frequency range (e.g., FR1, FR2, etc.) in which the target cell is included.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include, in the UE assistance information message, gap recommendation information indicating a MUSIM gap that is recommended to be set by the UE 100. That is, the control unit 130 may include, in the UE assistance information message, information indicating a MUSIM gap setting preferred by the UE 100.

[0068] The gap recommendation information may be, for example, musim-GapPreferenceList, musim-GapPrefInfo, or the like. The gap recommendation information may include at least one of information indicating the length of the MUSIM gap length recommended by UE100 (e.g., musim-GapLength), information indicating the gap offset of the MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 (e.g., musim-GapOffset), information indicating the gap start position of the non-periodic MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 while maintaining the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-PrefStarting-SFN-AndSubframex), and information indicating the gap reception period and gap offset of the periodic MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 while maintaining the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-GapRepetitionAndOffsetPeriod).

[0069] The control unit 130 may include the identification information in the gap recommendation information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 130 may include the identification information (e.g., cellGroupId) in MUSIM-GapPrefInfo. In addition, the control unit 130 may separately include the gap recommendation information and the identification information in a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) assistance information element (i.e., MUSIM-Assistance) used to provide MUSIM assistance information.

[0070] Step S102: The transmitter 120T of the UE 100 transmits a UE assistance information message to the first network 200A (specifically, the base station 210A). As a result, the transmitter 120T transmits the identification information and the gap recommendation information to the first network 200A. That is, the UE 100 may transmit a UE assistance information message to the first network 200A, the UE assistance information message including information indicating the setting of a gap for MUSIM and identification information for identifying the cell in which the gap for MUSIM is set. The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A receives the UE assistance information message from the UE 100 in the P cell 210P. Here, the information indicating the setting of a gap for MUSIM may include information indicating the setup and / or release of a gap for MUSIM.

[0071] Based on the identification information included in the UE assistance information message, the control unit 214 of the base station 210A can grasp the target cell recommended by the UE 100. Furthermore, based on the gap recommendation information, the control unit 214 can grasp the gap recommended by the UE 100.

[0072] The control unit 214 may generate MUSIM gap setting information based on at least one of the gap recommendation information and the identification information. Furthermore, the control unit 214 generates an RRC reconfiguration message including the generated MUSIM gap setting information.

[0073] The MUSIM gap setting information may indicate, for example, a MUSIM gap setting and control the setup / release of a gap for the MUSIM. The MUSIM gap setting information may be, for example, musim-GapConfig or MUSIM-GapConfig. In addition, the MUSIM gap setting information may include at least one of information indicating a list for adding or changing a periodic MUSIM gap pattern identifier without leaving the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-GapToAddModList), information indicating a list for releasing a periodic MUSIM gap pattern identifier without leaving the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-GapToReleaseList), and information indicating that UE100 is permitted to use an aperiodic MUSIM gap if requested by UE100 in a UE assistance information message (e.g., musim-AperiodicGap). In addition, the MUSIM gap setting information may include at least one of information indicating the gap start position for periodic MUSIM gaps that do not leave the RRC connected state (musim-Start-SFN-AndSubframe), information indicating the MUSIM gap length (musim-GapLength), a gap offset of the number of subframes for periodic MUSIM gaps that do not leave the RRC connected state and information indicating the gap repetition period in milliseconds (musim-GapRepetitionAndOffset), and a MUSIM gap identifier (e.g., MUSIM-GapID) for identifying the periodic MUSIM gap to add, change, or release.

[0074] The control unit 214 may include, for example, identification information for identifying a target cell in the MUSIM gap configuration information. The target cell identified by the identification information may be the same as or different from the target cell received from the UE 100. The control unit 214 may include the identification information when the target of the MUSIM gap set based on the MUSIM gap configuration information is different from the target cell indicated by the identification information received from the UE 100, or may include the identification information regardless of whether the target is different from the target cell indicated by the identification information received from the UE 100.

[0075] The control unit 214 may include the identification information in the MUSIM gap setting information in parallel with the musim-GapToAddModList, musim-GapToReleaseList, and musim-AperiodicGap. The control unit 214 may include the identification information in parallel with information indicating the MUSIM gap length (musim-GapLength) and the like.

[0076] Step S103: The transmitter 212T of the base station 210A transmits an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE 100 in the P cell 210P. As a result, the transmitter 212T transmits configuration information for setting an MUSIM gap (hereinafter referred to as MUSIM gap configuration information) to the UE 100. The receiver 120R of the UE 100 receives the RRC reconfiguration message from the base station 210A (P cell 210P). As a result, the receiver 120R receives the MUSIM gap configuration information.

[0077] Step S104: The control unit 130 of the UE 100 sets the MUSIM gap. The control unit 130 sets the MUSIM gap based on the MUSIM gap setting information.

[0078] When the control unit 130 receives identification information from the first network 200A, for example, when the identification information is included in the MUSIM gap setting information, the control unit 130 may set a MUSIM gap for the target cell indicated by the identification information. When the control unit 130 does not receive identification information from the first network 200A, for example, when the identification information is not included in the MUSIM gap setting information, the control unit 130 may set a MUSIM gap for the target cell indicated by the identification information included in the UE assistance information message.

[0079] The control unit 130 performs the following operation based on the MUSIM gap setting information. Specifically, the control unit 130 performs the process of step S105 during periods other than the MUSIM gap. On the other hand, the control unit 130 performs the process of step S106 during periods other than the MUSIM gap.

[0080] Step S105: The control unit 130 of the UE 100 controls communication with the P cell 210P and communication with the S cell 210S during periods other than the set MUSIM gap. The control unit 130 controls communication with the P cell 210P using the first transceiver unit 121. The control unit 130 controls communication with the S cell 210S using the second transceiver unit 122, for example.

[0081] Step S106: The control unit 130 of the UE 100 performs control to interrupt communication with the S cell 210S during the set MUSIM gap. The control unit 130 may perform control to switch the second transceiver unit 122 used for communication with the S cell 210S to a receiving operation for receiving signaling in the second network 200B.

[0082] The control unit 130 controls communication with the P cell 210P and reception operations in the second network 200B during the set MUSIM gap. The control unit 130 controls communication with the P cell 210P using the first transceiver unit 121. The control unit 130 controls reception operations for receiving signaling in the second network 200B using the second transceiver unit 122, for example.

[0083] After completing the receiving operation, the control unit 130 may control the second transceiver unit 122, which is being used for the receiving operation to receive signaling in the second network 200B, to be switched to communication with the S cell 210S.

[0084] As described above, the control unit 130 controls communication with each of the multiple cells belonging to the first network 200A. The transmission unit 120T transmits, to the first network 200A, identification information for identifying a target cell from among the multiple cells with which communication is to be suspended during the MUSIM gap. The reception unit 120R receives, from the first network 200A, MUSIM gap setting information for setting the MUSIM gap. Furthermore, the reception unit 212R of the base station 210A receives the identification information from the UE 100. The transmission unit 212T of the base station 210A transmits the MUSIM gap setting information to the UE 100. This allows the first network 200A (specifically, the base station 210A) to identify the target cell with which the UE 100 is to suspend communication. This allows the first network 200A to know that communication with cells other than the target cell can be continued, and to know which cell from among the multiple cells used for communication with the UE 100 the communication should be continued with. This allows the UE 100 and the first network 200A to continue communication even during the MUSIM gap.

[0085] Furthermore, the transmitter 120T may transmit a message including the identification information and the gap recommendation information to the first network 200A. This allows the first network 200A to know the MUSIM gap that the UE 100 is recommended to set, based on the gap recommendation information. The first network 200A can know that the UE 100 desires to communicate with the target cell indicated by the identification information during the MUSIM gap based on the gap recommendation information. The first network 200A can generate MUSIM gap setting information, taking into account the identification information and the gap recommendation information.

[0086] Furthermore, the transmitter 120T may receive identification information for identifying the target cell from the first network 200A. This allows the UE 100 to grasp the target cell designated by the first network 200A. The UE 100 sets a gap for the target cell indicated by the identification information received from the first network 200A, so that the first network 200A can control the target cell for which communication is to be interrupted.

[0087] Furthermore, the identification information may be a cell group identifier for identifying the cell group that the target cell is in. This allows the amount of information included in the message to be reduced compared to when the target cell is identified by the identifier of each cell.

[0088] Furthermore, the identification information may be a physical cell identifier of the target cell, which allows flexible setting of the target cell.

[0089] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may set a gap for a target cell indicated by the identification information received from the first network 200 A. By the UE 100 setting a gap for a target cell indicated by the identification information received from the first network 200 A, the first network 200 A can control a target cell for which communication is to be interrupted.

[0090] [Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the first network 200A may transmit to the UE 100 an RRC reconfiguration message including information for configuring the UE 100 to transmit a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preferences regarding the above-described information (specifically, see steps S101 and S102). For example, the first network 200A may configure the UE 100 to transmit a UE assistance information message for each of the above-described information. The first network 200A may also transmit to the UE 100 an RRC reconfiguration message including a timer (a timer value) that is started based on the transmission of the UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preferences regarding the above-described information. That is, the first network 200A may configure the UE 100 with a timer for transmitting the UE 100's preferences regarding the above-described information. Here, the timer (a timer value) may also be referred to as a prohibition timer (a prohibition timer value). For example, the first network 200A may set a timer for the UE 100 for each of the above-mentioned pieces of information.

[0091] Furthermore, the UE 100 may transmit a UE assistance information message if configured to do so, the UE 100 including the UE's preferences regarding the information described above. That is, the UE 100 having the capability to provide preferences regarding the information described above may transmit a UE assistance information message to the first network 200A if configured by the first network 200A to transmit a UE assistance information message including the UE's preferences. The UE 100 may also start a timer based on having transmitted the UE assistance information message including the UE's preferences. Here, if the timer is not running, the UE 100 may transmit a UE assistance information message including the UE's preferences to the first network 200A. The UE 100 may also stop the timer when releasing the UE's preferences regarding the information described above (including when instructed to release by the first network 200A). For example, the UE 100 may stop the timer based on releasing the UE 100's preferences regarding the information indicated above in a connection re-establishment procedure. Here, the connection re-establishment procedure may include a connection re-establishment procedure with the first network 200A. The UE 100 may also stop the timer based on initiating a connection re-start procedure. Here, the connection re-start procedure may include a connection re-start procedure with the first network 200A. The UE 100 may also stop the timer based on being instructed by the first network 200A to release information for configuring the UE 100 to transmit a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preferences regarding the information indicated above. The UE 100 may also transmit a UE assistance information message to the first network 200A if the UE 100's current preferences differ from the UE 100's preferences indicated by the last transmission of a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preferences.That is, the UE 100 is configured to send a UE assistance information message including the UE 100's preferences regarding the information shown above, and if the timer is not running and the current UE 100's preferences are different from the UE 100's preferences that were last sent, the UE 100 may send the UE assistance information message to the first network 200A.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the UE auxiliary information message is described as an example of a message in which the control unit 130 of the UE 100 includes identification information for identifying a target cell. However, the message is not limited to this. The control unit 130 may include the identification information in another message.

[0093] For example, when changing the target cell, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may transmit the identification information to the first network 200A. Furthermore, for example, when finishing setting the MUSIM gap to an individual cell, the control unit 130 may transmit a UE assistance information message not including the identification information to the first network 200A.

[0094] The operation sequences (and operation flows) in the above-described embodiments do not necessarily have to be executed in chronological order according to the order depicted in the flow diagrams or sequence diagrams. For example, steps in the operations may be executed in an order different from that depicted in the flow diagrams or sequence diagrams, or may be executed in parallel. Some steps in the operations may be deleted, or additional steps may be added to the processing. The operation sequences (and operation flows) in the above-described embodiments may be executed independently, or two or more operation sequences (and operation flows) may be executed in combination. For example, some steps in one operation flow may be added to another operation flow, or some steps in one operation flow may be replaced with some steps in another operation flow.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, an NR-based mobile communication system has been described as an example of the mobile communication system 1. However, the mobile communication system 1 is not limited to this example. The mobile communication system 1 may be a system compliant with the TS of either LTE (Long Term Evolution) or another generation system (e.g., 6th generation) of the 3GPP standard. The base station 210 may be an eNB that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination toward the UE 100 in LTE. The mobile communication system 1 may be a system compliant with the TS of a standard other than the 3GPP standard. The base station 210 may be an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) donor or an IAB node.

[0096] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the UE 100 or the base station 210. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory). Furthermore, circuits that execute each process performed by the UE 100 or the base station 210 may be integrated, and at least a part of the UE 100 or the base station 210 may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chip set, SoC (System On Chip)).

[0097] In the above-described embodiments, "transmit" may mean performing processing at least one layer in a protocol stack used for transmission, or may mean physically transmitting a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Alternatively, "transmit" may mean a combination of performing processing at least one layer and physically transmitting a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Similarly, "receive" may mean performing processing at least one layer in a protocol stack used for reception, or may mean physically receiving a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Alternatively, "receive" may mean a combination of processing at least one layer and physically receiving a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Similarly, "obtain / acquire" may mean obtaining information from stored information, obtaining information from information received from another node, or obtaining information by generating the information. Similarly, the terms "based on" and "depending on / in response to" do not mean "based only on" or "depending only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on." Similarly, the term "depending on" means both "depending only on" and "depending at least in part on." Similarly, "include" and "comprise" do not mean including only the listed items, but may mean including only the listed items or may include additional items in addition to the listed items. Similarly, in this disclosure, "or" does not mean an exclusive or, but rather a logical or. Furthermore, any reference to elements using designations such as "first," "second," etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements.Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way. In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles shall include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0098] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and equivalent modifications. In addition, various combinations and forms, including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0099] (Additional Notes) Additional notes will be given regarding the features of the above-described embodiment.

[0100] [Supplementary Note 1] A communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks (200A, 200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, comprising: a control unit (130) that controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to a first network (200A); a transmission unit (120T) that transmits to the first network identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which communication is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network (200B); and a reception unit (120R) that receives from the first network setting information for setting the gap.

[0101] [Supplementary Note 2] The communication device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits, to the first network, a message including the identification information and gap recommendation information indicating the gap that the communication device recommends being set.

[0102] [Supplementary Note 3] The communication device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the transmitter receives identification information for identifying the target cell from the first network.

[0103] [Supplementary Note 4] The communication device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the identification information is a cell group identifier for identifying a cell group including the target cell.

[0104] [Supplementary Note 5] The communication device according to Supplementary Note 3 or 4, wherein the identification information is a physical cell identifier of the target cell.

[0105] [Supplementary Note 6] The communication device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 5, wherein the control unit sets the gap for the target cell indicated by the identification information received from the first network.

[0106] [Supplementary Note 7] A base station (210A) of a first network in a mobile communication system having a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, the base station comprising: a receiver (212R) that receives, from the communication device that controls communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to the first network, identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells with which the communication is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network; and a transmitter (212T) that transmits setting information for setting the gap to the communication device.

[0107] [Supplementary Note 8] A communication method executed by a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, comprising: a step of controlling communication with each of a plurality of cells belonging to a first network; a step of transmitting, to the first network, identification information for identifying a target cell among the plurality of cells for which the communication is to be interrupted during a gap for communication with a second network; and a step of receiving, from the first network, setting information for setting the gap.

Claims

1. A communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks including a first network (200A) and a second network (200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules (MUSIMs), A control unit (130); a transmission unit (120T) configured to transmit a user equipment assistance information message to a base station (210A) of the first network, the user equipment assistance information message including first information for indicating, for each cell, that the communication device prefers to have a gap set in communication using the MUSIM, and second information for indicating the gap setting preferred by the communication device; When the control unit is set to transmit the user equipment assistance information message for each of the first information and the second information, the control unit controls to transmit the user equipment assistance information message including the first information and the second information. Communications equipment.

2. A receiving unit (120R) that receives a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message from the base station of the first network, the radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including information for setting the base station to transmit the user equipment assistance information message for each of the first information and the second information. The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The second information includes at least one of information indicating a periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device and information indicating a non-periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device.

3. A communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A base station (210A) of a first network communicating with a communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks including a first network (200A) and a second network (200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules (MUSIMs), A control unit (214); A receiving unit (212R) that receives, from the communication device, a user equipment assistance information message including first information for indicating that the communication device prefers to have a gap set in communication using the MUSIM, and second information for indicating the gap setting preferred by the communication device, When the control unit is configured to transmit the user equipment assistance information message for each of the first information and the second information, the control unit controls to receive the user equipment assistance information message including the first information and the second information. Base station.

5. A transmitter (212T) that transmits a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message to the communication device, the radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including information for setting the communication device to transmit the user equipment assistance information message for each of the first information and the second information. The base station according to claim 4.

6. The second information includes at least one of information indicating a periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device and information indicating a non-periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device. A base station as claimed in claim 4 or 5.

7. A communication method for a communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks including a first network (200A) and a second network (200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules (MUSIMs), comprising: transmitting a user equipment assistance information message to a base station (210A) of the first network, the user equipment assistance information message including first information for indicating that the communication device prefers to have a gap set in communication using the MUSIM and second information for indicating the gap setting preferred by the communication device; When the user equipment assistance information message is set to be transmitted for each of the first information and the second information, controlling to transmit the user equipment assistance information message including the first information and the second information. Communication methods. receiving, from the base station of the first network, a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including information for configuring each of the first information and the second information to transmit the user equipment assistance information message; The communication method according to claim 7.

9. The second information includes at least one of information indicating a periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device and information indicating a non-periodic gap setting preferred by the communication device. A communication method according to claim 7 or 8.