Mobility management method, apparatus, network side access point, terminal and medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a mobility management method, an apparatus, a network side access point, a terminal and a medium. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal sends an uplink reference signal, and a network side access point (AP) measures the uplink reference signal; by means of triggering wired interface interaction between APs, the network side access point (AP) can obtain a plurality of measurement results of the UE-RS from a plurality of APs; and then the network side access point (AP) performs mobility management on the terminal on the basis of the plurality of measurement results. The present disclosure replaces the process in which a terminal measures a downlink reference signal sent from a base station and reports a measurement report, such that there is no need for base stations to issue measurement control information, and there is also no need for terminals to report measurement reports, thereby reducing air interface resources occupied by issuing of measurement control information and reporting of measurement reports, and reducing delay caused by air interface transmission.

Description

A mobility management method, apparatus, network-side access point, terminal, and medium.

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410988862.3, filed on July 23, 2024, entitled "A Mobility Management Method, Apparatus, Network-Side Access Point, Terminal and Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a mobility management method, apparatus, network-side access point, terminal, and medium. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, when a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected terminal moves between base stations, the interaction process between the base station and the terminal includes: the base station sends measurement control information to the terminal, including the measurement object and related configurations for Measurement Reports (MRs) (e.g., measurement event configuration); the terminal performs mobility measurements based on the received measurement control information and reports them according to the measurement event configuration; after receiving the MRs reported by the terminal, the base station prepares for and executes handover based on decision thresholds and neighbor cell configurations; the base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, indicating the target cell information. After completing access to the target cell according to the base station's instructions, the terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the base station of the target cell.

[0005] It is evident that the current network mobility management mechanism requires configuration by the network side, with the terminal measuring and reporting downlink reference signals, and the base station performing mobility management (e.g., handover control) based on the measurement reports reported by the terminal. This mobility management mechanism requires the transmission of measurement control information and measurement reports over the air interface, leading to problems such as air interface resource consumption and air interface transmission latency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a mobility management method, apparatus, network-side access point, terminal, and medium.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a mobility management method applied to a network-side access point (AP), the method comprising:

[0008] AP monitors the reference signals sent by the terminal;

[0009] The AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result;

[0010] AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal;

[0011] The AP manages the mobility of terminals based on multiple measurement results.

[0012] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information;

[0013] The terminal identifier is a trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a trusted terminal identifier identified from the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network.

[0014] Supporting information includes at least one of the following:

[0015] The AP identifier and service area indication currently connected to the terminal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the reference signal transmitted by the AP listening terminal includes any one of the following:

[0017] The AP continuously monitors the reference signals sent by the terminal;

[0018] Based on protocol specifications or network configuration, the AP periodically listens for and / or conditionally listens for reference signals sent by terminals.

[0019] The AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal based on the anchor AP's indication.

[0020] In some embodiments, after the AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result, the method further includes:

[0021] If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the AP's load is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the terminal's service requirements, the AP sends a request to at least one adjacent AP to listen to the terminal's reference signal; or, the AP sends a request to listen to the terminal's reference signal to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

[0022] In some embodiments, the AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including:

[0023] APs obtain the measurement results of the reference signal from at least one neighboring AP through inter-AP interface interaction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including at least one of the following triggering methods:

[0025] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0026] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold;

[0027] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring APs listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0028] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold.

[0029] An AP is an anchor AP, and adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

[0030] In some embodiments, a measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0031] Terminal information, AP information, handover request message;

[0032] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0033] AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and the source AP's measurement results of the reference signal to the terminal.

[0034] In some embodiments, the APs interact through an inter-AP interface to obtain measurement results of the reference signal from at least one neighboring AP, including:

[0035] An AP obtains a measurement report sent by at least one neighboring AP through an inter-AP interface, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following:

[0036] Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message;

[0037] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0038] AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

[0039] In some embodiments, after the AP detects a reference signal sent by the terminal, the method further includes:

[0040] The AP instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results based on preset conditions;

[0041] The AP manages terminal mobility based on multiple measurement results, including:

[0042] The AP manages the mobility of terminals based on multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminals.

[0043] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include at least one of the following:

[0044] The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, or the terminal leaves or enters a preset area.

[0045] The preset area includes at least one of the following:

[0046] Notification area, cell, and preset geographical area based on the Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0047] In some embodiments, the AP performs mobility management of the terminal based on multiple measurement results, including:

[0048] Based on multiple measurement results, the AP determines the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change;

[0049] The AP sends a change instruction to the terminal, which includes the changed AP and / or service area.

[0050] In some embodiments, if the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

[0051] Secondly, this disclosure also proposes a mobility management method applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0052] A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP). The reference signal is used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal and obtain at least one measurement result. The at least one measurement result is used by at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0053] In some embodiments, after sending a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the method further includes:

[0054] Receive indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results;

[0055] At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of at least one AP;

[0056] Send at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

[0057] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also propose a mobility management device applied to a network-side access point (AP), the device comprising:

[0058] The listening unit is used to listen to the reference signals sent by the terminal;

[0059] The measurement unit is used to measure the reference signal and obtain the measurement result;

[0060] The triggering unit is used to trigger the interface interaction between APs to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal;

[0061] The management unit is used to manage the mobility of the terminal based on multiple measurement results.

[0062] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also propose a mobility management device for use in a terminal, the device comprising:

[0063] The transmitting unit is used to transmit a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP). The reference signal is used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal and obtain at least one measurement result. The at least one measurement result is used by at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0064] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also propose a network-side access point (AP), wherein the AP includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor.

[0065] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer program from memory and execute it.

[0066] Listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0067] The reference signal is measured to obtain the measurement result;

[0068] Trigger inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal;

[0069] Based on multiple measurement results, the terminal's mobility is managed.

[0070] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information;

[0071] The terminal identifier is a trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a trusted terminal identifier identified from the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network.

[0072] Supporting information includes at least one of the following:

[0073] The AP identifier and service area indication currently connected to the terminal.

[0074] In some embodiments, the reference signal transmitted by the monitoring terminal includes any one of the following:

[0075] Continuously monitor the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0076] Based on protocol specifications or network configuration, periodically monitor and / or conditionally monitor reference signals sent by terminals;

[0077] Reference signals sent by the monitoring terminal based on the anchor point AP.

[0078] In some embodiments, after measuring the reference signal and obtaining the measurement result, the processor is further configured to:

[0079] If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the AP's load is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the terminal's service requirements, then a request to listen to the terminal's reference signal is sent to at least one adjacent AP; or, a request to listen to the terminal's reference signal is sent to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

[0080] In some embodiments, inter-AP interface interaction is triggered to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including:

[0081] Through inter-AP interface interaction, the measurement results of the reference signal by at least one neighboring AP can be obtained.

[0082] In some embodiments, inter-AP interface interaction is triggered to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including at least one of the following triggering methods:

[0083] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0084] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold;

[0085] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring APs listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0086] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold.

[0087] An AP is an anchor AP, and adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

[0088] In some embodiments, a measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0089] Terminal information, AP information, handover request message;

[0090] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0091] AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and the source AP's measurement results of the reference signal to the terminal.

[0092] In some embodiments, obtaining the measurement results of at least one neighboring AP on the reference signal through inter-AP interface interaction includes:

[0093] Through the inter-AP interface, obtain a measurement report sent by at least one adjacent AP, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following:

[0094] Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message;

[0095] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0096] AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

[0097] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to:

[0098] After detecting the reference signal sent by the terminal, the system instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal based on preset conditions and report the measurement results.

[0099] Based on multiple measurement results, mobility management is performed on the terminal, including:

[0100] Based on multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal, mobility management is performed on the terminal.

[0101] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include at least one of the following:

[0102] The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, or the terminal leaves or enters a preset area.

[0103] The preset area includes at least one of the following:

[0104] Notification areas, cells, and preset geographical areas based on RAN.

[0105] In some embodiments, mobility management of the terminal is performed based on multiple measurement results, including:

[0106] Based on multiple measurement results, determine the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change;

[0107] Send a change instruction to the terminal, which includes the changed AP and / or service area.

[0108] In some embodiments, if the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

[0109] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0110] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer program from memory and execute it.

[0111] A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP). The reference signal is used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal and obtain at least one measurement result. The at least one measurement result is used by at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0112] In some embodiments, after sending a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the processor is further configured to:

[0113] Receive indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results;

[0114] At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of at least one AP;

[0115] Send at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

[0116] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a processor-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a processor to execute the mobility management method of any embodiment of the first aspect or the mobility management method of any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0117] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the terminal sends an uplink reference signal UE-RS, and the network access point (AP) measures the UE-RS. The AP can obtain multiple measurement results of the UE-RS by triggering wired interface interaction between APs. Then, the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results, which replaces the terminal measuring the downlink reference signal BS-RS sent by the base station and reporting the measurement report. There is no need for the base station to send measurement control information or for the terminal to report the measurement report, thereby reducing the air interface resources occupied by the sending of measurement control information and the reporting of measurement reports, as well as the latency caused by air interface transmission.

[0118] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0119] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0120] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a mobility management method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0121] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process in a mobility management scenario one provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0122] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process in the second mobility management scenario provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0123] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process in the mobility management scenario three provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0124] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process in the fourth scenario of mobility management provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0125] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a mobility management device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0126] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a network-side access point provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0127] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0128] To better understand the above-described objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure, the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. The specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining this disclosure and are not intended to limit it. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0129] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0130] Currently, when performing mobility measurements, terminals primarily measure the downlink reference signals of base stations (such as Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Received Power (SS-RSRP), Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Received Quality (SS-RSRQ), and Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio for Synchronization Signal (SS-SINR). After completing the measurements, the terminal can report the measurements, which can be either event-triggered or periodic.

[0131] Event Trigger Reporting:

[0132] It mainly includes six in-system measurement events (A1 to A6) and two different radio access technology (RAT) measurement events (B1 / B2).

[0133] A1 event: The signal quality of the serving cell is higher than the specified threshold.

[0134] A2 event: The signal quality of the serving cell is below the specified threshold.

[0135] A3 event: The service quality of a neighboring cell is higher than that of a special cell (SpCell) by a specified offset value;

[0136] A4 event: The signal quality of the neighboring cell is higher than the specified threshold.

[0137] Event A5: The signal quality of the serving cell is below a specified threshold, while the signal quality of the neighboring cell is above a specified threshold;

[0138] Event A6: The service quality of the neighboring cell is higher than that of the secondary cell (SCell) by a specified offset value;

[0139] B1 event: Signal quality of a neighboring cell in a different system exceeds a specified threshold;

[0140] B2 event: The primary cell (PCell) signal quality is below a specified threshold, while the signal quality of a neighboring cell in a different system is above a specified threshold.

[0141] The terminal will only trigger the sending of a measurement report if a measurement event meets the network configuration threshold and persists for a certain period of time. An event can trigger a single report, after which the process ends; or the event can trigger periodic reporting, starting a timer between multiple measurements and a counter for the number of measurements, and the process ends after the required number of reports is reached.

[0142] Periodic reporting method:

[0143] After the network measurement configuration is complete, the terminal will perform measurements at the corresponding frequency points according to the configuration and send measurement reports according to the specified reporting cycle and interval. When the maximum number of reports is reached, the terminal will automatically delete the corresponding measurement identifier from the measurement configuration variables.

[0144] It is evident that the current network mobility management mechanism requires configuration by the network side, with the terminal measuring and reporting downlink reference signals, and the base station performing mobility management (e.g., handover control) based on the measurement reports reported by the terminal. This mobility management mechanism requires the transmission of measurement control information and measurement reports over the air interface, leading to problems such as air interface resource consumption and air interface transmission latency.

[0145] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a mobility management method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This mobility management method is applied to a network-side access point (AP), which can be a base station of a wireless access network, a relay node, or a transmitting terminal in a device-to-device (D2D) network. When multiple APs provide services to a single terminal, the AP connected to the core network is the anchor AP. As shown in Figure 1, this mobility management method may include, but is not limited to, steps 101 to 104:

[0146] In step 101, the AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0147] Among them, the reference signal is the uplink reference signal sent by the connected terminal (UE), denoted as UE-RS, while in related technologies, the downlink reference signal sent by the terminal listening base station (BS) is denoted as BS-RS.

[0148] In this embodiment, the terminal can send an uplink reference signal UE-RS according to the protocol or network configuration.

[0149] In step 102, the AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result.

[0150] The AP measures the UE-RS and obtains the measurement results of the UE-RS.

[0151] In step 103, the AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal.

[0152] The inter-AP interface is the interface through which different APs interact. This inter-AP interface is a wired interface, meaning that different APs are connected via a wired connection. APs triggering inter-AP interface interactions enable the exchange of UE-RS measurement results between different APs. These measurement results are used to assist in mobility decision-making.

[0153] In this embodiment, through the interaction between AP interfaces, the AP can also send the measurement results obtained in step 102 to other APs. Other APs can be APs that the terminal accesses or anchor APs.

[0154] In step 104, the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on multiple measurement results.

[0155] The AP, based on multiple measurement results from the UE-RS, instructs the terminal to change the connected AP or service area (the service area can be a cell, beam, virtual cell, etc.) to achieve mobility management of the terminal.

[0156] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal sends the uplink reference signal UE-RS, and the network-side access point (AP) measures the UE-RS. The AP can obtain multiple measurement results of the UE-RS by multiple APs by triggering wired interface interaction between APs. Then, the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results, which replaces the terminal measuring the downlink reference signal BS-RS sent by the base station and reporting the measurement report. There is no need for the base station to send measurement control information, nor for the terminal to report the measurement report, thereby reducing the air interface resources occupied by the sending of measurement control information and the reporting of measurement reports, as well as the latency caused by air interface transmission.

[0157] In some embodiments, in step 101, the reference signal UE-RS sent by the terminal includes a terminal identifier (UE-ID) and auxiliary information.

[0158] Here, UE-ID is a uniquely identifiable and trusted terminal identifier on the network side. In this step, UE-ID is used to identify the terminal that sends UE-RS. In some embodiments, if the terminal only moves and changes within the AP group (APG) maintained by the anchor AP, then UE-ID is a uniquely identifiable and trusted terminal identifier within the APG.

[0159] Supporting information includes at least one of the following:

[0160] The AP identifier (AP ID) and service area indication currently connected to the terminal.

[0161] The service area indicator can point to either the APG or the anchor point AP.

[0162] In some embodiments, in step 101, the AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, including any of the following listening methods:

[0163] Method 1: The AP continuously monitors the reference signal UE-RS sent by the terminal.

[0164] Method 2: The AP periodically listens for and / or conditionally listens for reference signals sent by the terminal, based on protocol specifications or network configuration.

[0165] Method 3: The AP listens to the reference signal sent by the anchor AP, which is the access point connected to the core network.

[0166] In Method 2, periodic monitoring can be performed according to the UE-RS transmission cycle or at specific times. Conditional monitoring can be performed after the terminal leaves or enters a preset area. The preset area can be, for example, a RAN-based Notification Area (RNA), a cell, or a preset geographical area.

[0167] In Method 3, the anchor AP maintains an AP group (AP Group, APG), and all APs in the group need to listen to the UE-RS and / or listen to the UE-RS according to the instructions of the anchor AP.

[0168] In some embodiments, after the AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result in step 102, the method further includes:

[0169] If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the AP's load is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the terminal's service requirements, then the AP sends a listening request for the terminal's reference signal to at least one adjacent AP; or, the AP sends a listening request for the terminal's reference signal to the anchor AP. The listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP, that is, the anchor AP determines which APs to send the listening request to.

[0170] In some embodiments, in step 103, the AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including:

[0171] APs obtain the measurement results of the reference signal from at least one neighboring AP through inter-AP interface interaction.

[0172] For example, an AP obtains a measurement report sent by at least one neighboring AP through an inter-AP interface, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following:

[0173] Terminal information, AP information, and handover request confirmation message.

[0174] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals.

[0175] AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

[0176] In some embodiments, step 103, where the AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction, includes at least one of the following triggering methods:

[0177] (1) The neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0178] (2) The adjacent AP hears the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than the preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than the preset strength threshold.

[0179] (3) After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0180] (4) After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than the preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than the preset strength threshold.

[0181] (5) AP is an anchor AP, and the adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP. That is, APs in the AP set need to inform the anchor AP of the measurement results.

[0182] In some embodiments, in step 103, the triggering method for the AP to trigger inter-AP interface interaction is as follows: after the AP sends a reference signal measurement report request to the neighboring AP through the inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal UE-RS sent by the terminal. The reference signal measurement report request includes at least one of the following:

[0183] Terminal information, AP information, and handover request message.

[0184] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal (UE ID) or the identifier of a set of terminals (UE IDs).

[0185] AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and the source AP's measurement results of the reference signal to the terminal.

[0186] Accordingly, neighboring APs can send a measurement report of the UE-RS to the source AP. For example, a neighboring AP can send a measurement report of the UE-RS to the AP indicated by the AP identifier (AP ID) carried in the UE-RS, or to the AP that sent the measurement report request for the UE-RS. The measurement report of the UE-RS includes one or more of the following: destination AP identifier (AP ID), terminal identifier (UE ID), measurement results of the UE-RS by the neighboring AP, load information of the neighboring AP, and handover request confirmation message. The measurement results of the UE-RS by the neighboring AP can be any of the following:

[0187] Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Reference Signal-Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (RS-SINR), RSRP after mathematical calculation and other processing, RSRQ after mathematical calculation and other processing, and RS-SINR after mathematical calculation and other processing.

[0188] In some embodiments, after the AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal in step 101, the method further includes:

[0189] The AP instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results based on preset conditions. These preset conditions include at least one of the following:

[0190] The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, or the terminal leaves or enters a preset area.

[0191] The preset area includes at least one of the following:

[0192] Notification area, cell, and preset geographical area based on the Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0193] Accordingly, in step 104, the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on multiple measurement results, including: the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0194] In some embodiments, in step 104, the AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on multiple measurement results, including steps (1) and (2):

[0195] (1) The AP determines the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change based on multiple measurement results.

[0196] (2) The AP sends a change instruction to the terminal, which includes the changed AP and / or service area.

[0197] In this embodiment, if the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

[0198] In some embodiments, this disclosure also proposes a mobility management method applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0199] A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP). The reference signal is used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal and obtain at least one measurement result. The at least one measurement result is used by at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0200] In this process, each of at least one AP measures the reference signal sent by the terminal to obtain a measurement result.

[0201] The details of this embodiment are the same as those in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0202] In some embodiments, after sending a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the method further includes:

[0203] Receive indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results;

[0204] At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of at least one AP;

[0205] Send at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

[0206] In this case, at least one measurement result corresponds one-to-one with the downlink reference signal of at least one AP.

[0207] The details of this embodiment are the same as those in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0208] Example 1

[0209] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow in a mobility management scenario one provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Mobility management scenario one can be understood as a scenario of AP change based on UE-AP measurement. In Figure 2, the interaction flow includes the following steps 1 to 7:

[0210] Step 1: The UE connects to AP1 to transmit services and sends UE-RS according to the protocol or network-side configuration.

[0211] The UE is in RRC connected state (UE in RRC_Connected).

[0212] Step 2: Both AP1 and the adjacent AP2 can listen to the UE-RS and measure it.

[0213] Step 3: Optionally, when the UE-RS measurement result of AP1 is lower than a predetermined threshold, or when other triggering conditions are met, such as AP1 being congested or unable to meet the UE service requirements, a UE-RS listening request is sent to the adjacent AP2.

[0214] Step 4: AP2 sends the UE-RS measurement report to AP1.

[0215] Steps 5-6: Optionally, AP1 sends a handover request to AP2, and AP2 performs access control and sends back confirmation of the handover request.

[0216] Step 7: AP1, based on its own and AP2's measurement information and load information, determines whether to send an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE carrying a handover command.

[0217] Example 2

[0218] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow in Mobility Management Scenario 2 provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Mobility Management Scenario 2 can be understood as a scenario where UE measurement is triggered based on UE-RS. In Figure 3, the interaction flow includes the following steps 1 to 5:

[0219] Step 1: The UE connects to AP1 to transmit services and sends UE-RS according to the protocol or network-side configuration.

[0220] The UE is in RRC connected state (UE in RRC_Connected).

[0221] Step 2: Both AP1 and the adjacent AP2 can listen to the UE-RS and measure it.

[0222] Steps 3-4: (Optional) When AP1's UE-RS measurement result is lower than a predetermined threshold, or other triggering conditions are met, such as AP1 being congested or unable to meet UE service requirements, AP1 sends a UE-RS monitoring request to the adjacent AP2. AP2 then sends the UE-RS measurement report to AP1.

[0223] Step 5: Based on multiple measurement results from the UE-RS (including the measurement results of AP1 and AP2) and / or the preset area where the UE is located, AP1 triggers a measurement process based on the downlink reference signal, sends measurement configuration information to the UE (i.e., measurement control distribution), and receives the measurement results reported by the UE (i.e., measurement report reporting).

[0224] Example 3

[0225] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow in mobility management scenario three provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Mobility management scenario three can be understood as a scenario in which a service area change is triggered based on the UE-RS. In Figure 4, the interaction flow includes the following steps 1 to 3:

[0226] Step 1: The UE connects to the AP to transmit services and sends UE-RS according to the protocol or network-side configuration.

[0227] The UE is in RRC connected state (UE in RRC_Connected).

[0228] Step 2: The AP performs UE-RS monitoring and measures the UE-RS.

[0229] Step 3: Based on the UE-RS measurement results and its own load information, the AP sends a change instruction to the UE via an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0230] The change indication can be a cell change command or based on CHO (Conditional Hand Over) or LTM (L1 / L2-Triggered Mobility).

[0231] Example 4

[0232] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow in mobility management scenario four provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Mobility management scenario four can be understood as a scenario where AP change (within the AP set) is triggered based on UE-RS. In Figure 5, the interaction flow includes the following steps 1 to 4:

[0233] Step 1: The UE accesses the network through the anchor AP, while other APs provide service transmission for the UE and send UE-RS according to the protocol or network configuration.

[0234] Step 2: All APs within the APG maintained by the anchor AP need to listen to and measure the UE-RS.

[0235] Step 3: The anchor AP obtains the UE-RS measurement results and AP load information from the APG, makes AP change decisions, and configures the relevant APs.

[0236] Step 4: The anchor AP sends a change instruction to the UE via an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0237] The change instruction can be a cell change command or based on CHO (Conditional Hand Over) or LTM (L1 / L2-Triggered Mobility).

[0238] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the foregoing method embodiments are all described as a series of actions. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the described order of actions, because according to the embodiments of this disclosure, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described in the specification are all optional embodiments.

[0239] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a mobility management device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This mobility management device is applied to a network-side access point (AP). As shown in Figure 6, the mobility management device includes, but is not limited to, a monitoring unit 61, a measurement unit 62, a triggering unit 63, and a management unit 64, as described below:

[0240] The listening unit 61 is used to listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0241] The measurement unit 62 is used to measure the reference signal and obtain the measurement result;

[0242] Trigger unit 63 is used to trigger the interface interaction between APs to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal;

[0243] Management unit 64 is used to manage the mobility of the terminal based on multiple measurement results.

[0244] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information;

[0245] The terminal identifier is a unique and trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a unique and trusted terminal identifier identified by the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network.

[0246] Supporting information includes at least one of the following:

[0247] The AP identifier and service area indication currently connected to the terminal.

[0248] In some embodiments, the listening unit 61 is configured to perform any of the following:

[0249] Continuously monitor the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0250] Based on protocol specifications or network configuration, periodically monitor and / or conditionally monitor reference signals sent by terminals;

[0251] Reference signals sent by the monitoring terminal based on the anchor point AP.

[0252] In some embodiments, the mobility management device further includes a transmitting unit for:

[0253] The measurement unit 62 measures the reference signal and, after obtaining the measurement result, if the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the AP's load is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the terminal's service requirements, it sends a listening request for the terminal's reference signal to at least one adjacent AP; or, it sends a listening request for the terminal's reference signal to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

[0254] In some embodiments, the triggering unit 63 is used for:

[0255] Through inter-AP interface interaction, the measurement results of the reference signal by at least one neighboring AP can be obtained.

[0256] In some embodiments, the triggering unit 63 includes at least one of the following triggering methods:

[0257] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0258] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold;

[0259] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring APs listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0260] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold.

[0261] An AP is an anchor AP, and adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

[0262] In some embodiments, a measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0263] Terminal information, AP information, handover request message;

[0264] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0265] AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and the source AP's measurement results of the reference signal to the terminal.

[0266] In some embodiments, the triggering unit 63 is used for:

[0267] Through the inter-AP interface, obtain a measurement report sent by at least one adjacent AP, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following:

[0268] Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message;

[0269] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0270] AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

[0271] In some embodiments, the mobility management device further includes an indication unit for:

[0272] After the monitoring unit 61 detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, it instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal based on preset conditions and report the measurement results.

[0273] Accordingly, management unit 64 is used for:

[0274] Based on multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal, mobility management is performed on the terminal.

[0275] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include at least one of the following:

[0276] The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, or the terminal leaves or enters a preset area.

[0277] The preset area includes at least one of the following:

[0278] Notification area, cell, and preset geographical area based on the Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0279] In some embodiments, the management unit 64 is used for:

[0280] Based on multiple measurement results, determine the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change;

[0281] Send a change instruction to the terminal, which includes the changed AP and / or service area.

[0282] In some embodiments, if the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

[0283] For details of the various embodiments of the mobility management device shown in Figure 6, please refer to the various embodiments of the mobility management method shown in Figure 1. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again.

[0284] In some embodiments, this disclosure also provides a mobility management device applied to a terminal, the device comprising:

[0285] A transmitting unit is configured to transmit a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the reference signal being used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal to obtain at least one measurement result, the at least one measurement result being used by the at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0286] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a processing unit for performing the following steps after the transmitting unit transmits a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP):

[0287] Receive indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results;

[0288] At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of at least one AP;

[0289] Send at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

[0290] For details of this embodiment, please refer to the foregoing method embodiment; to avoid repetition, they will not be repeated.

[0291] This disclosure also provides a processor-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a processor to execute the steps of various embodiments of the mobility management method. The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device accessible to the processor, including but not limited to magnetic storage (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MO), etc.), optical storage (e.g., CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor storage (e.g., ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memory (NAND flash), solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0292] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a network-side access point provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the network-side access point (AP) includes a memory 71, a transceiver 72, and a processor 73.

[0293] Memory 71 is used to store computer programs; transceiver 72 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 73; processor 73 is used to read the computer program from memory 71 and execute it.

[0294] Listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0295] The reference signal is measured to obtain the measurement result;

[0296] Trigger inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal;

[0297] Based on multiple measurement results, the terminal's mobility is managed.

[0298] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information;

[0299] The terminal identifier is a unique and trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a unique and trusted terminal identifier identified by the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network.

[0300] Supporting information includes at least one of the following:

[0301] The AP identifier and service area indication currently connected to the terminal.

[0302] In some embodiments, the reference signal transmitted by the monitoring terminal includes any one of the following:

[0303] Continuously monitor the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0304] Based on protocol specifications or network configuration, periodically monitor and / or conditionally monitor reference signals sent by terminals;

[0305] Reference signals sent by the monitoring terminal based on the anchor point AP.

[0306] In some embodiments, after measuring the reference signal and obtaining the measurement result, the processor 73 is further configured to:

[0307] If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the AP's load is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the terminal's service requirements, then a request to listen to the terminal's reference signal is sent to at least one adjacent AP; or, a request to listen to the terminal's reference signal is sent to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

[0308] In some embodiments, inter-AP interface interaction is triggered to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including:

[0309] Through inter-AP interface interaction, the measurement results of the reference signal by at least one neighboring AP can be obtained.

[0310] In some embodiments, inter-AP interface interaction is triggered to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including at least one of the following triggering methods:

[0311] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal;

[0312] The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold;

[0313] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring APs listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0314] After an AP sends a measurement report request for a reference signal to a neighboring AP through the AP-to-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold.

[0315] An AP is an anchor AP, and adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

[0316] In some embodiments, a measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0317] Terminal information, AP information, handover request message;

[0318] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0319] AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and the source AP's measurement results of the reference signal to the terminal.

[0320] In some embodiments, obtaining the measurement results of at least one neighboring AP on the reference signal through inter-AP interface interaction includes:

[0321] Through the inter-AP interface, obtain a measurement report sent by at least one adjacent AP, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following:

[0322] Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message;

[0323] The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set of terminals;

[0324] AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

[0325] In some embodiments, the processor 73 is further configured to:

[0326] After detecting the reference signal sent by the terminal, the system instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal based on preset conditions and report the measurement results.

[0327] Accordingly, based on multiple measurement results, mobility management is performed on the terminal, including:

[0328] Based on multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal, mobility management is performed on the terminal.

[0329] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include at least one of the following:

[0330] The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, or the terminal leaves or enters a preset area.

[0331] The preset area includes at least one of the following:

[0332] Notification areas, cells, and preset geographical areas based on RAN.

[0333] In some embodiments, mobility management of the terminal is performed based on multiple measurement results, including:

[0334] Based on multiple measurement results, determine the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change;

[0335] Send a change instruction to the terminal, which includes the changed AP and / or service area.

[0336] In some embodiments, if the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

[0337] In Figure 7, transceiver 72 is used to receive and transmit data under the control of processor 73. The bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 73 and memory represented by memory 71. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Transceiver 72 can be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 73 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 71 can store data used by processor 73 during operation.

[0338] In Figure 7, processor 73 can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware of processor 73 or through software instructions. Processor 73 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. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0339] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a network-side access point provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the network-side access point (AP) includes a memory 81, a transceiver 82, and a processor 83.

[0340] Memory 81 is used to store computer programs; transceiver 82 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 83; processor 83 is used to read the computer program from memory 81 and execute it.

[0341] A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP). The reference signal is used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal and obtain at least one measurement result. The at least one measurement result is used by at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

[0342] In some embodiments, after sending a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the processor 83 is further configured to:

[0343] Receive indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results;

[0344] At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of at least one AP;

[0345] Send at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

[0346] For details of this embodiment, please refer to the foregoing method embodiment; to avoid repetition, they will not be repeated.

[0347] The base stations involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include multiple cells providing services to terminals. Depending on the specific application, a base station may also be called an access point, or a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminal devices through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The base stations involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may be evolved network devices (eNB or e-NodeB) in long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G base stations (gNB) in 5G network architectures (next generation systems), or home evolved Node B (HeNB), relay nodes, femto, pico, network testing equipment, etc., and are not limited in the embodiments of this disclosure. In some network structures, network devices may include centralized unit (CU) nodes and distributed unit (DU) nodes, and the centralized unit and distributed unit may also be geographically separated.

[0348] The terminal devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users, handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The names of the terminal devices may differ in different systems; for example, in 5G or 6G systems, the terminal device may be called User Equipment (UE). Wireless terminal devices can be USB storage devices, other personal computer memory devices, and dongles. They can also communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a Radio Access Network (RAN). Wireless terminal devices can be mobile terminal devices, such as mobile phones (or "cellular" phones) and computers with mobile terminal devices. For example, they can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices that exchange voice and / or data with the radio access network. Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) telephones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, tablets, and Machine-type Communication (MTC) terminal devices. Wireless terminal devices can also be referred to as systems, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobile devices, remote stations, access points, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, user agents, user devices, and wireless access devices and routers / modems that meet the limitations of this definition, but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0349] The technical solutions provided in this disclosure can be applied to a variety of systems. For example, applicable systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems and their evolved communication systems, and 6G (sixth generation mobile communication technology) systems. These systems may include terminal equipment and network equipment. The systems may also include a core network component, such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0350] It should be noted that, in this document, 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. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0351] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of this disclosure and form different embodiments.

[0352] Those skilled in the art will understand that the descriptions of the various embodiments have different focuses, and for parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0353] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications and variations fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobility management method applied to a network-side access point (AP), the method comprising: The AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal; The AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result; The AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal; The AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information; The terminal identifier is a trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a trusted terminal identifier identified in the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network. The auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: The terminal is currently connected to the AP identifier and service area indication.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The reference signal sent by the AP monitoring terminal includes any one of the following: The AP continuously monitors the reference signals sent by the terminal; The AP periodically listens to and / or conditionally listens to reference signals sent by terminals based on protocol specifications or network configuration. The AP is based on the reference signal sent by the anchor AP's instruction monitoring terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, After the AP measures the reference signal and obtains the measurement result, the method further includes: If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the load of the AP is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the service requirements of the terminal, then the AP sends a listening request for the reference signal of the terminal to at least one adjacent AP; or, the AP sends a listening request for the reference signal of the terminal to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including: The AP interacts with each other through the AP interface to obtain the measurement results of the reference signal from at least one neighboring AP.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The AP triggers inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including at least one of the following triggering methods: The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal; The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold; After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal. After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold. The AP is an anchor AP, and the adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following: Terminal information, AP information, handover request message; The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set containing the terminals; The AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and measurement results of the source AP's reference signal to the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The AP interacts through an inter-AP interface to obtain measurement results of the reference signal from at least one neighboring AP, including: The AP obtains a measurement report sent by at least one neighboring AP through the inter-AP interface, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following: Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message; The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set containing the terminals; The AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, After the AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, the method further includes: The AP instructs the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results based on preset conditions; The AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results, including: The AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The preset conditions include at least one of the following: The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, and the terminal leaves or enters a preset area. The preset region includes at least one of the following: Notification area, cell, and preset geographical area based on the Radio Access Network (RAN).

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The AP performs mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results, including: Based on the multiple measurement results, the AP determines the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change. The AP sends a change instruction to the terminal, the change instruction including the changed AP and / or service area.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, If the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

13. A mobility management method applied to a terminal, the method comprising: A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP), the reference signal being used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal to obtain at least one measurement result, the at least one measurement result being used by the at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, After sending the reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the method further includes: The terminal receives indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results; At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of the at least one AP; Send the at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

15. A mobility management device applied to a network-side access point (AP), the device comprising: The listening unit is used to listen to the reference signals sent by the terminal; A measurement unit is used to measure the reference signal and obtain measurement results; A triggering unit is used to trigger interface interaction between APs to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal; A management unit is used to perform mobility management on the terminal based on the multiple measurement results.

16. A mobility management device applied to a terminal, the device comprising: A transmitting unit is configured to transmit a reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the reference signal being used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal to obtain at least one measurement result, the at least one measurement result being used by the at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

17. A network-side access point, wherein, The network-side access point (AP) includes a memory, transceiver, and processor; The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and execute them. Listen to the reference signal sent by the terminal; The reference signal is measured to obtain the measurement result; Trigger inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal; Based on the multiple measurement results, mobility management is performed on the terminal.

18. The network-side access point according to claim 17, wherein, The reference signal includes a terminal identifier and auxiliary information; The terminal identifier is a trusted terminal identifier identified by the network side or a trusted terminal identifier identified in the set of APs maintained by the anchor AP. The anchor AP is an access point connected to the core network. The auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: The terminal is currently connected to the AP identifier and service area indication.

19. The network-side access point according to claim 17, wherein, The reference signal sent by the monitoring terminal includes any one of the following: Continuously monitor the reference signal sent by the terminal; Based on protocol specifications or network configuration, periodically monitor and / or conditionally monitor reference signals sent by terminals; Reference signals sent by the monitoring terminal based on the anchor point AP.

20. The network-side access point according to claim 17, wherein, After measuring the reference signal and obtaining the measurement result, the processor is further configured to: If the measurement result is lower than a preset threshold, the load of the AP is higher than a preset load threshold, or the AP cannot meet the service requirements of the terminal, then a listening request for the reference signal of the terminal is sent to at least one adjacent AP; or, a listening request for the reference signal of the terminal is sent to the anchor AP, and the listening request is sent by the anchor AP to at least one AP.

21. The network-side access point according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, The triggering of the inter-AP interface interaction yields multiple measurement results of the reference signal, including: Through inter-AP interface interaction, the measurement results of the reference signal by at least one neighboring AP are obtained.

22. The network-side access point according to claim 21, wherein, The triggering of the inter-AP interface interaction to obtain multiple measurement results of the reference signal includes at least one of the following triggering methods: The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal; The adjacent AP detects the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold; After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal. After the AP sends a measurement report request for the reference signal to the neighboring AP through the AP inter-AP interface, the neighboring AP listens to the reference signal sent by the terminal, and the quality of the reference signal is higher than a preset quality threshold and / or the strength of the reference signal is higher than a preset strength threshold. The AP is an anchor AP, and the adjacent APs are APs in the AP set maintained by the anchor AP.

23. The network-side access point according to claim 22, wherein, The measurement report request for the reference signal includes at least one of the following: Terminal information, AP information, handover request message; The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set containing the terminals; The AP information includes at least one of the following: source AP identifier, source AP load information, and measurement results of the source AP's reference signal to the terminal.

24. The network-side access point according to claim 21, wherein, The step of obtaining the measurement results of the reference signal by at least one neighboring AP through inter-AP interface interaction includes: Through the inter-AP interface, obtain a measurement report sent by at least one neighboring AP, wherein the measurement report includes at least one of the following: Terminal information, AP information, handover request confirmation message; The terminal information includes: the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of a set containing the terminals; The AP information includes at least one of the following: destination AP identifier, measurement results of the reference signal of the terminal from the neighboring AP, and load information of the neighboring AP.

25. The network-side access point according to claim 17, wherein, The processor is also used for: After detecting the reference signal sent by the terminal, the terminal is instructed to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement result based on preset conditions; The mobility management of the terminal based on the multiple measurement results includes: Based on the multiple measurement results and the measurement results reported by the terminal, mobility management is performed on the terminal.

26. The network-side access point according to claim 25, wherein, The preset conditions include at least one of the following: The quality of the reference signal is lower than a preset quality threshold, the strength of the reference signal is lower than a preset strength threshold, and the terminal leaves or enters a preset area. The preset region includes at least one of the following: Notification areas, cells, and preset geographical areas based on RAN.

27. The network-side access point according to claim 17, wherein, The mobility management of the terminal based on the multiple measurement results includes: Based on the multiple measurement results, the AP and / or service area of ​​the terminal change is determined; Send a change instruction to the terminal, the change instruction including the changed AP and / or service area.

28. The network-side access point according to claim 27, wherein, If the AP is an anchor AP, the change instruction includes changing the AP and / or service area in the set of APs maintained by the AP.

29. A terminal, wherein, The terminal includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor; The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and execute them. A reference signal is sent to at least one network-side access point (AP), the reference signal being used by at least one AP to measure the reference signal to obtain at least one measurement result, the at least one measurement result being used by the at least one AP to perform mobility management on the terminal.

30. The terminal according to claim 29, wherein, After sending the reference signal to at least one network-side access point (AP), the processor is further configured to: The terminal receives indication information sent by at least one AP, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to measure the downlink reference signal and report the measurement results; At least one measurement result is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal of the at least one AP; Send the at least one measurement result to the corresponding AP.

31. A processor-readable storage medium, wherein, The processor-readable storage medium stores a program for causing the processor to perform the mobility management method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12 or as described in claim 13 or 14.

Images