Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a network device sending first configuration information to a user equipment to instruct the user equipment to perform signal quality measurement prediction for a first time period or a first location. In this way, a network device is not required to send to a user equipment measurement information for performing measurement during a first time period or at a first location, and the user equipment is also not required to execute corresponding measurements. Therefore, the method can reduce measurement overhead and signaling overhead, and can also shorten the mobility interruption time during cell handover.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410800120.3, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on June 19, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of communication technology, in order to support wider communication service coverage, network equipment needs to provide services for larger communication areas. Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), for example, offer advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, high flexibility, and high throughput. They are also unaffected by geographical environment, climate conditions, and natural disasters, and have been widely used in fields such as aviation and maritime communications. However, during cell measurements in NTN mobility management, user equipment needs to perform measurements of corresponding reference signals based on network-side configurations and report the measurement results or events afterward. This incurs significant measurement and signaling overhead and increases mobility interruption time during cell handover. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus in which a terminal device performs measurement prediction based on configuration information sent by a network device, which can reduce measurement overhead and signaling overhead, and reduce mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device. The method may include: the terminal device receiving first configuration information from a first network device, the first configuration information indicating at least one of a first time period or a first location; the terminal device determining a second measurement result based on a first measurement result, the first measurement result indicating the signal quality of a second location during a second time period, the first time period being later than the second time period, and the first location being different from the second location; when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the second measurement result indicating the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; and when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the second measurement result indicating the signal quality of the first location.

[0007] The solution provided in the first aspect above allows the terminal device to determine the signal quality of the second location in the first time period based on the signal quality of the second location in the second time period, according to the instructions of the first network device. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the signal quality of the first location based on the signal quality of the second location in the second time period, according to the instructions of the first network device. Therefore, the first network device does not need to configure measurement information for the terminal device, and the terminal device does not need to perform actual measurements to obtain the measurement results in advance. This reduces signaling and measurement overhead, and also reduces mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0008] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: before the first time period, the terminal device sending a second measurement result to the first network device; or; before arriving at the first location, the terminal device sending the second measurement result to the first network device. Based on this, the terminal device can send the second measurement result to the first network device before the first time period or before arriving at the first location. After receiving the second measurement result sent by the terminal device, the first network device makes network handover decisions and preparations based on the second measurement result, reducing signaling overhead during the measurement process and also reducing mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0009] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: a terminal device receiving second configuration information from a first network device, the second configuration information indicating a first event, the first event being used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device, the first event being related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device. Based on this, the terminal device receives the second configuration information from the first network device indicating one or more first events, the first events being used to instruct the terminal device to send the second measurement result to the first network device when the one or more first events are satisfied. If the first event is not satisfied, the terminal device does not send the second measurement result to the first network device; that is, the terminal device can first determine whether to send the second measurement result based on one or more first events, and then send the second measurement result to the first network device after determining that it needs to be sent. This reduces unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process.

[0010] As one possible implementation, the first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device. Based on this, the terminal device can determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device based on one or more of the above methods. In some examples, the first reference point may be the center point of the coverage area of ​​the first network device, and the second network device may be the center point of the coverage area of ​​the second network device. This reduces unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process.

[0011] As one possible implementation, the second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event. Based on this, the terminal device can determine whether the first event is valid based on its validity period. If the first event is valid, the terminal device sends the second measurement result within the validity period of the first event. When the second configuration information includes multiple first events, the validity periods corresponding to different first events can be the same or different. For example, the second configuration information can indicate the validity period of the first event by carrying a deadline or a timer validity period. The deadline is used to instruct the terminal device to send the second measurement result before the deadline, and the timer validity period is used to instruct the terminal device to send the second measurement result within the timer validity period. It can be understood that when the validity period of the first event ends, regardless of whether the terminal device satisfies the first event, it does not need to send the second measurement result to the first network device.

[0012] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third configuration information from the first network device, the third configuration information indicating a first polarization mode, the first polarization mode being the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode being different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result. Based on this, the terminal device can determine the measurement result of another polarization mode based on the measurement result of one polarization mode. For example, the first polarization mode includes circular polarization (including left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization), elliptic polarization, and linear polarization. For instance, the first network device can instruct the terminal device to use right-hand circular polarization to determine the second measurement result, or instruct the terminal device to use circular polarization to determine the second measurement result, through the third configuration information.

[0013] As one possible implementation, if the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, the method further includes: the terminal device sending a first request to the first network device, the first request being used to request the configuration of first measurement information; or, the terminal device receiving first measurement information from the first network device; wherein, when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location. Based on this, after the terminal device determines the second measurement result, firstly, if the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, the terminal device can send a first request to the first network device to request the first network device to issue first measurement information, and perform actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location based on the first measurement information, and obtain the measurement result. Secondly, if the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, for example, if the accuracy of the second measurement result is not within the confidence interval, the first network device sends the first measurement information to the terminal device, and after receiving the first measurement information, the terminal device performs actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location based on the first measurement information, and obtains the measurement result.

[0014] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first network device. The method includes: the first network device sending first configuration information to a terminal device, the first configuration information indicating at least one of a first time period or a first location; the first time period or the first location being used to instruct the terminal device to determine a second measurement result based on a first measurement result, the first measurement result indicating the signal quality of the second location during the second time period, the first time period being later than the second time period, and the first location being different from the second location; when the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the second measurement result indicating the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the second measurement result indicating the signal quality of the first location.

[0015] The solution provided in the second aspect above involves the first network device instructing the terminal device to determine the signal quality of the second location during the first time period based on the signal quality of the second location during the second time period. Alternatively, the first network device instructs the terminal device to determine the signal quality of the first location based on the signal quality of the second location during the second time period. Therefore, the first network device does not need to configure measurement information for the terminal device, and the terminal device does not need to perform actual measurements to obtain the measurement results in advance. This reduces signaling and measurement overhead, and also reduces mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0016] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: before a first time period, the first network device receives a second measurement result from the terminal device; or, before reaching the first location, the first network device receives the second measurement result from the terminal device. Based on this, the first network device can receive the second measurement result sent by the terminal device before the first time period or before the terminal device reaches the first location. After receiving the second measurement result sent by the terminal device, the first network device makes network handover decisions and preparations based on the second measurement result, reducing the signaling overhead generated during the measurement process and also reducing the mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0017] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first network device sending second configuration information to a terminal device. The second configuration information indicates a first event, which determines whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device. The first event is related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device. Based on this, the second configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal device indicates one or more first events, which instruct the terminal device to send the second measurement result to the first network device when one or more of the first events are met. If the first event is not met, the second measurement result is not sent to the first network device. That is, the terminal device can first determine whether to send the second measurement result based on one or more first events, and then send the second measurement result to the first network device after determining that it needs to be sent. This reduces unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process.

[0018] As one possible implementation, the first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device; wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device. Based on this, the first network device instructs the terminal device to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device based on one or more of the above methods using first configuration information. In some examples, the first reference point may be the center point of the coverage area of ​​the first network device, and the second network device may be the center point of the coverage area of ​​the second network device. This reduces unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process.

[0019] As one possible implementation, the second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event. Based on this, the first network device instructs the terminal device to send the second measurement result within the validity period of the first event using the second configuration information. When the second configuration information includes multiple first events, the validity periods corresponding to different first events can be the same or different. For example, the second configuration information can indicate the validity period of the first event by carrying a deadline or a timer validity period. The deadline instructs the terminal device to send the second measurement result before the deadline, and the timer validity period instructs the terminal device to send the second measurement result within the timer validity period. It can be understood that once the validity period of the first event ends, regardless of whether the terminal device satisfies the first event, it does not need to send the second measurement result to the first network device.

[0020] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first network device sending third configuration information to a terminal device, the third configuration information indicating a first polarization mode, the first polarization mode being the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode being different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result. Based on this, the first network device instructs the terminal device, through the third configuration information, to determine a measurement result of another polarization mode based on a measurement result of one polarization mode. For example, the first polarization mode includes circular polarization (including left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization), elliptic polarization, and linear polarization. For instance, the first network device can instruct the terminal device, through the third configuration information, to determine the second measurement result using right-hand circular polarization, or instruct the terminal device to determine the second measurement result using circular polarization.

[0021] As one possible implementation, when the second measurement result is outside the confidence interval, the method further includes: a first network device receiving a first request from a terminal device, or the first network device sending first measurement information to the terminal device; wherein the first request is used to request configuration of the first measurement information. When the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location. Based on this, after the first network device receives the second measurement result sent by the terminal device, if the second measurement result is outside the confidence interval, the first network device sends the first measurement information to the terminal device. The first measurement information is used by the terminal device to perform actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location and obtain the measurement result. In some examples, the first network device receives the first request sent by the terminal device and sends the first measurement information to the terminal device based on the first request. If the second measurement result is within the confidence interval, for example, if the accuracy of the second measurement result is not within the confidence interval, the first network device sends the first measurement information to the terminal device. The first measurement information is used by the terminal device to perform actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location and obtain the measurement result.

[0022] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device for implementing the above-described method. This communication device can be the terminal device described in the first aspect; or, it can be the first network device described in the second aspect. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include an interface module and a processing module. The interface module, also referred to as an interface unit, is used to implement the transmission and / or reception functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations. The interface module may consist of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations. The processing module may, for example, be a processor.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the interface module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations.

[0025] Fourthly, this application provides a communication system comprising a terminal device and a first network device, wherein the terminal device is configured to implement the method as described in any one of the first aspects above; and the first network device is configured to implement the method as described in any one of the second aspects above.

[0026] Fifthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of the first or second aspects above.

[0027] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when the computer program product is run on a computer, cause the method as described in any one of the first or second aspects to be implemented.

[0028] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor; configured to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the preceding aspects by executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, and / or by means of logic circuitry. The communication device may be a terminal device as described in the first aspect; or, the communication device may be a first network device as described in the second aspect. Optionally, the number of processors may be one or more.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together; or, the memory is independent of the processor.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0033] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit for receiving a computer program or instructions and transmitting them to the processor; the processor for executing the computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be a terminal device as described in the first aspect; or, the communication device may be a first network device as described in the second aspect. Optionally, the number of processors may be one or more.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0035] The technical effects of any possible implementation of any of the third to eighth aspects can be found in the technical effects of any of the first to second aspects or different possible implementations of any of the first to second aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0036] Understandably, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other, the solutions in the above aspects can be combined. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-staring satellite communication system.

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a staring satellite communication system.

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the switching principle of a staring satellite communication system;

[0040] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a cell handover method in a communication system;

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a cell measurement method;

[0042] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of a mobile satellite communication system;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of another mobile satellite communication system;

[0044] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 9 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a cell handover scenario in a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a first position of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device performing measurement prediction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a first event of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a recovery method after measurement failure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating another recovery method after measurement failure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two.

[0055] In the following text, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish different descriptive objects and do not limit the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the described objects. For example, if the described object is a "field," then the ordinal numbers before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the described object is a "level," then the ordinal numbers before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority of the "levels." Furthermore, the quantity of described objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more; for example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the described object is "device," then "first device" and "second device" can be devices of the same type or different types. Similarly, if the described object is "information," then "first information" and "second information" can be information with the same content or information with different content. In summary, the use of ordinal numbers and other prefixes used to distinguish the described objects in the embodiments of this application does not constitute a limitation on the described objects. The description of the described objects is given in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of such prefixes should not constitute an unnecessary limitation.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection; in addition, it can refer to an electrical connection or a communication connection; for example, the connection of two electrical components A and B can refer to A and B being directly connected, or it can refer to A and B being indirectly connected through other electrical components or connection media, or it can refer to A and B being indirectly connected through other communication devices or communication media, as long as it enables communication between A and B.

[0057] Currently, NTN includes one or more nodes such as satellite networks, high-altitude platforms, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). NTN boasts significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, convenient deployment, and independence from geographical limitations, and has been widely applied in various fields including maritime communication, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and Earth observation. Therefore, NTN can compensate for the shortcomings of terrestrial networks (TN). The integration of NTN and TN can form a globally seamless, integrated sea, land, air, space, and ground communication network to meet the ubiquitous and diverse service needs of users.

[0058] In some embodiments, satellite communication system beam operating modes, based on the operating mode of the payload (e.g., the beam), can generally be divided into staring (earth-fixed or quad-earth-fixed) and non-staring (earth-moving) satellite communication systems. In a non-staring satellite communication system, the coverage area of ​​the satellite beam changes as the satellite moves over a period of time. In a staring satellite system, the satellite can adjust the beam pointing so that the satellite beam approximately covers the same area of ​​the ground over a period of time. Referring to Figure 1, in a non-staring system, the coverage area of ​​the satellite beam is different at times t1, t2, and t3. Referring to Figure 2, in a staring system, the satellite can adjust the beam pointing so that the satellite beam approximately covers the same area of ​​the ground during the time period from time t1 to time t3.

[0059] In some embodiments, satellites can assist terminal devices within their coverage area in cell reselection or cell handover. During satellite mobility management of terminal devices (such as reselection / handover of terminal devices within a beam), taking a (quas i)earth-fixed satellite communication system as an example, satellite movement can cause group handover (connected terminal devices) or group reselection (idle terminal devices) problems for users within a certain area beam. Taking cell handover as an example, referring to Figure 3, satellite 1 switches from area 1 to area 2, and satellite 2 switches from area 2 to area 3. A single beam within area 2 includes a cluster of terminal devices, where each cluster contains one or more terminal devices. At time T1, the cluster of terminal devices in area 2 is served by one or more beams of satellite 2; at time T2, the movement of satellite 2 causes the terminal devices within that beam to be unable to continue being served, and one or more beams of satellite 1 take over the service of the cluster of terminal devices. Therefore, a group handover occurs for this cluster of terminal devices. Furthermore, due to the relatively high speed of satellite movement, approximately 7.5 km / s, the frequency of group handover is approximately once per few seconds to tens of seconds. In other words, in hopping beam low earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, group handovers driven primarily by network mobility become the norm.

[0060] In some embodiments, both new radio (NR) and non-new radio network (NTN) technologies require mobility management for terminal devices within the coverage area. Mobility management mainly includes cell handover, cell reselection, registration update, and tracking area update. Taking cell handover in an NTN network as an example, see Figure 4, which illustrates a flowchart of a cell handover method in a communication system. As shown in Figure 4, handover in an NTN network includes the following aspects:

[0061] Cell measurement: Typically, the network sends measurement configurations for multiple cells (including serving cells and neighboring cells) to the terminal device. The terminal device then measures the cell signal quality (such as reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ)) according to the measurement configuration.

[0062] Measurement result reporting: The terminal device reports the measurement results to the network. The reporting method can be periodic reporting.

[0063] Handover decision: The network selects a suitable neighboring cell based on the reported results and exchanges relevant context information, access control, and reserved resources with the user.

[0064] Handover execution: The terminal device receives handover-related control information from the serving cell and completes the access process in the target cell.

[0065] In some examples, taking cell handover in an NTN network as an example, cell handover methods may include:

[0066] S1: The source base station sends measurement configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the measurement configuration information from the source base station.

[0067] S2: The terminal equipment performs measurement configuration based on the measurement configuration information and measures the cell signal quality (such as RSRP and / or RSRQ, etc.);

[0068] S3: The terminal device reports the measurement results to the source base station;

[0069] S4: The source base station makes a handover decision based on the measurement results reported by the terminal device;

[0070] S5: The source base station sends a handover request to the target base station; correspondingly, the target base station receives the handover request from the source base station.

[0071] S6: The target base station responds to the handover request sent by the source base station and performs admission control;

[0072] S7: The target base station sends a handover request confirmation to the source base station; correspondingly, the source base station receives the handover request sent by the target base station to confirm it.

[0073] S8: The source base station sends handover configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover configuration information sent by the source base station.

[0074] S9: A random access message sent by the terminal device to the target base station; correspondingly, the target base station receives the random access message sent by the terminal device.

[0075] S10: The target base station sends a random access response to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the random access response from the target base station.

[0076] S11: The terminal device sends a handover configuration completion message to the target base station; correspondingly, the target base station receives the handover configuration completion message sent by the terminal device.

[0077] S12: The target base station sends a path handover request to the access and mobility management function (AMF);

[0078] S13: The AMF sends a path handover request confirmation to the target base station; correspondingly, the target base station receives the path handover request confirmation sent by the AMF.

[0079] S14: The target base station sends a context release request to the source base station; correspondingly, the source base station receives the context release request sent by the target base station.

[0080] S15: The target base station sends measurement configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the measurement configuration information from the target base station accordingly.

[0081] S16: The terminal equipment is configured according to the measurement configuration information and measures the cell signal quality (such as RSRP and / or RSRQ).

[0082] In some examples, the random access preamble required by the terminal device during handover is a dedicated preamble, which differs from the contention-based random access preamble used during initial access. Furthermore, the time-domain period of the random access channel (RACH) during handover can be configured as 10 / 20 / 40 / 80 / 160ms, the same as the RACH period configuration during initial access. It is worth noting that during handover, user data typically needs to be transferred from the source base station to the target base station to ensure optimal user throughput.

[0083] In some embodiments, the handover or reselection process in existing NR or NTN networks typically employs reactive cell measurement. For example, referring to Figure 5, the terminal device needs to perform measurements of corresponding reference signals and report the measurement results based on the network-side configuration, which introduces significant measurement overhead, signaling overhead, and mobility interruption time. Therefore, to address the mobility management issues in NTN networks, this application proposes a reactive cell measurement method for NTN networks to reduce measurement overhead, signaling overhead, and mobility interruption delay.

[0084] Based on this, this application provides a communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communication technology. In this method, after receiving first configuration information from a first network device, the terminal device determines a second measurement result corresponding to the first time period or first location based on a first measurement result, according to a first measurement result, based on a first time period or first location in the first configuration information. Thus, the terminal device can determine the signal quality of the second location in the first time period based on the signal quality of the second location in the second time period, according to the instructions of the first network device. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the signal quality of the first location based on the signal quality of the second location in the second time period, according to the instructions of the first network device. Therefore, the first network device does not need to configure measurement information for the terminal device, and the terminal device does not need to perform actual measurements to obtain the measurement results in advance, which reduces signaling and measurement overhead and also reduces mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0085] As can be seen from the above description, the method provided in this application is based on measurement prediction for cell measurement. Referring to Figure 5, when performing predictive cell measurement, the measurement results for future times (e.g., t1 or t2) are predicted based on the measurement results (RSRP / RSRQ / SINR, etc.) at historical times (e.g., t1 or t2) of the configured reference signal set. There is no need to wait for the reference signal and actual measurement at time t1. When the measurement prediction result meets the configured event conditions, the measurement prediction result is reported in advance based on event triggering (e.g., at time tm, tm...). <tn)。

[0086] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application can be used for measurements related to mobility management (such as cell handover and cell reselection) in satellite networks or terrestrial networks. During the cell measurement prediction process, the first network device instructs the terminal device to perform cell measurement prediction by sending first configuration information. This process may include the following aspects: First, a method for cell measurement prediction in an earth-fixed scenario, including cell measurement results and measurement event prediction. Second, a method for cell measurement prediction in an earth-moving scenario, including cell measurement results and measurement event prediction. Third, a mechanism for the terminal device to recover cell measurement in the event of failure to perform the above-mentioned cell measurement prediction.

[0087] The technical solution of this application can be applied to NTN systems such as satellite communication systems, high-altitude platform (HAPS) communication, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). For example, NTN systems can include integrated communication and navigation (ICAN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and ultra-dense low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication system can be a fourth-generation (4G) communication system (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE) system), a world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth-generation (5G) communication system (e.g., new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems.

[0088] In some embodiments, referring to FIG6, the communication system provided in this application includes network device 601 and terminal device 602.

[0089] The terminal equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a user terminal, mobile station, etc. For example, terminal equipment includes various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions. Specifically, it may refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. Terminal devices can also be satellite phones, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, machine-type communication devices, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals in the home, terminal devices in 5G networks or future communication networks, etc.

[0090] In some embodiments, the ground station equipment is, for example, equipment in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture (such as the 3GPP access architecture of a 5G network) or equipment in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture. The core network, as the bearer network, provides the interface to the data network, providing terminal devices with communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and data service delivery. The CN may further include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), User Plane Function (UPF), and other network elements. The AMF element manages the access and mobility of terminal devices, primarily responsible for terminal device authentication, mobility management, and paging functions.

[0091] Network equipment may also include, but is not limited to: satellites, evolved node Bs (eNBs) of ground stations, baseband units (BBUs), access points (APs), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, transmission points (TPs), or transmission reception points (TRPs) in Wi-Fi systems. Satellites can be LEO satellites, non-geostationary Earth orbit (NGEO) satellites, etc. Ground station equipment can also be referred to as core network equipment. It is understood that this network equipment can also be a gNB, TRP, or TP in a 5G system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. Furthermore, this network equipment can also be network nodes constituting a gNB or TP, such as BBUs, or distributed units (DUs), etc. Alternatively, the network device can also be a device that performs network-side functions in a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, or other communication systems.

[0092] In some examples, see Figure 7, which illustrates a schematic diagram of the system architecture of a mobile satellite communication system. As shown in Figure 7, the satellite communication system includes satellites 701, 702, and 703. Each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. In this scenario, the satellites are LEO satellites, and satellite 703 is connected to ground station equipment. The satellites use multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. The satellites communicate wirelessly with terminal devices through broadcast communication signals and navigation signals, and can also communicate wirelessly with ground station equipment. The satellites mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be satellite base stations, or may include orbital receivers or repeaters for relaying information, or network-side equipment mounted on the satellite.

[0093] In some embodiments, satellite communication systems include transparent satellite architectures and non-transparent satellite architectures. Transparent transmission, also known as bend-tube relay transmission, involves frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite, making the satellite transparent to the signal, as if it doesn't exist. Non-transparent transmission, also known as regenerative (on-board access / processing) transmission, involves the satellite having some or all of the base station functionality. For example, satellites 701 and 702 in Figure 7 are non-transparent satellite architectures, while satellite 703 is a transparent satellite architecture. Furthermore, satellites can operate in earth-fixed, quad earth-fixed, or earth-moving modes.

[0094] The following will describe in detail a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] Referring to Figure 8, it shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the method may include:

[0096] S801: The first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information indicating at least one of a first time period or a first location; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information from the first network device.

[0097] In this application, the first network device may be network device 601 in the communication system shown in FIG6, and the terminal device may be terminal device 602 in the communication system.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first network device may be any satellite in the communication system shown in FIG7, such as any one of satellites 701 to 703, and the terminal device may be any terminal device in the communication system that communicates with the satellite.

[0099] Understandably, when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the terminal device can perform a predictive measurement of the signal quality for that first time period. When the first configuration information indicates a first location, the terminal device can perform a measurement prediction of the signal quality for that first location. When the first configuration information indicates both a first time period and a first location, the terminal device can perform a predictive measurement of the signal quality for that first location within the first time period.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first network device may send first configuration information to one or more terminal devices in advance for the one or more terminal devices to perform signal quality measurement prediction. When the first network device is in a staring scenario, the beam coverage of the first network device does not move with the movement of the first network device; that is, the beam coverage of the first network device remains unchanged or approximately unchanged. Therefore, the first network device can instruct the terminal devices to perform measurement prediction based on time information. For example, the first configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal devices includes information about a first time period. When the first network device is in a non-staring scenario, the beam coverage of the first network device moves with the movement of the first network device; that is, the beam coverage of the first network device changes. Therefore, the first network device can instruct the terminal devices to perform measurement prediction based on location information. For example, the first configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal devices includes information about a first location.

[0101] In some examples, the initial configuration information can be distributed via radio resource control (RRC), system information block (SIB), MAC layer control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), etc., without any limitation.

[0102] S802: The terminal device performs measurement prediction based on the first configuration information.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines a second measurement result based on a first measurement result. The first measurement result indicates the signal quality at a second location during a second time period, where the first time period is later than the second time period, and the first location is different from the second location. It is understood that when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality at the second location during the first time period. That is, the terminal device can predict the signal quality at the second location during the first time period based on the signal quality at the second location during the second time period. Conversely, when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality at the first location. That is, the terminal device can predict the signal quality at the first location based on the signal quality at the second location during the second time period.

[0104] In some embodiments, the terminal device may employ artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) methods to determine the second measurement result. For example, AI / ML methods include deep learning methods, supervised learning methods, semi-supervised learning methods, unsupervised learning methods, etc., without any limitation herein.

[0105] As an example, a terminal device can acquire one or more pre-trained AI models, input the first measurement result into the AI ​​model, and obtain the second measurement result.

[0106] Understandably, in practical applications, there can be multiple second time periods and / or second locations. That is, the terminal device can obtain second measurement results based on the signal quality at different times and / or different locations to improve the accuracy of the prediction results.

[0107] Optionally, the terminal device may determine whether to perform cell reselection or handover based on the second measurement result. Alternatively, the terminal device may indicate the second measurement result to the first network device so that the first network device can determine whether the terminal device should perform cell handover or whether it is time for the terminal device to reselect a cell. For example, referring to Figure 8, in some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include the following steps:

[0108] S803: The terminal device sends the second measurement result to the first network device, and the first network device receives the second measurement result sent by the terminal device.

[0109] In some embodiments, the terminal device sends a second measurement result to the first network device before the first time period. Alternatively, the terminal device sends the second measurement result to the first network device before reaching the first location. For example, if the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the terminal device can send the second measurement result to the first network device before the first time period. If the first configuration information indicates a first location, the terminal device can send the second measurement result to the first network device before reaching the first location. If the first configuration information indicates both a time period and a first location, the terminal device can send the second measurement result to the first network device before the first time period and before reaching the first location. That is, the terminal device can send the second measurement result to the first network device in advance. In this way, the first network device, through the second measurement result received in advance, can determine the target network device for cell handover in advance, reserve handover-related resources corresponding to the first time period or the first location, and perform cell handover to reduce mobility interruption time during cell handover.

[0110] S801 describes a first configuration information indicating at least one of a first time period or a first location. In specific applications, the first configuration information can indicate the first time period and / or the first location in various ways. These are elaborated below.

[0111] First, we will introduce how the first configuration information indicates the first time period.

[0112] In some alternative schemes, the first configuration information includes the start and end times of the first time period. Therefore, the terminal device can perform signal quality measurement and prediction within the range from the start to the end time.

[0113] It is understood that during the measurement prediction process, the first network device can send the corresponding first configuration information before the aforementioned start time, so that the terminal device can perform signal quality measurement prediction. In some examples, the terminal device can also complete the signal quality measurement prediction before the start time, such as the terminal device determining the second measurement result based on the first measurement result before the start time. Subsequently, the terminal device can also send the second measurement result to the first network device.

[0114] In some examples, the first network device may send first configuration information at time t, wherein the start time and end time in the first configuration information sent by the first network device are t+t1 and t+t2, respectively. Here, t+t1 and t+t2 are both after time t, and are used to instruct the terminal device to perform signal quality measurement prediction within [t+t1, t+t2].

[0115] Understandably, the above is merely an example of how the first configuration information indicates the first time period. In specific applications, the first configuration information can also indicate the first time period in other ways, such as including the start time and duration of the first time period, or including the end time and duration of the first time period, etc., without limitation.

[0116] Optionally, the first configuration information may also indicate the time interval for the terminal device to perform signal quality measurement prediction, so that the terminal device can determine the measurement result based on the time interval.

[0117] As an example, the first configuration information includes prediction granularity information and / or the number of reports. The prediction granularity information can be used to indicate the time granularity at which the terminal device performs signal quality predictions, such as the number of signal quality predictions performed within a certain time period. This time period can be set as needed, and its unit can be milliseconds, seconds, symbols, time slots, subframes, or frames, etc. Taking a time period in milliseconds as an example, the prediction granularity information could indicate Y times / Xms, meaning the terminal device can perform Y signal quality predictions within Xms. The number of reports can indicate the number or frequency of second measurement results reported by the terminal device within a preset time period, so that the terminal device can more accurately measure and predict signal quality according to the number of reports. For example, a reporting number of Y times / Xms means the terminal device reports Y second measurement results every Xms.

[0118] Optionally, the first time period in the first configuration information is associated with the second area covered by the first network device. The second area can be a geographical region, such as an area with a service elevation angle within a certain range. Geographical location can be represented by wave position identifiers, latitude and longitude, reference positions, etc., without any limitations here. That is, terminal devices in different geographical locations can be configured with different time periods, thereby enabling the same terminal device to perform batch measurements and predictions of different geographical locations within different first time periods, then report the prediction results in batches, and finally achieve the effect of batch cell handover.

[0119] The following describes the specific method by which the first configuration information indicates the first position.

[0120] In some optional schemes, the first configuration information includes information about a first location. For example, the first location information includes at least one of the coordinates of a third reference point or a fourth reference point. The third reference point is one or more points within the coverage area of ​​the first network device. For example, the third reference point is the center point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, or a point on the edge of the coverage area of ​​the first network device, or a point at a certain distance from the center point, etc. The fourth reference point is one or more points within the coverage area of ​​a second network device. For example, the fourth reference point is the center point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, or a point on the edge of the coverage area of ​​the second network device, or a point at a certain distance from the center point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, etc. The second network device can be a network device adjacent to the first network device. For example, a cell of the second network device is a neighboring cell of a cell of the first network device.

[0121] For example, taking a third reference point as the center point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device and a fourth reference point as the center point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, the terminal device can perform signal quality measurement and prediction for the third region. The third region includes areas where the distance between the terminal device's location and the third reference point is greater than a first threshold. Alternatively, the third region includes areas where the distance between the terminal device's location and the fourth reference point is less than a second threshold. Or, the third region is an area where the distance between the terminal device's location and the third reference point is greater than the first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device's location and the fourth reference point is less than the second threshold.

[0122] Optionally, the first configuration information may also include at least one of a first threshold or a second threshold.

[0123] In some examples, see Figure 10, which illustrates a communication scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, when the terminal device is at position 1, the first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information includes the coordinates of reference position 1 and reference position 2. The range of the first position includes the terminal device's position being greater than a first threshold and the terminal device's position being less than a second threshold and the reference position 2 of the second network device being less than a second threshold, or the terminal device's position being greater than the first threshold and the terminal device's position being less than the second threshold and the reference position 2 of the second network device being less than the second threshold.

[0124] In some examples, see Figure 11, which illustrates a scenario of a terminal device performing measurement prediction according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, when the terminal device is in a first position, the first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device; the first configuration information instructs the terminal device to perform measurement prediction on the signal quality when the terminal device is in a second position, and reports the second measurement result.

[0125] In some alternative solutions, refer to Figure 9, which illustrates a detailed flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, a first network device sends second configuration information to a terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second configuration information from the first network device. The second configuration information indicates a first event, which is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device. The first event is related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device can determine whether to report the second measurement result based on the first event. For example, the second configuration information may include an identifier of the first event.

[0126] It is understandable that when the predicted signal quality or the location of the terminal device meets the first event, the terminal device sends the second measurement result to the first network device. When the predicted signal quality or the location of the terminal device does not meet the first event, the terminal device does not send the second measurement result to the first network device. That is, the terminal device can first determine whether it needs to send the second measurement result based on the first event, and only after determining that it needs to send it can it send the second measurement result to the first network device. This can reduce unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process.

[0127] One possible design involves a first event related to the location of the terminal device, including at least one of the following: if the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event determines to send a second measurement result to a first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than or equal to a second threshold, the first event determines to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event determines to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the terminal device is outside a first area, the first event determines to send a second measurement result to the first network device. Here, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the trajectory of the first network device. Taking a satellite as an example, the first area is the area near the nadir trajectory of the first network device.

[0128] For example, when the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device sends the second measurement result to the network device. Alternatively, when the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal device sends the second measurement result to the network device.

[0129] For example, see Figure 13, which illustrates a scenario diagram of a first event of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the trajectory corresponding to position 2 is the sub-satellite point trajectory of the first network device, and the first region includes the region between position 1 and position 2 and the region between position 2 and position 3. When the terminal device is located in the region above position 1 or in the region below position 3, the terminal device can send a second measurement result to the first network device. In the above example, position 1 and position 3 are determined according to a first direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to position 2). However, in specific applications, the first direction can also be other directions, without limitation. Optionally, the second configuration information also includes information about the first direction.

[0130] In some examples, the number of first events can be N, where N is a positive integer. When the terminal device is outside the first region (the region above position 1 or below position 3 in Figure 13), it indicates that the first event is satisfied, and the terminal device can report the corresponding N measurement events and the earliest time tn + de lta_tn when the first event is satisfied. Here, tn represents the time when the first network device sends the Nth first event, and tn + de lta_tn represents the earliest time when the terminal device satisfies the Nth first event. Optionally, the terminal device can also report the duration of satisfying the first event. When the terminal device is within the first region (the region between position 1 and position 3 in Figure 13), it indicates that the first event is not satisfied, and the terminal device may not report.

[0131] Another possible design, where the first event is related to signal quality, includes: when the signal quality indicated by the second measurement result is less than or equal to a third threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device.

[0132] Optionally, the second configuration information may also include one or more of the following: a first threshold, a second threshold, a third threshold, or information about a first region.

[0133] In some examples, the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be sent using the same or different signaling, without any limitation.

[0134] As one possible implementation, the second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event.

[0135] It is understood that after receiving the second configuration information sent by the first network device, the terminal device sends the second measurement result within the valid time of the first event. When the second configuration information includes multiple first events, the valid times corresponding to different first events can be the same or different. When the valid times corresponding to different first events are different, the second configuration information can include the valid time corresponding to each first event.

[0136] In some examples, the second configuration information can indicate the validity period of the first event by carrying a deadline or timer validity period. The deadline instructs the terminal device to send the second measurement result before the deadline, while the timer validity period instructs the terminal device to send the second measurement result within the timer validity period. It can be understood that once the validity period of the first event has ended, regardless of whether the terminal device has met the requirements of the first event, it is not necessary to send the second measurement result to the first network device.

[0137] In some examples, see Figure 12, which illustrates a cell handover scenario in a communication system provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, cell handover can be caused by the movement of a terminal device or by the movement of a first network device. If the first event is met before the deadline / timer of the first event, the terminal device can also report the corresponding first event and the earliest time t+delat_t that the first event was met to the first network device. Here, t is the time when the first network device sends the second configuration information, and delat_t is the time offset relative to t.

[0138] In some examples, t+de l ta_t is the earliest moment when the terminal device satisfies the first event.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second measurement result includes a first event and the time when the first event is met, and the first network device determines the target network device and performs cell handover based on the first event and the time when the first event is met.

[0140] It is understood that if the second configuration information received by the terminal device includes the first event, the second measurement result sent by the terminal device to the first network device may include the first event for triggering the second measurement result, and the time at which the terminal device satisfies the first event. Similarly, if the second configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal device includes the first event, the second measurement result sent by the terminal device to the first network device may include the first event for triggering the second measurement result, and the time at which the terminal device satisfies the first event.

[0141] In some examples, the second measurement result also includes the duration of the first event. Specifically, the first network device can determine the target network device and perform cell handover by the first event sent by the terminal device and the time for the first event to be met. In some examples, the target network device can also be determined and cell handover performed by combining the duration of the first event.

[0142] In some examples, the first network device predicts based on measurement event reports, selects the corresponding target network device according to the earliest time t+delat_t (optionally, duration length), and reserves handover-related resources (such as beam, RO, preamble, etc.) for a given time; based on the network device's serviceability time for the area / terminal, it independently decides the corresponding target network device and reserves handover-related resources for a given time, such as beam, access timing (RO), access preamble, etc., without any limitations.

[0143] In some implementations, referring to Figure 9, the method provided in this application further includes: a first network device sending third configuration information to a terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the third configuration information from the first network device. The third configuration information indicates a first polarization mode.

[0144] It is understood that the first polarization mode is the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode is different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result. The terminal device receives third configuration information from the first network device, including the first polarization mode. The terminal device uses the first polarization mode to determine the second measurement result. The first polarization mode includes at least one of circular polarization mode (including left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) mode and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) mode), elliptic polarization mode, or linear polarization mode.

[0145] In some examples, the first network device can instruct the terminal device to determine the second measurement result using right-hand circular polarization via third configuration information, or instruct the terminal device to determine the second measurement result using circular polarization.

[0146] In some examples, the first network device can instruct the terminal device, via third configuration information, to predict the measurement result (such as the second measurement result) of the right-hand circular polarization of the second beam set based on the left-hand circular polarization of the first beam set (i.e., the first measurement result is obtained based on the left-hand circular polarization of the first beam set). The first and second beam sets each contain at least one beam. The beams included in the first beam set and the beams included in the second beam set can be exactly the same, partially the same, or completely different. Alternatively, the first network device can instruct the terminal device, via third configuration information, to predict the measurement result of the circular polarization of the second beam set based on the linear polarization of the first beam set.

[0147] In some examples, the first network device can instruct the terminal device, via third configuration information, to predict the measurement result (such as the second measurement result) of the first polarization of the second beam set / second cell set (such as Set B) based on the second polarization of the first beam set / first cell set (such as Set A) (i.e., the first measurement result is obtained based on the second polarization of the first beam set / first cell set). The second polarization includes at least one of circular polarization, elliptic polarization, and linear polarization. In some examples, the second polarization is left-handed circular polarization and the first polarization is right-handed circular polarization; or the second polarization is linear polarization and the first polarization is circular polarization.

[0148] Optionally, in some embodiments, after receiving the second measurement result, the first network device can determine whether the terminal device should perform cell handover based on the second measurement result. For example, the first network device can determine the second network device as the target network device for cell handover of the terminal device based on the second measurement result. Specifically, please refer to Figure 9, which provides a detailed flowchart of a communication method, including:

[0149] S901-S903 adopts the same inventive concept and similar technical solution details as S801-S803 in the aforementioned embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0150] S904: The first and second network devices prepare for cell handover for the terminal devices.

[0151] S905: The first network device sends a handover command to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover command sent by the first network device.

[0152] S906: The terminal device executes a handover command to switch from the first network device to the second network device.

[0153] It is understood that before reaching the first time period and the first location, the terminal device receives one or more of the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and the third configuration information, and performs signal quality measurement and prediction for the first time period or the first location based on the above configuration information. Before the terminal device reaches the location indicated by the first time period and the first location, it sends the measurement prediction result to the first network device. The first network device does not need to perform actual measurement by sending measurement reference signals. It obtains the measurement prediction result of the terminal device at the first time period or the first location with less signaling overhead, and makes cell handover decisions based on the measurement prediction result. This reduces the signaling overhead generated during the measurement process and also reduces the mobility interruption time during the cell handover process.

[0154] In some alternative solutions, if the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, the terminal device sends a first request to the first network device, the first request being used to request the configuration of first measurement information; or, the first network device sends the first measurement information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first measurement information from the first network device. Wherein, when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location.

[0155] In some embodiments, after the terminal device determines the second measurement result, if the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, the terminal device can send a first request to the first network device to request the first network device to send first measurement information, and based on the first measurement information, perform actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location, and obtain the measurement result.

[0156] In other embodiments, after the terminal device determines the second measurement result, it sends the second measurement result to the first network device. The first network device evaluates the second measurement result. If the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, such as the accuracy of the second measurement result not being within the confidence interval, the first network device sends first measurement information to the terminal device. After receiving the first measurement information, the terminal device performs actual measurement on the area indicated by the first time period or the first location based on the first measurement information and obtains the measurement result. The aforementioned confidence interval can be preset in the first network device.

[0157] In some examples, see Figure 14, which illustrates a flowchart of a recovery method after a measurement failure provided in an embodiment of this application. The workflow of the terminal device-led prediction failure recovery mechanism includes:

[0158] S1401: The terminal device reports capability information to the first network device; the capability information includes whether it supports measurement prediction, measurement prediction accuracy, terminal mobility assistance information, etc.

[0159] S1402: The first network device determines and sends measurement prediction configuration information.

[0160] The measurement prediction configuration information may include the first configuration information mentioned above. Optionally, the measurement prediction configuration information may also include at least one of the second or third configuration information.

[0161] S1403: In the event of a prediction failure by the terminal device, a first measurement request (as described above) is sent to the first network device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the first measurement request.

[0162] In some examples, the terminal device determines whether a prediction has failed by measuring a prediction accuracy threshold. For example, when the measurement prediction accuracy (such as the accuracy of the second measurement result) is less than a threshold, the terminal device determines that the prediction has failed and triggers a first measurement request. After receiving the first measurement request, the first network device can send measurement prediction configuration information (such as the first measurement information mentioned above) to the terminal device. After receiving the measurement prediction configuration information, the terminal device can perform Layer 1 (L1) / Layer 3 (L3) measurement prediction. For example, the terminal device can execute S1404.

[0163] S1404: The first network device sends measurement reference information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the measurement reference signal from the first network device accordingly.

[0164] S1405: The terminal device sends a measurement report to the first network device, and the first network device receives the measurement report accordingly.

[0165] S1406: The first network device and the second network device are preparing to switch over;

[0166] S1407: The first network device sends a handover command to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover command sent by the first network device.

[0167] S1408: The terminal device performs a handover, switching from the first network device to the second network device.

[0168] It is understandable that during the signal quality measurement and prediction process, the terminal device can also send the second measurement result to the first network device so that the first network device can judge the second measurement result. If the accuracy of the second measurement result is not within the preset signal range, the first network device directly sends a measurement reference signal to the terminal device for signal quality measurement.

[0169] For example, referring to Figure 15, a flowchart of another recovery method after measurement failure provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in Figure 15, the workflow of the network device-led prediction failure recovery mechanism includes:

[0170] S1501: The terminal device reports capability information to the first network device; the capability information includes whether it supports measurement prediction, measurement prediction accuracy, terminal mobility assistance information, etc.

[0171] S1502: The first network device determines and sends measurement prediction configuration information;

[0172] The measurement prediction configuration information may include the first configuration information mentioned above. Optionally, the measurement prediction configuration information may also include at least one of the second or third configuration information.

[0173] S1503: The terminal device receives the measurement prediction configuration information and performs Layer 1 (L1) / Layer 3 (L3) measurement prediction, and reports the prediction results to the network before the configured time / location.

[0174] S1504: The first network device fails to predict and sends a measurement reference signal to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the measurement reference signal sent by the first network device.

[0175] In some examples, the first network device determines whether the prediction result reported by the terminal belongs to the confidence interval. If the prediction result does not belong to the confidence interval, the prediction fails, triggering the transmission of a new measurement configuration and a measurement reference signal. For example, the measurement reference signal can be an on-demand SSB.

[0176] S1505: The terminal device sends a measurement report to the first network device, and the first network device receives the measurement report sent by the terminal device.

[0177] S1506: The first network device and the second network device are preparing to switch over;

[0178] S1507: The first network device sends a handover command to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover command sent by the first network device.

[0179] S1508: The terminal device performs a handover, switching from the first network device to the second network device.

[0180] The various embodiments mentioned above in this application can be combined without contradiction, and no limitation is imposed.

[0181] The above mainly describes the solution provided in this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, this application also provides a communication device, which can be the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the aforementioned terminal device, or a component usable in the terminal device; or, the communication device can be the first network device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the aforementioned first network device, or a component usable in the first network device. It is understood that the aforementioned terminal device or first network device, etc., includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function in order to achieve the above functions. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the unit and algorithm operations of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0182] This application can divide the terminal device or the first network device into functional modules based on the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It is understood that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0183] For example, referring to Figure 16, which shows a schematic diagram of the composition structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 16, in one example, the communication device can be used to implement any of the communication methods in the foregoing embodiments. Specifically, the communication device may include an interface module 1601 and a processing module 1602.

[0184] For example, a communication device is used to implement the functions of a terminal device. The communication device is, for example, the terminal device described in the embodiment shown in FIG8 or the embodiment shown in FIG9.

[0185] The interface module 1601 is configured to receive first configuration information from the first network device, wherein the first configuration information indicates at least one of a first time period or a first location.

[0186] The processing module 1602 is configured to determine a second measurement result based on a first measurement result. The first measurement result indicates the signal quality of a second position during a second time period, where the first time period is later than the second time period and the first position is different from the second position. When the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second position during the first time period. When the first configuration information indicates the first position, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the first position.

[0187] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is specifically configured to send a second measurement result to the first network device before a first time period, or to send the second measurement result to the first network device before reaching the first location.

[0188] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to receive second configuration information from the first network device, the second configuration information indicating a first event, the first event being used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device, the first event being related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to a second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event.

[0191] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to receive third configuration information from the first network device, the third configuration information indicating a first polarization mode, the first polarization mode being the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode being different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result.

[0192] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to, when the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, send a first request to the first network device, the first request being used to request the configuration of first measurement information; or, receive first measurement information from the first network device; wherein, when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location.

[0193] When used to implement the functions of a terminal device, for other functions that the communication device can implement, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the embodiments shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, which will not be elaborated further.

[0194] For example, the communication device is used to implement the functions of the first network device. The communication device is, for example, the first network device described in the embodiment shown in FIG8 or the embodiment shown in FIG9.

[0195] The interface module 1602 is further configured to send first configuration information to the terminal device, wherein the first configuration information indicates at least one of a first time period or a first location; the first time period or the first location is used to instruct the terminal device to determine a second measurement result based on a first measurement result, wherein the first measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second location in the second time period, the first time period is later than the second time period, and the first location is different from the second location; when the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second location in the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the first location.

[0196] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is specifically configured to receive a second measurement result from the terminal device before a first time period, or to receive a second measurement result from the terminal device before reaching the first location.

[0197] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to send second configuration information to the terminal device. The second configuration information indicates a first event, which is used to determine whether to send a second measurement result to the first network device. The first event is related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device. Based on this, the second configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal device indicates one or more first events, which instruct the terminal device to send the second measurement result to the first network device when the one or more first events are met, and not to send the second measurement result to the first network device when the first events are not met. That is, the terminal device can first determine whether to send the second measurement result based on one or more first events, and send the second measurement result to the first network device after determining that it needs to be sent. In this way, unnecessary signaling overhead between the terminal device and the first network device during the measurement process can be reduced.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to a second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; or, if the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine to send a second measurement result to the first network device; wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event.

[0200] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to send third configuration information to the terminal device, the third configuration information indicating a first polarization mode, the first polarization mode being the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode being different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result.

[0201] In some embodiments, the interface module 1601 is further configured to, when the second measurement result is not in the confidence interval, the method further includes: a first network device sending first measurement information to a terminal device; wherein, when the first configuration information indicates a first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; and when the first configuration information indicates a first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location.

[0202] When used to implement the functions of the first network device, for other functions that the communication device can implement, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIG8 or FIG9, which will not be elaborated further.

[0203] Understandably, in this embodiment, a "unit" can be a portion of a circuit, a portion of a processor, a portion of a program or software, etc., and can also be a module or a non-modular component. Furthermore, the components in this embodiment can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into a single unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module.

[0204] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional module and is not sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this embodiment, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method provided in this embodiment. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0205] Therefore, this embodiment provides a computer storage medium storing a paging program that, when executed by at least one processor, implements the steps of the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0206] Based on the composition of the communication device and the computer storage medium described above, referring to Figure 17, a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in Figure 17, it may include a processor 1701. Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory 1702 and / or a communication interface 1703. The various components are coupled together through a communication line 1704. It is understood that the communication line 1704 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In addition to a data bus, the communication line 1704 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as communication line 1704 in Figure 17.

[0207] The processor 1701 is configured to, when running the computer program, perform the following: receiving first configuration information from a first network device, the first configuration information including a first time period or a first location, the first time period being used to instruct the terminal device to perform signal quality measurement prediction for the time period indicated by the first time period, and the first location being used to instruct the terminal device to perform signal quality measurement prediction within the range indicated by the first location; and sending a second measurement result to the first network device, the second measurement result being used to instruct the terminal device on the measurement prediction result.

[0208] In some embodiments, the processor 1701 is configured to perform the steps of the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments when running the computer program.

[0209] Memory 1702 is used to store computer programs that can run on processor 1701.

[0210] The communication interface 1703 is used for receiving and sending signals during the process of sending and receiving information with other external network elements.

[0211] It is understood that the memory 1702 in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous DRAM (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Memory Bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1702 of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0212] The processor 1701 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the hardware of the processor 1701 or by instructions in software form. The processor 1701 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory 1702. Processor 1701 reads the information in memory 1702 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0213] It is understood that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing module can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for performing the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0214] For software implementation, the techniques described herein can be achieved through modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. The software code can be stored in memory and executed by a processor. The memory can be implemented within the processor or externally.

[0215] Alternatively, as another embodiment, the processor 1701 is also configured to perform the steps of the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments when running a computer program.

[0216] In some embodiments, based on the composition of the communication device described above, this application provides a communication system that may include the communication device described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0217] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in this application may also be referred to as application code, and this application does not specifically limit them.

[0218] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 1701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG17.

[0219] It is understood that Figure 17 is merely an example of a communication device and does not limit the specific structure of the communication device. For example, a communication device includes terminal equipment and network equipment, and may also include other functional modules.

[0220] This application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the methods provided in the foregoing embodiments.

[0221] This application provides a chip system, which may include a processing circuit and a storage medium. The storage medium stores computer program instructions. When the computer program instructions are executed by the processing circuit, they implement the method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0222] This application provides a communication system, which includes the terminal device and the first network device described in the above embodiments. Optionally, the communication system may further include the second network device described in the above embodiments.

[0223] It is understood that in this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0224] The methods disclosed in the several method embodiments provided in this application can be arbitrarily combined to obtain new method embodiments without conflict. The features disclosed in the several product embodiments provided in this application can be arbitrarily combined to obtain new product embodiments without conflict. The features disclosed in the several method or device embodiments provided in this application can be arbitrarily combined to obtain new method embodiments or device embodiments without conflict. The above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive first configuration information from a first network device, wherein the first configuration information indicates at least one of a first time period or a first location; A second measurement result is determined based on a first measurement result, wherein the first measurement result indicates the signal quality at a second location during a second time period, the first time period being later than the second time period, and the first location being different from the second location; When the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the first location.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before the first time period, send the second measurement result to the first network device, or; Before reaching the first location, the second measurement result is sent to the first network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives second configuration information from the first network device, the second configuration information indicating a first event, the first event being used to determine whether to send the second measurement result to the first network device, the first event being related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: If the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or... If the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or... If the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to a second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or, If the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; Wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives third configuration information from the first network device, the third configuration information indicating a first polarization mode, the first polarization mode being the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode being different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, If the second measurement result does not meet the accuracy requirements, the method further includes: Send a first request to the first network device, the first request being used to request the configuration of first measurement information; or... Receive first measurement information from the first network device; Wherein, when the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, the method includes: Determine the first configuration information; Send the first configuration information to the terminal device, wherein the first configuration information indicates at least one of a first time period or a first location; The first configuration information is used by the terminal device to determine the second measurement result based on the first measurement result. The first measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second location during the second time period, where the first time period is later than the second time period, and the first location is different from the second location. When the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the second measurement result indicates the signal quality of the first location.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before the first time period, receive the second measurement result from the terminal device, or; Before the terminal device reaches the first location, it receives the second measurement result from the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second configuration information to the terminal device, the second configuration information indicating a first event, the first event being used to determine whether to send the second measurement result to the first network device, the first event being related to at least one of signal quality or the location of the terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first event is related to the location of the terminal device and includes at least one of the following: If the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or... If the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or... If the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than or equal to a second threshold, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; or, If the terminal device is outside the first area, the first event is used to determine to send the second measurement result to the first network device; Wherein, the first reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the second reference point is a reference point within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the first area is related to the movement trajectory of the first network device.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The second configuration information also indicates the validity period of the first event.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device is sent third configuration information, which indicates a first polarization mode. The first polarization mode is the polarization mode corresponding to the second measurement result, and the first polarization mode is different from the polarization mode corresponding to the first measurement result.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, If the second measurement result is not within the confidence interval, the method further includes: Receive a first request from the terminal device, the first request being used to request the configuration of first measurement information; or... Send first measurement information to the terminal device; wherein, when the first configuration information indicates the first time period, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the second location during the first time period; when the first configuration information indicates the first location, the first measurement information is used to measure the signal quality of the first location.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a unit or module for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions, which, when executed, implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14.

17. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method as described in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14 is implemented.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14.

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