Minimization of drive-tests measurement method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to a minimization of drive-tests (MDT) measurement method and apparatus, and a storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring area scope configuration information of MDT and ephemeris information of satellites corresponding to satellite cells, wherein the area scope configuration information comprises mapping cell information related to the satellite cells, and the ephemeris information is used for indicating the velocity and position of the satellites on satellite orbits at different time points; on the basis of the area scope configuration information and the ephemeris information, determining execution condition information for the MDT; on the basis of the execution condition information for the MDT, determining a target terminal for executing the MDT; and sending to the target terminal an activation indication message for the MDT, which activation indication message is used for activating the target terminal to execute the MDT.

Description

Minimize road test measurement methods, devices and storage media Cross-references

[0001] This application incorporates Chinese Patent Application No. 2024112104927, filed on August 30, 2024, entitled “Minimized Road Test Measurement Method, Apparatus and Storage Medium”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus and storage medium for minimizing drive test measurements. Background Technology

[0003] Minimization of Drive-tests (MDT) is a technique that enables the automatic collection of network data through terminal and network devices. To reduce power consumption of terminal devices and increase the availability of location information, MDT can be achieved by extending existing Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement and tracing capabilities.

[0004] In related technologies, network devices can send relevant MDT measurement configurations to terminal devices based on the configured MDT measurement tasks. These MDT measurement configurations may include information such as a cell list, a tracking area (TA) list, and a tracking area identifier (TAI) list. The MDT area range can be determined through these configurations. When the terminal device is within the MDT area, it can perform MDT measurements and report the results to the network device. Subsequently, the network device can report the received MDT measurement results from the terminal, along with its own MDT measurement results, to the network management device or the MDT data storage and processing network element.

[0005] However, in non-terrestrial network (NTN) scenarios, because the typical beam footprint size of satellite cells is larger than that of terrestrial network (TN) cells, the MDT area configured based on information such as cell list, TA list, and TAI list is too large, resulting in too much redundant data collected, which in turn leads to excessive measurement overhead of MDT. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on this, a method, apparatus and storage medium for minimizing road test measurements are provided.

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a method for minimizing drive test measurements. Applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, it includes:

[0008] The system acquires the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in its orbit at different time points.

[0009] Based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution condition information of the MDT is determined;

[0010] Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT;

[0011] An activation indication message for the MDT is sent to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

[0012] In one embodiment, the execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0014] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

[0015] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0016] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

[0017] In one embodiment, determining the execution condition information of the MDT based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information includes:

[0018] Based on the ephemeris information, the mapped cell information, and at least one of the TA information, the TAI information, and the serving cell information, determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points;

[0019] The execution conditions for the MDT are determined based on the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at different time points.

[0020] In one embodiment, determining the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT includes:

[0021] Receive location information reported by the terminal device;

[0022] Based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, the target terminal is selected from the terminal devices located within the geographical range, or the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range are identified as the target terminal.

[0023] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

[0024] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes satellite cell-related information;

[0025] The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0026] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a timely MDT, the method further includes:

[0027] Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal;

[0028] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the Service Unit Identifier (CGI) of the target terminal;

[0029] The tracking record of the MDT is generated based on the identifier of the mapped cell, the CGI, and the MDT report.

[0030] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the method further includes:

[0031] Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal;

[0032] Receive a response message from the target terminal, the response message including the target terminal's MDT report;

[0033] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal;

[0034] Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, the terminal to be reported is determined from the target terminals, and the MDT tracking record is generated based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0035] In one embodiment, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with location information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0036] The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and the ephemeris information.

[0037] Secondly, this application provides a method for minimizing road test measurements. Applied to a target terminal, it includes:

[0038] Receive MDT activation indication messages sent by access network devices or core network devices;

[0039] Execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal;

[0040] Send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device;

[0041] The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0042] In one embodiment, the execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

[0043] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0044] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

[0045] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0046] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

[0047] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

[0048] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes information related to satellite cells;

[0049] The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the satellite auxiliary information supporting the association of base station frequency points, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list recording MDT, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0050] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a timely MDT, sending the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device includes:

[0051] The target terminal's MDT report is sent to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

[0052] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, sending the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device includes:

[0053] Receive the MDT measurement value query instruction sent by the access network device;

[0054] A response message is sent to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

[0055] Thirdly, this application provides a minimized drive test measurement device. Applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, it includes a memory, transceiver, and processor.

[0056] A memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver for sending and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer programs from the memory and performing the following operations:

[0057] The system acquires the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in its orbit at different time points.

[0058] Based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution condition information of the MDT is determined;

[0059] Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT;

[0060] An activation indication message for the MDT is sent to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

[0061] In one embodiment, the execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

[0062] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0063] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

[0064] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0065] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

[0066] In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to read a computer program from the memory and perform the following operations:

[0067] Based on the ephemeris information, the mapped cell information, and at least one of the TA information, the TAI information, and the serving cell information, determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points;

[0068] The execution conditions for the MDT are determined based on the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at different time points.

[0069] In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to read a computer program from the memory and perform the following operations:

[0070] Receive location information reported by the terminal device;

[0071] Based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, the target terminal is selected from the terminal devices located within the geographical range, or the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range are identified as the target terminal.

[0072] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

[0073] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes satellite cell-related information;

[0074] The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0075] In one embodiment, when the MDT is an on-time MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0076] Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal;

[0077] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the Service Unit Identifier (CGI) of the target terminal;

[0078] The tracking record of the MDT is generated based on the identifier of the mapped cell, the CGI, and the MDT report.

[0079] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0080] Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal;

[0081] Receive a response message from the target terminal, the response message including the target terminal's MDT report;

[0082] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal;

[0083] Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, the terminal to be reported is determined from the target terminals, and the MDT tracking record is generated based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0084] In one embodiment, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with location information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0085] The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and the ephemeris information.

[0086] Fourthly, this application provides a minimized road test measurement device. Applied to a target terminal, it includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor.

[0087] A memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver for sending and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer programs from the memory and performing the following operations:

[0088] Receive MDT activation indication messages sent by access network devices or core network devices;

[0089] Execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal;

[0090] Send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device;

[0091] The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0092] In one embodiment, the execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

[0093] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0094] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

[0095] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0096] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

[0097] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

[0098] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes information related to satellite cells;

[0099] The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite cell beam, the identifier of the satellite, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0100] In one embodiment, when the MDT is an on-time MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0101] The target terminal's MDT report is sent to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

[0102] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0103] Receive the MDT measurement value query instruction sent by the access network device;

[0104] A response message is sent to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

[0105] Fifthly, this application provides a minimized drive test measurement device, applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, comprising:

[0106] The acquisition module is used to acquire the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0107] The processing module is used to determine the execution condition information of the MDT based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information; and to determine the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0108] The first sending module is used to send an activation indication message of the MDT to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

[0109] Sixthly, this application provides a minimized road test measurement device applied to a target terminal, comprising:

[0110] The receiving module is used to receive the MDT activation indication message sent by the access network device or the core network device;

[0111] An execution module is used to execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal;

[0112] The second sending module is used to send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device;

[0113] The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0114] In a seventh aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the minimized road test measurement method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0115] Eighthly, this application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the minimized road test measurement method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0116] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0117] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the embodiments described below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0118] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of MDT in a TN scenario in related technologies;

[0119] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of MDT in a TN scenario in related technologies;

[0120] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of satellite cell updates in related technologies;

[0121] Figure 4 is an application scenario diagram of a minimized road test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for minimizing road test measurements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another method for minimizing road test measurements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a mapped cell provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another method for minimizing road test measurements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 9 is a signaling interaction diagram of a minimized road test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 10 is a signaling interaction diagram of another minimized road test measurement method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0128] Figure 11 is a signaling interaction diagram of another minimized road test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 12 is a structural block diagram of a minimized road test measurement device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 13 is a structural block diagram of another minimized road test measurement device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 14 is a structural block diagram of another minimized road test measurement device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 15 is a structural block diagram of another minimized road test measurement device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0133] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0134] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0135] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0136] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0137] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0138] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0139] In this application, unless otherwise stated or implied, the phrase “at least one” followed by a list of items refers to any combination of the listed items, including individual members. Whether the expression is “at least one of a, b, or c” or “at least one of a, b, and c”, it is intended to cover: a, b, c, combinations of a and b, combinations of a and c, combinations of b and c, and combinations of a, b, and c.

[0140] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0141] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0142] This application provides a method, apparatus, and storage medium for minimizing road test measurements, thereby reducing the measurement overhead of MDT.

[0143] The method and apparatus are based on the same concept of the application. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems in similar ways, the implementation of the apparatus and methods can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0144] The following section will first explain the minimal road test technique in the relevant technologies.

[0145] In related technologies, network devices can send relevant MDT measurement configurations to terminal devices based on the configured MDT measurement tasks. These MDT measurement configurations may include information such as a cell list, a tracking area (TA) list, and a tracking area identifier (TAI) list. The MDT area range can be determined through these configurations. When the terminal device is within the MDT area, it can perform MDT measurements and report the results to the network device. Subsequently, the network device can report the received MDT measurement results from the terminal, along with its own MDT measurement results, to the network management device or the MDT data storage and processing network element.

[0146] The relevant measurement configurations for the MDT mentioned above can be determined by the Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) network element based on the specific parameters of the MDT task. When the serving cell of the terminal device is in the Cell list, TA list, TAI list or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) configured by the network, it can be determined that the terminal device is within the MDT area. At this time, the terminal device can be allowed to perform MDT data measurement and collection.

[0147] The aforementioned MDT measurement results can include Immediate MDT, Logged MDT, Radio Link Failure (RLF), and Radio Resource Control Connection Establishment Failure (RCEF). MDT measurement results can be categorized into managed MDT and signaling-based MDT according to task management methods. Managed MDT can target network-level data collection objects, while signaling-based MDT can target single-user-level data collection objects.

[0148] Furthermore, for New Radio (NR) systems, the MDT measurement configuration can also include configuration information for logged MDT's optional neighboring cells. If optional neighboring cell configuration information exists, the terminal device can measure neighboring cells with a carrier frequency list. If optional neighboring cell configuration information does not exist, the terminal device can measure all neighboring cells.

[0149] It should be understood that MDT can be applied in TN scenarios. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of MDT in a TN scenario in related technologies. As shown in Figure 1, in a TN scenario, the Tracking Area Code (TA) can be identified by the Tracking Area Code (TAC), which can be pre-configured and allocated by the operator. The TA is a terrestrial cell-level configuration; a terrestrial cell can only belong to one TA, but multiple terrestrial cells can be configured with the same TA. The TA is not defined based on geographical location, but rather by the location and coverage of the group of terrestrial cells constituting the TA. Therefore, in a TN scenario, the terminal device cannot perceive the boundaries of the TA; it can only receive the TAC through broadcast messages from terrestrial cells and determine whether a TA update has occurred based on the received TAC, thereby determining whether the terminal device is within the MDT area.

[0150] MDT can also be applied in NTN scenarios. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of MDT in a TN scenario in related technologies. As shown in Figure 2, in an NTN scenario, a satellite cell is a ground area covered by a satellite beam, and a satellite cell can consist of one or more satellite beams. The Tracking Area (TAs) and Cell Identity (ID) represent a fixed geographical location within the network. Terminal devices can move within this fixed geographical location without updating their location information. Because the typical beam footprint size of a satellite cell is larger than that of a typical terrestrial cell, the MDT area configured based on the Cell list, TA list, or TAI list is too large, resulting in excessive measurement overhead for MDT.

[0151] Figure 3 illustrates the updating of satellite cells in related technologies. As shown in Figure 3, since the satellite moves relative to the ground, the satellite cell also moves in real time, and correspondingly, the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell also slides across the Earth's surface. As the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell changes, the TAC list broadcast by the satellite cell also changes in real time. The multiple TACs for each PLMN included in the satellite cell's information also need to be frequently updated, which also leads to excessive measurement overhead for the MDT.

[0152] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a method, apparatus, and storage medium for minimizing drive test measurements. By configuring satellite cell-related mapping cell information and satellite ephemeris information to generate MDT execution condition information, the target terminal determined by the execution condition information corresponds to the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at various time points, thereby reducing the amount of redundant data collected and lowering the measurement overhead of the MDT.

[0153] The following describes the application scenarios of the minimized road test measurement method provided in this application.

[0154] Figure 4 illustrates an application scenario of a minimized drive test (MDT) method provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, communication occurs between the network device and the target terminal. The network device may include an access network device or a core network device. The access network device or core network device first obtains the area range configuration information of the minimized drive test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapped cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information indicates the speed and position of the satellite in its orbit at different times. Subsequently, the access network device or core network device determines the execution conditions of the MDT based on the area range configuration information and the ephemeris information, and determines the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution conditions. Finally, the access network device or core network device sends an MDT activation indication message to the target terminal, which activates the target terminal to execute the MDT.

[0155] The target terminal involved in the embodiments of this application can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The name of the target terminal may differ in different systems; for example, in a 5G or 6G system, the terminal device may be called User Equipment (UE). The wireless terminal device can be a USB storage device, other personal computer memory devices, and a dongle. It can also communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a Radio Access Network (RAN). The wireless terminal device can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network. Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) telephones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, tablets, and Machine-type Communication (MTC) terminal devices. Wireless terminal devices can also be referred to as systems, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobile devices, remote stations, access points, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, user agents, user devices, and wireless access devices and routers / modems that meet the limitations of this definition, but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this application.

[0156] The network devices involved in this application embodiment include access network devices and core network devices. Access network devices can be base stations, which may include multiple cells providing services to terminals. Depending on the specific application, a base station may also be called an access point, or a device in the access network that communicates with a wireless terminal device via one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. Network devices can be used to exchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. Network devices can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network devices involved in this application embodiment may be evolved network devices (eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, 5G base stations (gNB) in a next generation system, or Home evolved Node B (HeNB), relay nodes, femto, pico, network testing equipment, etc., and are not limited in this application embodiment. In some network architectures, network devices may include centralized unit (CU) nodes and distributed unit (DU) nodes, which may also be geographically separated.

[0157] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to a variety of systems. For example, applicable systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems and their evolved communication systems, and 6G (sixth generation mobile communication technology) systems. These systems may include terminal equipment and network equipment. The systems may also include a core network component, such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0158] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0159] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, a flowchart of a minimized drive test measurement method is provided. This minimized drive test measurement method is applied to access network equipment or core network equipment and is used to illustrate how to perform minimized drive test measurements. The minimized drive test measurement method includes S201-S204:

[0160] S201. Obtain the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0161] In this application, when MDT is required, the access network equipment or core network equipment can obtain the MDT's regional scope configuration information and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0162] The regional configuration information includes satellite cell mapping information and ephemeris information used to indicate the satellite's speed and position in its orbit at different times.

[0163] It should be understood that a mapped cell can be a fixed geographical location corresponding to a satellite cell. The mapped cell is unrelated to the satellite orbit or the service link type between the terminal device and the satellite; rather, it is mapped to a geographical region. In this embodiment, the mapped cell information related to satellite cells configured in the regional scope configuration information can indicate the fixed geographical location of each mapped cell on the ground for access network devices or core network devices.

[0164] It should be understood that since satellites in a satellite network follow predefined orbits around the Earth, in this embodiment of the application, ephemeris information can be used to indicate the speed and position of a satellite in its orbit at any current and future point in time, thereby determining the coverage area of ​​a satellite cell.

[0165] S202. Determine the execution conditions for MDT based on the regional scope configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0166] In this step, after the access device or core network device obtains the MDT area range configuration information and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell, it can determine the execution conditions of the MDT based on the area range configuration information and the ephemeris information.

[0167] The execution condition information of the MDT mentioned above can be one or multiple pieces of information. If the execution condition information of the MDT is multiple, it can include information of different dimensions. For example, the execution condition information of the MDT can include at least one of spatial dimension information and temporal dimension information.

[0168] In this embodiment, the ground can be divided into multiple fixed geographical locations corresponding to satellite cells by using the satellite cell-related mapping cell information in the area range configuration information. Then, by combining the satellite's velocity and position in its orbit at any current and future point in time indicated by the ephemeris information, at least one mapping cell covered by the satellite cell at each point in time can be determined, and these at least one mapping cell covered by the satellite cell at each point in time can be combined to form the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell. Finally, the execution condition information of the MDT can be determined based on the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell.

[0169] S203. Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT.

[0170] In this step, once the access network device or core network device determines the execution conditions information of the MDT, it can determine the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution conditions information of the MDT.

[0171] In this embodiment, each terminal device can report its own information to the access network device or core network device. The access network device or core network device can determine the terminal devices that meet the execution conditions of the MDT based on the execution conditions information of the MDT and the self-information reported by the terminal devices. Subsequently, the access network device or core network device can identify the terminal devices that meet the execution conditions of the MDT as target terminals.

[0172] S204. Send an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0173] The activation instruction message is used to activate the target terminal to execute MDT.

[0174] In this step, once the access network device or core network device determines the target terminal for performing MDT, it can send an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal, thereby enabling the target terminal to perform MDT upon receiving the MDT activation instruction message.

[0175] The Minimum Drive Test (MDT) measurement method provided in this application embodiment involves the access network device or core network device first acquiring the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information indicates the satellite's velocity and position in its orbit at different time points. Secondly, based on the area range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution conditions information of the MDT is determined. Thirdly, based on the MDT execution conditions information, the target terminal for executing the MDT is determined. Finally, an MDT activation indication message is sent to the target terminal to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT. Because the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell and the satellite ephemeris information are configured to generate the MDT execution conditions information, the target terminal determined by the execution conditions information corresponds to the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at various time points, thereby reducing the collected redundant data and lowering the measurement overhead of the MDT.

[0176] The following explains how to determine the execution conditions of MDT based on the area range configuration information and ephemeris information. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another minimized drive test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application. This minimized drive test measurement method is applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, and includes S301-S307:

[0177] S301. Obtain the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0178] The regional scope configuration information includes the mapped cell information related to satellite cells.

[0179] It should be understood that a mapped cell can be a fixed geographical location corresponding to a satellite cell.

[0180] In some embodiments, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographic location corresponding to the mapped cell. The mapped cell list may include the identifier (Mapped Cell ID) of each mapped cell, which is used to query the geographic location corresponding to each mapped cell. For example, the fixed geographic location corresponding to the mapped cell can be a polygon, such as a square or hexagon, and the range of the geographic location corresponding to the mapped cell can be determined by the coordinates of each corner of the polygon.

[0181] In some embodiments, the area range configuration information may include not only the mapped cell information related to satellite cells, but also information such as PLMN, TA, TAI, and satellite cells. The geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell can be determined by combining the information such as PLMN, TA, TAI, and satellite cells.

[0182] For example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a mapped cell provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, a regional range of satellite cell-TAC-Mapped Cell can be constructed. Within this regional range, the geographical area corresponding to TA can be rasterized, that is, TA01-TA08 can be divided into multiple Mapped Cells, and the geographical area corresponding to each TA includes the geographical locations corresponding to multiple Mapped Cells. The geographical area corresponding to TA is fixed relative to the ground, and correspondingly, the geographical location corresponding to the Mapped Cell is also fixed relative to the ground. Since the granularity of the geographical location corresponding to the Mapped Cell is smaller than that of the geographical area corresponding to TA, the execution condition information of MDT determined by the mapped cell information related to the satellite cell is more accurate, thereby reducing the possibility of over-collection when executing MDT, and thus reducing the excessive measurement overhead of MDT.

[0183] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the data format of Mapped Cell ID. For example, Table 1 is a schematic table of a data format provided by the embodiments of this application. As shown in Table 1, the data format of Mapped Cell can reuse the data format of non-terrestrial network geostationary orbit area (ntnGeoArea).

[0184] Table 1

[0185] In some embodiments, the area range configuration information may also include NTN indication information, which indicates that the cell corresponding to the MDT is a satellite cell. That is, the NTN indication information indicates that the MDT is for an NTN scenario, and the cell involved is also a satellite cell.

[0186] In some embodiments, the area range configuration information may also include satellite cell information.

[0187] Among them, satellite cell related information includes at least one of the following: satellite cell identifier, satellite cell neighbor configuration list, associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network equipment, satellite cell beam identifier, satellite identifier, satellite access type, neighbor cell list of MDT records, and auxiliary information for selecting slice networks supported by MDT.

[0188] For example, the satellite access type may include Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).

[0189] For example, the neighbor cell configuration list of a satellite cell can be an NTN neighbor cell configuration list; the frequency point of the access network device can be a specific frequency point that supports the access network device; and the associated satellite auxiliary information can be a list of satellite IDs associated with the specific frequency point that supports the access network device.

[0190] It should be understood that the above-mentioned Logged MDT is one type of MDT. Correspondingly, the Immediate MDT involved in the embodiments of this application is also a type of MDT.

[0191] In this embodiment of the application, since the terminal device can access multiple satellite tracks, by adding satellite cell-related information to the regional range configuration information, the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell and the satellite access type can be indicated, thereby determining the satellite cell and satellite corresponding to the MDT when the terminal device accesses multiple satellite tracks.

[0192] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit how access network devices or core network devices obtain the regional range configuration information of MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells. In some embodiments, the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information of the satellites can be configured to the access network devices or core network devices in the same configuration process, or they can be configured to the access network devices or core network devices in different configuration processes. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0193] For example, the Operations Administration Maintenance (OAM) system can pre-configure area range configuration information containing mapped cell messages on access network devices or core network devices. When MDT (Multi-Level Testing) is required, the access network device or core network device can directly obtain the area range configuration information containing mapped cell messages from the pre-configured information.

[0194] For example, ephemeris information can be correlated with the satellite's orbital altitude. The OAM system can calculate the satellite's ephemeris information based on whether the satellite is LEO, VLEO, or MEO, and configure the satellite's ephemeris information to access network equipment or core network equipment.

[0195] The access network equipment may include 5G base stations (5G New Radio Node B, gNB) or 4G base stations (Evolved Node B, eNB), and the core network equipment may include Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network elements. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on the access network equipment and the core network equipment.

[0196] S302. Determine the execution conditions for MDT based on the regional scope configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the access network device or core network device may first determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points based on ephemeris information and regional range configuration information, wherein the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell. Subsequently, the access network device or core network device may determine the execution condition information of MDT based on the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points.

[0198] The execution conditions for the aforementioned MDT can be one or multiple. If there are multiple execution conditions, they can include information from different dimensions. For example, the execution conditions can include spatial and temporal information. The spatial information can be the geographical area where the MDT is executed, and the temporal information can be the time window for executing the MDT.

[0199] For example, by using the satellite cell-related mapping cell information in the area range configuration information, the ground can be divided into multiple fixed geographical locations corresponding to satellite cells. Then, by combining the satellite's velocity and position in its orbit at any current and future point in time as indicated by ephemeris information, at least one mapping cell covered by the satellite cell at each point in time can be determined, and these at least one mapping cell covered by the satellite cell at each point in time can be combined to form the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell. Finally, based on the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell, the execution conditions information for the MDT can be determined.

[0200] It should be noted that if a mapped cell is partially covered by a satellite cell, or if the edge of a mapped cell coincides with the edge of a satellite cell, then the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell may also include the mapped cell.

[0201] For example, after determining the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell at different time points, the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell can be used as the geographical scope for performing MDT. The time window for performing MDT can be determined by using the time point corresponding to the coverage area and the satellite's velocity in its orbit. Finally, the determined geographical scope for performing MDT is used as the execution condition information for MDT. Alternatively, the determined geographical scope and time window for performing MDT can be used as the execution condition information for MDT.

[0202] In some embodiments, the area-range configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate a time window. That is, the time window for performing MDT can be set independently by the area-range configuration information, without needing to be determined by the access network device or the core network device.

[0203] The following describes the various methods for determining the target terminal provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0204] For example, the area range configuration information may not include periodic measurement strategy information indicating the time window. When determining the execution conditions for the MDT, the access network device only determines the geographical range within which the MDT will be executed. Subsequently, the access network device determines the target terminal based on the geographical range within which the MDT will be executed.

[0205] For example, the area range configuration information may include periodic measurement policy information indicating a time window. When determining the execution conditions for the MDT, the access network device only determines the geographical range within which the MDT will be executed. Subsequently, the access network device does not use a time window, but determines the target terminal solely based on the geographical range of the MDT.

[0206] For example, the area range configuration information may include periodic measurement policy information indicating a time window. When determining the execution conditions information for the MDT, the access network device only determines the geographical range for executing the MDT. Subsequently, the access network device determines the target terminal based on the time window indicated by the periodic measurement policy information and the geographical range for executing the MDT determined by itself.

[0207] For example, the area range configuration information may not include periodic measurement strategy information indicating the time window. When determining the execution conditions information for the MDT, the access network device only determines the geographical range and time window for executing the MDT. Subsequently, the access network device determines the target terminal based on the geographical range and time window for executing the MDT that it has determined.

[0208] In some embodiments, the communication system can create different network slices for different applications and services. Accordingly, the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by MDT in the satellite cell information can also be used as the execution condition information of MDT.

[0209] In this application, since the execution condition information of MDT is generated from multiple dimensions such as location, time window, and network slice, the target terminal can be more accurately determined through the execution condition information of MDT, thereby further reducing redundant data.

[0210] S303. Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT.

[0211] In some embodiments, the access network device or core network device may receive location information reported by the terminal device. Subsequently, the access network device may select a target terminal from terminal devices located within a geographical area based on a time window and the location information reported by the terminal device. Alternatively, terminal devices that have entered the geographical area may be identified as the target terminal.

[0212] For example, a terminal device can report its location information to a core network device or an access network device. The core network device or access network device then determines whether the terminal device has entered the geographical area for executing the MDT, and whether the geographical area for executing the MDT is within a time window (i.e., whether the satellite cell has reached a point in time where the geographical area for executing the MDT has changed due to satellite movement). If the terminal device is located within the geographical area for executing the MDT and the geographical area for executing the MDT is within the time window, the core network device or access network device can select one or more terminal devices located within the geographical area for executing the MDT as target terminals to execute the MDT.

[0213] For example, a terminal device can report its location information to a core network device or an access network device. The core network device or access network device then uses the location information reported by the terminal device to determine whether the terminal device has entered the geographical area for performing the MDT. For a terminal device that has entered the geographical area for performing the MDT, it can be identified as the target terminal.

[0214] The aforementioned terminal devices can be either fixed-location terminals or mobile terminals. Referring again to Figure 7, User Equipment (UE) 1 is a fixed-location terminal. When UE1's location is within the geographical range for executing the MDT, UE1 is the target terminal for executing the MDT within the time window. UE2 is a mobile terminal. UE2 moves from location T1 to location T2 and then to location T3. Since locations T1, T2, and T3 are all within the geographical range for executing the MDT, it can be determined that UE2 is the target terminal for executing the MDT throughout the process of moving from location T1 to location T2 and then to location T3.

[0215] It should be noted that if the location of the terminal device is at the edge of the geographical range where MDT is performed, then the terminal device can also be determined to be within the geographical range.

[0216] S304. Send an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0217] The activation indication message is used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT. The MDT activation indication message may include the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0218] In some embodiments, after receiving the MDT activation indication message, the target terminal can execute the MDT according to the execution condition information of the MDT and generate an MDT report.

[0219] S305. Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal.

[0220] Among them, MDT refers to timely MDT.

[0221] For example, for timely MDT, when an MDT report is received from the target terminal in an RRC message, the MDT report can be obtained so that an MDT tracking record can be generated based on the target terminal's MDT report.

[0222] S306. Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the service unit identifier of the target terminal.

[0223] Among them, the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) is an identifier used to uniquely identify a cell in a mobile communication network. The identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the CGI of the target terminal can be sent by the target terminal to the access network equipment or the core network equipment.

[0224] In some embodiments, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located can be associated with positioning information, which includes at least one of the following: the location information of the target terminal, the location information of satellite beam measurement, and ephemeris information. Accordingly, for a satellite cell, the access network device can determine the identifier of the mapped cell through the positioning information associated with the identifier of the mapped cell.

[0225] It should be noted that S306 and S307 have no specific order. S307 can be executed after S306, before S306, or simultaneously with S306. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0226] S307. Generate MDT tracking records based on the identifier of the mapped cell, CGI, and MDT report.

[0227] In some embodiments, the access network device or core network device may record the identifier of the mapped cell, CGI, and MDT report together to generate an MDT trace record.

[0228] In other embodiments, once a trace record of an MDT is generated, the trace record can be forwarded to a Trace Collection Entity (TCE).

[0229] The following describes how to generate an MDT trace record when recording an MDT. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another minimized drive test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application. This minimized drive test measurement method is applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, and includes S401-S408:

[0230] S401. Obtain the area range configuration information of the minimized drive test MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0231] The regional configuration information includes satellite cell mapping information and ephemeris information used to indicate the satellite's speed and position in its orbit at different times.

[0232] S402. Determine the execution conditions for MDT based on the regional scope configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0233] S403. Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT.

[0234] S404. Send an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0235] The activation instruction message is used to activate the target terminal to execute MDT.

[0236] MDT refers to the record of MDT.

[0237] S405. Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal.

[0238] In some embodiments, the access network device or core network device may send a measurement value query instruction to the target terminal based on the one-bit indicator in the RRC message, thereby querying the MDT report.

[0239] S406. Receive the response message from the target terminal.

[0240] The response message includes the target terminal's MDT report.

[0241] S407. Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal.

[0242] In some embodiments, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located can be associated with positioning information, which includes at least one of the following: the location information of the target terminal, the location information of satellite beam measurement, and ephemeris information. Accordingly, for a satellite cell, the access network device can determine the identifier of the mapped cell through the positioning information associated with the identifier of the mapped cell.

[0243] It should be noted that S406 and S407 have no specific order. S407 can be executed after S406, before S406, or simultaneously with S406. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0244] S408. Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, determine the terminal to be reported from the target terminals, and generate the MDT tracking record based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0245] In other embodiments, the access network device or core network device may also add the MDT reports of all target terminals together to the MDT tracking record. This tracking record is then forwarded to the TCE entity or OAM system, which selects a subset of the terminal MDT reports for MDT data analysis.

[0246] The interaction process between the access network device or core network device and the target terminal during the minimized drive test measurement is described below. Figure 9 is a signaling interaction diagram of a minimized drive test measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the minimized drive test measurement method includes S501-S506:

[0247] S501. Access devices or core network devices obtain the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0248] S502. The access device or core network device determines the execution conditions of the MDT based on the regional configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0249] S503. The access device or core network device determines the target terminal to execute the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0250] S504. The access device or core network device sends an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0251] The activation instruction message is used to activate the target terminal to execute MDT.

[0252] S505. The target terminal executes MDT and generates an MDT report for the target terminal.

[0253] S506. The target terminal sends its MDT report to the access network device.

[0254] The following is an exemplary signaling interaction diagram of another method for minimizing road test measurements. As shown in Figure 10, this method for minimizing road test measurements includes S601-S610:

[0255] The S601 and OAM systems send a tracking session activation request to the access network equipment.

[0256] The tracking session activation request includes MDT area range configuration information, which includes satellite cell-related mapped cell information.

[0257] In some embodiments, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0258] In some embodiments, the area range configuration information may include not only satellite cell-related mapped cell information, but also other MDT-related information to enhance the MDT performed by the terminal device in the NTN scenario.

[0259] For example, the area range configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is a satellite cell.

[0260] For example, the area range configuration information also includes satellite cell related information; the satellite cell related information includes at least one of the following: satellite cell identifier, satellite cell neighbor configuration list, associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, satellite cell beam identifier, satellite identifier, satellite access type, neighbor cell list recording MDT, and auxiliary information for selecting slice networks supported by MDT.

[0261] For example, the area range configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate time windows.

[0262] S602. The access network device starts a tracing session and saves the MDT area range configuration information in the tracing session activation request.

[0263] S603. Access network equipment obtains the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0264] The regional configuration information includes satellite cell mapping information and ephemeris information used to indicate the satellite's speed and position in its orbit at different times.

[0265] It should be noted that the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell can be configured separately by OAM in other configuration processes, or it can be configured together with the area range configuration information. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0266] S604. The access network equipment determines the execution conditions of the MDT based on the area range configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0267] In some embodiments, the execution condition information of the MDT may also include the availability of information elements (IEs) in the user context based on the managed MDT PLMN list.

[0268] S605. The access network device determines the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0269] In some embodiments, after determining the target terminal for performing MDT, a Trace Recording Session Reference (TRSR) can be created for the target terminal to trace the data subsequently sent by the target terminal.

[0270] S606. The access network device sends an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0271] The activation indication message is used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT. The MDT activation indication message includes the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0272] S607. The target terminal executes MDT and generates an MDT report for the target terminal.

[0273] S608. The target terminal sends its MDT report to the access network equipment.

[0274] S609. The access network equipment generates an MDT tracking record based on the target terminal's MDT report.

[0275] In some embodiments, after receiving the MDT report from the target terminal, the access network device can obtain the TRSR, Trace Reference TR, and Trace Collection Entity Identifier (TCE Id) or Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the trace report from the target terminal's MDT report, and compare the trace PLMN (the PLMN part of the trace reference) with the PLMN where the TCE is used to collect MDT data.

[0276] In some embodiments, when the MDT is a timely MDT, the access network device can obtain the target terminal's MDT report from the RRC message from the target terminal. Subsequently, the access network device determines the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the serving unit identifier (CGI) of the target terminal. Finally, the access network device generates an MDT tracking record based on the identifier of the mapped cell, the CGI, and the MDT report.

[0277] In other embodiments, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the access network device can send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal and receive a response message from the target terminal, which includes the target terminal's MDT report. Subsequently, the access network device determines the identifier of the mapping cell where the target terminal is located and the target terminal's location information. Finally, based on at least one of the identifier of the mapping cell where the target terminal is located and the target terminal's location information, the access network device identifies the terminal to be reported from the target terminals and generates an MDT tracking record based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0278] S610, the access network device sends the MDT tracking record to the TCE entity.

[0279] The following is an exemplary signaling interaction diagram of another method for minimizing road test measurements. As shown in Figure 11, this method for minimizing road test measurements includes steps S701-S711:

[0280] The S701 and OAM systems send a tracking session activation request to the AMF network element.

[0281] The tracking session activation request includes MDT's regional scope configuration information.

[0282] The S702 and AMF network elements initiate a tracing session and save the MDT area range configuration information in the tracing session activation request.

[0283] The S703 and AMF network elements acquire the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellites corresponding to the satellite cells.

[0284] S704. Determine the execution conditions for MDT based on the regional scope configuration information and ephemeris information.

[0285] The S704 and AMF network elements receive location information reported by the terminal equipment.

[0286] The S705 and AMF network elements determine the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT and the location information reported by the terminal device.

[0287] The S706 and AMF network elements send information about the target terminal and the execution conditions of the MDT to the access network equipment.

[0288] The target terminal information and MDT execution condition information sent by the MF network element to the access network device can be carried in the Initial Context Setup Request message or the Handover Request message.

[0289] S707. The access network device sends an MDT activation instruction message to the target terminal.

[0290] The activation indication message is used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT. The MDT activation indication message includes the execution condition information of the MDT.

[0291] S708. The target terminal executes MDT and generates an MDT report for the target terminal.

[0292] S709. The target terminal sends its MDT report to the access network equipment.

[0293] S710: The access network equipment generates MDT tracking records based on the target terminal's MDT report.

[0294] S711. The access network device sends the MDT tracking record to the TCE entity.

[0295] The Minimum Drive Test (MDT) measurement method provided in this application embodiment involves the access network device or core network device first acquiring the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information indicates the satellite's velocity and position in its orbit at different time points. Secondly, based on the area range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution conditions information of the MDT is determined. Thirdly, based on the MDT execution conditions information, the target terminal for executing the MDT is determined. Finally, an MDT activation indication message is sent to the target terminal to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT. Because the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell and the satellite ephemeris information are configured to generate the MDT execution conditions information, the target terminal determined by the execution conditions information corresponds to the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at various time points, thereby reducing the collected redundant data and lowering the measurement overhead of the MDT.

[0296] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages of other steps.

[0297] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a communication device for implementing the aforementioned method for minimizing road test measurements. The solution provided by this device is similar to the implementation described in the above method; therefore, specific limitations in one or more communication device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the method for minimizing road test measurements described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0298] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG12, a minimized drive test measurement device 800 is provided, which is applied to access network equipment or core network equipment. The minimized drive test measurement device 800 includes: an acquisition module 801, a processing module 802, and a first transmission module 803.

[0299] The acquisition module 801 is used to acquire the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0300] The processing module 802 is used to determine the execution conditions of MDT based on the regional range configuration information and ephemeris information; and to determine the target terminal for executing MDT based on the execution conditions of MDT.

[0301] The first sending module 803 is used to send an activation indication message for MDT to the target terminal. The activation indication message is used to activate the target terminal to execute MDT.

[0302] In some optional embodiments, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cells.

[0303] In some optional embodiments, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT being executed.

[0304] In some optional embodiments, the execution condition information includes the geographic scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0305] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate time windows. In some optional embodiments, the processing module 802 is further configured to determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points based on the ephemeris information and the area range configuration information, wherein the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell; and to determine the execution condition information of MDT based on the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points.

[0306] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 802 is further configured to receive location information reported by the terminal device; select a target terminal from the terminal devices located within the geographical range based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, or determine the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range as the target terminal.

[0307] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is a satellite cell.

[0308] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes satellite cell information.

[0309] The relevant information of a satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the satellite cell identifier, the satellite cell neighbor cell configuration list, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network equipment, the satellite cell beam identifier, the satellite identifier, the satellite access type, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the auxiliary information for selecting the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0310] In some optional embodiments, when the MDT is a timely MDT, the processing module 802 is further configured to obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal; determine the identifier of the mapping cell where the target terminal is located and the serving unit identifier (CGI) of the target terminal; and generate an MDT tracking record based on the identifier of the mapping cell, the CGI and the MDT report.

[0311] In some optional embodiments, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processing module 802 is further configured to send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal; receive a response message from the target terminal, the response message including the target terminal's MDT report; determine the identifier of the mapping cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal; determine the terminal to be reported from the target terminals based on at least one of the identifier of the mapping cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, and generate an MDT tracking record based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0312] In some optional embodiments, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with location information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0313] The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and ephemeris information.

[0314] It should be noted that the minimized drive test measurement device provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the minimized drive test measurement method embodiment on the access network device or core network device side, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0315] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a minimized road test measurement device for implementing the minimized road test measurement method described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the above method. Therefore, the specific limitations of one or more minimized road test measurement device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the minimized road test measurement method above, and will not be repeated here.

[0316] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG13, a minimized road test measurement device 900 is provided and applied to a target device. The minimized road test measurement device 900 includes a receiving module 901, an execution module 902, and a second sending module 903.

[0317] The receiving module 901 is used to receive the MDT activation indication message sent by the access network device or the core network device.

[0318] Execution module 902 is used to execute MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal.

[0319] The second sending module 903 is used to send the target terminal's MDT report to the access network device.

[0320] The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0321] In some optional embodiments, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cells.

[0322] In some optional embodiments, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT being executed.

[0323] In some optional embodiments, the execution condition information includes the geographic scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0324] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate time windows.

[0325] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is a satellite cell.

[0326] In some optional embodiments, the area range configuration information also includes information about the satellite cells;

[0327] The relevant information for a satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the satellite cell identifier, the satellite cell beam identifier, the satellite cell neighbor cell configuration list, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network equipment, the satellite identifier, the satellite access type, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the auxiliary information for selecting the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0328] In some optional embodiments, when the MDT is a timely MDT, the second sending module 903 is further configured to send the target terminal's MDT report to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

[0329] In some optional embodiments, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive a measurement value query instruction for the MDT sent by the access network device.

[0330] The second sending module 903 shown is also used to send a response message to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

[0331] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0332] It should be noted that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0333] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application.

[0334] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0335] As shown in Figure 14, this application embodiment also provides a minimized drive test measurement device to implement the minimized drive test measurement method on the access network device or core network device side described above. The minimized drive test measurement device includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a transceiver 1003.

[0336] Memory 1002 is used to store computer programs; transceiver 1003 is used to receive and send data under the control of processor 1001. Processor 1001 is used to read the computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0337] Obtain the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, and the ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0338] Based on the regional scope configuration information and ephemeris information, determine the execution conditions for MDT;

[0339] Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT;

[0340] Send an activation instruction message for the MDT to the target terminal. The activation instruction message is used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

[0341] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0342] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

[0343] In some optional embodiments, the execution condition information includes the geographic scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0344] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate a time window. In one embodiment, the processor 1001 is also configured to read a computer program from the memory 1002 and perform the following operations:

[0345] Based on ephemeris information and regional range configuration information, the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points is determined, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell;

[0346] The execution conditions for MDT are determined based on the coverage area of ​​the satellite cells at different time points.

[0347] In one embodiment, the processor 1001 is further configured to read a computer program from the memory 1002 and perform the following operations:

[0348] Receive location information reported by the terminal device;

[0349] Based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, select the target terminal from the terminal devices within the geographical range, or determine the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range as the target terminal.

[0350] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is a satellite cell.

[0351] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes satellite cell-related information;

[0352] The relevant information for a satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the satellite cell identifier, the satellite cell beam identifier, the satellite cell neighbor cell configuration list, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network equipment, the satellite identifier, the satellite access type, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the auxiliary information for selecting the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0353] In one embodiment, when the MDT is an on-time MDT, the processor 1001 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 1002 and perform the following operations:

[0354] Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal;

[0355] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the Service Unit Identifier (CGI) of the target terminal;

[0356] Based on the mapped cell identifier, CGI, and MDT report, generate an MDT tracking record.

[0357] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor 1001 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 1002 and perform the following operations:

[0358] Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal;

[0359] Receive the response message from the target terminal, which includes the target terminal's MDT report;

[0360] Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal;

[0361] Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, the terminal to be reported is determined from the target terminals, and the MDT tracking record is generated based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

[0362] In one embodiment, the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with location information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0363] The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and ephemeris information.

[0364] In Figure 14, the bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits of one or more processors (represented by a processor) and memories (represented by memory). The bus architecture can also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides the interface. The transceiver can be multiple components, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. The processor is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory can store data used by the processor 1101 during operation.

[0365] The processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0366] As shown in Figure 15, this application embodiment also provides a minimized road test measurement device to implement the above-mentioned minimized road test measurement method on the target terminal side. The minimized road test measurement device includes a processor 1101, a memory 1102, and a transceiver 1103.

[0367] Memory 1102 is used to store computer programs; transceiver 113 is used to receive and send data under the control of processor 1101. Processor 1101 is used to read the computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0368] Receive MDT activation indication messages sent by access network devices or core network devices;

[0369] Execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal;

[0370] Send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device;

[0371] The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

[0372] In one embodiment, the mapped cell information includes at least one of a mapped cell list and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

[0373] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical range for executing the MDT.

[0374] In one embodiment, the execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

[0375] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information further includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate a time window.

[0376] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

[0377] In one embodiment, the area range configuration information also includes information related to satellite cells;

[0378] The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite cell beam, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

[0379] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a timely MDT, the processor 1101 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 1102 and perform the following operations:

[0380] The target terminal's MDT report is sent to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

[0381] In one embodiment, when the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor 1101 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 1102 and perform the following operations:

[0382] Receive the MDT measurement value query instruction sent by the access network device;

[0383] A response message is sent to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

[0384] In Figure 15, the bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits of one or more processors (represented by processors) and memories (represented by memory). The bus architecture can also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver can be multiple components, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. For different user equipment, the user interface 1104 can also be an interface capable of connecting external or internal devices, including but not limited to keypads, displays, speakers, microphones, joysticks, etc.

[0385] The processor is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while the memory stores the data used by the processor during operation.

[0386] Optionally, the processor can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and the processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0387] The processor executes any of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a program stored in memory. The processor and memory can also be physically separated.

[0388] This application also provides a processor-readable storage medium, which can be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to magnetic memory (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk (MO)), optical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, BD, HVD), and semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state drive (SSD)).

[0389] In one embodiment, this application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described minimized road test measurement method.

[0390] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the computer program can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0391] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0392] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0393] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0394] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0395] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and not to limit them; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing drive test measurements, applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, comprising: The system acquires the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in its orbit at different time points. Based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution condition information of the MDT is determined; Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT; An activation indication message for the MDT is sent to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The area configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein, The step of determining the execution condition information of the MDT based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information includes: Based on the ephemeris information, the mapped cell information, and at least one of the TA information, the TAI information, and the serving cell information, determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points; The execution conditions for the MDT are determined based on the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at different time points.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Determining the target terminal for executing the MDT based on the execution condition information of the MDT includes: Receive location information reported by the terminal device; Based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, the target terminal is selected from the terminal devices located within the geographical range, or the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range are identified as the target terminal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2-8, wherein, The area configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which indicates that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2-8, wherein, The regional scope configuration information also includes satellite cell information; The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein, When the MDT is a timely MDT, the method further includes: Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal; Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the Service Unit Identifier (CGI) of the target terminal; The tracking record of the MDT is generated based on the identifier of the mapped cell, the CGI, and the MDT report.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein, When the MDT is a recorded MDT, the method further includes: Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal; Receive a response message from the target terminal, the response message including the target terminal's MDT report; Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal; Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, the terminal to be reported is determined from the target terminals, and the MDT tracking record is generated based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with the location information, which includes at least one of the following: The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and the ephemeris information.

14. A method for minimizing drive test measurements, applied to a target terminal, comprising: Receive MDT activation indication messages sent by access network devices or core network devices; Execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal; Send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device; The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, The area configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14-19, wherein, The area configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which indicates that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-19, wherein, The regional configuration information also includes information about satellite cells; The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, wherein, In the case that the MDT is a timely MDT, sending the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device includes: The target terminal's MDT report is sent to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, wherein, When the MDT is a recorded MDT, sending the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device includes: Receive the MDT measurement value query instruction sent by the access network device; A response message is sent to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

24. A minimized drive test measurement device, applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein, Includes memory, transceiver, and processor: Memory, used to store computer programs; Transceiver, used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: The system acquires the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in its orbit at different time points. Based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information, the execution condition information of the MDT is determined; Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT; An activation indication message for the MDT is sent to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein, The execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein, The mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-26, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-26, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, wherein, The area configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27-29, wherein, The processor is also configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Based on the ephemeris information, the mapped cell information, and at least one of the TA information, the TAI information, and the serving cell information, determine the coverage area corresponding to the satellite cell at different time points; The execution conditions for the MDT are determined based on the coverage area of ​​the satellite cell at different time points.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein, The processor is also configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive location information reported by the terminal device; Based on the time window and the location information reported by the terminal device, the target terminal is selected from the terminal devices located within the geographical range, or the terminal devices that have entered the geographical range are identified as the target terminal.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25-31, wherein, The area configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which indicates that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25-31, wherein, The regional scope configuration information also includes satellite cell information; The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the identifier of the beam of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-33, wherein, In the case that the MDT is an on-time MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Obtain the MDT report of the target terminal from the RRC message from the target terminal; Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the Service Unit Identifier (CGI) of the target terminal; The tracking record of the MDT is generated based on the identifier of the mapped cell, the CGI, and the MDT report.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-33, wherein, In the case that the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Send an MDT measurement value query instruction to the target terminal; Receive a response message from the target terminal, the response message including the target terminal's MDT report; Determine the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal; Based on at least one of the identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located and the location information of the target terminal, the terminal to be reported is determined from the target terminals, and the MDT tracking record is generated based on the MDT report of the terminal to be reported.

36. The apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, wherein, The identifier of the mapped cell where the target terminal is located is associated with the location information, which includes at least one of the following: The target terminal's location information, the satellite's beam measurement location information, and the ephemeris information.

37. A minimized road test measurement device, applied to a target terminal, wherein, Includes memory, transceiver, and processor: Memory, used to store computer programs; Transceiver, used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive MDT activation indication messages sent by access network devices or core network devices; Execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal; Send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device; The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein, The execution condition information of the MDT includes the coverage area corresponding to each satellite cell, and the coverage area includes at least one mapped cell.

39. The apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, wherein, The mapped cell information includes at least one of a list of mapped cells and the geographical location corresponding to the mapped cell.

40. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-39, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope of the MDT to be executed.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-39, wherein, The execution condition information includes the geographical scope and time window for executing the MDT.

42. The apparatus according to claim 40 or 41, wherein, The area configuration information also includes periodic measurement strategy information, which is used to indicate the time window for executing the MDT.

43. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-42, wherein, The area configuration information also includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) indication information, which indicates that the cell corresponding to the MDT is the satellite cell.

44. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-42, wherein, The regional configuration information also includes information about satellite cells; The relevant information of the satellite cell includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite cell, the identifier of the satellite cell beam, the identifier of the satellite, the neighbor cell configuration list of the satellite cell, the associated satellite auxiliary information corresponding to the frequency point of the access network device, the access type of the satellite, the neighbor cell list of the MDT record, and the selection auxiliary information of the slice network supported by the MDT.

45. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-44, wherein, In the case that the MDT is an on-time MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: The target terminal's MDT report is sent to the access network device via the target terminal's RRC message.

46. ​​The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-44, wherein, In the case that the MDT is a recorded MDT, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: receive the measurement value query instruction of the MDT sent by the access network device; A response message is sent to the access network device, the response message including the MDT report of the target terminal.

47. A minimized drive test measurement device, applied to access network equipment or core network equipment, comprising: The acquisition module is used to acquire the area range configuration information of the Minimum Drive Test (MDT) and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The area range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area (TA) information, tracking area identifier (TAI) information, and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points. The processing module is used to determine the execution condition information of the MDT based on the regional range configuration information and the ephemeris information; Based on the execution condition information of the MDT, determine the target terminal for executing the MDT; The first sending module is used to send an activation indication message of the MDT to the target terminal, the activation indication message being used to activate the target terminal to execute the MDT.

48. A minimized road test measurement device, applied to a target terminal, comprising: The receiving module is used to receive the MDT activation indication message sent by the access network device or the core network device; An execution module is used to execute the MDT and generate an MDT report for the target terminal; The second sending module is used to send the MDT report of the target terminal to the access network device; The activation indication message is triggered after the target terminal is selected based on the execution condition information of the MDT. The execution condition information of the MDT is associated with the regional range configuration information of the MDT and the ephemeris information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite cell. The regional range configuration information includes the mapping cell information related to the satellite cell, as well as at least one of the tracking area TA information, tracking area identifier TAI information and service cell information. The ephemeris information is used to indicate the speed and position of the satellite in the satellite orbit at different time points.

49. A processor-readable storage medium, wherein, The processor-readable storage medium stores a program for causing the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

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