Communication method and apparatus for reporting measurement report

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus for reporting a measurement report. The method comprises: a first apparatus receives first information, the first information being used for indicating M groups, M being a positive integer, and each group comprising one or more candidate cells; and the first apparatus sends a measurement report, the measurement report comprising measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, and the N reference signals being selected from among reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. By means of the method, the first apparatus can determine, on the basis of the M groups, reference signals corresponding to reported measurement results, so that the range of the reference signals corresponding to the measurement results reported by the first apparatus can be restricted, and the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement result can be reduced, thereby reducing the reporting overhead of the measurement report comprising the measurement results, avoiding or reducing waste of reporting resources.

Description

A communication method and apparatus for reporting a measurement report

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411097791.4, filed on August 9, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus for reporting a measurement report", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus for reporting a measurement report. BACKGROUND

[0004] In wireless communication, in order to transmit and receive data, obtain system synchronization and feedback channel information, etc., a transmitting device and a receiving device will transmit reference signals. For example, the transmitting device transmits a reference signal to the receiving device, and the receiving device receives the reference signal, and then can perform corresponding operations based on the reference signal, such as performing channel measurement and reporting a measurement report.

[0005] How to report a measurement report needs further study. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for reporting a measurement report.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be a terminal, or a device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal function. The method can include: receiving, by the first device, first information, the first information being used to indicate M groups, M being a positive integer, each group including one or more candidate cells; and transmitting, by the first device, a measurement report, the measurement report including measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups.

[0008] By the method, the second device can indicate M groups to the first device, the first device can select N reference signals from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups, and report measurement results for the N reference signals. In this way, the first device can determine the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results according to the M groups, so as to limit the range of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results of the first device, reduce the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, and further reduce the reporting overhead of the measurement report including the measurement results, and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be an access network device, or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method can include: the second device sends first information, the first information is used to indicate M groups, M is a positive integer, and each group includes reference signals from one or more candidate cells. The second device receives a measurement report, the measurement report includes measurement results for N reference signals, N is a positive integer, and the N reference signals are selected from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups.

[0010] By the method, the second device can indicate M groups to the first device, the first device can select N reference signals from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups, and report measurement results for the N reference signals. In this way, the first device can determine the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results according to the M groups, so as to limit the range of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results of the first device, reduce the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, and further reduce the reporting overhead of the measurement report including the measurement results, and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0011] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in a first group, and the first group belongs to the M groups. In this way, the first device can report measurement results of reference signals from candidate cells in the first group, and can not report measurement results of reference signals from candidate cells in other groups except the first group among the M groups, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0012] Alternatively, the N reference signals are selected from reference signals of part of the candidate cells in each of one or more groups, the one or more groups belonging to the M groups. In this way, the first device can report measurement results of reference signals from part of the candidate cells in each of the one or more groups, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0013] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event is related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals include a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal is from a first candidate cell, the first candidate cell belongs to a first group, and the second reference signal is from a second candidate cell, the second candidate cell belongs to a second group of the M groups. The N reference signals are selected from reference signals of one or more candidate cells in the first group, including: the N reference signals include part or all of the reference signals of the one or more candidate cells in the first group, and the part or all of the reference signals are related to the first event. With this design, in the case that the at least two reference signals are related to the first event, the first device can report measurement results of candidate cells corresponding to part of the reference signals in the at least two reference signals, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0014] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, in the case that the N reference signals include part or all of the reference signals of one candidate cell in the first group, the one candidate cell can be the first candidate cell. In the case that the N reference signals include part or all of the reference signals of multiple candidate cells in the first group, the multiple candidate cells can include the first candidate cell. Optionally, the number of reference signals included in the N reference signals from different candidate cells in the multiple candidate cells can be the same or different. For example, the N reference signals include at least one of the following:

[0015] the first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell;

[0016] the first reference signal, and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal;

[0017] the first reference signal, a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell; or

[0018] a reference signal from each cell in the first group, where the first group includes a serving cell and one or more candidate cells, and the reference signal from the first candidate cell includes the first reference signal.

[0019] The design provides multiple implementation manners of the N reference signals, and is more flexible.

[0020] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event is related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals include a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal is from a first candidate cell, the second reference signal is from a second candidate cell, and the first candidate cell and the second candidate cell both belong to the first group. The N reference signals are selected from reference signals of part of candidate cells in each group from one or more groups, including that the N reference signals include one or more reference signals from the first candidate cell. With this design, in the case that the at least two reference signals are related to the first event, the first device can report measurement results of candidate cells corresponding to part of the reference signals in the at least two reference signals, thereby reducing the reporting overhead and avoiding or reducing waste of reporting resources.

[0021] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the one or more reference signals include the first reference signal and a reference signal other than the first reference signal from the first candidate cell. This design is easy to implement, and can reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce waste of reporting resources.

[0022] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the first group is any one of M groups; and the one or more candidate cells in the first group include a handover target primary cell and a handover target secondary cell. The first information is used to indicate the M groups, including that the first information includes an identifier of the handover target primary cell and an identifier of the handover target secondary cell. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the one or more candidate cells in the first group according to the first information.

[0023] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the first information is handover target cell group (Cell Group) information. With this design, the first device can parse the handover target cell group information before handover to obtain a configuration identifier of the handover target primary cell and a configuration identifier of the handover target secondary cell, thereby determining the first group containing the handover target primary cell and the handover target secondary cell. This method can reuse the handover target cell group information, and the first device and the second device do not need to transmit additional information used to indicate the M groups, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0024] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the first group is any one of M groups. The first information is used to indicate the M groups, and the first information is used to indicate or activate at least one beam, and after the first device performs cell switching, the at least one beam is used for transmission of information of one or more cells, which are one or more candidate cells in the first group. For example, the at least one beam is used for transmission of one or more channels and / or one or more signals (e.g., reference signals) of the one or more cells; or in other words, the information of the one or more cells can include one or more channels and / or one or more signals (e.g., reference signals) of the one or more cells. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the M groups according to the first information indicating or activating the at least one beam.

[0025] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the first event is related to at least two reference signals, and includes at least one of the following: the first event is triggered according to measurement results of the at least two reference signals; or the first event is triggered according to measurement results of a reference signal from a serving cell, and the at least two reference signals include a reference signal from a neighbor cell of the serving cell. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the at least two reference signals related to the first event.

[0026] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the second device sends second information, and the first device receives the second information, and the second information is used to indicate at least one event. In a case where the first event belongs to the at least one event, the first device sends a measurement report, and the second device receives the measurement report.

[0027] With this design, when an event in the at least one event indicated by the second device occurs, the first device can select N reference signals from reference signals of candidate cells in the M groups, and report measurement results for the N reference signals. In this way, the first device can determine the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results according to the M groups, thereby limiting the range of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, reducing the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, and further reducing the reporting overhead and avoiding or reducing waste of reporting resources.

[0028] In addition, in this design, the at least one event is configured by the second device, thereby improving the flexibility of management of the first device by the second device.

[0029] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the second device sends third information; and correspondingly, the first device receives the third information, where the third information is used to indicate that the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell in the case that the serving cell is related to the first event. In the case that the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. With this design, the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell only in the case that the serving cell is related to the first event. In the case that the serving cell is not related to the first event, the first device can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell, thereby reducing the reporting overhead and avoiding or reducing the waste of reporting resources.

[0030] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the second device sends fourth information; and correspondingly, the first device receives the fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the value range of N. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the value range of N according to the fourth information. In this design, the value range of N is informed to the first device by the second device, and thus the second device can flexibly manage the measurement report sent by the first device.

[0031] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. In some examples, the communication device can be a terminal, or a device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of a terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the functions of implementing the first aspect. In other examples, the communication device can be an access network device, or a device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of an access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device functions. The communication device has the functions of implementing the second aspect.

[0032] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the module or unit or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. For example, the communication apparatus includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit can be configured to transmit and receive signals to implement communication between the communication apparatus and another apparatus. The processing unit can be configured to perform some internal operations of the communication apparatus. The processing unit and the interface unit can perform the functions corresponding to the operations of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0033] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor. The processor can execute computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus can implement the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0034] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory can store computer programs or instructions necessary for implementing the functions of the first aspect or the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus can implement the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0035] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor can be configured to communicate with another apparatus through the interface circuit, and perform the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system can include a first apparatus and a second apparatus. The first apparatus can perform the communication method in the first aspect, and the second apparatus can perform the communication method in the second aspect.

[0037] In some possible designs, the first apparatus is a terminal, and the second apparatus is an access network device.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided. The computer readable storage medium stores computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect is implemented.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program codes. When the computer program codes are run, the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect is implemented.

[0040] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to perform the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] The technical effects achieved by any one of the third aspect to the seventh aspect can be described with reference to the technical effects achieved by any one of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the repeated parts will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] FIGS. 1A-1B are architecture diagrams of several communication systems provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0043] FIG. 1C is an architecture diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) device provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0044] FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of a correspondence between a cell and a carrier provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0047] FIGS. 3-6 are structural diagrams of several communication apparatuses provided by embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as a long term evolution (LTE) system), a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) system), or a future communication system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network communication system or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. The NTN communication system may, for example, be a satellite communication system, or may include a drone, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), and other aerial access network devices, which are not limited by the present application.

[0049] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around systems that can include a plurality of devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that various systems can include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or can not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc., discussed in connection with the figures. Additionally, a combination of these approaches can be used.

[0050] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 can also include an Internet 300.

[0051] The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in FIG. 1A, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in FIG. 1A, collectively referred to as 120). Other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in FIG. 1A), etc., can also be included in the RAN 100. The terminals 120 are connected to the RAN nodes 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN nodes 110 are connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices, respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the radio access network.

[0052] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future evolution system. The RAN 100 can also be an ORAN, a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0053] The RAN nodes 110, which can also be referred to as RAN entities or access nodes, etc., form part of the communication system and are configured to facilitate wireless access for terminals. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are relative, e.g., the network element 120i in Figure 1A can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured to move as a mobile base station, to the terminals 120j accessing the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but to the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are sometimes referred to as communication apparatuses, e.g., the network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1A can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functionalities, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functionalities.

[0054] The RAN nodes can also be referred to as access network devices. In the following, the access network devices are used for description, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0055] The access network devices can be devices or modules with corresponding communication functions located at the network side of the above-mentioned communication system. The access network devices usually have communication modules, circuits or chips for performing corresponding communication functions, and programs or instructions and corresponding programs or instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0056] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation NodeB in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in FIG. 1A), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in FIG. 1A), a relay node or a donor node, a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario, a satellite, a drone, a balloon or an airplane, etc. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0057] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the access network device can be a central unit (CU) or a control unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a radio frequency remote unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0058] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0059] For ease of description, the concepts of "access network device" and "station" will be mentioned in this application. The access network device can be understood as the general term of all devices (including stations) on the access network side, for example, one or more stations can be collectively referred to as an access network device. The station can refer to a transmission node that is specifically located at a physical location. In other words, the access network device conceptually includes the station.

[0060] The terminal can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions for accessing the above communication system. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a user terminal device, a user agent, or a user device, etc. The terminal is usually provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for executing corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with programs or instructions for executing corresponding communication functions.

[0061] The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), V2X communication, machine-type communications (MTC), internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Among them, the wearable device can also be called a wearable smart device or a smart wearable device, etc., which is a general term of devices that can be worn by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of daily wear. The terminal applied to the vehicle can be called a vehicle terminal device, for example, a transportation vehicle with wireless communication function, a communication module or an on-board unit (OBU).

[0062] For example, the terminal can include a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone), a computer with mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded mobile device, etc. For example, the terminal can be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The terminal can also include a limited device, for example, a device with limited power consumption, or a device with limited storage capacity, or a device with limited computing capacity, etc. For example, the terminal can be a bar code, a radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0063] In this application, the core network device refers to a device in the core network that provides service support for the terminal. For example, in the case of CN 200 as the core network in the future communication system, or the 5G core network, or the evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network devices are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, policy control function (PCF) entity, etc., which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of the user, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. For another example, in the case of CN 200 as the 4G core network, some examples of core network devices are: mobile management entity (MME) entity, home subscriber server (HSS) entity, serving gateway (S-GW) entity, policy and charging rules function (PCRF) entity, public data network gateway (PDN gateway, P-GW) entity, etc., which are not listed one by one here. It should be noted that the entity in this application can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity, for example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, for another example, the SMF entity can also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc. The above core network devices can work independently, or can be combined together to realize certain control functions, such as: AMF, SMF and PCF can be combined together as a core network device.

[0064] FIG. 1B illustrates an example of an ORAN system architecture according to some embodiments. The ORAN system in the embodiments can include other components than those shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1B, the access network device can communicate with the CN through a backhaul link and communicate with the terminal through an air interface. For example, the BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network through a backhaul link, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul link. The BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate through at least one mid-haul link.

[0065] FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a network element function division and protocol layer structure of an ORAN device according to some embodiments.

[0066] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU can be connected to a network node such as a core network through some interfaces (e.g., an E2 interface, etc.). Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers of the CU) is connected to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through some interfaces (e.g., an F1 interface, etc.). For example, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1AP is an application protocol of the F1 interface, which defines the signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0067] In some examples, a CU can include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. Wherein the CU-CP is a logical node carrying a control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) layer of RRC layer and packet data convergence protocol layer, used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element, such as AMF in the 5G system. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying a user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer of SDAP layer and packet data convergence protocol layer, used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function is, for example, the UPF in the 5G system.

[0068] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node carrying an RLC layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a higher physical (Higher PHY) layer and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces (for example, a front-haul interface). In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes part of physical layer (PHY) processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and other processing functions.

[0069] The above configuration of the CU and the DU is only an example, and the functions of the CU and / or the DU can be configured as needed. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more functions of protocol layers, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of protocol layers. For example, part of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the type of service or other system requirements, for example, according to delay. The functions that need to meet the requirement of shorter delay in processing time are arranged in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the requirement of shorter delay are arranged in the CU.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical (Lower PHY) layer and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP TRP or RRH or other similar functional entity. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast Fourier transformation (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. The RU communicates with one or more terminals over a wireless link.

[0071] The DU and the RU can or can not be co-located. The DU and the RU exchange control plane and user plane information over a fronthaul link via a lower-layer split-control, user and synchronization (Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane, LLS-CUS or LLS-C / U / S) interface. The LLS-CUS can include a lower-layer split-control plane (LLS-C) interface and a lower-layer split-user plane (LLS-U) interface that provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and the RU. The DU and the RU exchange management information over a lower-layer split management (LLS-M) interface of the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0072] The DU and the RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of the PHY layer. One DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionalities that the DU and the RU have can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functionality and the RU is configured to implement mid- RF functionality. As another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functionality in the PHY layer and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and RF functionality. The high-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include a portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include another portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the mid-RF side.

[0073] FIG. 1D exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1D, a terminal can move from the coverage of a serving cell to the coverage of a neighbor cell. The neighbor cell of the serving cell can include candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #5. Among them, the coverage of candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2 is the same, and the coverage of candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4 is the same. It should be understood that FIG. 1D takes 5 candidate cells as an example for illustration, and in actual application, the neighbor cell of the serving cell can include more or less candidate cells.

[0074] It should be understood that the application scenario shown in FIG. 1D can include one or more access network devices and one or more terminals. For example, the serving cell and the neighbor cell of the serving cell in FIG. 1D are cells working in the same access network device. For another example, candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2 in FIG. 1D are cells working in a first access network device, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4 are cells working in a second access network device, and candidate cell #5 is a cell working in a third access network device. For yet another example, candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2 in FIG. 1D are cells working in a first access network device, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4 are cells working in a second access network device, candidate cell #5 is a cell working in a third access network device, and the serving cell is a cell working in a fourth access network device.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 1E, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, each cell in the serving cell and the neighbor cell of the serving cell can be configured with one or more carriers. In the present application, the carrier can also be referred to as a component carrier (CC); the carrier in the serving cell can be referred to as a serving cell; after the terminal switches to a certain neighbor cell of the serving cell, the carrier in the neighbor cell can be referred to as a serving cell (serving cell). FIG. 1E takes one access network device and one terminal as an example for illustration. It should be understood that in actual application, more access network devices and / or more terminals can be included.

[0076] The communication system and service scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems as the network architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear.

[0077] The related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application will be explained first. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0078] 1. Reference signal (RS):

[0079] A reference signal is also called a pilot signal, a reference sequence, or a benchmark signal, etc. In a communication system, it is necessary to estimate an uplink channel or a downlink channel in order to transmit and receive data, acquire system synchronization, and feed back channel information. Channel estimation refers to a process of reconstructing or recovering a received signal in order to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise due to fading. It determines time-domain and frequency-domain variations of a channel using a benchmark signal known to a transmitter and a receiver. The above-mentioned benchmark signal is also called a reference signal, which is distributed on one or more resource elements (REs) in a time-frequency two-dimensional space within an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and has a known amplitude and phase.

[0080] At a physical layer, uplink communication can include transmission of an uplink physical channel and an uplink signal. For example, the uplink physical channel can include at least one of a physical random access channel (PRACH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc., and the uplink signal can include at least one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal (PUCCH-DMRS), a physical uplink shared channel demodulation reference signal (PUSCH-DMRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), or a positioning signal (positioning RS), etc. Among them, the positioning reference signal is, for example, an SRS for positioning (SRS for positioning) or a positioning SRS (positioning SRS).

[0081] At the physical layer, the downlink communication can include transmission of downlink physical channels and downlink signals. Exemplarily, the downlink physical channels can include at least one of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc.; the downlink signals can include at least one of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a cell-specific reference signal (CS-RS), a user equipment-specific reference signal (US-RS), a downlink DMRS, a downlink PTRS, or a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block), etc. The SS / PBCH block can be referred to as a synchronization signal block (SSB) for short.

[0082] It should be understood that the reference signals listed above are only examples and should not constitute any limitation on the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other reference signals in future protocols to achieve the same or similar functions.

[0083] In the present application, the reference signals can be from a serving cell and / or a candidate cell. The serving cell can be a current primary cell (Pcell). The candidate cell can also be referred to as a handover candidate cell or a neighbor cell. Optionally, the candidate cell can be a serving cell or a non-serving cell other than the Pcell. For example, the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the candidate cell is different from the PCI of the current Pcell. For another example, the PCI of the candidate cell is an additional PCI; in other words, the reference signal can be a reference signal associated with the additional PCI, i.e., a reference signal of a neighbor cell.

[0084] 2. Reference signal resource:

[0085] A reference signal can be configured in the form of a resource. The access network device can configure each reference signal in the form of a resource to the terminal, and one resource is one configuration information unit, which usually includes a reference signal related parameter, such as the time-frequency resource position of the reference signal, the number of ports, the time domain type (periodic / semi-static / non-periodic), etc. The sending terminal device can send the reference signal based on the reference signal resource, and the receiving terminal device can receive the reference signal based on the reference signal resource.

[0086] In order to distinguish different reference signal resources, each reference signal resource can correspond to a reference signal resource identifier, such as a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI), an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI), or an SRS resource indicator (SRI).

[0087] In this application, the reference signal resource to be measured can be a reference signal resource associated with the configuration of the candidate cell. Optionally, the terminal can be configured with the configuration of one or more candidate cells, and each configuration of the candidate cell can include the configuration of the reference signal resource.

[0088] 3、beam:

[0089] The mobile communication system (for example, the 5G mobile communication system) can use high frequency communication, that is, use high frequency band signals to transmit data. One of the main problems of high frequency communication is that the signal energy decreases sharply with the transmission distance, resulting in short signal transmission distance. In order to overcome this problem, high frequency communication uses analog beam technology, which concentrates signal energy in a small angle range by weighting processing of antenna array, forms a signal similar to light beam (called analog beam, simply referred to as beam), thereby improving the transmission distance. The access network device and the terminal can use beams for transmission.

[0090] A beam can be referred to as a spatial domain filter, a spatial filter, a spatial domain parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial domain setting, a spatial setting, quasi co-location (QCL) information, a QCL assumption, or a QCL indication, and the like in a protocol (e.g., an NR protocol). A beam can also be represented by a transmission configuration indicator state parameter, or by a spatial relation parameter. Among them, the English of the transmission configuration indicator state can be transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state), or transmission configuration index state (TCI-state), and the like. Therefore, in this application, the beam can be replaced by the spatial domain filter, the spatial filter, the spatial domain parameter, the spatial parameter, the spatial domain setting, the spatial setting, the QCL information, the QCL assumption, the QCL indication, the TCI-state (e.g., the downlink TCI-state (DL TCI-state), and / or the uplink TCI-state (UL TCI-state)), or the spatial relation, and the like. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. The beam can also be replaced by other terms representing the beam, which is not limited in this application.

[0091] A beam for transmitting a signal can be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting, or a spatial transmission setting.

[0092] A beam for receiving a signal can be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting, or a spatial reception setting.

[0093] A transmission beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted by an antenna, and a reception beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received by an antenna.

[0094] In addition, a beam can be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or another type of beam. The technology for forming a beam can be beamforming technology or other technology. The beamforming technology can be, for example, digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid beamforming technology, etc.

[0095] A beam is generally associated with a resource. For example, when performing beam measurement, an access network device measures different beams through different resources, and a terminal feeds back the measured resource quality, so that the access network device knows the quality of the corresponding beam. In data transmission, a beam can also be indicated by its corresponding resource. For example, a beam can be indicated by at least one of the following resources: an SSB resource, a CSI-RS resource, an SRS resource, a DMRS resource, or a PTRS resource, etc. Among them, the SSB resource can be a resource for transmitting an SSB; the CSI-RS can be a resource for transmitting a CSI-RS; the SRS resource can be a resource for transmitting an SRS; the DMRS resource can be a resource for transmitting a DMRS; and the PTRS can be a resource for transmitting a PTRS.

[0096] In some implementations, the access network device can indicate the information of the PDSCH beam of the terminal through a transmission configuration indication field in downlink control information (DCI). The transmission configuration indication can be referred to as transmission configuration indicator (TCI), transmission configuration indication (TCI), transmission configuration index (TCI), etc.

[0097] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be regarded as one beam. One beam can include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and sounding signals, etc. The one or more antenna ports forming one beam can also be regarded as one antenna port set.

[0098] 4. Common beam:

[0099] Currently, each channel uses a separate beam indication. Each channel has its own corresponding beam. In this application, a common beam is defined, which can be used for one or more channels of uplink and / or downlink at the same time.

[0100] The common beam can be: one or more channels, one or more types of channels, one or more reference signals, and / or one or more types of reference signals using the same beam. Among them, the channel includes but is not limited to at least one of: PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, PUSCH or PRACH. The reference signal includes but is not limited to at least one of: SSB, CSI-RS, DMRS, PTRS, tracking reference signal (TRS) or SRS, etc.

[0101] Optionally, the common beam can include but is not limited to at least one of the following: joint common beam, uplink common beam or downlink common beam. This will be described below.

[0102] Joint common beam: used for transmission of at least one channel or at least one reference signal of uplink, and used for transmission of at least one channel or at least one reference signal of downlink. For example, the joint common beam can be used for transmission of PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH and PUSCH at the same time. The joint common beam can also be referred to as uplink and downlink common beam.

[0103] Uplink common beam: used for transmission of multiple channels simultaneously in uplink, and / or used for transmission of multiple types of channels simultaneously in uplink, and / or used for transmission of one or more reference signals simultaneously in uplink. For example, the uplink common beam can be used for transmission of at least two of PUCCH, PUSCH and SRS simultaneously.

[0104] Downlink common beam: used for transmission of multiple channels simultaneously in downlink, and / or used for transmission of multiple types of channels simultaneously in downlink, and / or used for transmission of one or more reference signals simultaneously in downlink. For example, the downlink common beam can be used for transmission of at least two of PDCCH, PDSCH and CSI-RS simultaneously.

[0105] Form of common beam: the common beam can be a newly defined structure (different from the existing TCI-state). For example, the common beam includes the relevant information of beam indication, including but not limited to one or more of the following: common beam identifier (ID), logical cell ID, physical cell ID, partial bandwidth ID, reference signal resource for determining the beam, QCL type, uplink power control related parameters (such as path loss measurement reference signal resource, expected received power p0, closed loop index (closedLoopIndex) and the like), or the identifier of path loss reference signal.

[0106] Application range of common beam: the common beam can be cell-level, i.e. one common beam is used for transmission of multiple channels in one cell. The common beam can be bandwidth part (BWP)-level, used for transmission of multiple beams in one BWP. The common beam can also be cross-cell, i.e. used for transmission of multiple channels in multiple cells. The multiple cells can be multiple cells in one band; or the multiple cells can be multiple cells across bands.

[0107] TCI mode: including joint mode and separate mode. The joint mode means that the same beam is used for uplink transmission between the access network device and the terminal and downlink transmission between the access network device and the terminal. The separate mode means that different beams are used for uplink transmission between the access network device and the terminal and downlink transmission between the access network device and the terminal.

[0108] 5. Reporting of measurement results:

[0109] The terminal can measure the reference signal from the access network device and report a measurement report, which can include the measurement result of the reference signal. The access network device can determine the transmission parameter according to the measurement report. For example, the access network device can send multiple reference signals, where different reference signals can be sent using different time-frequency domain resources, or different signals are sent using different beams. The terminal measures and feeds back the measurement results of multiple reference signals, which can help the access network device to determine the transmission parameter (such as beam, channel coding rate, etc.) used in subsequent communication transmission.

[0110] In a scenario involving the movement of the terminal between multiple cells, the access network device can determine whether the terminal performs preparation before handover and / or whether the terminal performs handover according to the measurement result of the reference signal of the serving cell and / or the neighbor cell reported by the terminal. The preparation before handover can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the serving cell obtains the configuration information of the neighbor cell from the device of the core network or the neighbor cell, or the serving cell instructs the terminal to start acquiring the uplink timing of the candidate neighbor cell (or candidate cell). In this application, the neighbor cell can also be referred to as a neighboring cell, or a cell adjacent to the serving cell. The neighbor cell can be geographically adjacent to the serving cell, or it can be logically adjacent to the serving cell.

[0111] In some possible ways, the terminal's measurement result reporting process is dominated by the access network device, that is, the terminal's measurement result reporting is based on the indication or configuration of the access network device. The access network device can configure the terminal to report the measurement result in one of the following three ways: periodic reporting, semi-persistent reporting, and aperiodic reporting. Semi-persistent reporting is also referred to as semi-static reporting.

[0112] Periodic reporting: The access network device sends reference signal resource configuration information to the terminal. The reference signal resource configuration information includes periodic reference signal resources. The access network device configures the terminal to periodically measure the reference signal. The terminal can measure the reference signal periodically based on the reference signal resource configuration information and periodically report the measurement result. Optionally, in periodic reporting, the measurement result can be carried on the PUCCH resource.

[0113] Semi-persistent reporting:

[0114] In some possible manners, the terminal measures the reference signal periodically, but reports the measurement result in a semi-persistent manner. For example, the access network device sends reference signal resource configuration information to the terminal. The reference signal resource configuration information includes periodic reference signal resources. The access network device configures the terminal to measure the reference signal periodically. When the terminal receives activation signaling (for example, medium access control-control element (MAC CE) or DCI) from the access network device, the terminal can continuously report the measurement result. Of course, the access network device can also send a deactivation instruction to the terminal, so as to deactivate the semi-persistent reporting process of the terminal.

[0115] In another possible implementation manner, both the measurement of the reference signal and the reporting of the measurement result are semi-persistent. When the terminal receives activation signaling from the access network device, the terminal continuously measures the reference signal and reports the measurement result. When the terminal receives a deactivation instruction from the access network device, the terminal stops reporting the measurement result. Optionally, the measurement result of the semi-persistent CSI-RS can be reported in a semi-persistent manner.

[0116] Optionally, in the semi-persistent reporting, the measurement result can be carried in a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource.

[0117] Aperiodic reporting: When the terminal receives a trigger instruction (for example, DCI) from the access network device, the terminal measures the reference signal and reports the measurement result. After the reporting is completed, the terminal stops reporting the measurement result. Optionally, the reference signal can be a periodic reference signal, a semi-persistent reference signal, or an aperiodic reference signal. Optionally, in the aperiodic reporting, the measurement result can be carried in a PUSCH resource.

[0118] For example, the access network device can configure the terminal to periodically report the measurement results of layer 1 (L1), which can also be referred to as a physical layer. The measurement results reported by the terminal can include the identity of the reported reference signal and the reference signal received power (RSRP) corresponding to the reference signal. Table 1 is a format of the measurement results reported by the terminal in a protocol. The CRI field and the SSBRI field can be used to indicate the index of the reference signal to be reported. The terminal can report CRI or SSBRI, or can report CRI and SSBRI. The RSRP can represent the quality corresponding to the reference signal. The reporting of the RSRP can use a differential reporting criterion. For example, the RSRP of the best reference signal can be reported by using 7-bit quantization in the RSRP field in Table 1, and the RSRP of other reference signals can be reported by using 4-bit quantization in the differential RSRP field in Table 1. It should be understood that the measurement results reported by the terminal can include one or more CRI fields and / or SSBRI fields, and / or can include one or more differential RSRP fields. For example, the measurement results reported by the terminal can include the identity of 4 reference signals and the RSRP corresponding to the 4 reference signals.

[0119] Table 1

[0120] This way results in a large overhead of uplink resources. For example, the access network device needs to pre-allocate the reporting resources of the measurement results for the terminal, and the terminal can report only after the allocation. In a mobility scenario, if the access network device allocates the reporting resources of the measurement results for the neighbor cell too early for the terminal, resource waste is likely to occur, because if the quality of the current serving cell is good, the access network device will not perform additional operations even if the terminal measures the reference signal from the neighbor cell and reports the measurement results. If the access network device allocates the reporting resources of the measurement results for the neighbor cell too late for the terminal, handover failure is likely to occur, because if the quality of the current serving cell is already poor, the probability of failure of the terminal to report the measurement results is high due to the limited uplink transmission power of the terminal, even if the terminal can receive the configuration and indication of the measurement report, thereby causing handover failure.

[0121] In other possible ways, the terminal can trigger the reporting of the measurement results, which can be referred to as a UE triggered measurement and report way or mechanism. In this way, the access network device can pre-configure the conditions for the terminal to trigger the measurement and report. The conditions can also be referred to as events, and the triggering criteria of different events can be different. When an event is triggered (or satisfied), the terminal can report the measurement results related to the event.

[0122] For example, the event that the terminal triggers the measurement report pre-configured by the access network device includes: the signal quality of the reference signal of the current serving cell is less than a certain preset threshold. The terminal measures the reference signal of the serving cell. When the signal quality of the reference signal of the serving cell measured by the terminal is less than the preset threshold, the terminal can report the measurement result related to the event.

[0123] Optionally, in this mode, the access network device can also pre-configure a reporting resource for the terminal to report the measurement result. When the event is triggered (or satisfied), the terminal can report the measurement result related to the event through the reporting resource. For example, the event that the terminal triggers the measurement report pre-configured by the access network device includes: the signal quality of the reference signal of the current serving cell is less than a certain preset threshold. The reporting resource pre-configured by the access network device for the terminal to report the measurement result is resource #1. The terminal measures the reference signal of the serving cell. When the signal quality of the reference signal of the serving cell measured by the terminal is less than the preset threshold, the terminal can report the measurement result related to the event through resource #1.

[0124] In this application, the event can represent an event related to the terminal initiated report (UE initiated report), or an event related to the terminal initiated measurement result report, or an event related to the terminal active measurement report (or measurement result), or a specific condition related to the terminal initiated measurement result report. For example, the terminal can actively perform measurement (such as beam measurement, or channel measurement, etc.), and then obtain the measurement result related to the event. For another example, the terminal can perform measurement based on the reference signal according to the configuration of the reference signal resource, and then obtain the measurement result related to the event. For another example, the terminal actively measures, and reports the measurement result related to the event when a specific condition is met.

[0125] Optionally, the event can include the event discussed in the standard discussion process, for example, the signal quality of the reference signal of the current serving cell is less than a certain preset threshold; and / or, the signal quality of the reference signal of the current serving cell is less than the signal quality of the reference signal of a certain candidate cell. And / or, the event can include the event discussed or defined in the future standard discussion process.

[0126] For example, in this application, the event can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0127] 1. The beam quality of the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold.

[0128] 2. The beam quality of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than the sum of the beam quality of the serving cell and a first offset.

[0129] 3. The sum of the beam quality of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs and the second offset is greater than the beam quality of the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0130] 4. The beam quality of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a second threshold.

[0131] 5. The beam quality of the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold, and the beam quality of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than the second threshold.

[0132] Wherein, either of the first offset and the second offset can be a positive number, 0 or a negative number. At least one of the first offset, the second offset, the first threshold and the second threshold can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol, or determined by the terminal, or notified to the terminal by other devices, for example, an access network device or a core network device.

[0133] Optionally, the beam quality can be replaced by at least one of the following: the quality of T beams with the best quality, the average quality of T beams with the best quality, the quality of T beams with the strongest, or the average quality of T beams with the strongest. T is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Wherein, the average quality of T beams can have various forms, for example, it can be a linear average of the quality of T beams, or it can be a weighted average of the quality of T beams, etc.

[0134] As described above, the beam is generally corresponding to a resource. For example, the beam can correspond to a reference signal resource, and thus, the beam can correspond to a reference signal transmitted on the reference signal resource. The beam quality of the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs can be replaced by at least one of the following: the quality of the reference signal resource of the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, or the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs. The beam quality of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs can be replaced by at least one of the following: the quality of the reference signal resource of the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs, or the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs.

[0135] In this application, the event can also have other names, for example, trigger event, L1 trigger event, CSI measurement reporting trigger event, beam measurement reporting trigger event, L1 CSI reporting trigger event, or L1 beam measurement reporting trigger event, etc., as long as they have the same function, they are within the protection scope of this application.

[0136] 6. The signal quality:

[0137] In this application, the signal quality can be represented by at least one of the following: RSRP, signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP), layer 1 signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (L1-SINR), synchronization signal reference signal received power (SS-RSRP), channel state information reference signal received power (CSI-RSRP), synchronization signal signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SS-SINR), or channel state information signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (CSI-SINR).

[0138] 7、In this application, a cell can include a serving cell and / or a neighbor cell of the serving cell. The serving cell can be a current serving cell of the first device. The serving cell can be a Pcell, a secondary cell (Scell), or a primary secondary cell (PScell). The neighbor cell of the serving cell is, for example, a cell corresponding to an additional PCI.

[0139] 8、In this application, "indicate" or "for indicating" can include explicit indication (or direct indication) and implicit indication (or indirect indication). When it is described that some information is for indicating A, it can include that the information explicitly indicates A or implicitly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the information.

[0140] The indication manner involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately into multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0141] The "information" in the embodiments of the present application can be explicitly indicated, i.e., directly indicated by signaling, or obtained according to the parameters indicated by the signaling, in combination with other rules or in combination with other parameters or by derivation. It can also be implicitly indicated, i.e., obtained according to rules or relationships, or according to other parameters, or by derivation. No limitation is made.

[0142] 9、In the present application, the communication between different devices can mean direct communication between different devices (i.e., without the need for other devices to relay or forward), or can mean communication between different devices through other devices (i.e., with the need for other devices to relay or forward), or can mean that a functional unit inside a device communicates with other devices through another functional unit. For example, "sending information to a terminal" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal, which can include direct or indirect sending of information to the terminal. "Receiving information from a terminal" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal, which can include direct or indirect receiving of information from the terminal. The information can be processed between the source and the destination of the information sending, such as format conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here.

[0143] 10、In the present application, the words "exemplarily", "such as", "for example" and "an example of" are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions, and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. It should be understood that the examples in the present application can also be implemented in other ways.

[0144] 11、In the present application, any two of programs, instructions and codes can be replaced with each other.

[0145] 12、In the present application, the group can have other names, such as cell group, candidate cell group, resource group, measurement resource group, set, cell set, candidate cell set, resource set, or measurement resource set, etc., as long as they have the same meaning, which are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0146] 13、In the present application, transmission can include sending and / or receiving.

[0147] 14、In the present application, greater than can be replaced by greater than or equal to; and / or, less than can be replaced by less than or equal to.

[0148] As described above, the terminal can report the measurement result based on an event. In this case, how the terminal reports the measurement report including the measurement result needs to be further studied. Optionally, in a scenario involving movement of the terminal between multiple cells, the terminal can be configured with multiple candidate cells, for example, the terminal can be configured with up to 8 candidate cells. The terminal can measure multiple reference signals from each candidate cell.

[0149] On one hand, if the reference signal of the triggering event is from multiple candidate cells, the terminal can report measurement results of the reference signals from the multiple candidate cells, which is a large overhead and causes waste of reporting resources. Taking the scenario shown in FIG. 1D as an example, if the reference signal of the triggering event is from candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, the terminal can report measurement results of the reference signals from candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. Since the coverage ranges of candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2 are the same, and the access network device will only hand over the terminal to one of the candidate cells, there are redundant measurement results in the measurement results of the reference signals from candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, which is a large overhead and causes waste of reporting resources.

[0150] On the other hand, if the reference signal of the triggering event includes multiple reference signals from a certain candidate cell, the terminal can report measurement results of the multiple reference signals from the candidate cell, which is a large overhead. Taking the scenario shown in FIG. 1D as an example, if the reference signal of the triggering event includes multiple reference signals from candidate cell #1, the terminal can report measurement results of the multiple reference signals from candidate cell #1. There are redundant measurement results in the measurement results of the multiple reference signals from candidate cell #1, which is a large overhead and causes waste of reporting resources.

[0151] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 2, the first device and the second device are taken as an example of the execution subject of the interaction to illustrate the method. The first device can be a terminal or a device (such as a module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software for realizing all or part of the terminal function. The second device can be an access network device or a device (such as a module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software for realizing all or part of the access network device function.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes:

[0153] S201: The second device sends first information; correspondingly, the first device receives the first information.

[0154] The first information can be used to indicate M groups. M can be a positive integer, for example, M is 1, or M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, such as M is 2, 4, 8 or 16. Each group can include one or more candidate cells.

[0155] There can be various manners for the first information to indicate the M groups, such as at least one of manner a1 to manner a3.

[0156] Manner a1: Group #a is any one of the M groups. The first information indicates a reference signal corresponding to each candidate cell in group #a. The first information and the first correspondence relationship can be used to determine one or more candidate cells in group #a; correspondingly, the first device can determine one or more candidate cells in group #a according to the first correspondence relationship and the first information. The first correspondence relationship can be a correspondence relationship between the reference signal and the candidate cell. Optionally, the first correspondence relationship can be a one-to-one correspondence relationship between the reference signal and the candidate cell, or a one-to-many correspondence relationship between the reference signal and the candidate cell, or a many-to-one correspondence relationship between the reference signal and the candidate cell; or a many-to-many correspondence relationship between the reference signal and the candidate cell.

[0157] Optionally, the first information includes an identifier of a reference signal corresponding to each candidate cell in group #a. The first correspondence relationship can be a correspondence relationship between the identifier of the reference signal and information of the candidate cell, such as a PCI of the candidate cell, an L1 / L2 triggered mobility (LTM) configuration (LTM config) identifier, or an additional PCI. In this way, the first device can determine one or more candidate cells in group #a according to the identifier of the reference signal in the first information and the first correspondence relationship.

[0158] For example, the identifier of the reference signal corresponding to the candidate cell in group #1 in the first information includes RS ID#1 to RS ID#2. In the first correspondence relationship, RS ID#1 corresponds to the PCI of candidate cell #1, and RS ID#2 corresponds to the PCI of candidate cell #3. In this case, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #3.

[0159] For another example, the identifier of the reference signal corresponding to the candidate cell in group #1 in the first information includes RS ID#1 to RS ID#2. In the first correspondence relationship, RS ID#1 corresponds to the LTM configuration identifier of candidate cell #1, and RS ID#2 corresponds to the LTM configuration identifier of candidate cell #3. In this case, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #3.

[0160] For example, the first information indicates that the reference signals corresponding to the candidate cells in group #1 include RS ID #1 to RS ID #2. In the first correspondence relationship, RS ID #1 corresponds to the additional PCI of candidate cell #1, and RS ID #2 corresponds to the additional PCI of candidate cell #3. In this case, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #3.

[0161] Optionally, for each candidate cell in group #a, the first information can indicate one or more reference signals corresponding to the candidate cell. For example, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, and the first information can indicate that the reference signal #1 corresponds to candidate cell #1 and the reference signal #2 corresponds to candidate cell #2. For another example, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, and the first information can indicate that a plurality of reference signals correspond to candidate cell #1 and a plurality of reference signals correspond to candidate cell #2. For yet another example, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, and the first information can indicate that the reference signal #1 corresponds to candidate cell #1 and a plurality of reference signals correspond to candidate cell #2.

[0162] Optionally, the first correspondence relationship can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol, or the first correspondence relationship can be determined by the first device, in which case the first device can send information to the second device to indicate the first correspondence relationship, or the first correspondence relationship can be notified to the first device by another device, for example, the second device or a core network device.

[0163] The method a1 is described by taking group #a as an example, and each of the M groups can be indicated in a similar manner.

[0164] In some implementations, the first information can further include a group identifier of each of the M groups, and the group identifier of each group corresponds to the reference signal corresponding to each candidate cell in the group. For example, the first information is shown in Table 2. RS ID #i corresponds to the PCI of candidate cell #i, and i is a positive integer. In this case, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and group #3 includes candidate cell #4. Through this implementation, the first device can accurately determine the correspondence relationship between each group and the reference signal corresponding to each candidate cell in the group according to the group identifier of each group.

[0165] Table 2

[0166] It should be understood that Table 2 is only an example. In actual applications, there can be more or fewer group identifiers, more or fewer reference signal identifiers, and each group identifier can correspond to more or fewer reference signal identifiers.

[0167] Through method a1, the first device can accurately determine M groups based on the reference signal indicated by the first information.

[0168] Method a2: Group #a is any one of the M groups. The first information includes information about each candidate cell in group #a, for example, the first information includes the configuration identifier of each candidate cell in group #a.

[0169] For example, in the first information, the configuration identifiers of the candidate cells in group #a include: the configuration identifier of candidate cell #1 and the configuration identifier of candidate cell #2. In this case, group #1 includes: candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2.

[0170] Method a2 is illustrated using group #a as an example. Each of the M groups can be indicated in a similar way.

[0171] In some implementations, the first information may further include a group identifier for each of the M groups, with each group identifier corresponding to the configuration identifier of each candidate cell within that group. For example, the first information is shown in Table 3. In this case, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and group #3 includes candidate cell #5. Through this implementation, the first device can accurately determine the correspondence between each group and the configuration identifier of each candidate cell within that group, based on the group identifier of each group.

[0172] Table 3

[0173] It should be understood that Table 3 is for illustrative purposes only. In practical applications, there may be more or fewer group identifiers, more or fewer candidate cell configuration identifiers, and each group identifier may correspond to more or fewer candidate cell configuration identifiers.

[0174] In some implementations, in method a2, the first group is any one of the M groups. The following explanation uses the example of the first information indicating the first group to illustrate how the first information can indicate the M groups. One or more candidate cells in the first group may include: the primary cell after handover and the secondary cell after handover; in other words, the first group may include: the primary cell after handover and the secondary cell after handover. The first information includes information about the primary cell after handover and information about the secondary cell after handover. For example, the first information may include the configuration identifier of the primary cell after handover and the configuration identifier of the secondary cell after handover.

[0175] Optionally, the secondary cells in the first group after the handover can be one or more.

[0176] Optionally, some candidate cells can be both the post-handoff primary cell and the post-handoff secondary cell. In this case, the first information can indicate the candidate cell through the information of the post-handoff primary cell and / or the information of the post-handoff secondary cell. For example, candidate cell #1 is both the post-handoff primary cell and the post-handoff secondary cell. In the first information, the information of the post-handoff primary cell includes the information (e.g., configuration identifier) of candidate cell #1, and / or the information of the post-handoff secondary cell includes the information (e.g., configuration identifier) of candidate cell #1.

[0177] The post-handoff primary cell can also be referred to as a candidate primary serving cell, a candidate primary cell, a post-handoff primary serving cell, a target primary cell, or a target primary serving cell, as long as they have the same meaning and are within the protection scope of the present application. The post-handoff secondary cell can also be referred to as a candidate secondary serving cell, a candidate secondary cell, a post-handoff secondary serving cell, a target secondary cell, or a target secondary serving cell, as long as they have the same meaning and are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0178] Optionally, in this implementation, the first information can be post-handoff cell group information. The post-handoff cell group information can include the configuration identifier of the post-handoff primary cell and the configuration identifier of the post-handoff secondary cell, or the post-handoff cell group information can include a serving cell identifier including a primary serving cell identifier and a secondary serving cell identifier, where the primary serving cell can be understood as the post-handoff primary cell and the secondary serving cell can be understood as the post-handoff secondary cell. Optionally, the serving cell index of the primary serving cell can be configured as "0". The first device can parse the post-handoff cell group information before handoff to obtain the configuration identifier of the post-handoff primary cell and the configuration identifier of the post-handoff secondary cell, thereby determining the first group containing the post-handoff primary cell and the post-handoff secondary cell. This method can reuse the post-handoff cell group information, and the first device and the second device do not need to transmit additional information for indicating M groups, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0179] Optionally, in mode a2, the configuration identifier of the candidate cell can be replaced by the identifier (e.g., PCI) of the candidate cell.

[0180] Through mode a2, the first device can accurately determine the M groups according to the information of the candidate cell in the first information.

[0181] The first information can be used to indicate or activate at least one beam. The at least one beam is, for example, at least one common beam. After the first device performs the cell switching, the at least one beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells. The one or more cells are one or more candidate cells in the first group. Accordingly, the first device can determine the first group according to the first information, or the first device can determine the one or more candidate cells in the first group according to the first information.

[0182] The at least one beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells can be understood as that the at least one beam can be used for transmission of one or more channels and / or one or more signals (for example, reference signals) of the one or more cells. In other words, the information of the one or more cells can include one or more channels and / or one or more signals (for example, reference signals) of the one or more cells. For example, the at least one beam can be used for transmission of at least two of the following by the one or more cells: PDCCH, PDSCH, CSI-RS, PUCCH, PUSCH or SRS; in other words, the one or more channels and / or one or more signals can include at least two of the following: PDCCH, PDSCH, CSI-RS, PUCCH, PUSCH or SRS.

[0183] In some implementations, the first information can be unified beam activation information before the cell switching, and can be used to activate a beam of candidate cell #a. The beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells; or the beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells in the future; or the beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells after the cell switching; or after the first device performs the cell switching, the information of the one or more cells can be transmitted through the beam. The one or more cells can be one or more candidate cells in the first group. For example, the first information is unified beam activation information before the cell switching, and is used to activate beam #1 of candidate cell #1. Beam #1 can be used for transmission of information of candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2 in the future. In this case, the first group can include candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. Through this implementation, the first device can parse the unified beam activation information before the cell switching before the cell switching, and determine the first group containing the at least one candidate cell according to the information. This implementation can reuse the unified beam activation information before the cell switching, and there is no need to transmit additional information for indicating M groups between the first device and the second device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0184] In some implementations, the first information can be unified beam indication information after switching (e.g., simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList), which can be used to indicate that the beam of candidate cell #a is the serving beam after switching. The beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells; or the beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells in the future; or the beam can be used for transmission of information of one or more cells after switching; or the information of the one or more cells can be transmitted through the beam after the first device performs cell switching. The one or more cells can be one or more candidate cells in the first group. For example, the first information is the unified beam indication information after switching, which is used to indicate that the beam #1 of candidate cell #1 is the serving beam after switching, and the beam #1 can be used for transmission of information of candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. In this case, the first group can include candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. Through this implementation, the first device can parse the unified beam indication information after switching before switching, and determine the first group containing the at least one candidate cell according to the information. This implementation can reuse the unified beam indication information after switching, and no additional information for indicating M groups needs to be transmitted between the first device and the second device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0185] Through way a3, the first device can accurately determine the M groups according to the beam indication of the at least one beam.

[0186] Optionally, part or all of the M groups further include the serving cell. For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes the serving cell, and group #2 also includes the serving cell. For another example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes the serving cell.

[0187] The way in which the first information indicates the serving cell in the M groups can refer to the way in which the first information indicates the candidate cell in the M groups, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] In S201, the first information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message, without limitation. For example, the first information can be carried in an RRC message, a medium access control-control element (MAC CE), or a DCI.

[0189] The first information can have other names, such as configuration information, group configuration information, cell group configuration information, candidate cell group configuration information, resource group configuration information, or measurement resource group configuration information, as long as they have the same meaning, which are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0190] S202: The first device sends a measurement report; correspondingly, the second device receives the measurement report.

[0191] The measurement report can include measurement results for N reference signals, where N is a positive integer. The N reference signals are selected from reference signals of candidate cells from M groups; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from reference signals of candidate cells from M groups. The selection can be replaced by determination or acquisition, etc.

[0192] Optionally, before sending the measurement report, the first device can receive (or detect) reference signals of part or all candidate cells from part or all of the M groups. For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2, and the first device can receive (or detect) reference signals of part or all candidate cells from group #1 and receive (or detect) reference signals of part or all candidate cells from group #2. Also for example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2, and the first device can receive (or detect) reference signals of part or all candidate cells from group #1.

[0193] Optionally, after receiving the measurement report, the second device can perform mobility management on the first device according to the measurement report. The specific process of the second device performing mobility management on the first device is not limited in the present application. For example, if in the measurement report, the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell is less than a first signal quality threshold, and the signal quality of the reference signal from candidate cell #1 is greater than a second signal quality threshold, the first device can instruct the first device to switch from the serving cell to candidate cell #1. The first signal quality threshold and the second signal quality threshold can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol; or can be determined by the second device; or can be notified to the second device by another device (for example, a core network device or the first device).

[0194] Through the method shown in FIG. 2, the second device can indicate M groups to the first device, the first device can select N reference signals from reference signals of candidate cells from the M groups, and report measurement results for the N reference signals. In this way, the first device can determine the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results according to the M groups, so as to limit the range of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results of the first device, reduce the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, and further reduce the reporting overhead of the measurement report including the measurement results, and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0195] As described above, the N reference signals are selected from reference signals of candidate cells from the M groups, and there are various ways of selection, for example, way b1 or way b2.

[0196] Mode b1: the N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group.

[0197] wherein the first group belongs to M groups; in other words, the first group is one of the M groups. For example, M is 1, and the M groups are the first group. For another example, M is an integer greater than 1, and the M groups include the first group and other groups except the first group; in other words, the first group is a part of the M groups.

[0198] For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #2. Group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4. In the case that the first group is group #1, the N reference signals are selected from reference signals from candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. The N reference signals can not include reference signals from candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4. In this way, the first device can report measurement results of reference signals from candidate cells in group #1, and can not report measurement results of reference signals from candidate cells in group #2, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0199] Optionally, in the case that the first group is a part of the M groups, the first group can be determined by at least one of the following modes c1 to c4; correspondingly, the first device can determine the first group by at least one of the following modes c1 to c4.

[0200] Mode c1: the first group is any one of the M groups; correspondingly, the first device selects any one of the M groups as the first group.

[0201] For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. The first group can be any one of group #1 and group #2.

[0202] Mode c2: the first group can be a group with the smallest group identifier among the M groups; correspondingly, the first device selects a group with the smallest group identifier among the M groups as the first group.

[0203] For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. The group identifier of group #1 is 1, and the group identifier of group #2 is 2. The first group can be group #1.

[0204] Mode c3: the first group can be a group with the largest group identifier among the M groups; correspondingly, the first device selects a group with the largest group identifier among the M groups as the first group.

[0205] For example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. The group identifier of group #1 is 1, and the group identifier of group #2 is 2. The first group can be group #2.

[0206] The third reference signal is at least one of: a reference signal with the largest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, a reference signal with a signal quality greater than a third signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, a reference signal with the smallest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, or a reference signal with a signal quality less than a fourth signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. Either of the third signal quality threshold and the fourth signal quality threshold can be pre-configured, e.g., specified in a protocol, determined by the first device, or notified to the first device by another device, e.g., a core network device or a second device.

[0207] The following is an example of the manner c4. In the example below, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #3, and group #2 includes candidate cell #2. The reference signals from candidate cell #1 include reference signal #1 to reference signal #3, the reference signals from candidate cell #2 include reference signal #4 to reference signal #6, and the reference signals from candidate cell #3 include reference signal #7 to reference signal #9.

[0208] In some examples, the third reference signal is the reference signal with the largest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the order of the signal quality from small to large is: reference signal #1 to reference signal #9, the third reference signal can be reference signal #9, the third candidate cell can be candidate cell #3, and the first group can be group #1 including candidate cell #3.

[0209] In other examples, the third reference signal is the reference signal with a signal quality greater than a third signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the signal quality of reference signal #9 is greater than the third signal quality threshold, the third reference signal can be reference signal #9, the third candidate cell can be candidate cell #3, and the first group can be group #1 including candidate cell #3.

[0210] In yet other examples, the third reference signal is the reference signal with the smallest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the order of the signal quality from small to large is: reference signal #1 to reference signal #9, the third reference signal can be reference signal #1, the third candidate cell can be candidate cell #1, and the first group can be group #1 including candidate cell #1.

[0211] In some examples, the third reference signal is a reference signal whose signal quality is less than a fourth signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the signal quality of the reference signal #1 is less than the fourth signal quality threshold, the third reference signal can be the reference signal #1, the third candidate cell can be the candidate cell #1, and the first group can be the group #1 including the candidate cell #1.

[0212] In the way b1, the N reference signals are selected from the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group. In this way, the first device can report the measurement results of the reference signals from the candidate cells in the first group, and can not report the measurement results of the reference signals from the candidate cells in the other groups except the first group among the M groups, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0213] For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, the M groups can include the group #1 and the group #2. The group #1 includes the candidate cell #1, the candidate cell #3 and the candidate cell #5. The group #2 includes the candidate cell #2 and the candidate cell #4. If the reference signals triggering the first event include the reference signals from the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2, and the first event is used to trigger the sending of the measurement report, the first device can report the measurement result of the reference signal from the candidate cell #1 in the group #1 through the measurement report, and can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from the candidate cell #2 in the other group, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0214] In some possible ways, the way b1 can be applied to the scenario 1: the sending (or reporting) of the measurement report is triggered by the first event, and the first event can be related to at least two reference signals. The at least two reference signals correspond to at least two groups among the M groups. For example, the at least two reference signals can include a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal is from a first candidate cell, and the first candidate cell belongs to a first group, the second reference signal is from a second candidate cell, and the second candidate cell belongs to a second group among the M groups; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal are from candidate cells in different groups among the M groups.

[0215] For the convenience of understanding, the scenario 1 is described below.

[0216] The sending (or reporting) of the measurement report is first event triggered, which can be understood as that the measurement report is sent in the case that the first event occurs, or the first device sends the measurement report in the case that the first event occurs. For example, the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell is less than the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell. In the case that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell received (or detected) by the first device is less than the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell #1, the first device can send the measurement report.

[0217] As mentioned above, the first event can be related to at least two reference signals. Optionally, the at least two reference signals can be the reference signals triggering the first event, or can be the reference signals related to the reference signals triggering the first event. The reference signals triggering the first event can be from the serving cell and / or the candidate cell.

[0218] In some implementations, the at least two reference signals can be the reference signals triggering the first event; in other words, the first event is triggered according to the measurement results of the at least two reference signals.

[0219] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a second threshold. If the signal quality of the reference signal #1 from the candidate cell #1 and the signal quality of the reference signal #4 from the candidate cell #2 received (or detected) by the first device are greater than the second threshold, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4 are the reference signals triggering the first event, and the at least two reference signals include the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4.

[0220] For another example, the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs. If the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell received (or detected) by the first device is less than the signal quality of the reference signal #1 from the candidate cell #1 and the signal quality of the reference signal #4 from the candidate cell #2, the reference signal from the serving cell, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4 are the reference signals triggering the first event, and the at least two reference signals include the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4.

[0221] For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs. If the first apparatus receives (or detects) a signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, a signal quality of a reference signal #4 from a candidate cell #2 as signal quality #2, and a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and the signal quality #1 is greater than the signal quality #3, the reference signal from the serving cell, the reference signal #1, and the reference signal #4 are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4.

[0222] For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs. If the first apparatus receives (or detects) a signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, a signal quality of a reference signal #4 from a candidate cell #2 as signal quality #2, and a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and the signal quality #1 is greater than the signal quality #3, the reference signal from the serving cell, the reference signal #1, and the reference signal #4 are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4.

[0223] For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs. If the first apparatus receives (or detects) a signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, a signal quality of a reference signal #4 from a candidate cell #2 as signal quality #2, and a signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and the signal quality #1 is greater than the signal quality #3, the reference signal from the serving cell, the reference signal #1, and the reference signal #4 are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include the reference signal #1 and the reference signal #4.

[0224] In other implementations, the at least two reference signals can be reference signals related to the reference signal that triggers the first event.

[0225] In some examples, the reference signal triggering the first event can be from a serving cell; in other words, the first event is triggered based on measurement of the reference signal from the serving cell. The at least two reference signals include reference signals from neighboring cells of the serving cell.

[0226] For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold. The neighboring cells of the serving cell include candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. If the first device receives (or detects) a signal quality of a reference signal from the serving cell is less than the first threshold, the reference signal from the serving cell is the reference signal triggering the first event, and the at least two reference signals include reference signals from the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2.

[0227] In other examples, the reference signal triggering the first event can be from P candidate cells, where P is a positive integer; in other words, the first event is triggered based on measurement of the reference signal from the P candidate cells. The at least two reference signals can include reference signals from the P candidate cells. For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from the candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a second threshold. If the first device detects that a signal quality of reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 is greater than the second threshold, a signal quality of reference signal #4 from candidate cell #2 is greater than the second threshold, reference signals from the candidate cell #1 include reference signal #1 to reference signal #3, and reference signals from the candidate cell #2 include reference signal #4 to reference signal #6, the at least two reference signals include reference signal #1 to reference signal #6.

[0228] In yet other examples, the reference signal triggering the first event can be from U cells, where U is a positive integer; in other words, the first event is triggered based on measurement of the reference signal from the U cells. The at least two reference signals can include reference signals from candidate cells in a group to which the U cells belong.

[0229] For example, the first event is that a signal quality of a reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold. If the first device receives (or detects) a signal quality of a reference signal from the serving cell is less than the first threshold, and the serving cell belongs to group #1, the reference signal from the serving cell is the reference signal triggering the first event, and the at least two reference signals include reference signals from candidate cells in the group #1.

[0230] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell. If the first device receives (or detects) the signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and signal quality #1 is less than signal quality #3, the serving cell belongs to a group #1, and the candidate cell #1 belongs to a group #2, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal from the serving cell are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #1 and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #2.

[0231] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell. If the first device receives (or detects) the signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and signal quality #1 is less than signal quality #3, the serving cell belongs to a group #1, and the candidate cell #1 belongs to a group #2, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal from the serving cell are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #1 and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #2.

[0232] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell. If the first device receives (or detects) the signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and signal quality #1 is less than signal quality #3, the serving cell belongs to a group #1, and the candidate cell #1 belongs to a group #2, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal from the serving cell are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #1 and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #2.

[0233] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell. If the first device receives (or detects) the signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, and signal quality #1 is less than signal quality #3, the serving cell belongs to a group #1, and the candidate cell #1 belongs to a group #2, the reference signal #1 and the reference signal from the serving cell are reference signals that trigger the first event, and the at least two reference signals include a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #1 and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #2.

[0234] For example, the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold value, and the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a second threshold value. If the first device receives (or detects) the signal quality of a reference signal #1 from a candidate cell #1 as signal quality #1, the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell as signal quality #3, the signal quality #1 is greater than the second threshold value, the signal quality #3 is less than the first threshold value, the serving cell belongs to a group #1, and the candidate cell #1 belongs to a group #2, the reference signal from the serving cell and the reference signal #1 are the reference signals triggering the first event, and the at least two reference signals include: a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #1, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the group #2.

[0235] Optionally, in the scenario 1, the at least two reference signals can correspond to at least two groups of the M groups. The first group can be selected (or determined) from the at least two groups in at least one of the following manners d1 to d4; correspondingly, the first device can select the first group from the at least two groups in at least one of the following manners d1 to d4.

[0236] The manner d1: the first group is any one of the at least two groups; correspondingly, the first device can select any one of the at least two groups as the first group.

[0237] The manner d2: the first group can be a group with the smallest group identifier in the at least two groups; correspondingly, the second device can select the group with the smallest group identifier in the at least two groups as the first group.

[0238] The manner d3: the first group can be a group with the largest group identifier in the at least two groups; correspondingly, the second device can select the group with the largest group identifier in the at least two groups as the first group.

[0239] The manner d4: the third reference signal is from a third candidate cell, and the first group is a group including the third candidate cell in the at least two groups. The third reference signal can be at least one of: a reference signal with the largest signal quality from the reference signals of the candidate cells in the at least two groups, a reference signal with the signal quality greater than a third signal quality threshold value from the reference signals of the candidate cells in the at least two groups, a reference signal with the smallest signal quality from the reference signals of the candidate cells in the at least two groups, or a reference signal with the signal quality less than a fourth signal quality threshold value from the reference signals of the candidate cells in the at least two groups.

[0240] The specific content of the manners d1 to d4 can refer to the manners c1 to c4, except that the M groups are replaced by the at least two groups, and details are not repeated.

[0241] In scenario 1, the N reference signals can comprise: part or all of the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from part or all of the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group. Optionally, the part or all of the reference signals are related to the first event. The details of the part or all of the reference signals being related to the first event can refer to the description of "the first event can be related to at least two reference signals" above, except that the at least two reference signals are replaced by the part or all of the reference signals, and thus will not be repeated here.

[0242] For example, the M groups comprise group #1 and group #2. Group #1 comprises candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #3. Group #2 comprises candidate cell #2. Reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 is related to the first event, and reference signal #3 from candidate cell #2 is related to the first event. If group #1 is the first group, the N reference signals can comprise: part or all of the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in group #1. Optionally, the part or all of the reference signals are related to the first event.

[0243] In the case that the N reference signals comprise part or all of the reference signals from one candidate cell in the first group, the one candidate cell can be the first candidate cell. In the case that the N reference signals comprise part or all of the reference signals from multiple candidate cells in the first group, the multiple candidate cells can comprise the first candidate cell. Optionally, the number of reference signals from different candidate cells in the multiple candidate cells comprised by the N reference signals can be the same or different. For example, the N reference signals can comprise: 2 reference signals from candidate cell #1, and 2 reference signals from candidate cell #2. For another example, the N reference signals can comprise: 2 reference signals from candidate cell #1, 1 reference signal from candidate cell #2, and 1 reference signal from candidate cell #3.

[0244] In this way, in the case that at least two reference signals are related to the first event, the first device can report the measurement results of the candidate cells corresponding to part of the reference signals in the at least two reference signals, so as to reduce the reporting overhead, and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0245] For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, the M groups can include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5. Group #2 includes candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4. If the reference signals triggering the first event include reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 and reference signal #4 from candidate cell #2, and the first event is used to trigger the sending of the measurement report, the first device can report the measurement result of the reference signal from candidate cell #1 in group #1 on the measurement report, and can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from candidate cell #2 in the other group, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0246] Optionally, in scenario 1, the N reference signals can include at least one of the following:

[0247] 1. The first reference signal and the reference signals from the candidate cells in the first group other than the first candidate cell.

[0248] Optionally, the N reference signals can include the first reference signal and part or all of the reference signals from part or all of the candidate cells in the first group other than the first candidate cell.

[0249] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The reference signals from candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5 are related to the first event. In this case, the N reference signals can include the first reference signal, part or all of the reference signals from candidate cell #3 and part or all of the reference signals from candidate cell #5.

[0250] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The reference signals from candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5 are related to the first event. In this case, the N reference signals can include the first reference signal, part or all of the reference signals from candidate cell #3 and part or all of the reference signals from candidate cell #5.

[0251] 2. The first reference signal and the reference signals from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal.

[0252] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The N reference signals can include the first reference signal and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1.

[0253] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The N reference signals can include the first reference signal and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1.

[0254] 3. the first reference signal, a reference signal other than the first reference signal from the first candidate cell, and a reference signal from each of the candidate cells in the first group other than the first candidate cell.

[0255] Optionally, the N reference signals can include: the first reference signal, a reference signal other than the first reference signal from the first candidate cell, and a reference signal from each of the candidate cells in the first group other than the first candidate cell.

[0256] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3, and candidate cell #5. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The reference signals from candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5 are related to the first event. The N reference signals can include: the first reference signal, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1 other than the first reference signal, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #3, and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #5.

[0257] For example, the first group includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3, and candidate cell #5. The first reference signal is from candidate cell #1. The reference signals from candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5 are related to the first event. The N reference signals can include: the first reference signal, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1 other than the first reference signal, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #3, and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #5.

[0258] 4. a reference signal from each cell in the first group, wherein the first group includes a serving cell and one or more candidate cells, and the reference signal from the first candidate cell includes the first reference signal.

[0259] For example, the first group includes a serving cell, candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3, and candidate cell #5. The N reference signals can include: one or more reference signals from the serving cell, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1, one or more reference signals from candidate cell #3, and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #5.

[0260] Optionally, the value or value range of the number (hereinafter referred to as a first number) of reference signals from each cell included in the N reference signals can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol, or determined by the first device, or notified to the first device by another device (for example, the second device or a core network device). If the value or value range of the first number is notified to the first device by another device (for example, the second device or a core network device), the value or value range of the first number can be explicitly indicated or implicitly indicated, for example, implicitly indicated by a configured reporting resource.

[0261] For example, the first number can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16.

[0262] This manner provides various implementation manners of the N reference signals, and is more flexible.

[0263] Manner b2: The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from part of the candidate cells in each group of one or more groups; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from reference signals from part of the candidate cells in each group of one or more groups. Wherein, the one or more groups belong to the M groups; in other words, the one or more groups are part or all of the M groups.

[0264] For example, the M groups include group #1 to group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #3, and group #2 includes candidate cell #4 and candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups are the M groups, the N reference signals can be selected from reference signals from candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3, and candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include reference signals from candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4.

[0265] For example, the M groups include group #1 to group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #3, and group #2 includes candidate cell #4 and candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups are the M groups, the N reference signals can be selected from reference signals from candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3, and candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include reference signals from candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4.

[0266] Optionally, the N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one candidate cell in each group of the one or more groups; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from reference signals from one candidate cell in each group of the one or more groups.

[0267] For example, the M groups include group #1 to group #3. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #2, group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and group #3 includes candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups are the M groups, the N reference signals can be selected from reference signals from candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include reference signals from candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4.

[0268] For example, the M groups include group #1 to group #3. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 to candidate cell #2, group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and group #3 includes candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups are the M groups, the N reference signals can be selected from reference signals from candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include reference signals from candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4.

[0269] Optionally, in the case that the one or more groups are part of the M groups, the one or more groups can be determined by at least one of the following manners e1 to e4; correspondingly, the first device can determine the one or more groups by at least one of the following manners e1 to e4.

[0270] Manner e1: the one or more groups are any one or more groups of the M groups; correspondingly, the first device selects any one or more groups of the M groups.

[0271] Manner e2: the one or more groups can be one or more groups of the M groups with the smallest group identifier.

[0272] Manner e3: the one or more groups can be one or more groups of the M groups with the largest group identifier.

[0273] The specific content of the manners e1 to e3 can refer to the manners c1 to c3, except that the first group is replaced by the one or more groups, and thus no further description is given.

[0274] The fourth reference signal is a reference signal from a candidate cell in the third group, and the fourth reference signal satisfies at least one of the following: the fourth reference signal belongs to R reference signals with the largest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, the fourth reference signal is a reference signal with a signal quality greater than a third signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, the fourth reference signal belongs to S reference signals with the smallest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups, or the fourth reference signal is a reference signal with a signal quality less than a fourth signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. R and S are positive integers. The specific content of the third signal quality threshold and the fourth signal quality threshold can be referred to the description of the third signal quality threshold and the fourth signal quality threshold in mode c4, and will not be described here.

[0275] The following is an example of mode e4. In the following example, the M groups include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, and group #2 includes candidate cell #3. The reference signals from candidate cell #1 include reference signal #1 to reference signal #3, the reference signals from candidate cell #2 include reference signal #4 to reference signal #6, and the reference signals from candidate cell #3 include reference signal #7 to reference signal #9.

[0276] In some examples, the fourth reference signal belongs to R reference signals with the largest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the order of the signal quality from small to large is reference signal #1 to reference signal #9, and R is 4, the fourth reference signal can be any one of reference signal #6 to reference signal #9, and the one or more groups can include group #1 including candidate cell #2 and group #2 including candidate cell #3.

[0277] In other examples, the fourth reference signal is a reference signal with a signal quality greater than a third signal quality threshold among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If reference signal #6 to reference signal #9 are all greater than the third signal quality threshold, the fourth reference signal can be any one of reference signal #6 to reference signal #9, and the one or more groups can include group #1 including candidate cell #2 and group #2 including candidate cell #3.

[0278] In yet other examples, the fourth reference signal belongs to S reference signals with the smallest signal quality among the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups. If the order of the signal quality from small to large is reference signal #1 to reference signal #9, and S is 4, the fourth reference signal can be any one of reference signal #1 to reference signal #4, and the one or more groups can include group #1 including candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2.

[0279] In some examples, the fourth reference signal is a reference signal from the candidate cells in the one or more groups whose signal quality is less than a fourth signal quality threshold. If the signal quality of the reference signal #1 to the reference signal #4 is less than the fourth signal quality threshold, the fourth reference signal can be any one of the reference signal #1 to the reference signal #4. The one or more groups can include: the group #1 including the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2.

[0280] In the way b2, the N reference signals are selected from the reference signals from the partial candidate cells in each of the one or more groups. In this way, the first device can report the measurement results of the reference signals from the partial candidate cells in each of the one or more groups, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0281] For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, the M groups can include the group #1 to the group #3. The group #1 includes the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2, the group #2 includes the candidate cell #3 and the candidate cell #4, and the group #3 includes the candidate cell #5. If the reference signals triggering the first event include the reference signals from the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2, and the first event is used to trigger the sending of the measurement report, the first device can report the measurement result of the reference signal from the candidate cell #1 in the group #1 through the measurement report, and can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from the candidate cell #2 in the group #1, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0282] Optionally, in the way b2, the N reference signals can be selected from the reference signals from the partial candidate cells in each of the one or more groups and the reference signals from all the candidate cells in each of the M1 groups. M1 is a positive integer, and the M1 groups are different from the one or more groups in the M groups. The union of the one or more groups and the M1 groups can be part or all of the M groups.

[0283] For example, the M groups can include the group #1 to the group #3. The group #1 includes the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2, the group #2 includes the candidate cell #3 and the candidate cell #4, and the group #3 includes the candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups include the group #1 and the group #2, and the M1 groups include the group #3, the N reference signals can be selected from the reference signals from the candidate cell #1, the candidate cell #3 and the candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include the reference signals from the candidate cell #2 and the candidate cell #4.

[0284] For example, the M groups can include group #1 to group #3. The group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, the group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and the group #3 includes candidate cell #5. In the case that the one or more groups include the group #1 and the M1 groups include the group #3, the N reference signals can be selected from the reference signals from the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #5, and the N reference signals can not include the reference signals from the candidate cell #2 to the candidate cell #4.

[0285] In some possible manners, the manner b2 can be applicable to a scenario 2: the sending (or reporting) of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, and the first event is related to at least two reference signals. The at least two reference signals include a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal is from a first candidate cell, the second reference signal is from a second candidate cell, and the first candidate cell and the second candidate cell both belong to a first group; in other words, the first reference signal and the second reference signal are from different candidate cells in a same group of the M groups; or the at least two reference signals correspond to the first group of the M groups.

[0286] The specific content of “the sending (or reporting) of the measurement report is triggered by a first event” can refer to the description of “the sending (or reporting) of the measurement report is triggered by a first event” in the scenario 1, and the specific content of “the first event is related to at least two reference signals” can refer to the description of “the first event is related to at least two reference signals” in the scenario 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] In the scenario 2, the N reference signals can include one or more reference signals from the first candidate cell. For example, the M groups include the group #1. The group #1 includes the candidate cell #1 and the candidate cell #2. The reference signal #1 from the candidate cell #1 is related to the first event, and the reference signal #4 from the candidate cell #2 is related to the first event. The N reference signals can include one or more reference signals from the candidate cell #1.

[0288] In this way, in the case that the at least two reference signals are related to the first event, the first device can report the measurement result of the candidate cell corresponding to part of the at least two reference signals, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0289] For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, the M groups can include group #1 to group #3. Among them, group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2, group #2 includes candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #4, and group #3 includes candidate cell #5. If the reference signal triggering the first event includes reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 and reference signal #4 from candidate cell #2, and the first event is used to trigger the sending of the measurement report, the first device can report the measurement result of the reference signal from candidate cell #1 in group #1 on the measurement report, and can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from candidate cell #2 in group #1, so as to reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0290] Optionally, in scenario 2, the one or more reference signals can include a first reference signal and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal. For example, the M groups include group #1. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1 and candidate cell #2. Reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 is related to the first event, and reference signal #4 from candidate cell #2 is related to the first event. The N reference signals can include reference signal #1 and one or more reference signals from candidate cell #1 other than reference signal #1.

[0291] Among them, the value or value range of the number (hereinafter referred to as the second number) of reference signals from the first candidate cell included in the N reference signals can be pre-set, for example, specified by the protocol, or can be determined by the first device, or can be notified to the first device by other devices (for example, the second device or the core network equipment). If the value or value range of the second number is notified to the first device by other devices (for example, the second device or the core network equipment), the value or value range of the second number can be explicitly indicated, or can be implicitly indicated, for example, can be implicitly indicated by the configured reporting resource.

[0292] For example, the second number can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16.

[0293] In some possible ways, the way of selecting N reference signals from the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups can be pre-set, for example, specified by the protocol; or can be determined by the first device; or can be notified to the first device by other devices (for example, the second device and the core network equipment).

[0294] Optionally, the way of selecting the N reference signals from the reference signals of the candidate cells in the M groups can be the same or different for the measurement reports triggered by different events. In some examples, for the measurement report triggered by any event, the N reference signals can be determined by way b1. In some other examples, for the measurement report triggered by any event, the N reference signals can be determined by way b2. In yet some examples, for the measurement report triggered by event #1, the N reference signals can include: the first reference signal, and the reference signals of the candidate cells in the first group except the first candidate cell, the details of which can be referred to the description of the "first reference signal, and the reference signals of the candidate cells in the first group except the first candidate cell" in way b1, and will not be repeated. For the measurement report triggered by event #2, the N reference signals can include: the first reference signal, and the reference signals of the first candidate cell except the first reference signal, the details of which can be referred to the description of the "first reference signal, and the reference signals of the first candidate cell except the first reference signal" in way b1, and will not be repeated.

[0295] In some possible ways, the method shown in FIG. 2 further includes S203:

[0296] S203: The second device sends the second information; and correspondingly, the first device receives the second information.

[0297] The second information can be used to indicate at least one event, or the second information can be used to indicate a set of events including at least one event. The present application does not limit the way of indicating at least one event by the first information.

[0298] Correspondingly, S202 includes: in the case where the first event belongs to the at least one event, the first device sends the measurement report; and correspondingly, the second device receives the measurement report. The specific content of the measurement report can be referred to the description of the measurement report in S202, and will not be repeated.

[0299] For example, the at least one event indicated by the second information includes: event #1, event #2 and event #3. In the case where the first event is event #1, event #2 or event #3, the first device can send the measurement report; and correspondingly, the second device can receive the measurement report. The specific content of the measurement report can be referred to the description of the measurement report in S202, and will not be repeated. Any one of event #1, event #2 and event #3 can be an event discussed in the standard discussion process, or can be an event discussed or defined in the future standard discussion process, without limitation.

[0300] The second information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message. For example, the second information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE or a DCI. For another example, the second information can be carried in a report configuration (ReportConfig) information, such as an event triggered report configuration information.

[0301] Optionally, S203 can be performed before S202. The order of S203 and S201 is not limited in the present application. The second information and the first information in S201 can be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0302] In this way, when an event in the at least one event indicated by the second device occurs, the first device can select N reference signals from the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups and report the measurement results for the N reference signals. In this way, the first device can determine the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results according to the M groups, so as to limit the range of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, reduce the total number of the reference signals corresponding to the reported measurement results, and further reduce the reporting overhead and avoid or reduce the waste of reporting resources.

[0303] In addition, in this way, the at least one event is configured by the second device, so as to improve the flexibility of the management of the first device by the second device.

[0304] In some possible manners, the method shown in FIG. 2 further includes S204.

[0305] S204: The second device sends third information; and correspondingly, the first device receives the third information.

[0306] In some implementations, the third information can be used to indicate that, in the case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. Correspondingly, in the case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. For example, in the case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of Q reference signals from the serving cell. Q is a positive integer. The value or value range of Q can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol, or determined by the first device, or notified to the first device by another device (for example, the second device or a core network device).

[0307] In the case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the reference signal triggering the first event can include a reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0308] For example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell is less than the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell, the reference signal triggering the first event comprises the reference signal from the serving cell, which is related to the first event.

[0309] For another example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the first threshold, the reference signal triggering the first event comprises the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, which is related to the first event.

[0310] For yet another example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than the sum of the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs and the first offset, the reference signal triggering the first event comprises the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, which is related to the first event.

[0311] For yet another example, if the first event is that the sum of the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs and the second offset is greater than the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, the reference signal triggering the first event comprises the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, which is related to the first event.

[0312] For yet another example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs is less than the first threshold, and the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or the group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than the second threshold, the reference signal triggering the first event comprises the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, which is related to the first event.

[0313] By the implementation, the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell only in the case that the serving cell is related to the first event. In the case that the serving cell is not related to the first event, the first device can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell, thereby reducing the reporting overhead and avoiding or reducing the waste of reporting resources.

[0314] In some other implementations, the third information can be used to indicate that the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. Correspondingly, the measurement report in S202 further comprises the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. For example, the measurement report in S202 further comprises the measurement result of Q reference signals from the serving cell. Q is a positive integer.

[0315] Optionally, the third information can be carried in the reporting configuration information, such as the event-triggered reporting configuration information.

[0316] Through the implementation, the second device can flexibly configure the first device to report the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell through the third information.

[0317] The third information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message. For example, the third information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0318] Optionally, S204 can be before S202.

[0319] In another possible manner, in the case where the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell, the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. The specific content of "the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell" can be referred to the description of "the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell" in S204, and will not be repeated here.

[0320] Optionally, the definition of the first event being related to the serving cell can include that the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0321] For example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell is less than the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell, the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell, and the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell.

[0322] For another example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold, the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, and the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell.

[0323] For yet another example, if the first event is that the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than the sum of the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs and a first offset, the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, and the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell.

[0324] For yet another example, if the first event is that the sum of the signal quality of the reference signal from the candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs and a second offset is greater than the signal quality of the reference signal from the serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs, the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, and the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell.

[0325] For example, if the first event is that the signal quality of a reference signal from a serving cell or a group to which the serving cell belongs is less than a first threshold value, and the signal quality of a reference signal from a candidate cell or a group to which the candidate cell belongs is greater than a second threshold value, the reference signal triggering the first event includes the reference signal from the serving cell or the group to which the serving cell belongs, and the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell.

[0326] In this way, the first device reports the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell only when the serving cell is related to the first event. When the serving cell is not related to the first event, the first device can not report the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell, thereby reducing the reporting overhead and avoiding or reducing the waste of reporting resources.

[0327] In addition, in this way, it can be pre-configured (for example, specified by a protocol) that, when the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell, the measurement report in S202 further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell. In this way, the second device does not need to instruct the first device to report the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell when the definition of the first event is related to the serving cell, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0328] In some possible manners, the method shown in FIG. 2 further includes S205:

[0329] S205: The second device sends fourth information; correspondingly, the first device receives the fourth information.

[0330] The fourth information can be used to indicate the value range of N. Optionally, the value range of N can include multiple values in succession or discontinuity, or the value range of N can include one value.

[0331] In S202, the N reference signals can be selected from the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups according to the value range of N; correspondingly, the first device can select the N reference signals from the reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups according to the value range of N.

[0332] For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 1D, the M groups can include group #1 and group #2. Group #1 includes candidate cell #1, candidate cell #3 and candidate cell #5. Group #2 includes candidate cell #2 and candidate cell #4. The reference signals from candidate cell #1 include reference signal #1 to reference signal #3. The reference signals from candidate cell #2 include reference signal #4 to reference signal #6. If the reference signals triggering the first event include reference signal #1 from candidate cell #1 and reference signal #4 from candidate cell #2, the first event is used to trigger the sending of the measurement report, the order of the signal quality from small to large is: reference signal #1 to reference signal #6, and the value range of N is 2, then the N reference signals in the measurement report sent by the first device can include reference signal #1 and reference signal #2.

[0333] Optionally, the reference signals selected by the above-mentioned manner b1 or manner b2 can form a first reference signal set. In the case that the number of the reference signals included in the first reference signal set is greater than N, the N reference signals can be N reference signals in the first reference signal set. For example, the N reference signals can be N reference signals with the largest signal quality in the first reference signal set; or, the N reference signals can be N reference signals with the smallest signal quality in the first reference signal set; or, the N reference signals can be any N reference signals in the first reference signal set.

[0334] Optionally, the value range of N can be replaced by: the number of the reference signals corresponding to the measurement results included in the measurement report.

[0335] The fourth information can be carried in a conventional message, or can be carried in a new message. For example, the fourth information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE or a DCI.

[0336] Optionally, S205 can be before S202.

[0337] In some possible manners, the method shown in FIG. 2 further includes S206:

[0338] S206: The second device sends the fifth information; correspondingly, the first device receives the fifth information.

[0339] The fifth information can be used to indicate reference signal resources of the serving cell and / or reference signal resources of the candidate cells in the M groups. In this way, in a case where the fifth information indicates the reference signal resources of the serving cell, the first device can receive reference signals from the serving cell according to the reference signal resources of the serving cell, so as to determine whether an event for triggering transmission of a measurement report occurs. In a case where the fifth information indicates the reference signal resources of the candidate cells in the M groups, the first device can receive reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups according to the reference signal resources of the candidate cells in the M groups, so as to determine whether an event for triggering transmission of a measurement report occurs.

[0340] The fifth information can be carried in a conventional message or in a new message. For example, the fifth information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE or DCI. For another example, the fifth information can be carried in reporting configuration information, such as event-triggered reporting configuration information.

[0341] Optionally, S206 can be performed before S202. The execution order of any two steps in S201, S203 to S206 is not limited, and any two of the first information to the fifth information can be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0342] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the related steps in the above method embodiments. The functions can be implemented by hardware, by software or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in a terminal or an access network device, or can be a logic node, a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a terminal or an access network device.

[0343] In one possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 3, which includes a processing unit 302. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface unit 301. The functions of each unit in the communication device 300 are introduced as follows.

[0344] The interface unit 301 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting the information, the interface unit 301 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 300, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 300. In some manners, the interface unit 301 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other manners, the interface unit 301 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and the like. The interface unit 301 is configured to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0345] In this application, the interface unit 301 can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 301 can include a receiving unit and a sending unit, which are configured to input and output information, respectively. The receiving unit is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0346] The processing unit 302 can be configured to support the communication apparatus 300 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 302 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), microcontroller units (MCU), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor. The processing unit 302 is configured to perform operations related to processing in the above method embodiments, for example, operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0347] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 300 is applied to the first device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The specific functions of the processing unit 302 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

[0348] The processing unit 302 is configured to: receive, through the interface unit 301, first information, the first information being used for indicating M groups, M being a positive integer, each group comprising one or more candidate cells; and send, through the interface unit 301, a measurement report, the measurement report comprising measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups.

[0349] In some possible implementations, the processing unit 302 is further configured to: receive, through the interface unit 301, second information, the second information being used for indicating at least one event; and send, through the interface unit 301, the measurement report in a case where the first event belongs to the at least one event.

[0350] Optionally, the processing unit 302 is further configured to: receive, through the interface unit 301, third information, the third information being used for indicating that, in a case where a serving cell is related to the first event, the first device reports measurement results of reference signals from the serving cell; and in a case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report further comprises measurement results of reference signals from the serving cell.

[0351] Optionally, the processing unit 302 is further configured to: receive, through the interface unit 301, fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating a range of values of N.

[0352] In another implementation, the communication device 300 is applied to the second device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The specific functions of the processing unit 302 in this implementation are described below.

[0353] The processing unit 302 is configured to: send, through the interface unit 301, first information, the first information being used for indicating M groups, M being a positive integer, each group comprising one or more candidate cells; and receive, through the interface unit 301, a measurement report, the measurement report comprising measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups.

[0354] In some possible implementations, the processing unit 302 is further configured to: send, through the interface unit 301, second information, the second information being used for indicating at least one event; and receive, through the interface unit 301, the measurement report in a case where the first event belongs to the at least one event.

[0355] Optionally, the processing unit 302 is further configured to: send, through the interface unit 301, third information, the third information being used for indicating that, in a case where a serving cell is related to the first event, the first device reports measurement results of reference signals from the serving cell; and in a case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report further comprises measurement results of reference signals from the serving cell.

[0356] Optionally, the processing unit 302 is further configured to send, via the interface unit 301, fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the range of values of N.

[0357] In a possible design of the application, when the communication apparatus 300 is a communication device or a communication module in a communication device, the processing unit 302 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can include a modem chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip including a modem core. The interface unit 301 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit.

[0358] In a possible design of the application, when the communication apparatus 300 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip including a modem core, the processing unit 302 can be implemented by circuitry including one or more processors or processor cores in the chip. The interface unit 301 can be implemented by an interface circuit or a data transceiver circuit in the chip.

[0359] In an embodiment of the application, the communication device can be a terminal or an access network device.

[0360] For more details of the processing unit 302 and the interface unit 301, refer to the related description in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0361] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the application is illustrative, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the application can be integrated in one processing unit, or can be physically separated, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of a software functional unit, or in the form of a combination of hardware and software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or software 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 the application.

[0362] For example, the functional units in any of the above apparatuses can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0363] The integrated unit described above, if realized in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the part of the prior art that contributes to the present application or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0364] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 4, and the communication apparatus 400 includes a processor 402. Optionally, the communication apparatus 400 further includes an interface circuit 401 and a memory 403. The interface circuit 401, the processor 402 and the memory 403 are coupled with each other.

[0365] Optionally, the interface circuit 401, the processor 402 and the memory 403 are coupled with each other through a bus 404. The bus 404 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 4, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0366] The interface circuit 401 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When the information is output, the interface circuit 401 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 400, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 400. For example, the interface circuit 401 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. The interface circuit 401 is configured to perform the receiving operation and the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.

[0367] The interface circuit 401 can be one of a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (for example, an input / output interface of a chip). The interface circuit 401 can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit for inputting and outputting information respectively. The input interface circuit is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuit is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0368] The transceiver can be configured to communicate with other communication devices. For example, the communication device 400 is a terminal, and the transceiver can be configured to communicate with an access network device or another terminal. For another example, the communication device 400 is an access network device, and the transceiver can be configured to communicate with a terminal or another access network device.

[0369] Optionally, the transceiver can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0370] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 402 or exist independently and be coupled with the processor 402 through the interface circuit of the communication device 400, and the embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0371] The processor 402 can be configured to support the communication device 400 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When the communication device 400 is configured to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 402 can also be configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 302 described above. The processor 402 can be a CPU, and can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor. The processor 402 is configured to perform operations related to processing in the above method embodiments, for example, operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0372] In an embodiment, the communication device 400 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in FIG. 2. The specific functions of the processor 402 in this embodiment are described below.

[0373] The processor 402 is configured to: receive first information through the interface circuit 401, the first information being used to indicate M groups, M being a positive integer, and each group including one or more candidate cells; and send a measurement report through the interface circuit 401, the measurement report including measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, and the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from the candidate cells in the M groups.

[0374] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus 400 is applied to the second device in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 2. The specific functions of the processor 402 in this embodiment are described as follows.

[0375] The processor 402 is configured to send, through the interface circuit 401, first information, the first information being used to indicate M groups, M being a positive integer, each group including candidate cells from one or more groups; and receive, through the interface circuit 401, a measurement report, the measurement report including measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from the reference signals of the candidate cells from the M groups.

[0376] The specific functions of the processor 402 can refer to the description of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application and the examples, and the description of the specific functions of the communication apparatus 300 in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0377] The memory 403 is configured to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions can include program codes including computer operation instructions. The memory 403 can include RAM, and can also include non-volatile memory such as at least one disk memory. The processor 402 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 403 and uses the data stored in the memory 403 to realize the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the above embodiments of the present application. The memory 403 can be integrated with the processor 402, or can be a memory outside the communication apparatus.

[0378] It is to be understood that the memory 403 in FIG. 4 of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile memory can be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM used as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, a number of forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It is to be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0379] The present application also provides a communication apparatus 500, which can be a terminal, a processor in the terminal, or a chip. The communication apparatus 500 can be used to perform the operations performed by the first apparatus in the above method embodiments.

[0380] When the communication apparatus 500 is a terminal, FIG. 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of a terminal. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program codes, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 531, a receiver 532, a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), an antenna 533, and an input / output device (not shown in the figure).

[0381] The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal, executing software programs, and processing data of the software programs, etc.

[0382] The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data.

[0383] The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals, and processing of the radio frequency signals.

[0384] The antenna is mainly used for transceiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0385] The input and output device can include a touch screen, a display screen, or a keyboard, etc. The input and output device is mainly used for receiving data input by a user and outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals can not have an input and output device.

[0386] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. Then, the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and then sends the radio frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna. The radio frequency circuit converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0387] For ease of illustration, only one memory, one processor, and one transceiver are shown in FIG. 5. In actual terminal products, there can be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory can be independent of the processor or integrated with the processor, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0388] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit with transceiving functions can be regarded as an interface unit of the terminal, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as a processing unit of the terminal.

[0389] As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal includes a processor 510, a memory 520, and a transceiver 530. The processor 510 can also be referred to as a processing board, a processing module, or a processing device, etc. The transceiver 530 can also be referred to as an interface circuit, a transceiver, or a transceiving device, etc. The processor 510 is configured to perform the processing operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 530 is configured to perform the transceiving operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0390] Optionally, the device for realizing the receiving function in the transceiver 530 is regarded as a receiver, and the device for realizing the sending function in the transceiver 530 is regarded as a transmitter, that is, the transceiver 530 includes a receiver 532 and a transmitter 531. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving module, or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting module, or a transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is configured to perform the receiving operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is configured to perform the sending operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0391] It should be understood that FIG. 5 is only an example and not a limitation, and the terminal can not depend on the structure shown in FIG. 5.

[0392] When the communication apparatus 500 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be an integrated processing module on the chip or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the first device in the method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first device in the method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0393] The application further provides a communication apparatus 600, which can be an access network device or a chip. The communication apparatus 600 can be used to perform the operations performed by the second device in the method embodiments.

[0394] When the communication apparatus 600 is an access network device, for example, a base station. FIG. 6 shows a structural schematic diagram of an access network device. The access network device includes a 610 part, a 620 part and a 630 part.

[0395] The 610 part is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the access network device, etc. The 610 part is usually the control center of the base station, which can be usually referred to as a processor, and is used to control the access network device to perform the processing operations of the second device in the method embodiments.

[0396] The 620 part is mainly used for storing computer program codes and data.

[0397] The 630 part is mainly used for the transceiving of radio frequency signals and the conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals. The 630 part can be usually referred to as a transceiving module, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, an interface circuit or a transceiver, etc. The 630 part can include an antenna 633 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. The 630 part can be used to perform the transceiving operations of the second device in the method embodiments.

[0398] Optionally, the devices in the 630 part used for realizing the receiving function can be regarded as a receiver, and the devices used for realizing the sending function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, the 630 part includes a receiver 632 and a transmitter 631. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiving module, a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can be referred to as a transmitting module, a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operations of the second device in the method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operations of the second device in the method embodiments.

[0399] The 610 part and the 620 part can include one or more single boards, each of which can include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are used to read and execute programs in the memories to realize baseband processing functions and control of the access network device. If there are multiple single boards, the single boards can be interconnected to enhance processing capability. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards can also share one or more processors, or multiple single boards can share one or more memories, or multiple single boards can share one or more processors at the same time.

[0400] It should be understood that FIG. 6 is merely an example and is not limiting, and the access network device can not depend on the structure shown in FIG. 6.

[0401] When the communication apparatus 600 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory and a processor. The transceiver can be an input and output circuit, a communication interface; the processor is a processor integrated on the chip, or a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the second device in the above method embodiment can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the second device in the above method embodiment can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0402] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including computer executable instructions, when the computer program product is executed, the method provided by the above embodiments is executed.

[0403] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided by the above embodiments.

[0404] The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. For example, but not limited to: the computer readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0405] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which is used to read the computer program stored in the memory to realize the method provided by the above embodiments.

[0406] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which comprises a processor for supporting a computer device to realize the functions related to the devices in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0407] In each of the embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0408] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of the flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0409] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory capable of guiding the computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific way, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a product including instruction devices, which implement the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0410] These computer program instructions can also be loaded into a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0411] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" can be interchangeably used. "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes an associated relationship with the associated object, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / ", generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0412] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for convenient differentiation, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

[0413] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a first device, comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate M groups, M being a positive integer, each group including one or more candidate cells; sending a measurement report, the measurement report including measurement results for N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups, comprising: The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in a first group, the first group belonging to the M groups; or, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from part of candidate cells in each group of one or more groups, the one or more groups belonging to the M groups.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event being related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals including a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal being from a first candidate cell, the first candidate cell belonging to the first group, the second reference signal being from a second candidate cell, the second candidate cell belonging to a second group in the M groups, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in a first group, comprising: The N reference signals include: part or all of the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group, the part or all of the reference signals being related to the first event.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The N reference signals include at least one of: The first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell; The first reference signal, and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal; The first reference signal, a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell; Or A reference signal from each cell in the first group, wherein the first group includes the serving cell and one or more candidate cells, the reference signal from the first candidate cell including the first reference signal.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event being related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals including a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal being from a first candidate cell, the second reference signal being from a second candidate cell, the first candidate cell and the second candidate cell both belonging to the first group, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from part of candidate cells in each group of one or more groups, comprising: The N reference signals include: one or more reference signals from the first candidate cell.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The one or more reference signals include: The first reference signal, and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal.

7. The method of any one of claims 2, 5 and 6, wherein, The first group is any one of the M groups; the one or more candidate cells in the first group include a post-handover primary cell and a post-handover secondary cell, The first information is used to indicate M groups, including: The first information includes an identity of the post-handover primary cell and an identity of the post-handover secondary cell.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first information is post-handover cell group (CellGroup) information.

9. The method of any one of claims 2, 5, and 6, wherein, The first group is any one of the M groups; the first information is used to indicate M groups, including: The first information is used to indicate or activate at least one beam, which is used for transmission of information of one or more cells after the first device performs cell handover, the one or more cells being one or more candidate cells in the first group.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that, The first event is related to at least two reference signals, including at least one of the following: The first event is triggered according to a measurement result of the at least two reference signals; or, The first event is triggered according to a measurement result of a reference signal from a serving cell, the at least two reference signals including a reference signal from a neighbor cell of the serving cell.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, Further comprising: Receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one event; Sending a measurement report, including: In a case where the first event belongs to the at least one event, sending the measurement report.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, Further comprising: Receiving third information, the third information being used to indicate that, in a case where a serving cell is related to the first event, the first device reports a measurement result of a reference signal from the serving cell; In a case where the serving cell is related to the first event, the measurement report further includes the measurement result of the reference signal from the serving cell.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, Further comprising: Receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a value range of N.

14. A communication method, comprising: Applicable to a second device, including: Sending first information, the first information being used to indicate M groups, M being a positive integer, each group including one or more candidate cells; Receiving a measurement report, the measurement report including measurement results of N reference signals, N being a positive integer, the N reference signals being selected from reference signals from candidate cells in the M groups.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in a first group, the first group belonging to the M groups; or, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from part of the candidate cells in each group of one or more groups, the one or more groups belonging to the M groups. The sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event being related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals including a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal being from a first candidate cell, the first candidate cell belonging to the first group, the second reference signal being from a second candidate cell, the second candidate cell belonging to a second group of the M groups, 16. The method of claim 15, wherein, ​ The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from one or more candidate cells in a first group, comprising: The N reference signals comprise: part or all of the reference signals from one or more candidate cells in the first group, the part or all of the reference signals being related to the first event.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The N reference signals comprise at least one of: The first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell; The first reference signal, and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal; The first reference signal, a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal, and a reference signal from a candidate cell in the first group other than the first candidate cell; Or A reference signal from each cell in the first group, wherein the first group comprises the serving cell and one or more candidate cells, the reference signal from the first candidate cell comprising the first reference signal.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein, The sending of the measurement report is triggered by a first event, the first event being related to at least two reference signals, the at least two reference signals comprising a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the first reference signal being from a first candidate cell, the second reference signal being from a second candidate cell, the first candidate cell and the second candidate cell both belonging to the first group, The N reference signals are selected from reference signals from part of the candidate cells in each of one or more groups, comprising: The N reference signals comprise: one or more reference signals from the first candidate cell.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The one or more reference signals comprise: The first reference signal, and a reference signal from the first candidate cell other than the first reference signal.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The first group is any one of the M groups; the one or more candidate cells in the first group comprise: a post-handover primary cell and a post-handover secondary cell, The first information is used to indicate M groups, comprising: The first information comprises an identity of the post-handover primary cell and an identity of the post-handover secondary cell.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first information is post-handover cell group (CellGroup) information.

22. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The first group is any one of the M groups; The first information is used to indicate M groups, comprising: The first information is used to indicate or activate at least one beam, the at least one beam being used for transmission of information of one or more cells after the first device performs cell handover, the one or more cells being one or more candidate cells in the first group.

23. A communications device, characterized by Comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 1-22.

24. A communications device, characterized by Comprising a processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions, so that the device performs the method of any one of claims 1-22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores computer programs or instructions, when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the method of any one of claims 1-22 is implemented.

26. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer program code which, when the computer program code is run, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-22.

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