CPC configuration method, apparatus and communication device

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are CPC configuration methods, an apparatus and a communication device. One CPC configuration method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a primary node receives first indication information sent by a first secondary node, the first secondary node being a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell being a target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary secondary cell change (CPC) of a terminal, N being a positive integer, and the first indication information being used for indicating CPC related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; and, on the basis of the CPC related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal, the primary node sends a CPC configuration to the terminal.

Description

CPC configuration method, device and communication equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310933741.4 filed in China on July 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a CPC configuration method, apparatus, and communication equipment. Background Art

[0004] In related technologies, after a terminal completes a PSCell change through the Conditional PSCell Change (CPC) process, the terminal's stored CPC configuration becomes inapplicable due to a change in the terminal's serving primary and secondary cell (PSCell). Consequently, after the terminal completes the PSCell change through the CPC process, it must re-perform the CPC preparation and CPC configuration processes. During the CPC configuration process, the network provides the terminal with a new CPC configuration to support the next CPC process, resulting in significant signaling overhead for CPC configuration.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a CPC configuration method, apparatus, and communication device, which can solve the problem of high signaling overhead in CPC configuration.

[0007] In a first aspect, a CPC configuration method is provided, comprising:

[0008] The primary node receives first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for the Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell;

[0009] The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0010] In a second aspect, a CPC configuration method is provided, including:

[0011] The first secondary node sends first indication information to the primary node, where the first secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary-secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer;

[0012] The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0013] In a third aspect, a CPC configuration method is provided, including:

[0014] The terminal receives the CPC configuration sent by the master node;

[0015] In a case where the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the CPC source cell of the terminal included in the CPC configuration, the terminal evaluates the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell.

[0016] In a fourth aspect, a CPC configuration device is provided, wherein a master node includes the CPC configuration device, and the device includes:

[0017] a first receiving module, configured to receive first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for an Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of a terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of an N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell;

[0018] The first sending module is configured to send CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal.

[0019] In a fifth aspect, a CPC configuration device is provided. The first secondary node includes the CPC configuration device. The device includes:

[0020] A first sending module is configured to send first indication information to a primary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for an Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer;

[0021] The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0022] In a sixth aspect, a CPC configuration device is provided. A terminal includes the CPC configuration device, and the device includes:

[0023] A first receiving module is used to receive the CPC configuration sent by the master node;

[0024] An execution module is used to evaluate the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC of the terminal included in the CPC configuration.

[0025] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect are implemented.

[0026] In the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a main node and includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive first indication information sent by a first secondary node, the first secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving main and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; the communication interface is also used to: send CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0027] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first auxiliary node, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: send a first indication message to the main node, the first auxiliary node is the auxiliary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the service primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0028] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive the CPC configuration sent by the master node; the processor is used to: when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC of the terminal contained in the CPC configuration, perform an evaluation of the CPC execution conditions corresponding to the matching source cell.

[0029] In the eleventh aspect, a CPC configuration system is provided, including: a main node, a first auxiliary node and a terminal, wherein the main node can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, the first auxiliary node can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect, and the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0030] In the twelfth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0031] In the thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or implement the method as described in the second aspect, or implement the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0032] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present application, a master node receives first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell being a target candidate cell for an Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of a terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of an N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; and the master node sends a CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal. In this way, by feeding back CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell, the first secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell for the Nth CPC of the terminal is fed back to the master node, thereby enabling the master node to obtain CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal during preparation for the Nth CPC of the terminal, and then continue preparation for the N+1th CPC of the terminal; and send the Nth CPC and N+1 CPC configurations to the terminal. Therefore, after the terminal performs CPC for the Nth time, there is no need to perform the CPC configuration process again. The terminal can perform subsequent CPC evaluation and corresponding primary and secondary cell changes based on the pre-configured N+1th CPC configuration, which can reduce the signaling overhead of CPC configuration and avoid the delay caused by additional CPC configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application;

[0035] FIG2 is a flow chart of a CPC configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG3 is a second flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG4 is a third flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG5 is a fourth flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG6 is a fifth flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG7 is a sixth flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG8 is a seventh flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG9 is a flowchart of an eighth CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG10 is a ninth flowchart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG11 is a flowchart of a CPC configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG12 is a structural diagram of a CPC configuration device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG13 is a second structural diagram of a CPC configuration device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG14 is a third structural diagram of a CPC configuration device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a network side device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG18 is a second structural diagram of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0053] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "or" in this application represents at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three options, namely, Option 1: including A but not including B; Option 2: including B but not including A; Option 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0054] The term "indication" in this application can be either a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). A direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc. in the instruction sent; an indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc. based on the judgment result.

[0055] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the technology described can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0056] FIG1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Tablet Personal Computer), a laptop computer (Laptop Computer), a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device (Wearable Device), an aircraft (Flight Vehicle), a vehicle-mounted device (VUE), a ship-mounted device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home appliances with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), a game console, a personal computer (PC), an ATM, or a self-service machine, or other terminal-side devices. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle-mounted device can also be called a vehicle-mounted terminal, a vehicle-mounted controller, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip or a vehicle-mounted unit, etc. In addition to the above-mentioned terminal devices, it can also be a chip in the terminal, such as a modem chip, a system-on-chip (SoC). It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The network side device 12 may include an access network device or a core network device, wherein the access network device may also be called a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network function or a radio access network unit. The access network device may include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the base station in the NR system is used as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0057] The core network equipment may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, mobility management entity (MME), access mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), policy and charging rules function unit (PCRF), edge application service discovery function (EASDF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), home user server (HSS), centralized network configuration (CNC), network storage function (NRF), network exposure function (NEF), local NEF (L-NEF), binding support function (BSF), application function ( It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, only the core network device in the NR system is introduced as an example, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited.

[0058] For ease of understanding, some of the contents involved in the embodiments of this application are described below:

[0059] 1. Dual Connectivity (DC)

[0060] Dual Connectivity refers to the network (NW) providing user equipment (UE) with the resources of two network nodes / base stations (access network elements). One network node is called a master node (MN) and the other is called a secondary node (SN). Each network node can use one cell to provide services to the UE. Carrier aggregation (CA) technology is also used, which configures the UE with multiple serving cells controlled by the node. One or more cells controlled by a node form a cell group (CG). The master node MN controls the master cell group (MCG), and the secondary node SN controls the secondary cell group (SCG). Each cell group contains one special cell (SpCell) and M secondary cells (Scells). In NR, M currently ranges from [0 to 31] and may be expanded in the future. In the MCG, a special cell is called a primary cell (PCell), and in the SCG, a special cell is called a primary secondary cell (PSCell).

[0061] In NR, if the UE applies the SCG configuration provided by the NW including the synchronization reconfiguration indication (ReconfigurationWithSync IE), the UE performs a PSCell change.

[0062] 2. Conditional PSCell Change (CPC) process

[0063] The network pre-configures a CPC configuration for a dual-connectivity UE, which then evaluates whether the execution conditions are met. The CPC configuration includes the execution conditions for the PSCell change and the configuration parameters of the target SCG (the cell group containing the target PSCell). Once the execution conditions are met, the UE applies the pre-configured target secondary cell group (SCG) configuration and performs the PSCell change.

[0064] CPC configuration includes: execution conditions for PSCell change; configuration parameters of the target SCG; CPC configuration ID.

[0065] The execution conditions for a PSCell change consist of N measurement identifiers (Measurement IDs). Each measurement identifier corresponds to a measurement event. When the UE's measurement results for candidate cell (Cell) A meet the preset conditions, the UE triggers the measurement event. When all measurement events corresponding to the N Measurement IDs included in an execution condition are triggered, the UE initiates the PSCell Change procedure to change the serving PSCell to Cell A, abbreviated as CPC. In NR, N is 1 or 2.

[0066] Target SCG configuration parameters: In order to change the serving PSCell to Cell A, the UE needs to apply the configuration parameters of the SCG containing the PSCell. In NR, the reconfiguration parameters of the target SCG are carried by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message containing the ReconfigurationWithSync IE. This configuration includes the identity of the target PSCell, and some configurations can be provided in the form of delta configuration (i.e., only the parameters that are different from the serving SCG are provided).

[0067] CPC configuration identifier (Identifier, ID): An execution condition and a set of target SCG configuration parameters can be used together for the CPC process for a candidate PSCell. If there are N candidate cells, N execution conditions and N sets of target SCG configuration parameters can be configured for the UE to evaluate simultaneously. Based on the evaluation results, the final target PSCell is determined. An execution condition and a set of target SCG configuration parameters for a PSCell are associated through the CPC configuration identifier; that is, an execution condition and a set of target SCG configuration parameters associated with the same CPC configuration identifier are for a candidate PSCell.

[0068] Take the parameters in NR as an example:

[0069] condReconfigId indicates the CPC configuration ID; condExecutionCond is used to configure the execution conditions for the PSCell change; and condRRCReconfig is used to configure the configuration parameters of the target SCG. These three parameters correspond to a set of CPC configurations used for conditional reconfiguration / conditional primary / secondary cell change for a candidate PSCell.

[0070] as follows:

[0071] In CPC configuration, the measurement ID to be applied is notified to the UE through the measurement configuration parameters. The measurement configuration includes the following parameters:

[0072] Measurement Object (MO): the frequency point to be measured;

[0073] Report Configuration (ReportConfig): Contains the triggering conditions for measurement events, indicating when the signal quality of the target PSCell meets certain pre-defined conditions (determined by the measurement event type and threshold parameters) for the corresponding measurement event to be triggered. For example, a measurement event is triggered when the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the candidate PSCell is 3dB higher than the RSRP of the serving PSCell for a sustained period of 100ms. The reporting configuration indicates that the candidate cell quality is higher than the serving cell, indicating the application of the A3 event. The 3dB and 100ms threshold parameters are specified in the reporting configuration.

[0074] Measurement id (measId): measurement identifier, used to associate an MO with an event trigger condition.

[0075] In NR, the three (Measurement Object, ReportConfig, and measId) are associated together in the following way:

[0076] In related technologies, the CPC process is as follows:

[0077] The DC UE receives and saves the measurement and CPC configurations sent by the NW side, and starts CPC evaluation;

[0078] Once at least one execution trigger condition is met, the UE executes the corresponding PSCell change procedure;

[0079] Once the UE successfully accesses the target PSCell (successfully completes the Random Access Channel (RACH) in the target PSCell), the UE deletes all saved CPC configurations.

[0080] The following provides a specific example to help understand the CPC process in related technologies:

[0081] (1) The UE receives measurement and CPC-related configurations provided by the NW side, including the following two sets of CPC configurations, as shown in Table 1:

[0082] Table 1

[0083] (2) The UE performs measurement evaluation. According to the first configuration, the UE measures Cell A on the F2 frequency band. According to the second configuration, the UE measures Cell B on the F1 frequency band.

[0084] (3) Once at least one execution trigger condition is met, the UE executes the corresponding PSCell handover procedure;

[0085] Assume that the execution trigger condition associated with CPC configuration ID 1 is triggered first, that is, the UE measures that the RSRP of Cell A operating on frequency F2 is 3dB higher than the RSRP of the serving PSCell, and this persists for 100ms. In other words, the UE's measurement result of Cell A meets the CPC execution trigger condition. The UE then applies the configuration parameters of the target SCG associated with CPC configuration ID 1, that is, applies the configuration of Cell A as the SCG of the PSCell, and accesses the target PSCell, that is, Cell A.

[0086] (4) Once the UE successfully accesses Cell A (RACH is successfully completed in the target PSCell / Cell A), the UE deletes the saved CPC configuration, i.e., the first and second sets of CPC configurations.

[0087] Optionally, the NW (such as the target serving base station) reconfigures CPC parameters for the UE, and the newly configured CPC parameters may be the same as or different from the deleted CPC parameters.

[0088] In related technologies, after the terminal completes the PSCell change through the CPC process, it needs to execute the CPC preparation process and CPC configuration process again. During the CPC configuration process, the network side provides a new CPC configuration to the terminal to support the next CPC process, resulting in a large signaling overhead for the CPC configuration.

[0089] The CPC configuration method, apparatus, and communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings through some embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 2 , FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2 , the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0091] Step 101. The main node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node, where the first secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0092] The first indication information may be carried in a first message, and the first message may be a message for CPC preparation. For example, the first message may be a secondary node (SN) addition confirmation message or an SN addition request message. The first message may also include configuration information of a first target candidate cell, and the configuration information of the first target candidate cell is used by the terminal to change the serving primary and secondary cells to the first target candidate cell.

[0093] The secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell may refer to a secondary node that governs or manages the first target candidate cell. The first secondary node being the secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell may refer to the first target candidate cell being a cell governed or managed by the first secondary node.

[0094] Among them, the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC may include at least one of the following items: the identifier of the second target candidate cell; the CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell; wherein, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0095] It should be noted that the target candidate cell may also be described as a candidate target cell, a candidate cell, or a candidate primary or secondary cell, etc. The target candidate cell may refer to a candidate target cell for CPC change.

[0096] It should be noted that, when the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node, the first indication information can also be used to indicate the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell. The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0097] Among them, when the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node, since the first secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, the cells under the jurisdiction or management of the first secondary node include the first target candidate cell and the second target candidate cell.

[0098] It should be noted that the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, and the first secondary node may also be a secondary node corresponding to the current serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal.

[0099] Step 102: The master node sends CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0100] The CPC configuration may include CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal. Or, the CPC configuration may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC; configuration information of the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC; execution conditions corresponding to the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC; an identifier of the source cell of the N+1th CPC; the master node may determine at least one of the identifier of the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC, configuration information of the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC, execution conditions corresponding to the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC, and identifier of the source cell of the N+1th CPC based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0101] It should be noted that the CPC preparation process in related technologies is as follows: The UE's serving SN initiates handover preparation. The serving SN initiates the conditional SN change procedure, notifying the serving mobile node of the candidate PSCell and the CPC execution conditions. The mobile node then determines the candidate PSCell configuration information with the candidate PSCell. The mobile node combines the obtained CPC execution conditions and the candidate PSCell configuration information and sends it to the UE. The UE then performs the CPC procedure.

[0102] In the related art, the CPC process does not support continuous CPC, that is, after the UE completes a PSCell change based on the CPC process, the CPC configuration will no longer be applicable. This is because the serving PSCell has changed. Therefore, after the PSCell occurs, a new CPC configuration needs to be provided based on RRC signaling to support subsequent CPC processes. The CPC preparation process only supports single CPC preparation, that is, the CPC configuration received by the UE is only associated with the serving PSCell at the time of receiving the configuration. Once a PSCell change occurs, the CPC configuration received by the UE before the PSCell change is no longer applicable; in order to perform subsequent CPC, the network side needs to perform CPC reconfiguration, resulting in additional CPC configuration signaling overhead and CPC evaluation delay. This embodiment can complete CPC preparation for potential serving PSCells during the CPC preparation process, so that the UE's CPC configuration can be used for N consecutive CPCs, N>1.

[0103] It should be noted that the CPC preparation process is the interaction between network-side base stations, and CPC configuration is the interaction between the MN and the UE.

[0104] In this embodiment, during the continuous CPC preparation process, the candidate SN not only feeds back the configuration of the target candidate cell specified by the MN, but also indicates to the MN the target candidate cell for the next CPC (next CPC) when the target candidate cell serves as the serving PSCell, as well as the corresponding CPC execution conditions.

[0105] In this embodiment, if A target candidate cells are prepared during the continuous CPC preparation process, the subsequent CPC target candidate cells and the corresponding CPC execution conditions can be indicated for each target candidate cell when the target candidate cell serves as the serving PSCell, with A>=1. For each target candidate cell serving as the serving PSCell, its next CPC target candidate cells can be B; B>=0. If B=0, CPC evaluation is not performed for the target candidate cell when serving as the serving PSCell.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present application, a master node receives first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell being a target candidate cell for an Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of a terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of an N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; and the master node sends a CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal. In this way, by feeding back CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell, the first secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell for the Nth CPC of the terminal is fed back to the master node, thereby enabling the master node to obtain CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal during preparation for the Nth CPC of the terminal, and then continue preparation for the N+1th CPC of the terminal; and send the Nth CPC and N+1 CPC configurations to the terminal. Therefore, after the terminal performs CPC for the Nth time, there is no need to perform the CPC configuration process again. The terminal can perform subsequent CPC evaluation and corresponding primary and secondary cell changes based on the pre-configured N+1th CPC configuration, which can reduce the signaling overhead of CPC configuration and avoid the delay caused by additional CPC configuration.

[0107] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0108] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0109] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0110] The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0111] The second target candidate cell may be a target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC recommended by the first secondary node. When the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, if the terminal meets the CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell, the terminal executes the N+1th CPC and changes the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal to the second target candidate cell.

[0112] It should be noted that the number of the second target candidate cells may be one or more, and the first indication information may be used to indicate the CPC execution condition corresponding to each of the second target candidate cells. When the terminal meets the CPC execution condition corresponding to one of the second target candidate cells, the terminal performs the CPC for the N+1th time and changes the terminal's serving primary and secondary cells to the second target candidate cell that meets the CPC execution condition.

[0113] In this embodiment, the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes the identifier of the second target candidate cell, so that the master node can determine the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell. After the terminal performs the Nth CPC, the network side does not need to execute the preparation process of the terminal's N+1th CPC again to obtain the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+1th CPC, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC preparation and CPC configuration process; or, the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes the CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell, so that the master node can support the CPC execution conditions of the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+1th CPC to be sent to the terminal as the CPC configuration. After the terminal performs the Nth CPC, there is no need to execute the CPC configuration process again to configure the CPC execution conditions of the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+1th CPC, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC configuration.

[0114] Optionally, before the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node, the method includes:

[0115] The primary node sends second indication information to the first secondary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0116] Continuous CPC;

[0117] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0118] The second indication information may be carried in a second message, which may be a message for CPC preparation. For example, the second message may be an SN addition request message. The first target candidate cell may be a target candidate cell for the Nth CPC of the terminal recommended by the master node. The number of the first target candidate cells may be one or more.

[0119] The second indication information may be used to indicate subsequent CPC. For example, the second indication information may include a continuous CPC indication or a continuous CPC identifier, which is used to indicate continuous CPC. The continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier may be used to instruct the secondary node to provide the primary node with CPC-related information of the next CPC when the target candidate cell of the CPC is used as the serving primary and secondary cell. For example, when the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the second indication information is used to instruct the first secondary node to send the first indication information to the primary node.

[0120] In one embodiment, the third auxiliary node can send a fifth indication message to the main node, where the third auxiliary node is the auxiliary node corresponding to the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: continuous CPC; the identifier of the first target candidate cell; the main node sends a second indication message to the first auxiliary node based on the fifth indication information.

[0121] In one embodiment, the master node may determine a first target candidate cell and send second indication information to the first secondary node. The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: continuous CPC; and an identifier of the first target candidate cell. The master node may determine the first target candidate cell based on the terminal's currently serving primary and secondary cells. For example, the master node may determine a neighboring cell of the terminal's currently serving primary and secondary cells as the first target candidate cell. This enables the master node to determine potential continuous CPC candidate cells.

[0122] In this embodiment, the primary node sends second indication information to the first secondary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: continuous CPC; the identifier of the first target candidate cell; and the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node. Thus, the primary node indicates continuous CPC to the first secondary node through the second indication information, causing the first secondary node to provide the primary node with CPC-related information for the terminal's (N+1)th CPC for continuous CPC; or the primary node indicates the identifier of the first target candidate cell through the second indication information, causing the first secondary node to provide the primary node with CPC-related information for the terminal's (N+1)th CPC when the terminal's serving primary and secondary cell is changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0123] Optionally, the primary node receiving the first indication information sent by the first secondary node includes:

[0124] In a case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node.

[0125] In one embodiment, when the second indication information does not indicate continuous CPC, the primary node receives a first message sent by the first secondary node, the first message does not carry the first indication information, and the first message carries configuration information of the first target candidate cell. For example, the first message may be an SN addition confirmation message.

[0126] In this embodiment, when the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the first slave node feeds back CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC to the master node, thereby being able to flexibly control the slave node to perform continuous CPC preparation or discontinuous CPC preparation based on whether the second indication information indicates continuous CPC.

[0127] Optionally, after the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node, the method further includes:

[0128] The primary node sends third indication information to a second secondary node, where the second secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell, and the third indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0129] Continuous CPC;

[0130] The identifier of the second target candidate cell.

[0131] The third indication information may be carried in a third message, which may be a message for CPC preparation. For example, the third message may be an SN addition request message. The second target candidate cell may be a target candidate cell for the terminal's (N+1)th CPC recommended by the master node. The number of the second target candidate cells may be one or more.

[0132] The secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell may refer to a secondary node that governs or manages the second target candidate cell. The second secondary node being the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell may refer to the second target candidate cell being a cell governed or managed by the second secondary node.

[0133] Among them, the third indication information can be used to indicate continuous CPC. For example, the third indication information may include a continuous CPC indication or a continuous CPC identifier, and the continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier is used to indicate continuous CPC. The continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier can be used to instruct the secondary node to provide the primary node with CPC-related information of the next CPC when the target candidate cell of the CPC is used as the serving primary and secondary cell. For example, when the third indication information indicates continuous CPC, the third indication information is used to instruct the second secondary node to send fourth indication information to the primary node, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the second target candidate cell.

[0134] In this embodiment, the master node sends third indication information to a second secondary node, where the second secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell. The third indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: continuous CPCs; or an identifier of the second target candidate cell. Thus, the master node indicates the continuous CPCs to the second secondary node through the third indication information, causing the second secondary node to provide the master node with CPC-related information for the terminal's (N+2)th CPC for continuous CPCs. Alternatively, the master node indicates the identifier of the second target candidate cell through the third indication information, causing the second secondary node to provide the master node with CPC-related information for the terminal's (N+2)th CPC when the terminal's serving primary and secondary cell is changed to the second target candidate cell.

[0135] Optionally, after the primary node sends the third indication information to the second secondary node, the method further includes:

[0136] The primary node receives fourth indication information sent by the second secondary node;

[0137] The fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell;

[0138] The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal, including:

[0139] The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal.

[0140] The fourth indication information may be carried in a fourth message, and the fourth message may be a message for CPC preparation. For example, the fourth message may be an SN addition confirmation message. The fourth message may further include configuration information of a second target candidate cell, and the configuration information of the second target candidate cell is used by the terminal to change the serving primary and secondary cells to the second target candidate cell.

[0141] The CPC configuration may include CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal and CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC.

[0142] In this embodiment, the master node receives fourth indication information sent by the second slave node; the fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the terminal's (N+2) CPC when the terminal's serving primary and secondary cells are changed to the second target candidate cell; the master node sends a CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the terminal's (N+1) CPC and the CPC-related information of the (N+2) CPC. In this way, the master node can generate a CPC configuration for continuous CPC using the CPC-related information of the CPC sent by the first and second slave nodes during the continuous CPC preparation process, and send the CPC configuration for continuous CPC to the terminal once, thereby reducing the signaling overhead of the CPC configuration.

[0143] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to a second target candidate cell, where the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell;

[0144] The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal, including:

[0145] The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal.

[0146] The CPC configuration may include CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal and CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC. The CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC may include at least one of the following: an identifier of a third target candidate cell; a CPC execution condition corresponding to the third target candidate cell; the third target candidate cell being the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell. The secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

[0147] In this embodiment, the master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal, which can support the master node to generate a CPC configuration for continuous CPC using the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the N+2th CPC, and send the CPC configuration for continuous CPC to the terminal once, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC configuration.

[0148] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0149] an identifier of a third target candidate cell;

[0150] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the third target candidate cell;

[0151] The third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell.

[0152] The third target candidate cell may be a target candidate cell for the N+2th CPC recommended by the second secondary node. When the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell, if the terminal meets the CPC execution condition corresponding to the third target candidate cell, the terminal executes the N+2th CPC and changes the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal to the third target candidate cell.

[0153] It should be noted that the number of the third target candidate cells can be one or more. When the terminal meets the CPC execution conditions corresponding to one of the third target candidate cells, the terminal executes the N+2th CPC and changes the terminal's service primary and secondary cells to the third target candidate cell that meets the CPC execution conditions.

[0154] In this embodiment, the CPC-related information of the N+2 CPC includes the identifier of the third target candidate cell, so that the master node can determine the target candidate cell of the N+2 CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell. After the terminal performs the Nth CPC and the N+1 CPC, the network side does not need to execute the preparation process of the terminal's N+2 CPC again to obtain the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+2 CPC, which can further reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC preparation and CPC configuration process; or, the CPC-related information of the N+2 CPC includes the CPC execution condition corresponding to the third target candidate cell, thereby supporting the master node to send the CPC execution condition of the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+2 CPC as the CPC configuration to the terminal. After the terminal performs the Nth CPC and the N+1 CPC, it is not necessary to execute the CPC configuration process again to configure the CPC execution condition of the target candidate cell of the terminal's N+2 CPC, which can further reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC configuration.

[0155] Optionally, when the first indication information is also used to indicate CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC, the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

[0156] Optionally, the number of the first target candidate cells is one or more;

[0157] The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: an identifier of a second target candidate cell corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells; or

[0158] The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: CPC execution conditions of the second target candidate cells corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells.

[0159] Optionally, before the primary node sends the second indication information to the first secondary node, the method further includes:

[0160] The primary node receives fifth indication information sent by a third secondary node, where the third secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal;

[0161] The fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0162] Continuous CPC;

[0163] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0164] The fifth indication information may be carried in a fifth message, and the fifth message may be a message for CPC preparation. For example, the fifth message may be an SN change request message. The first target candidate cell may be the target candidate cell for the Nth CPC of the terminal recommended by the third secondary node to the primary node. The fifth indication information may also be used to indicate the CPC execution condition corresponding to the first target candidate cell. When the terminal meets the CPC execution condition corresponding to the first target candidate cell, the terminal executes the Nth CPC and changes the terminal's serving primary and secondary cell to the first target candidate cell.

[0165] The secondary node corresponding to the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal may refer to the secondary node that currently governs or manages the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal. The third secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal, which may refer to the current serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal being cells governed or managed by the third secondary node.

[0166] The fifth indication information may be used to indicate continuous CPC. For example, the fifth indication information may include a continuous CPC indication or a continuous CPC identifier, where the continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier is used to indicate continuous CPC. The continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier may be used to instruct the primary node to prepare for continuous CPC. For example, when the fifth indication information indicates continuous CPC, the fifth indication information may be used to instruct the primary node to send second indication information to the first secondary node to prepare for continuous CPC.

[0167] It should be noted that the number of the first target candidate cells may be one or more, and the fifth indication information may also be used to indicate the CPC execution condition corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells. When the terminal meets the CPC execution condition corresponding to one of the first target candidate cells, the terminal performs the Nth CPC and changes the terminal's serving primary and secondary cells to the first target candidate cell that meets the CPC execution condition.

[0168] In one embodiment, before the main node receives the fifth indication information sent by the third auxiliary node, the method may further include: the main node may determine the fourth target candidate cell, and send a sixth indication information to the third auxiliary node, the third auxiliary node being the auxiliary node corresponding to the fourth target candidate cell, and the sixth indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the identifier of the fourth target candidate cell, and continuous CPC. In this embodiment, the main node determines the recommended conditional primary and secondary cell addition (Conditional PSCell Addition, CPA) candidate cell and the corresponding CPA triggering condition to implement the CPA process. In a single connection, when the terminal has not yet been configured with a serving primary and secondary cell, the main node decides which cell to add as the serving primary and secondary cell.

[0169] In this embodiment, the master node receives fifth indication information sent by a third secondary node, the third secondary node being the secondary node corresponding to the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal, and the fifth indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: continuous CPC; an identifier of the first target candidate cell; the master node sending second indication information to the first secondary node so that the first secondary node sends first indication information to the master node. Thus, the master node can determine that this CPC preparation process is a continuous CPC preparation process through the continuous CPC indicated by the fifth indication information, and send the second indication information to the first secondary node to implement the continuous CPC preparation process; or the master node can determine the target candidate cell for the Nth CPC through the identifier of the first target candidate cell indicated by the fifth indication information, and thereby send the second indication information to the first secondary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell to perform CPC preparation.

[0170] Optionally, the CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal and a source cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0171] The CPC configuration may include multiple CPC sub-configurations, and each CPC sub-configuration includes CPC-related information of the terminal's CPC and a source cell of the terminal's CPC.

[0172] In one embodiment, the multiple CPC sub-configurations include at least a first CPC sub-configuration and a second CPC sub-configuration; the first CPC sub-configuration includes CPC-related information of the terminal's Nth CPC and a source cell of the terminal's Nth CPC, and the CPC-related information of the terminal's Nth CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first target candidate cell; and a CPC execution condition corresponding to the first target candidate cell. The second CPC sub-configuration includes CPC-related information of the terminal's N+1th CPC and a source cell of the terminal's N+1th CPC.

[0173] In addition, the first CPC sub-configuration may further include configuration information of the first target candidate cell, and the second CPC sub-configuration may further include configuration information of the second target candidate cell.

[0174] In one embodiment, the multiple CPC sub-configurations further include a third CPC sub-configuration, wherein the third CPC sub-configuration includes CPC-related information of the terminal's (N+2)th CPC and a source cell of the terminal's (N+2)th CPC. The third CPC sub-configuration may further include configuration information of the third target candidate cell.

[0175] It should be noted that each CPC sub-configuration in the multiple CPC sub-configurations may further include an identifier of the CPC sub-configuration, for example, a number of the CPC sub-configuration.

[0176] In one embodiment, the terminal receives the CPC configuration sent by the master node; when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC of the terminal contained in the CPC configuration, the terminal performs an evaluation of the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell. The matching source cell may refer to a source cell in the source cell of the CPC of the terminal contained in the CPC configuration that has the same cell identifier as the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal. The cell identifier may include a combination of a frequency and a physical cell identifier (PCI), that is, when the frequency and PCI are the same, they are considered to be the same cell identifier; or, the cell identifier may refer to a global cell identifier; and so on.

[0177] For example, the CPC configuration includes multiple CPC sub-configurations, and the multiple CPC sub-configurations include a first CPC sub-configuration, a second CPC sub-configuration, and a third CPC sub-configuration. When the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC in the first CPC sub-configuration, the terminal performs an evaluation of the CPC execution conditions in the first CPC sub-configuration; when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC in the second CPC sub-configuration, the terminal performs an evaluation of the CPC execution conditions in the second CPC sub-configuration; when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC in the third CPC sub-configuration, the terminal performs an evaluation of the CPC execution conditions in the third CPC sub-configuration.

[0178] For example, after receiving continuous CPC configurations, the terminal applies the CPC configuration associated with the Serving PSCell. That is, when the CPC source cell identifier is consistent with the terminal's current Serving PSCell identifier, the terminal evaluates the CPC execution conditions associated with the CPC source cell identifier; otherwise, the terminal does not evaluate the CPC execution conditions associated with the CPC source cell identifier. Alternatively, after receiving continuous CPC configurations, the terminal does not apply the CPC configuration associated with a non-Serving PSCell.

[0179] It should be noted that the terminal will evaluate the CPC execution conditions configured on the network side. If the network side configures too many CPC configurations, the terminal's evaluation workload will be very large. If the CPC configuration is used for N consecutive CPCs, the number of CPC execution conditions that the terminal needs to evaluate may exceed the terminal's capabilities. In this embodiment, the terminal evaluates the CPC execution conditions corresponding to the matching source cell, which can avoid the terminal evaluating a large number of CPC execution conditions simultaneously.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 3 , FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3 , the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0181] Step 201: A first secondary node sends first indication information to a primary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of a terminal, where N is a positive integer.

[0182] The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0183] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0184] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0185] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0186] The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0187] Optionally, before the first secondary node sends the first indication information to the primary node, the method includes:

[0188] The first secondary node receives second indication information sent by the primary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0189] Continuous CPC;

[0190] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0191] Optionally, the first secondary node sending the first indication information to the primary node includes:

[0192] In a case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the first secondary node sends first indication information to the primary node.

[0193] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell;

[0194] The second target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0195] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0196] an identifier of a third target candidate cell;

[0197] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the third target candidate cell;

[0198] Among them, the third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

[0199] It should be noted that this embodiment is an implementation of the first auxiliary node corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Its specific implementation can refer to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. To avoid repeated description, this embodiment will not be repeated.

[0200] Referring to FIG. 4 , FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a CPC configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4 , the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0201] Step 301: The terminal receives the CPC configuration sent by the master node;

[0202] Step 302: When the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the CPC source cell of the terminal included in the CPC configuration, the terminal evaluates the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell.

[0203] Optionally, the CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal, and the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0204] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0205] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0206] Among them, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer.

[0207] In addition, the first target candidate cell may be the serving primary or secondary cell of the terminal after the Nth CPC.

[0208] It should be noted that this embodiment is an implementation of the terminal corresponding to the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3. Its specific implementation can refer to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. To avoid repeated description, this embodiment will not be repeated.

[0209] The embodiment of the present application also provides a CPC configuration method, including:

[0210] The second secondary node sends fourth indication information to the primary node;

[0211] The fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell;

[0212] Among them, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, the second secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is used for the Nth CPC of the terminal.

[0213] Optionally, before the second secondary node sends the fourth indication information to the primary node, the method further includes:

[0214] The second secondary node receives third indication information sent by the primary node, where the third indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0215] Continuous CPC;

[0216] The second target candidate cell.

[0217] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0218] a third target candidate cell;

[0219] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the third target candidate cell;

[0220] The third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell.

[0221] The embodiment of the present application also provides a CPC configuration method, including:

[0222] The master node receives the SN change request message sent by the third slave node;

[0223] The master node generates a CPC configuration based on the SN change request message;

[0224] The SN change request message includes an identifier of the CPC candidate cell recommended by the third secondary node and an execution condition corresponding to the recommended CPC candidate cell;

[0225] The CPC configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0226] The identifier of the proposed CPC candidate cell;

[0227] Execution conditions corresponding to the recommended CPC candidate cells;

[0228] Configuration information of the recommended CPC candidate cell;

[0229] The identifier of the CPC's source cell.

[0230] The embodiment of the present application also provides a CPC configuration method, including:

[0231] The primary node receives fifth indication information sent by the third secondary node, where the third secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the fourth target candidate cell, and the fourth target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for adding a CPA to the conditional primary and secondary cells of the terminal; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the CPC of the terminal when the fourth target candidate cell is added as the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal;

[0232] The master node sends CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC-related information of the CPC of the terminal.

[0233] Among them, the fifth indication information can be used to indicate the CPC-related information of the first CPC of the terminal when the fourth target candidate cell is added as the service primary and secondary cell of the terminal. The fifth indication information can be carried in the fifth message, and the fifth message can be a message for CPA. For example, the fifth message can be a confirmation message for adding a secondary node (SN). The fifth message can also include configuration information of the fourth target candidate cell, and the configuration information of the fourth target candidate cell is used by the terminal to add the fourth target candidate cell as the service primary and secondary cell. The secondary node corresponding to the fourth target candidate cell may refer to the secondary node that is under the jurisdiction of or manages the fourth target candidate cell. The CPC configuration may include CPC-related information of the CPC of the terminal.

[0234] In the related art, after the terminal completes the addition of the primary and secondary cells through the CPA process, it needs to perform the CPC preparation process. After the CPC preparation process, the network side provides the CPC configuration to the terminal to support the first CPC process, and the signaling overhead is large. In an embodiment of the present application, when the fourth target candidate cell is added as the service primary and secondary cell of the terminal as indicated by the fifth indication information, the CPC-related information of the CPC of the terminal can support the master node to obtain the CPC-related information of the CPC of the terminal during the CPA process, and then continue to prepare for the CPC of the terminal and send the CPC configuration to the terminal. Therefore, after the terminal performs CPA, subsequent CPC evaluations and corresponding primary and secondary cell changes can be performed according to the pre-configured CPC configuration, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the CPC preparation process and CPC configuration, and avoid the delay caused by additional CPC preparation.

[0235] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0236] an identifier of the first target candidate cell;

[0237] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the first target candidate cell;

[0238] The first target candidate cell is a candidate cell for CPC of the terminal when the fourth target candidate cell is added as a serving primary or secondary cell of the terminal.

[0239] Optionally, before the primary node receives the fifth indication information sent by the third secondary node, the method further includes:

[0240] The primary node determines the fourth target candidate cell, and sends sixth indication information to the third secondary node, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0241] an identifier of the fourth target candidate cell;

[0242] Continuous CPC.

[0243] The sixth indication information may be used to indicate continuous CPC. For example, the sixth indication information may include a continuous CPC indication or a continuous CPC identifier, which is used to indicate continuous CPC. The continuous CPC indication or the continuous CPC identifier may be used to instruct the secondary node to provide the primary node with CPC-related information of the next CPC when the target candidate cell of the CPC is used as the serving primary and secondary cell. For example, when the sixth indication information indicates continuous CPC, the sixth indication information is used to instruct the third secondary node to send the fifth indication information to the primary node.

[0244] In this embodiment, in a single connection, when the terminal has not yet been configured with a serving primary or secondary cell, the master node independently determines which cell to add as the serving primary or secondary cell. The master node independently determines the recommended conditional primary or secondary cell addition (CPA) candidate cell to implement the CPA process.

[0245] The CPC configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below through several specific examples:

[0246] Example 1:

[0247] In this embodiment, the candidate SN feeds back the execution condition of the next CPC and the target cell identifier.

[0248] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0249] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (i.e., Serving SN). At the beginning of step (11), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0250] Cell2 is a cell under gNB1 (i.e., Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (11), Cell2 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0251] Cell3 is a cell under gNB2 (i.e., Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (11), Cell3 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0252] As shown in Figure 5, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0253] Step (11): The S-SN sends an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries information related to CPC configuration, including one or more of the following information:

[0254] The CPC candidate cell list recommended by the S-SN, such as the identifier of Cell2;

[0255] The corresponding CPC (Conditional PSCell Change) execution condition, when the execution condition is met, the UE executes a PSCell Change, changing the serving PSCell from Cell1 to a cell in the CPC candidate cell list, such as Cell2;

[0256] Continuous CPC flag: Indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purposes.

[0257] Step (12): Based on the received SN Change Request message, the MN initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB to which Cell2 belongs (i.e., gNB1), including one or more of the following information:

[0258] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0259] The recommended CPC candidate cell list, such as the identifier of Cell 2. The MN determines the recommended CPC candidate cell list based on the CPC candidate cell list recommended by the S-SN.

[0260] Step (13): gNB1 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0261] Configuration of the CPC target candidate cell under gNB1, i.e., Cell2-related configuration information (if Cell2 allows UE access). This configuration is used when the UE changes the serving PSCell to Cell2.

[0262] The ID of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell recommended by gNB1: used to indicate the ID of the target cell when the next CPC is performed when Cell2 is the Serving PSCell, such as Cell3;

[0263] Change the Serving PSCell from Cell2 to Cell3, and its corresponding CPC execution conditions.

[0264] Step (14): Based on the SN Add Confirm message received from gNB1, the MN initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB where Cell3 is located (i.e., gNB2), including one or more of the following:

[0265] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0266] The recommended CPC target candidate cell identifier, that is, the identifier of Cell3.

[0267] Step (15): gNB2 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0268] Configuration corresponding to the CPC target candidate cell on gNB2, i.e., Cell3-related configuration information (if Cell3 allows UE access). This configuration is used when the UE changes the serving PSCell to Cell3.

[0269] When the SN Change Request message carries the continuous CPC identifier, the identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell recommended by gNB2 is used to indicate the identifier of the target cell, such as Cell2, if the next CPC is performed when Cell3 is the Serving PSCell.

[0270] When the SN change request message carries the continuous CPC identifier, the Serving PSCell is changed from Cell3 to Cell2, and the corresponding CPC execution condition is met.

[0271] Step (16): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0272] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0273] CPC execution conditions;

[0274] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0275] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0276] For example, the CPC configuration includes the following contents:

[0277] Table 2

[0278] It should be noted that the process consisting of steps (12) and (13) can also be called a continuous CPC preparation process; similarly, the process consisting of steps (14) and (15) can also be called a continuous CPC preparation process.

[0279] In this embodiment (including subsequent network-side embodiments), step (11) is an optional step. If step (11) is not present, the CPA process is followed by a continuous CPC process. That is, in a single connection, when the UE has not yet been configured with an SN, the MN decides which cell to add as the SN. Step (12) in the CPA process is modified to:

[0280] The MN initiates an SN add request to the gNB to which Cell2 belongs (i.e., gNB1), including one or more of the following information:

[0281] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0282] The recommended CPA candidate cell list, such as the identifier of Cell 2. The MN determines the recommended CPA candidate cell list and the corresponding CPA triggering conditions.

[0283] Steps (13) to (16) remain unchanged.

[0284] Example 2:

[0285] This embodiment describes the processing after the UE receives the continuous CPC configuration in step (16) of embodiment 1.

[0286] Step (21): UE receives and stores the continuous CPC configuration;

[0287] Step (22): The UE evaluates some CPC execution conditions; specifically, the UE only evaluates the CPC execution conditions associated with the source cell having the same cell ID as the current serving PSCell, as shown in Table 2.

[0288] Step (23): After the UE performs the PSCell change, the UE determines the CPC execution conditions that need to be evaluated from the stored CPC configuration; specifically, the UE only evaluates the execution conditions associated with the source cell with the same cell identifier as the current serving PSCell.

[0289] The cell identifier may include a combination of a frequency and a PCI; or may refer to a global cell ID, etc.

[0290] Example 3:

[0291] In this embodiment, the candidate SN feeds back the execution conditions of the next CPC, the target cell identifier, and the target cell configuration.

[0292] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0293] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (31), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0294] Cell2 and Cell3 are cells under the jurisdiction of gNB1 (Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (31), Cell2 and Cell3 are not the UE's serving cells.

[0295] Steps (31) / (32) are the same as steps (11) / (12) in Example 1, and step (34) is the same as step (16) in Example 1.

[0296] As shown in Figure 6, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0297] Step (31): The S-SN initiates an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries information related to CPC configuration, including one or more of the following information:

[0298] The CPC target candidate cell (or candidate PSCell) identifier recommended by the S-SN, such as the identifier of Cell2;

[0299] The corresponding CPC execution condition, when the execution condition is met, the UE executes PSCell Change and changes the Serving PSCell from Cell1 to Cell2.

[0300] Step (32): Based on the received SN Change Request message, the MN initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB to which Cell2 belongs (i.e., gNB1), including one or more of the following information:

[0301] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0302] The recommended CPC target candidate cell identifier, that is, the identifier of Cell2.

[0303] Step (33): gNB1 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0304] Configuration corresponding to the CPC target candidate cell recommended by the MN, i.e., Cell2-related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell2;

[0305] In the case where the SN Change Request message carries the continuous CPC identifier, the identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell recommended by gNB1 is used to indicate the identifier of the target cell when the next CPC is performed when Cell2 is the Serving PSCell, such as Cell3.

[0306] Changing the Serving PSCell from Cell2 to Cell3, and its corresponding CPC execution conditions;

[0307] The configuration of the CPC target candidate cell provided by gNB1, namely, the configuration information related to Cell3. This configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell3. Because the candidate cell recommended by gNB1 is a cell under the jurisdiction of this gNB, gNB1 can directly provide the configuration corresponding to Cell3 as the Serving PSCell.

[0308] The identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell recommended by gNB1: used to indicate the identifier of the target cell when the next CPC is performed when Cell3 is the Serving PSCell, such as CellX;

[0309] Change the Serving PSCell from Cell3 to CellX, and its corresponding CPC execution conditions.

[0310] Among them, CellX can be a cell under gNB1 or a cell under other gNB.

[0311] Step (34): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1) and sends it to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0312] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0313] CPC execution conditions;

[0314] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0315] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0316] In this embodiment, the configuration of the CPC candidate SN returned to the MN includes the target candidate cell configuration for the continuous CPC, where the target candidate cell includes: the target cell that the MN has not indicated needs to be prepared (such as Cell 3). Cell 3 is the target candidate cell for the next CPC after Cell 2 becomes the serving PSCell.

[0317] Example 4:

[0318] In this embodiment, the serving SN sends the execution conditions of the next CPC, the target cell identifier and the target cell configuration.

[0319] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0320] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (41), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0321] Cell2 is a cell other than Cell1 under the jurisdiction of the S-SN. When step (41) starts, Cell2 is not the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0322] As shown in Figure 7, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0323] Step (41): The S-SN initiates an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries information related to CPC configuration, including one or more of the following information:

[0324] The CPC candidate cell (or candidate PSCell) identifier recommended by the S-SN, such as the identifier of Cell2;

[0325] Corresponding CPC execution conditions: When the execution conditions are met, the UE executes a PSCell Change to change the serving PSCell from Cell 1 to Cell 2;

[0326] The configuration corresponding to the target candidate cell, that is, the Cell2 related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell2.

[0327] Step (42): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0328] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0329] CPC execution conditions;

[0330] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0331] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0332] For example, the CPC configuration includes the following contents:

[0333] Table 3

[0334] Example 5:

[0335] In this embodiment, the serving SN sends the execution conditions of the next CPC, the target cell identifier and the target cell configuration.

[0336] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0337] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (51), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0338] Cell2 / 3 is a cell other than Cell1 under the jurisdiction of the S-SN. When step (51) starts, Cell2 / 3 is not the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0339] As shown in Figure 8, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0340] Step (51): The S-SN initiates an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries information related to CPC configuration, including one or more of the following information:

[0341] The CPC candidate cell (or candidate PSCell) identifier recommended by the S-SN, such as the identifiers of Cell2 and Cell3;

[0342] CPC source cell identifier recommended by S-SN, such as Cell1, Cell2, Cell3;

[0343] CPC execution conditions;

[0344] The configuration corresponding to the target candidate cell, that is, the Cell2 / Cell3 related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell2 / Cell3.

[0345] CPC execution conditions include:

[0346] Execution condition 1 of the CPC corresponding to Cell2 is met. When this execution condition 1 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change to change the serving PSCell from Cell1 to Cell2.

[0347] Execution condition 2 of the CPC corresponding to Cell 3: When this execution condition 2 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change to change the serving PSCell from Cell 1 to Cell 3;

[0348] Execution condition 3 of the CPC corresponding to Cell 2: When this execution condition 3 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change to change the serving PSCell from Cell 3 to Cell 2.

[0349] Corresponding to execution condition 4 of CPC of Cell3, when the execution condition 4 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change and changes the Serving PSCell from Cell2 to Cell3.

[0350] It should be noted that the SN may inform the MN of the association relationship among the source cell, the candidate cells, and the corresponding CPC execution conditions through this message.

[0351] Step (52): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0352] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0353] CPC execution conditions;

[0354] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0355] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0356] For example, the CPC configuration includes the content shown in Table 3.

[0357] Example 6:

[0358] In this embodiment, the candidate SN feeds back the execution condition of the next CPC and the target cell identifier.

[0359] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0360] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (61), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0361] Cell 2 and 3 are cells under the jurisdiction of gNB1 (Candidate SN).

[0362] As shown in Figure 9, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0363] Step (61): The S-SN initiates an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries CPC configuration related information, including one or more of the following information:

[0364] CPC candidate cell list recommended by S-SN, such as Cell2 identifier and Cell3 identifier;

[0365] The corresponding CPC (Conditional PSCell Change) execution condition 1, when the execution condition 1 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change, changing the Serving PSCell from Cell 1 to a cell in the CPC candidate cell list, such as Cell 2; the corresponding CPC execution condition 2, when the execution condition 2 is met, the UE executes PSCell Change, changing the Serving PSCell from Cell 1 to a cell in the CPC candidate cell list, such as Cell 3;

[0366] Continuous CPC flag: Indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purposes.

[0367] Step (62): Based on the received SN Change Request message, the MN initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB to which Cell2 belongs (i.e., gNB1), including one or more of the following information:

[0368] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0369] The recommended CPC candidate cell list, such as the identifiers of Cell 2 and Cell 3. The MN determines the recommended CPC candidate cell list based on the CPC candidate cell list recommended by the S-SN.

[0370] Step (63): gNB1 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0371] Configuration of CPC target candidate cells under gNB1, namely, Cell2-related configuration information (if Cell2 allows UE access) and / or Cell3-related configuration information (if Cell3 allows UE access). This configuration is used when the UE changes the serving PSCell to Cell2 or Cell3.

[0372] The identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell recommended by gNB1: used to indicate the identifier of the target cell when Cell2 is the Serving PSCell, such as Cell3; and / or used to indicate the identifier of the target cell when Cell3 is the Serving PSCell, such as Cell2;

[0373] Changing the Serving PSCell from Cell2 to Cell3, and the corresponding CPC execution conditions; and / or, changing the Serving PSCell from Cell3 to Cell2, and the corresponding CPC execution conditions;

[0374] Changing the Serving PSCell from Cell3 to Cell2, and its corresponding CPC execution conditions; and / or, changing the Serving PSCell from Cell3 to Cell2, and its corresponding CPC execution conditions.

[0375] Step (64): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0376] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0377] CPC execution conditions;

[0378] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0379] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0380] For example, the CPC configuration includes the content shown in Table 4.

[0381] Table 4

[0382] Example 7:

[0383] In this embodiment, the SN initiates continuous CPC, and the MN determines potential continuous CPC candidate cells.

[0384] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0385] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (71), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0386] Cell2 is a cell under gNB1 (Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (71), Cell2 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0387] Cell3 is a cell under gNB2 (Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (71), Cell3 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0388] As shown in Figure 10, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0389] Step (71): The S-SN initiates an SN change request message to the MN. The request carries information related to CPC configuration, including one or more of the following information:

[0390] The CPC candidate cell list recommended by the S-SN, such as the identifier of Cell2;

[0391] Corresponding CPC execution conditions: When the execution conditions are met, the UE executes a PSCell Change to change the serving PSCell from Cell 1 to Cell 2;

[0392] Continuous CPC flag: Indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purposes.

[0393] Step (72a): Based on the received SN Change Request message, the MN initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB (i.e., gNB1) to which the potential candidate cell belongs. The SN Add Request includes one or more of the following information:

[0394] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0395] The CPC target candidate cell identifier recommended by the MN, such as the identifier of Cell2.

[0396] Step (72b): Based on the received SN Change Request message, the MN determines the potential candidate cell Cell3 and initiates an SN Add Request to the gNB to which the potential candidate cell belongs (i.e., gNB2). The SN Add Request includes one or more of the following information:

[0397] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0398] The CPC target candidate cell identifier recommended by the MN, such as the identifier of Cell2.

[0399] Step (73a): gNB1 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0400] Configuration corresponding to the CPC target candidate cell on gNB1, such as Cell2-related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell2;

[0401] The candidate cell is used as the identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell for conditional switching when serving the PSCell (used to indicate the identifier of the target cell, such as Cell3, if the next CPC is performed when Cell2 is serving the PSCell) and the corresponding CPC execution condition.

[0402] Similarly, in step (73b), gNB2 sends an SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0403] Configuration corresponding to the CPC target candidate cell on gNB2, such as Cell3-related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell3;

[0404] The candidate cell is used as the identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell for conditional switching when serving the PSCell (used to indicate the identifier of the target cell, such as Cell2, if the next CPC is performed when Cell3 is serving the PSCell) and the corresponding CPC execution condition.

[0405] Step (74): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0406] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0407] CPC execution conditions;

[0408] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0409] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0410] It should be noted that the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the process of obtaining CPC-related information for the next CPC is changed from serial to parallel, and the CPC preparation process is faster.

[0411] Example 8:

[0412] Step (71) of Example 7 can be omitted to obtain this example.

[0413] In this embodiment, the MN initiates continuous CPC: the MN determines potential continuous CPC candidate cells.

[0414] In this embodiment, the mapping relationship between Cell and SN is as follows:

[0415] Cell1 is a cell under the S-SN (Serving SN). At the beginning of step (81), Cell1 is the Serving PSCell of the UE.

[0416] Cell2 is a cell under gNB1 (Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (81), Cell2 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0417] Cell3 is a cell under gNB2 (Candidate SN). At the beginning of step (81), Cell3 is not the UE's serving cell.

[0418] As shown in Figure 11, the CPC configuration method includes the following steps:

[0419] Step (81): The MN initiates a SN add request to the gNB to which the potential candidate cell belongs (i.e. gNB1, gNB2).

[0420] The SN add request includes one or more of the following information:

[0421] Continuous CPC flag: indicates that this message is used for continuous CPC purpose;

[0422] The CPC target candidate cell identifiers recommended by the MN, such as the identifier of Cell2 and Cell3.

[0423] Step (82): gNB1 / gNB2 sends a SN Addition Confirmation message to the MN, including one or more of the following:

[0424] Configuration corresponding to CPC target candidate cells on the gNB, such as Cell2 / 3 related configuration information; this configuration is used when the UE changes the Serving PSCell to Cell2 / 3;

[0425] The candidate cell is used as the identifier of the subsequent CPC target candidate cell for conditional switching when serving the PSCell (used to indicate the identifier of the target cell, such as Cell3, if the next CPC is performed when Cell2 is serving the PSCell) and the corresponding CPC execution condition.

[0426] Step (83): The MN generates a CPC configuration (including N sets of CPC configurations, N>=1), and sends the generated CPC configuration to the UE. Each set of CPC configuration includes one or more of the following information:

[0427] An identifier for the CPC configuration, such as a serial number;

[0428] CPC execution conditions;

[0429] The identifier of the target PSCell and / or the configuration of the target PSCell corresponding to the CPC execution condition;

[0430] The source cell identifier of CPC.

[0431] In this embodiment, the CPC condition for the UE to switch from cell 1 to cell 2 / 3 is generated by the MN.

[0432] The above embodiments may be applicable to 5G and subsequent evolution communication systems.

[0433] The above embodiment simplifies the CPC preparation process of continuous CPC and avoids the UE from performing invalid CPC evaluation.

[0434] The CPC configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a CPC configuration device. In the embodiment of the present application, the CPC configuration device executing the CPC configuration method is taken as an example to illustrate the CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0435] Please refer to FIG. 12 , which is a structural diagram of a CPC configuration device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The master node includes the CPC configuration device. As shown in FIG. 12 , the CPC configuration device 400 includes:

[0436] The first receiving module 401 is configured to receive first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for the Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary / secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell;

[0437] The first sending module 402 is configured to send CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal.

[0438] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0439] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0440] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0441] The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0442] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0443] The second sending module is configured to send second indication information to the first secondary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0444] Continuous CPC;

[0445] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0446] Optionally, the first receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0447] In a case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, first indication information sent by the first secondary node is received.

[0448] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0449] a third sending module, configured to send third indication information to a second secondary node, where the second secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell, and the third indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0450] Continuous CPC;

[0451] The identifier of the second target candidate cell.

[0452] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0453] a second receiving module, configured to receive fourth indication information sent by the second secondary node;

[0454] The fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell;

[0455] The first sending module is specifically configured to:

[0456] Sending a CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC.

[0457] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to a second target candidate cell, where the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell;

[0458] The first sending module is specifically configured to:

[0459] Sending a CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC.

[0460] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0461] an identifier of a third target candidate cell;

[0462] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the third target candidate cell;

[0463] The third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell.

[0464] Optionally, when the first indication information is also used to indicate CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC, the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

[0465] Optionally, the number of the first target candidate cells is one or more;

[0466] The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: an identifier of a second target candidate cell corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells; or

[0467] The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: CPC execution conditions of the second target candidate cells corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells.

[0468] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0469] A third receiving module is configured to receive fifth indication information sent by a third secondary node, where the third secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal;

[0470] The fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0471] Continuous CPC;

[0472] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0473] Optionally, the CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal and a source cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0474] The CPC configuration device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other device other than a terminal. For example, the terminal can include but is not limited to the types of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can include servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0475] The CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented in the method embodiment of Figure 2 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0476] The CPC configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a CPC configuration device. In the embodiment of the present application, the CPC configuration device executing the CPC configuration method is taken as an example to illustrate the CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0477] Please refer to FIG. 13 , which is a structural diagram of a CPC configuration device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first slave node includes the CPC configuration device. As shown in FIG. 13 , the CPC configuration device 500 includes:

[0478] A sending module 501 is configured to send first indication information to a primary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the terminal for the Nth conditional primary / secondary cell change CPC, where N is a positive integer;

[0479] The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0480] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0481] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0482] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0483] The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0484] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0485] A receiving module is configured to receive second indication information sent by the master node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0486] Continuous CPC;

[0487] The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

[0488] Optionally, the sending module is specifically configured to:

[0489] In a case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the first indication information is sent to the master node.

[0490] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell;

[0491] The second target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0492] Optionally, the CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0493] an identifier of a third target candidate cell;

[0494] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the third target candidate cell;

[0495] Among them, the third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

[0496] The CPC configuration device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other device other than a terminal. For example, the terminal can include but is not limited to the types of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can include servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0497] The CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented in the method embodiment of Figure 3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0498] The CPC configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a CPC configuration device. In the embodiment of the present application, the CPC configuration device executing the CPC configuration method is taken as an example to illustrate the CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0499] Please refer to FIG. 14 , which is a structural diagram of a CPC configuration device provided in an embodiment of the present application. A terminal includes the CPC configuration device. As shown in FIG. 14 , the CPC configuration device 600 includes:

[0500] Receiving module 601, configured to receive CPC configuration sent by the master node;

[0501] The execution module 602 is configured to evaluate a CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the CPC source cell of the terminal included in the CPC configuration.

[0502] Optionally, the CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal, and the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0503] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0504] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0505] Among them, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer.

[0506] The CPC configuration device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other device other than a terminal. For example, the terminal can include but is not limited to the types of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can include servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0507] The CPC configuration device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented in the method embodiment of Figure 4 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0508] Optionally, as shown in Figure 15, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 700, including a processor 701 and a memory 702, and the memory 702 stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor 701. For example, when the communication device 700 is a master node, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 701 to implement the various steps of the above-mentioned CPC configuration method embodiment applied to the master node, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it is not repeated here. When the communication device 700 is a first slave node, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 701 to implement the various steps of the above-mentioned CPC configuration method embodiment applied to the first slave node, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it is not repeated here. When the communication device 700 is a terminal, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 701 to implement the various steps of the above-mentioned CPC configuration method embodiment applied to the terminal, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it is not repeated here.

[0509] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which is a main node and includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive first indication information sent by a first auxiliary node, where the first auxiliary node is the auxiliary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving main and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; and send CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

[0510] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which is a first auxiliary node, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: send first indication information to the main node, the first auxiliary node is the auxiliary node corresponding to the first target candidate cell, the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell.

[0511] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which is a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive the CPC configuration sent by the master node; the processor is used to: when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC of the terminal contained in the CPC configuration, perform an evaluation of the CPC execution conditions corresponding to the matching source cell.

[0512] Specifically, FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of the present application.

[0513] The terminal 800 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 801, a network module 802, an audio output unit 803, an input unit 804, a sensor 805, a display unit 806, a user input unit 807, an interface unit 808, a memory 809 and at least some of the components of the processor 810.

[0514] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 800 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) to power various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 810 through a power management system, thereby implementing functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in FIG16 does not constitute a limitation of the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently, which will not be described in detail here.

[0515] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the input unit 804 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 8041 and a microphone 8042, and the GPU 8041 processes the image data of a static picture or video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 806 may include a display panel 8061, and the display panel 8061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 807 includes a touch panel 8071 and at least one of other input devices 8072. The touch panel 8071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 8071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 8072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and an operating stick, which will not be repeated here.

[0516] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving downlink data from a network-side device, the radio frequency unit 801 may transmit the data to the processor 810 for processing. Furthermore, the radio frequency unit 801 may send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 801 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.

[0517] The memory 809 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 809 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data, wherein the first storage area may store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. In addition, the memory 809 may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or the memory 809 may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 809 in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0518] Processor 810 may include one or more processing units. Optionally, processor 810 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 810.

[0519] The radio frequency unit 801 is configured to: receive the CPC configuration sent by the master node;

[0520] The processor 810 is configured to: when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the CPC source cell of the terminal included in the CPC configuration, evaluate the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell.

[0521] Optionally, the CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC of the terminal, and the CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes at least one of the following:

[0522] an identifier of the second target candidate cell;

[0523] CPC execution conditions corresponding to the second target candidate cell;

[0524] Among them, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer.

[0525] It can be understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment Figure 2, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0526] Specifically, the terminal of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 809 and can be run on the processor 810. The processor 810 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 809 to execute the method of execution of each module shown in Figure 14 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0527] The present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the above-mentioned method embodiment can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0528] Specifically, an embodiment of the present application also provides a network-side device. The network-side device can be a primary node or a first secondary node. As shown in Figure 17, the network-side device 900 includes: an antenna 901, a radio frequency device 902, a baseband device 903, a processor 904, and a memory 905. The antenna 901 is connected to the radio frequency device 902. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 902 receives information through the antenna 901 and sends the received information to the baseband device 903 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 903 processes the information to be sent and sends it to the radio frequency device 902. The radio frequency device 902 processes the received information and sends it out through the antenna 901.

[0529] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiment may be implemented in the baseband device 903 , which includes a baseband processor.

[0530] The baseband device 903 may include, for example, at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are arranged, as shown in Figure 17, one of which is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 905 through a bus interface to call the program in the memory 905 and execute the network device operations shown in the above method embodiment.

[0531] The network side device may further include a network interface 906, which is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0532] Specifically, the network side device 900 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 905 and can be run on the processor 904. The processor 904 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 905 to execute the method executed by each module shown in Figure 12 or Figure 13, and achieves the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0533] Specifically, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network side device. As shown in FIG18 , the network side device 1000 includes: a processor 1001, a network interface 1002, and a memory 1003. The network interface 1002 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0534] Specifically, the network side device 1000 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 1003 and can be run on the processor 1001. The processor 1001 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 1003 to execute the method of execution of each module shown in Figure 12 or Figure 13, and achieves the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0535] An embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, each process of the CPC configuration method embodiment is implemented and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0536] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0537] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned CPC configuration method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0538] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0539] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned CPC configuration method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0540] An embodiment of the present application also provides a CPC configuration system, including: a master node, a first slave node, and a terminal. The master node can be used to execute the steps of the CPC configuration method applied to the master node as described above, the first slave node can be used to execute the steps of the CPC configuration method applied to the first slave node as described above, and the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the CPC configuration method applied to the terminal as described above.

[0541] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0542] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general-purpose hardware platform, or of course, by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0543] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms of implementation methods without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims. These implementation methods are all within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for changing CPC configuration of a conditional primary and secondary cell, comprising: The primary node receives first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a second target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell; The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Before the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node, the method includes: The primary node sends second indication information to the first secondary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Continuous CPC; The first secondary node provides the primary node with CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell; whether the CPC is continuous; The auxiliary node performs continuous CPC preparation or non-continuous CPC preparation; The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The primary node receives first indication information sent by the first secondary node, including: In a case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the primary node receives first indication information sent by the first secondary node.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: After the primary node receives the first indication information sent by the first secondary node, the method further includes: The primary node sends third indication information to the second secondary node, where the second secondary node is the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell, and the third indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Continuous CPC; The second secondary node provides, to the primary node, CPC related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; The identifier of the second target candidate cell.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: After the primary node sends the third indication information to the second secondary node, the method further includes: The primary node receives fourth indication information sent by the second secondary node; The fourth indication information is used to indicate CPC related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal, including: The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first indication information is further used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell, and the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell; The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal, including: The master node sends the CPC configuration to the terminal based on the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC and the CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a third target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the third target candidate cell; The third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: In a case where the first indication information is also used to indicate CPC-related information of the (N+2)th CPC, the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The number of the first target candidate cells is one or more; The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: an identifier of a second target candidate cell corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells; or The CPC-related information of the (N+1)th CPC includes: CPC execution conditions of the second target candidate cells corresponding to each of the first target candidate cells.

11. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: Before the primary node sends the second indication information to the first secondary node, the method further includes: The primary node receives fifth indication information sent by a third secondary node, wherein the third secondary node is a service node of the terminal. Auxiliary nodes corresponding to the primary and secondary cells; The fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Continuous CPC; The primary node performs continuous CPC preparation or the primary node sends second indication information to the first secondary node to perform continuous CPC preparation; The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal and a source cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a second target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell; The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

14. A CPC configuration method, comprising: The first secondary node sends first indication information to the primary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, where the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a second target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell; The second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: Before the first secondary node sends the first indication information to the primary node, the method includes: The first secondary node receives second indication information sent by the primary node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Continuous CPC; The identifier of the first target candidate cell.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The first secondary node sends first indication information to the primary node, including: In the case where the second indication information indicates continuous CPC, the first secondary node sends a first indication to the primary node information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: The first indication information is further used to indicate CPC related information of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; The second target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The CPC-related information of the N+2th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a third target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the third target candidate cell; Among them, the third target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+2th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the second target candidate cell; the secondary node corresponding to the second target candidate cell is the first secondary node.

20. A CPC configuration method, comprising: The terminal receives the CPC configuration sent by the master node; In a case where the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the CPC source cell of the terminal included in the CPC configuration, the terminal evaluates the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The CPC configuration includes CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal, and the CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a second target candidate cell; CPC execution condition corresponding to the second target candidate cell; Among them, the second target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is the target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, and N is a positive integer.

22. A CPC configuration device, wherein a master node comprises the CPC configuration device, the device comprising: A first receiving module is configured to receive first indication information sent by a first secondary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell for the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cell of the terminal is changed to the first target candidate cell; The first sending module is used to send CPC configuration to the terminal based on CPC related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal.

23. A CPC configuration device, wherein a first secondary node comprises the CPC configuration device, the device comprising: A sending module, configured to send first indication information to a primary node, where the first secondary node is a secondary node corresponding to a first target candidate cell, and the first target candidate cell is a target candidate cell of the Nth conditional primary and secondary cell change CPC of the terminal, where N is a positive integer; The first indication information is used to indicate CPC-related information of the N+1th CPC of the terminal when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal are changed to the first target candidate cell.

24. A CPC configuration device, wherein a terminal comprises the CPC configuration device, the device comprising: A receiving module, used to receive CPC configuration sent by the master node; An execution module is used to evaluate the CPC execution condition corresponding to the matching source cell when the serving primary and secondary cells of the terminal match the source cell of the CPC of the terminal contained in the CPC configuration.

25. A communication device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be executed on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, or implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 20 to 21.

26. A chip, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run a program or instruction to implement the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or to implement the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, or to implement the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 20 to 21.

27. A readable storage medium storing a program or instruction, wherein the program or instruction, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, or implements the steps of the CPC configuration method as described in any one of claims 20 to 21.

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