Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, when a terminal device is handed over from a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node to a second RAN node, the second RAN node or the terminal device may determine a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR, and send the mapping relationship to a TCE, wherein the first TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive-tests configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive-tests configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device. Since the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node and the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node correspond to the same terminal device, the TCE may associate, on the basis of the mapping relationship, both an MDT measurement result obtained by measurement by the terminal device at the first RAN node and an MDT measurement result obtained by measurement by the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device, and perform combined analysis on the MDT measurement results obtained by measurement at the source RAN node and the target RAN node to obtain an accurate analysis result.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411339964.9 filed on September 24, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In wireless communication, a radio access network (RAN) node can collect measurement results of a terminal device on communication performance by a minimization of drive-tests (MDT) technology, and send the measurement results to a trace collection entity (TCE), so that the TCE analyzes problems and faults in the communication network according to the measurement results, and then optimizes the network.

[0004] However, for a handover scenario, the TCE analyzes the network according to the measurement results of the terminal device collected by the source RAN node and the target RAN node respectively, resulting in inaccurate analysis results. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, so that the TCE can associate the MDT measurement results measured by the terminal device at the source RAN node and the target RAN node to the terminal device based on the mapping relationship between the TRSR, and analyze the MDT measurement results measured by the source RAN node and the target RAN node in combination to obtain accurate analysis results.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access network side communication apparatus or a terminal device side communication apparatus. For example, the communication apparatus can be a second RAN node or a terminal device, and can also be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus integrated with a circuit, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the second RAN node or the terminal device, and the specific embodiments are not limited in the present application. In the first aspect and its possible implementation manners, the method is described by taking the example of being executed by the second RAN node or the terminal device.

[0008] The method comprises: in the case that the terminal device switches from a first RAN node to a second RAN node, the second RAN node or the terminal device determines a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR, and sends first information indicating the mapping relationship. The first TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device.

[0009] Based on the method provided in the first aspect, when the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node and the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node correspond to the same terminal device, so that the second RAN node or the terminal device can determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR and send the mapping relationship. In this way, the device receiving the mapping relationship, such as the TCE, can associate the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the first RAN node and the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the mapping relationship, and combine and analyze the MDT measurement results measured by the source RAN node and the target RAN node to obtain an accurate analysis result.

[0010] In a possible implementation, before determining the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the method further comprises: the second RAN node receives second information, and the second information indicates the first TRSR; and the second RAN node obtains the second TRSR based on the first TRSR. Based on this, the second RAN node and the terminal device can obtain the first TRSR and the second TRSR by receiving the second information, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the second RAN node obtains the second TRSR based on the first TRSR, which comprises: in the case that the first TRSR is available, the second RAN node determines the first TRSR as the second TRSR. Based on this, when the received first TRSR is available in the second RAN node, the second RAN node can configure the same second TRSR as the first TRSR for the terminal device, so as to save the TRSR resource and enable the TCE to more quickly determine the corresponding terminal device for the MDT measurement result.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second RAN node acquires the second TRSR based on the first TRSR, including: in a case where the first TRSR is unavailable, the second RAN node receives third information, the third information indicating the second TRSR. Based on this, when the received first TRSR is unavailable in the second RAN node, the second RAN node obtains the second TRSR by receiving the third information, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0013] In a possible implementation, before receiving the third information, the method further includes: the second RAN node sending fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is unavailable. Based on this, when the received first TRSR is unavailable in the second RAN node, the second RAN node can send the fourth information to feed back the case that the first TRSR is unavailable, so that a node receiving the feedback, such as the first RAN node, sends the third information indicating the second TRSR.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available to the second RAN node, and the plurality of TRSRs include the second TRSR. Based on this, after determining that the first TRSR is unavailable, the second RAN node sends the plurality of TRSRs available to the first RAN node through the fourth information, providing a reference for the first RAN node to send the second TRSR.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second RAN node acquires the second TRSR based on the first TRSR, including: in a case where the first TRSR is unavailable, the second RAN node determines the second TRSR, and the second TRSR is different from the first TRSR. Based on this, when the received first TRSR is unavailable in the second RAN node, the second RAN node can directly configure the second TRSR for the terminal device, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the second information further indicates one or more of the following: a type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second RAN node can configure the TRSR for the terminal device. Based on this, the second information can indicate, by the type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, that the second RAN node classifies the received first TRSR. The second information can also provide a reference for the second RAN node to determine a mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, by indicating the continuity of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device. The second information can also indicate whether the second RAN node has the authority to configure the second TRSR for the terminal device. In this way, the second RAN node can determine a method of obtaining the second TRSR according to one or more of the information indicated above, and improve the efficiency of the second RAN node in determining the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates one or more of the following: whether the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR, a type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, or a measurement result obtained by the terminal device based on the first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a minimization of drive test configuration corresponding to the second TRSR. Based on this, the first information can indicate whether the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR during the process in which the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, so that the TCE can flexibly adjust the determination method of the terminal device corresponding to the MDT measurement result. The second information can indicate the type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, facilitating the TCE to determine the MDT type corresponding to the received first TRSR and second TRSR. The second information can carry the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the second RAN node while sending the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, saving signaling overhead.

[0018] In a possible implementation, before determining the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the method further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, the first TRSR and the second TRSR. Based on this, the terminal device can receive the first TRSR and the second TRSR, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can receive the first TRSR from the first RAN node and receive the second TRSR from the second RAN node, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0020] In a possible implementation, determining the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR comprises: the terminal device receiving fifth information, the fifth information indicating the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. Based on this, the terminal device can obtain the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR by receiving the fifth information, and determine the mapping relationship carried in the fifth information as the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a communication device on an access network side, for example, the communication device can be a first RAN node, and can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus integrated with a circuit, or a chip, a chip system, a module, or a control unit in the foregoing devices or apparatuses. The specific embodiments are not limited in the present application. In the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof, the method is described by taking the first RAN node as an example.

[0022] The method comprises: determining, by the first RAN node, that a terminal device is handed over from the first RAN node to a second RAN node; and sending, by the first RAN node, second information to the second RAN node or the terminal device, wherein the second information indicates a first TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second information being used to associate the first TRSR with a second TRSR, the second TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device.

[0023] Based on the method provided in the second aspect, when the terminal device is handed over from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node and the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node correspond to the same terminal device. Therefore, the first RAN node sends the terminal device in the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node to the second RAN node or the terminal device, so as to determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR by the second RAN node or the terminal device. In this way, the TCE can associate the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device in the first RAN node and the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device in the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the mapping relationship, and combine and analyze the MDT measurement results measured by the source RAN node and the target RAN node to obtain an accurate analysis result.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: sending, by the first RAN node, third information, the third information indicating the second TRSR. Based on this, the first RAN node sends the third information to indicate the second TRSR, so that a node receiving the third information, such as the second RAN node, determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0025] In a possible implementation, before the third information is sent, the method further includes: receiving, by the first RAN node, fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is unavailable to the second RAN node. Based on this, in a case where the fourth information feeds back that the first TRSR is unavailable, the first RAN node can indicate, by sending the third information, the terminal device at the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node, so as to determine, by the second RAN node, the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available to the second RAN node, and the plurality of TRSRs include the second TRSR. Based on this, after the fourth information is received, the first RAN node can select the second TRSR from the plurality of TRSRs available to the second RAN node carried in the fourth information, and send the second TRSR to the second RAN node. In this way, the second TRSR sent to the second RAN node is available in the second RAN node.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second information further indicates one or more of the following: a type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second RAN node has the right to configure the TRSR for the terminal device. Based on this, the first RAN node can indicate, by the second information, the type of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, for the second RAN node to classify the received first TRSR. The first RAN node can also indicate, by the second information, the continuity of the minimization of drive test corresponding to the terminal device, to provide a reference for the second RAN node to determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. The first RAN node can also indicate, by the second information, whether the second RAN node has the right to configure the second TRSR for the terminal device. In this way, the second RAN node can determine the method of obtaining the second TRSR according to the information indicated by one or more of the above, to improve the efficiency of the second RAN node to determine the first TRSR and the TRSR.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the first RAN node, fifth information, the fifth information indicating the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. Based on this, the first RAN node can make, by sending the fifth information, a node receiving the fifth information, such as the terminal device, obtain the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, and determine the mapping relationship carried in the fifth information as the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0029] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be used in a core network side communication device, for example, the communication device can be a TCE, can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus integrated with a circuit, or a chip, a chip system, a module, or a control unit in the foregoing devices or apparatuses, and the specific embodiments are not limited herein. In the third aspect and possible implementation manners thereof, the method is described by taking the TCE as an example.

[0030] The method comprises: receiving, by the TCE, first information indicating a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR. The first TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a first RAN node for a terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a second RAN node for the terminal device. The first RAN node is a source RAN node of the terminal device, and the second RAN node is a target RAN node of the terminal device. The TCE determines, according to the first information, that a first measurement result and a second measurement result both correspond to the terminal device. The first measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the first TRSR, and the second measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the second TRSR.

[0031] Based on the method provided in the third aspect, the TCE receives the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, and can associate the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the first RAN node and the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the mapping relationship, and combine and analyze the MDT measurement results measured by the source RAN node and the target RAN node to obtain an accurate analysis result.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the first information further indicates one or more of the following: whether the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR, a minimization of drive test type corresponding to the terminal device, or the second measurement result. Based on this, the first information can indicate whether the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR during the switching of the terminal device from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, so that the TCE can flexibly adjust the determination method of the terminal device corresponding to the MDT measurement result. The second information can indicate the minimization of drive test type corresponding to the terminal device, facilitating the TCE to preliminarily classify the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. The second information can carry the MDT measurement result measured by the terminal device at the second RAN node at the same time as the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR is sent, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the first aspect. The communication apparatus can be the access network side communication apparatus or the terminal device side communication apparatus in the first aspect of the above embodiments, for example, a communication module in a second RAN node or a terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor. The interface module, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The interface module can be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the processing module is configured to determine a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR in a case where the terminal device is handed over from a first RAN node to a second RAN node. The interface module is configured to send first information, where the first information indicates the mapping relationship. The first TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to receive second information, where the second information indicates the first TRSR. The processing module is further configured to obtain the second TRSR based on the first TRSR.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to determine, in a case where the first TRSR is available, the second TRSR as the first TRSR by the second RAN node.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to receive third information in a case where the first TRSR is not available, where the third information indicates the second TRSR.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to send fourth information, where the fourth information indicates that the first TRSR is not available.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available to the second RAN node, and the plurality of TRSRs includes the second TRSR.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine the second TRSR in a case where the first TRSR is unavailable, the second TRSR being different from the first TRSR.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the second information further indicates one or more of: a type of the minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second RAN node can configure a TRSR for the terminal device.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates one or more of: whether the second TRSR is changed relative to the first TRSR, a type of the minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or a measurement result obtained by the terminal device based on the first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates a minimization of drive test configuration corresponding to the second TRSR.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to receive the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the interface module is specifically configured to receive the first TRSR from the first RAN node and receive the second TRSR from the second RAN node, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to receive, by the terminal device, fifth information indicating the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0047] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the second aspect. The communication apparatus can be the access network side communication apparatus in the second aspect, for example, a communication module in the first RAN node, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor. The interface module, also referred to as an interface unit, is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The interface module can be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the processing module is configured to determine that the terminal device is handed over from the first RAN node to the second RAN node. The interface module is configured to send second information to the second RAN node or the terminal device, where the second information indicates the first TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR for the terminal device configured by the first RAN node for the MDT, and the second information is used to associate the first TRSR with a second TRSR, the second TRSR being a TRSR for the terminal device configured by the second RAN node for the MDT.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to send third information, the third information indicating the second TRSR.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to receive fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is unavailable for the second RAN node.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available for the second RAN node, and the plurality of TRSRs includes the second TRSR.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the second information further indicates one or more of the following: a type of the MDT corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the MDT corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second RAN node can configure a TRSR for the terminal device.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the interface module is further configured to send fifth information, the fifth information indicating a mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the third aspect. The communication apparatus can be the core network side communication apparatus in the third aspect, for example, a communication module in a TCE, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor. The interface module, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The interface module can be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the interface module is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR. The first TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a first RAN node for a terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a second RAN node for the terminal device. The first RAN node is a source RAN node of the terminal device, and the second RAN node is a target RAN node of the terminal device. The processing module is configured to determine, according to the first information, that the first measurement result and the second measurement result both correspond to the terminal device. The first measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the first TRSR, and the second measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the second TRSR.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates one or more of the following: whether the second TRSR is changed relative to the first TRSR, a type of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or the second measurement result.

[0059] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor; the processor is configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method in any one of the preceding aspects by executing a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory and / or by a logic circuit. The communication apparatus can be the second RAN node or the terminal device in the first aspect, or the first RAN node in the second aspect, or the TCE in the third aspect. Optionally, the number of processors can be one or more.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together; or the memory is independent of the processor.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, which is configured to enable the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, for example, to send or receive data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication apparatus is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the processor further includes an artificial intelligence (AI) module for implementing AI related functions. The AI module can implement AI functions in a manner of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module includes a Radio intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI module can be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0065] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is configured to receive a computer program or instructions and transmit the computer program or instructions to the processor; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in any one of the preceding aspects. The communication apparatus can be the second RAN node or the terminal device in the first aspect, or the first RAN node in the second aspect, or the TCE in the third aspect. Optionally, the number of the processors can be one or more.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the processor further includes an AI module for implementing AI related functions. The AI module can implement AI functions in a manner of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module includes a RIC module. For example, the AI module can be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer can execute the method in any one of the preceding aspects.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes instructions, when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer can execute the method in any one of the preceding aspects.

[0070] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the second RAN node or the terminal device for executing the method in the first aspect, and the first RAN node for executing the method in the second aspect.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the communication system further includes the TCE for executing the method in the third aspect.

[0072] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the fourth aspect to the eleventh aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by different possible implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0073] It can be understood that the schemes in each of the aspects can be combined as long as the schemes are not contradictory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a RAN system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an open RAN system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a component structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] Before introducing the technical scheme of the present application, the related technical terms involved in the present application are explained and described. It can be understood that these explanations and descriptions are to make the present application easier to be understood, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0087] MDT: also known as minimization of drive test technology. This technology measures various parameters in a wireless communication system through a terminal device, and reports the measurement results to partially replace the traditional drive test work to detect and optimize problems and faults in the wireless network.

[0088] A possible design, according to the measurement parameter of MDT, the type of MDT includes signal level measurement, service delay measurement, accessibility measurement, etc.

[0089] Among them, signal level measurement: the terminal device measures the signal level of the wireless signal, and reports the measurement result to the RAN node or RAN node controller. Service delay measurement: the terminal device performs service delay measurement, for example, uplink processing delay, or RAN node and terminal device joint measurement, such as air interface delay measurement. Accessibility measurement: the terminal device records the information of radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment failure, and reports it to the RAN node or RAN node controller.

[0090] Another possible design, according to the object of MDT, the type of MDT includes signalling based MDT (S-MDT) and management based MDT (M-MDT).

[0091] Among them, S-MDT refers to MDT for a specific terminal device, and the RAN node receives the configuration information required for MDT configuration for a specific terminal device from the core network (CN), and sends the configuration information to the corresponding terminal device. M-MDT is not for a specific terminal device. The RAN node receives the message for MDT from the operation administration and maintenance (OAM). The RAN node selects terminal devices for MDT measurement from the terminal devices under the RAN node based on a certain strategy.

[0092] Another possible design, according to the connection state of the terminal device of MDT, the type of MDT includes logged MDT (L-MDT) and immediate MDT (I-MDT).

[0093] Among them, L-MDT is suitable for terminal devices in non-connected state to perform measurement, while I-MDT is suitable for terminal devices in connected state to perform measurement. The terminal device can support continuous measurement in the case of conversion between connected state and non-connected state, that is, the measurement results of MDT of the terminal device in the above two cases are continuous and there is no measurement gap due to state change.

[0094] In the handover scenario, the source RAN node can configure one or more types of MDT for the terminal device, and after the terminal device switches to the target RAN node, the target RAN node can also configure one or more types of MDT for the terminal device.

[0095] However, after the terminal device is configured with MDT by the source RAN node and performs measurement, the terminal device switches from the source RAN node to the target RAN node, and the terminal device causes the TCE to analyze the network based on the measurement results of the terminal device collected by the source RAN node and the target RAN node respectively, resulting in inaccurate analysis results.

[0096] Based on this, the present application provides a communication method and device for determining the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the first TRSR being the TRSR of the minimum route test configured by the first radio access network node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR being the TRSR of the minimum route test configured by the second radio access network node for the terminal device, and sending the mapping relationship to the TCE, so that the TCE can associate the MDT measurement results measured by the terminal device at the first RAN node and the MDT measurement results measured by the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the mapping relationship, and analyze the MDT measurement results measured by the source RAN node and the target RAN node to obtain accurate analysis results.

[0097] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] The method provided by the present application can be used in various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related communication system, a future communication system evolved after 5G, or a system integrated with multiple systems, etc., without limitation. The 5G can also be referred to as new radio (NR).

[0099] As shown in FIG. 1, an architecture diagram of a communication system 1000 provided by the present application is shown. In FIG. 1, the communication system 1000 can include a RAN 101 and a core network 102. The RAN 101 includes at least two RAN nodes (e.g., two RAN nodes, RAN node 1011 and RAN node 1012, are shown in FIG. 1) and at least one terminal device (e.g., one terminal device 1013 is shown in FIG. 1). The terminal device in FIG. 1 can be connected to the RAN node 1011 or the RAN node 1012 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 1011 or the RAN node 1012 is connected to the core network 102 in a wireless or wired manner. The network element in the core network 102 and the RAN node 1011 or the RAN node 1012 in the RAN 101 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the wireless access network.

[0100] The RAN 101 can be a 3GPP related cellular system, e.g., a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. The RAN 201 can also be an open radio access network (ORAN), a centralized radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 101 can also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are integrated. The RAN node 1011 or the RAN node 1012 can also be referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc., which constitutes part of the communication system to help the terminal device to realize wireless access. The multiple RAN nodes 1011 in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types.

[0101] The core network 102 can include one or more network elements / entities. For example, the core network 102 includes a TCE. Optionally, the core network 102 also includes one or more of the following: a user plane function (UPF), an access management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), an authentication server function (AUSF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network exposure function (NEF) (also referred to as a capability exposure network element), a network repository function (NRF), and a unified data management (UDM). It should be understood that the TCE can also be located in the access network, without limitation.

[0102] In one possible scenario, the RAN node in FIG. 1 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station in a future mobile communications system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node in FIG. 1 can be a macro base station, a micro base station, or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, an access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 1011 (or the RAN node 1012) and the terminal device 1013 are relative, for example, a helicopter or a drone that is usually configured as a terminal device can also be configured as a mobile base station, and a device configured as a terminal device accesses to the RAN through the helicopter or the drone.

[0103] In another possible scenario, a plurality of RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal device to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of functions of a base station. Specifically, the RAN node in FIG. 1 can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU), etc.

[0104] For example, referring to FIG. 2, the RAN node involved in the embodiments of the present application can be a base station (such as a gNB) in the RAN, etc. The base station can be a CU and DU separated architecture. The RAN can be connected to a core network (for example, a core network of long term evolution (LTE), a core network of 5G, etc.). The CU and the DU can be understood as a division of the base station from the perspective of logical functions. The CU and the DU can be physically separated or deployed together. Multiple DUs can share one CU. One DU can also be connected to multiple CUs (not shown in the figure). The CU and the DU can be connected through an interface, for example, an F1 interface. The CU and the DU can be divided according to the protocol layer of the wireless network. For example, one possible division is that the CU is used to perform the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and the DU is used to perform the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, the physical (PHY) layer, etc. It can be understood that the division of the processing functions of the CU and the DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and the CU and the DU can also be divided in other ways. For example, the CU or the DU can be divided into more protocol layer functions. For example, the CU or the DU can also be divided into partial processing functions of the protocol layer. In some designs, part of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are set in the DU. In another design, the functions of the CU or the DU can also be divided according to the service type or other system requirements. For example, according to the delay, the functions that need to meet the delay requirement of the processing time are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are set in the CU. In another design, the CU can also have one or more functions of the core network. One or more CUs can be centrally set or separately set. For example, the CU can be set on the network side for centralized management. The DU can have multiple radio frequency functions, or the radio frequency functions can be set remotely.

[0105] It can be understood that the functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, for example, the control plane (CP) and the user plane (UP) are separated, that is, the CU is divided into the control plane of the CU (CU-CP) and the user plane of the CU (CU-UP). For example, the CU-CP and the CU-UP can be implemented by different functional entities and are connected through an E1 interface. The CU-CP and the CU-UP can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the base station. The control plane of the CU CU-CP also includes a further divided architecture, that is, the existing CU-CP is further divided into CU-CP1 and CU-CP2. The CU-CP1 includes various radio resource management functions, and the CU-CP2 includes RRC functions and PDCP-C functions (that is, the basic functions of the control plane signaling at the PDCP layer).

[0106] In a possible scenario, referring to FIG. 3, the RAN 101 in the present application can use an open RAN architecture. The open RAN architecture includes RIC (Radio intelligent controller), O-CU1-CP, O-CU2-CP, O-DU, and O-RU. Among them, the RIC includes real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC. At least one of the real-time RIC and the non-real-time RIC is connected with the TCE. The O-CU1-CP and the O-CU2-CP are respectively connected with the corresponding O-DU and O-RU. The terminal device switches between the O-CU1-CP and the O-CU2-CP. The RIC realizes the intelligentization and automation of RAN operation by introducing AI. The non-real-time RIC is used to process services with longer time delay requirements, such as big data analysis and AI model training. The real-time RIC is used to process services with shorter time delay requirements, such as wireless resource management and switching of traditional RAN services. The O-CU-CP and the O-CU-UP can correspond to the CU-CP and the CU-UP in the 5G network respectively. The O-DU also corresponds to the DU in the 5G network, and the O-RU corresponds to the radio frequency function.

[0107] The terminal device 1013 is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can be deployed on land, including indoor, outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal device can also be called a terminal, and the terminal device can be a user equipment (terminal device UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device for providing voice or data connectivity to users. Among them, the terminal device includes handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed rails, etc.), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.) or computing devices. Exemplarily, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a satellite terminal device or a computer with wireless transceiver function. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless modem, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart traffic, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, an RSU with terminal device function, or a flight device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal device function, for example, the terminal device can also be a device in device to device (D2D) communication.

[0108] By way of example and without limitation, in the present application, the terminal device can be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable smart device, which is a general term for devices that are designed and developed by applying wearable technology to daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. The wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the clothes or accessories of the user. For example, the wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also a device that realizes powerful functions through software support and data interaction and cloud interaction. The wearable smart device in a broad sense includes devices with full functions and large sizes, which can realize complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and devices that focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in cooperation with other devices such as smart phones, such as various smart wristbands and smart jewelry for monitoring vital signs.

[0109] In the present application, the terminal device can be a terminal device in an internet of things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important part of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is to connect objects through communication technology and network to realize the intelligent network of man-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection. The terminal device in the present application can be a terminal device in machine type communication (MTC).

[0110] It can be understood that the communication system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is only used as an example and does not limit the technical solutions of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the specific implementation process, the communication system 1000 can also include other devices, and the number of RAN nodes, terminal devices, or TCEs can also be determined according to specific needs, and is not limited.

[0111] Optionally, the terminal device, RAN node, or TCE in FIG. 1 of the present application can also be referred to as a communication apparatus, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device, and the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0112] Optionally, the related functions of the terminal device, RAN node, or TCE in FIG. 1 of the present application can be realized by one device, or can be realized by multiple devices together, or can be realized by one or more functional modules in a device, and the present application does not make specific limitations. It can be understood that the above functions can be network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on a special-purpose hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0113] ​​​​​​​​​In a specific implementation, each network element or device (e.g., RAN node 1011, RAN node 1012, terminal device 1013, TCE in core network, etc.) shown in FIG. 1 can adopt the constituent structure shown in FIG. 4 or include the components shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a communication apparatus applicable to the present application. It can be understood that the communication apparatus 40 includes necessary means, such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, etc., which are configured together to perform the solutions provided in the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 40 includes one or more processors 401 for implementing the methods provided in the present application.

[0114] The processor 401 can be a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor, etc. For example, the processor 401 can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication apparatus 40 (such as a first RAN node, a second RAN node, a terminal device, a TCE, or a chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of software programs. Optionally, in one design, the processor 401 can include a program 405 (which can also be referred to as code or instructions at times), and the program 405 can be run on the processor 401 to enable the communication apparatus 40 to perform the methods described in the following embodiments. In another possible design, the communication apparatus 40 includes a circuit (not shown in FIG. 4) for implementing the functions of the first RAN node, the second RAN node, the terminal device, and the TCE in the following embodiments.

[0115] Optionally, the communication apparatus 40 can include one or more memories 403. The memory 403 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions; a random access memory (RAM), cache, or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions; an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disc storage, including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, and the like; a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory provided in the present application can generally be non-volatile. Optionally, the memory 403 has a program 407 (which can also be referred to as code or instructions) stored thereon, and the program 407 can be run on the processor 401, so that the communication apparatus 40 performs the methods described in the following method embodiments.

[0116] Optionally, the processor 401 can include an AI module 406, and / or the memory 403 can include an AI module 408. The above AI module is used to implement AI-related functions. The AI module can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module can include a RIC module. For example, the AI module can be a near-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0117] Optionally, the processor 401 and / or the memory 403 can also store data. The processor 401 and the memory 403 can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0118] Optionally, the communication apparatus 40 can also include a transceiver 402 and / or an antenna 404. The processor 401 can also be referred to as a processing unit, and controls the communication apparatus 40. The transceiver 402 can also be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, or a transceiver, and is used to realize the transceiving function of the communication apparatus 40 through the antenna 404.

[0119] It can be understood that the constituent structure shown in FIG. 4 does not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 4, or combine certain components, or arrange different components.

[0120] In some examples, the first RAN node in the present application can also be replaced by a chip in the first RAN node. The second RAN node in the present application can also be replaced by a chip in the second RAN node. The terminal device in the present application can be replaced by a chip in the terminal device. The TCE in the present application can also be replaced by a chip in the TCE. That is, the communication apparatus structure diagram shown in FIG. 4 can also represent a chip structure diagram applicable to the present application.

[0121] The method provided in the present application will be described below in combination with the accompanying drawings. Each network element in the following examples can be provided with the components shown in FIG. 4, which will not be described herein.

[0122] In the present application, it can be understood that the names of messages between each network element in the following examples in the present application or the names of parameters in the messages are only examples, and other names can also be used in specific implementation, which is not limited in the present application.

[0123] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the present application, in the present application, the same or similar technical features can be distinguished by using "first", "second", etc. The "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the "first", "second", etc. also do not limit the difference. In the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. The words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to present the relevant concept in a specific manner and facilitate understanding.

[0124] It can be understood that "embodiments" mentioned throughout the specification mean that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It can be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the execution order, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the present application.

[0125] It can be understood that in the present application, "when", "in the case of", "if" and "if" all refer to making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limited to time, and also do not require a judgment action when implementing, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0126] It can be understood that some optional features in the present application can be implemented independently in some scenarios, solve corresponding technical problems, and achieve corresponding effects, without relying on other features, such as the scheme currently based on. In some scenarios, it can also be combined with other features according to needs. Correspondingly, the devices given in the present application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be repeated here.

[0127] It can be understood that the same step or step or technical feature with the same function in the present application can be mutually referenced and learned between different embodiments.

[0128] It can be understood that the methods provided in the present application are exemplified by the first RAN node, the second RAN node, the terminal device, and the TCE as the execution subject of the interaction, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the RAN node (such as the first RAN node or the second RAN node) in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the server to implement the method, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node function. The terminal device in the method provided in the present application can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal device to implement the method, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device function. The TCE in the method provided in the present application can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the TCE to implement the method, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the TCE function.

[0129] The above mainly introduces the system architecture adopted in the present application. Correspondingly, based on these system structures, the present application provides a communication method. Referring to FIG. 5, it shows a flowchart of the communication method provided in the present application. The communication method comprises:

[0130] S501: In the case that the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, the second RAN node or the terminal device determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0131] In the present application, the first RAN node can be the RAN node 1011 in the communication system 1000. The second RAN node can be the RAN node 1012 in the communication system 1000. The terminal device is the terminal device 1013 in the communication system 1000.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first TRSR is the TRSR of the MDT configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR is the TRSR of the MDT configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device.

[0133] It can be understood that, in the process of switching, if the terminal device is different in the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node and the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node, the TCE cannot associate the measurement results obtained by the terminal device in the first RAN node by MDT and the measurement results obtained by the terminal device in the second RAN node by MDT to the terminal device. Therefore, the first TRSR and the second TRSR can be associated to help the TCE associate the measurement results corresponding to the first TRSR and the measurement results corresponding to the second TRSR to the terminal device.

[0134] Optionally, when the terminal device switches between multiple RAN nodes, the TRSRs corresponding to different RAN nodes establish a mapping relationship.

[0135] For example, when the terminal device switches between the first RAN node, the second RAN node and the third RAN node, the mapping relationship between the first TRSR corresponding to the first RAN node, the second TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node and the third TRSR corresponding to the third RAN node can be determined, so that the measurement results obtained by the terminal device in the above three RAN nodes by MDT can be associated to the terminal device.

[0136] Optionally, the MDT type configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device can be any type of MDT introduced in the foregoing related technical terms. Illustratively, the MDT can be continuous MDT, and the MDT can also be management-based MDT.

[0137] It can be understood that, when the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, the terminal device needs to continue to perform the continuous MDT configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device. Wherein, the first RAN node is a source RAN node, and the second RAN node is a target RAN node.

[0138] S502: The second RAN node or the terminal device sends first information to the TCE. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the first information sent from the second RAN node or the terminal device.

[0139] A possible design, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, or the first information contains the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, so that the TCE can obtain the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR through receiving the first information.

[0140] For example, the first information can include a number or an identifier corresponding to the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, to indicate the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. For another example, the first information can include the first TRSR and the second TRSR corresponding to the first TRSR.

[0141] Optionally, when the terminal device performs handover between multiple RAN nodes, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between multiple TRSRs, or the first information includes the mapping relationship between multiple TRSRs.

[0142] In a possible design, the second RAN node can directly send the first information to the TCE, and can also first send the first information to the AMF, and then forward the first information to the TCE by the AMF.

[0143] In a possible design, the terminal device can send the first information to the second RAN node, and the second RAN node directly sends the first information to the TCE, or the second RAN node can first send the first information to the AMF, and then forward the first information to the TCE by the AMF.

[0144] In a possible design, the first information further indicates one or more of the following: whether the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR, and an MDT type corresponding to the terminal device.

[0145] For example, if the first information can indicate that the second TRSR changes relative to the first TRSR, the TCE needs to associate the measurement results corresponding to the first TRSR and the second TRSR with the terminal device according to the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR. If the first information can indicate that the second TRSR does not change relative to the first TRSR, the TCE directly associates the measurement results corresponding to the first TRSR and the second TRSR with the terminal device.

[0146] Optionally, the first information can indicate the MDT type corresponding to the terminal device, and the TCE can preliminarily classify the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR received by the TCE according to the MDT type.

[0147] In a possible design, the first information can indicate the second measurement result obtained by the terminal device in the second RAN node in the MDT. By sending the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR and the second measurement result through the same signaling, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0148] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, after the TCE receives the first information, the method can further include:

[0149] S503: The TCE determines, according to the first information, that the first measurement result and the second measurement result both correspond to the terminal device. The first measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the first TRSR, and the second measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the second TRSR.

[0150] Optionally, the TCE determines, according to a mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR obtained from the first information, that the first measurement result obtained by the terminal device performing MDT at the first RAN node and the second measurement result obtained by the terminal device performing MDT at the second RAN node correspond to the terminal device.

[0151] Optionally, when the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the plurality of TRSR, the TCE can associate the measurement results obtained by the terminal device performing MDT at the plurality of RAN nodes with the terminal device according to the mapping relationship between the plurality of TRSR.

[0152] Optionally, the TCE can obtain the first measurement result and the second measurement result. For example, the terminal device sends the first measurement result and the second measurement result to the TCE. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the first measurement result and the second measurement result from the terminal device.

[0153] Optionally, the terminal device obtains the first measurement result by performing MDT at the first RAN node, and obtains the second measurement result by performing MDT at the second RAN node. The first measurement result is reported through the first RAN, and the second measurement result is reported through the second RAN node.

[0154] Optionally, the second measurement result can be sent to the TCE through the same or different signaling as the first information.

[0155] In some embodiments, before S501, the second RAN node or the terminal device needs to obtain the first TRSR and the second TRSR, so as to subsequently determine the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0156] In a possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 6, when the second RAN node determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the second RAN node can perform the following S500a-S500b:

[0157] S500a: The first RAN node sends second information to the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the second RAN node receives the second information from the first RAN node.

[0158] In a possible design, the second information indicates the first TRSR, or the second information contains the first TRSR. For example, the second information can indicate the first TRSR through a number or an identifier corresponding to the first TRSR.

[0159] Optionally, the first RAN node determines that the first RAN node sends the second information to the second RAN node after the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node. The second information is used to associate the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second information further indicates one or more of the following: a type of MDT corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the MDT corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second RAN node can configure the TRSR for the terminal device.

[0161] Optionally, after receiving the second information, the second RAN node can classify the received first TRSR according to the type of MDT. When the type of MDT corresponding to the first TRSR is a management-based MDT, the second RAN node can obtain the second TRSR based on the first TRSR. When the type of MDT corresponding to the first TRSR is a signaling-based MDT, the second RAN node does not need to obtain the second TRSR.

[0162] Optionally, the continuity of the MDT includes continuous MDT and non-continuous MDT.

[0163] Optionally, after receiving the second information, the second RAN node can determine whether to obtain the second TRSR based on the first TRSR according to the continuity of the MDT corresponding to the terminal device. When the MDT corresponding to the first TRSR is a continuous MDT, the second RAN node can obtain the second TRSR based on the first TRSR. When the MDT corresponding to the first TRSR is a non-continuous MDT, the second RAN node does not need to obtain the second TRSR.

[0164] Optionally, when the second information indicates that the second RAN node has the right to configure the second TRSR for the terminal device, the second RAN node can determine the second TRSR by itself when the first TRSR is unavailable. When the second information indicates that the second RAN node does not have the right to configure the second TRSR for the terminal device, the second RAN node needs to receive the second TRSR sent by the first RAN node.

[0165] Optionally, when the first RAN node configures multiple MDT tasks for the terminal device, the second information indicates that the terminal device configures multiple MDT tasks in the first RAN node, and the second information can include the TRSR corresponding to the multiple MDTs.

[0166] It can be understood that the information carried or indicated by the above-mentioned second information can be sent through one or more signaling, which is not limited herein. For example, the first RAN node can send the above-mentioned second information to the second RAN node through a handover request (HO REQUEST).

[0167] S500b: The second RAN node obtains the second TRSR based on the first TRSR.

[0168] The second RAN node obtains the second TRSR based on the first TRSR can include the following cases:

[0169] Case one: in the case that the first TRSR is available at the second RAN node, the second RAN node determines the first TRSR as the second TRSR. That is, when the first TRSR is available at the second RAN node, the TRSR corresponding to the second RAN node and the first RAN node for the same terminal device can be the same.

[0170] Optionally, the second RAN node sends fourth information to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the fourth information from the second RAN node. The fourth information indicates that the first TRSR is available.

[0171] Case two: in the case that the first TRSR is not available at the second RAN node, the second RAN node determines the second TRSR, which is different from the first TRSR. That is, when the first TRSR received by the second RAN node is not available at the second RAN node, the second RAN node can directly configure the second TRSR for the terminal device.

[0172] Optionally, in the second RAN node, the first TRSR has been allocated to other UEs for use, so that the first TRSR received by the second RAN node is not available at the second RAN node.

[0173] Case three: in the case that the first TRSR is not available at the second RAN node, the first RAN node sends third information to the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the second RAN node receives the third information sent by the first RAN node, and the third information indicates the second TRSR. That is, when the received first TRSR is not available at the second RAN node, the second RAN node can obtain the second TRSR determined by the first RAN node by receiving the third information.

[0174] Optionally, the second RAN node sends fourth information to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the fourth information from the second RAN node. The fourth information indicates that the first TRSR is not available. When the first RAN node receives the fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is not available at the second RAN node, the first RAN node sends the second TRSR to the second RAN node.

[0175] Exemplarily, the second RAN node can send the fourth information to the first RAN node through a HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0176] Optionally, the fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available to the second RAN node, the plurality of TRSRs including the second TRSR. After determining that the first TRSR is unavailable, the second RAN node sends the plurality of TRSRs available to the first RAN node through the fourth information, providing a reference for the first RAN node to send the second TRSR, so that the received second TRSR is available in the second RAN node.

[0177] Another possible implementation, see FIG. 7, when the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR is determined by the terminal device, the terminal device can perform the following S500c-S500d:

[0178] S500c: The first RAN node sends the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR from the first RAN node.

[0179] S500d: The second RAN node sends the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR from the second RAN node.

[0180] Exemplarily, when the terminal device acquires the first TRSR and the second TRSR based on S500c-S500d, the following several cases can be included.

[0181] The first RAN node and the second RAN node interact with each other for the first TRSR and the second TRSR, and determine the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0182] Case one: The first RAN node sends the first TRSR and the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and the second TRSR from the first RAN node.

[0183] Case two: The second RAN node sends the first TRSR and the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and the second TRSR from the second RAN node.

[0184] The first RAN node and the second RAN node do not interact for the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0185] Case three: The first RAN node sends the first TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR from the first RAN node. The second RAN node sends the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second TRSR from the second RAN node.

[0186] A possible design, when the execution subject of S501 is a terminal device, the first RAN node or the second RAN node sends fifth information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth information from the first RAN node or the second RAN node. The fifth information indicates the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0187] In order to better understand the method provided in the present application, the method provided in the present application will be specifically described below in combination with a specific communication scenario.

[0188] A possible design, as shown in FIG. 8, is another communication method provided in the present application. When the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR is determined by the second RAN node, the method includes the following steps:

[0189] S801: The OAM sends configuration information of MDT to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the configuration information of MDT from the OAM.

[0190] Optionally, the configuration information of MDT can be used to configure the type of MDT. The type of MDT can include one or more of the types of MDT introduced in the foregoing related technical terms. For example, the configuration information of MDT can adopt legacy MDT configuration information. The configuration information of MDT can also adopt other configuration information that can meet the requirements. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0191] For example, in the configuration information of MDT, it can be indicated that the type of MDT is continuous MDT, and it can also be indicated that the type of MDT is management-based MDT.

[0192] S802: The first RAN node sends the configuration information of MDT to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information of MDT from the first RAN node.

[0193] Optionally, after receiving the configuration information of MDT, and in the case that the terminal device is in the linked state at the first RAN node, the terminal device performs MDT measurement to obtain the first measurement result in the foregoing embodiments.

[0194] Optionally, the terminal device reports the first measurement result to the TCE.

[0195] S803: The first RAN node sends a handover request to the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the second RAN node receives the handover request from the first RAN node.

[0196] The handover request is used for the terminal device to hand over from the first RAN node to the second RAN node.

[0197] Optionally, the handover request can carry the second information and / or the third information in the foregoing embodiments, the second information and / or the third information being used to indicate the first TRSR or the second TRSR to the second RAN node.

[0198] S804: The second RAN node sends a handover response to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the handover response from the second RAN node.

[0199] Optionally, the handover response can carry the fourth information in the foregoing embodiments, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the first TRSR is available in the second RAN node to the first RAN node.

[0200] S805: The first RAN node sends a handover indication to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover indication from the first RAN node.

[0201] It can be understood that after the terminal device receives the handover indication, the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node.

[0202] S806: The second RAN node determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0203] Optionally, the manner in which the second RAN node determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR can refer to the related description of S501 in the foregoing embodiments.

[0204] S807: The second RAN node sends the mapping relationship to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the mapping relationship from the second RAN node.

[0205] S808: The AMF sends the mapping relationship to the TCE. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the mapping relationship from the AMF.

[0206] Optionally, the second RAN node sends the mapping relationship to the TCE. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the mapping relationship from the second RAN node.

[0207] Optionally, the terminal device performs MDT measurement to obtain the second measurement result in the foregoing embodiments after switching to the second RAN node and in the case of being in the linked state at the second RAN node.

[0208] Optionally, the terminal device reports the second measurement result to the TCE.

[0209] S809: The TCE associates the first measurement result and the second measurement result to the terminal device according to the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0210] Another possible design, as shown in FIG. 9, is another communication method provided by the present application. When the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR is determined by the terminal device, the method includes the following steps:

[0211] S901: The OAM sends the configuration information of the MDT to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the configuration information of the MDT from the OAM.

[0212] Optionally, the configuration information of the MDT can be used to configure the type of the MDT. The type of the MDT can include one or more of the types of the MDT introduced in the foregoing related technical terms. For example, the configuration information of the MDT can be legacy MDT configuration information. The configuration information of the MDT can also be other configuration information that can meet the requirements. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0213] For example, in the configuration information of the MDT, it can be indicated that the type of the MDT is continuous MDT, and it can also be indicated that the type of the MDT is management-based MDT.

[0214] S902: The first RAN node sends the configuration information of the MDT to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information of the MDT from the first RAN node.

[0215] Optionally, after receiving the configuration information of the MDT, the terminal device performs MDT measurement to obtain the first measurement result in the foregoing embodiments in the case that the terminal device is in the linked state at the first RAN node.

[0216] Optionally, the terminal device reports the first measurement result to the TCE.

[0217] S903: The first RAN node sends a handover request to the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the second RAN node receives the handover request from the first RAN node.

[0218] The handover request is used for the terminal device to switch from the first RAN node to the second RAN node.

[0219] Optionally, the handover request can carry the second information and / or the third information in the foregoing embodiments, and the second information and / or the third information are used to indicate the first TRSR or the second TRSR to the second RAN node.

[0220] S904: The second RAN node sends a handover response to the first RAN node. Correspondingly, the first RAN node receives the handover response from the second RAN node.

[0221] Optionally, the handover response can carry the fourth information in the foregoing embodiments, and the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first TRSR is available in the second RAN node to the first RAN node.

[0222] S905: The first RAN node sends a handover indication to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the handover indication from the first RAN node.

[0223] It can be understood that after receiving the handover indication, the terminal device switches from the first RAN node to the second RAN node.

[0224] S906a: The first RAN node sends the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR from the first RAN node.

[0225] S906b: The second RAN node sends the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first TRSR and / or the second TRSR from the second RAN node.

[0226] Optionally, the process of the terminal device obtaining the first TRSR and the second TRSR can refer to the description of S500c-S500d in the foregoing embodiments. Herein, no further description is made.

[0227] S907: The terminal device determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0228] S908: The terminal device sends the mapping relationship to the AMF through the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the mapping relationship from the terminal device through the second RAN node.

[0229] S909: The AMF sends the mapping relationship to the TCE. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the mapping relationship from the AMF.

[0230] Optionally, the terminal device sends the mapping relationship to the TCE through the second RAN node. Correspondingly, the TCE receives the mapping relationship from the terminal device through the second RAN node.

[0231] Optionally, the terminal device performs MDT measurement to obtain the second measurement result after switching to the second RAN node and in the case of being in the linked state at the second RAN node.

[0232] Optionally, the terminal device reports the second measurement result to the TCE.

[0233] S910: The TCE associates the first measurement result and the second measurement result to the terminal device according to the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0234] It can be understood that the communication method provided by the application can also be applied to the scenario of CU-CP and CU-UP separation, which will be described in detail below. In the methods shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the CU-CP corresponds to the first RAN node or the second RAN node in the above method, and the CU-UP or the DU corresponds to the terminal device or the network device in the above method.

[0235] In one design, the application provides another communication method, which comprises the following steps:

[0236] In one aspect, referring to FIG. 10, when the CU-CP determines the mapping relationship between the one or more TRSRs corresponding to the terminal device (i.e., the first TRSR and the second TRSR in the foregoing embodiments), the method comprises the following steps:

[0237] S1001: The OAM sends the configuration information of the MDT to the CU-CP. Correspondingly, the CU-CP receives the configuration information of the MDT from the OAM.

[0238] Optionally, the configuration information of the MDT can be used to configure the type of the MDT. The type of the MDT can include one or more of the types of the MDT introduced in the foregoing related technical terms. For example, the configuration information of the MDT can be legacy MDT configuration information. The configuration information of the MDT can also be other configuration information that can meet the requirements. The application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0239] For example, in the configuration information of the MDT, it can be indicated that the type of the MDT is continuous MDT, and it can also be indicated that the type of the MDT is management-based MDT.

[0240] S1002: The CU-CP obtains the first TRSR and the second TRSR corresponding to the terminal device.

[0241] Optionally, the CU-CP obtains the first TRSR and the second TRSR by interacting with the first RAN node. For details, please refer to the description of S500a-S500b in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0242] S1003: The CU-CP determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0243] Optionally, the CU-CP determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, which can be referred to the description of S501 in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] S1004: The CU-CP sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the TRSR mapping relationship from the CU-CP.

[0245] Optionally, the CU-CP can send the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF through a cell traffic trace message.

[0246] S1004a: After the CU-CP sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the DU, the DU sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF.

[0247] S1004b: After the CU-CP sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the CU-UP, the CU-UP sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF.

[0248] Optionally, the CU-CP can send the TRSR mapping relationship to the CU-UP or DU through a trace start message.

[0249] Optionally, the CU-CP can send the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF through any one of S1004, S1004a, S1004b.

[0250] In some designs, the AMF sends the received TRSR mapping relationship to the TCE.

[0251] In some designs, the TCE associates the measurement result of the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the TRSR mapping relationship.

[0252] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 11, when the DU or CU-UP determines the mapping relationship between one or more TRSRs corresponding to the terminal device, the method includes:

[0253] S1101: The OAM sends configuration information of MDT to the CU-CP. Correspondingly, the CU-CP receives the configuration information of MDT from the OAM.

[0254] Optionally, the configuration information of MDT can be used to configure the type of MDT. The type of MDT can include one or more of the types of MDT introduced in the foregoing related technical terms. For example, the configuration information of MDT can be legacy MDT configuration information. The configuration information of MDT can also be other configuration information that can meet the requirements. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0255] For example, in the configuration information of MDT, it can be indicated that the type of MDT is continuous MDT, and it can also be indicated that the type of MDT is management-based MDT.

[0256] S1102: The CU-CP obtains the first TRSR and the second TRSR corresponding to the terminal device.

[0257] Optionally, the CU-CP obtains the first TRSR and the second TRSR by interacting with the first RAN node. For details, reference can be made to the description of S500a-S500b in the foregoing embodiments, which are not repeated here.

[0258] S1103a: The CU-CP sends the first TRSR and the second TRSR to the DU. Correspondingly, the DU receives the first TRSR and the second TRSR from the CU-CP.

[0259] S1103b: The CU-CP sends the first TRSR and the second TRSR to the CU-UP. Correspondingly, the CU-UP receives the first TRSR and the second TRSR from the CU-CP.

[0260] Optionally, the CU-CP can send the first TRSR and the second TRSR to the CU-UP or the DU through a terminal device CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0261] S1104a: The DU determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0262] S1104b: The CU-UP determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

[0263] Optionally, the CU-UP or the DU determines the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, which can be referred to the description of S500c-S500d in the foregoing embodiments, which are not repeated here.

[0264] S1105a: The DU sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the TRSR mapping relationship from the DU.

[0265] S1105b: The CU-UP sends the TRSR mapping relationship to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the TRSR mapping relationship from the CU-UP.

[0266] Optionally, when the DU determines the mapping relationship between one or more TRSRs corresponding to the terminal device, S1103a, S1104a, and S1105a are performed.

[0267] Optionally, when the CU-UP determines the mapping relationship between one or more TRSRs corresponding to the terminal device, S1103b, S1104b, and S1105b are performed.

[0268] In some designs, the AMF sends the received TRSR mapping relationship to the TCE.

[0269] In some designs, the TCE associates the measurement result of the terminal device at the second RAN node to the terminal device based on the TRSR mapping relationship.

[0270] The various embodiments mentioned above in the foregoing description can be combined, without limitation, as long as the solutions are not contradictory.

[0271] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the present application also provides a communication apparatus, which can be a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or an apparatus containing the above terminal device, or a component applicable to the terminal device; or the communication apparatus can also be a RAN node (such as a first RAN node or a second RAN node) in the above method embodiments, or an apparatus containing the above RAN node, or a component applicable to the RAN node; or the communication apparatus can also be a TCE in the above method embodiments, or an apparatus containing the above TCE, or a component applicable to the TCE. It can be understood that the above terminal device or RAN node, etc. contains the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function in order to achieve the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the unit and algorithm operation of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0272] The present application can divide the functional modules of the terminal device, RAN node or TCE according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software functional module. It can be understood that the division of modules in the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. Actual implementation can have another division method.

[0273] For example, in the case of dividing each functional module in an integrated manner, Fig. 12 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 120. The communication apparatus 120 includes an interface module 1201 and a processing module 1202. The interface module 1201, which can also be called an interface unit, is used to perform a transceiving operation, for example, can be an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface, etc. The processing module 1202, which can also be called a processing unit, is used to perform an operation other than the transceiving operation, for example, can be a processing circuit or a processor, etc.

[0274] In some embodiments, the interface module 1201 can also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver unit, and can include a transmitting module (unit) and / or a receiving module (unit); the transmitting module is configured to perform the transmitting operation in the method embodiments described above, and the receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operation in the method embodiments described above.

[0275] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 120 can include the transmitting module and not include the receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 120 can include the receiving module and not include the transmitting module. Specifically, whether the communication apparatus 120 includes the transmitting action and the receiving action in the above-described schemes can be determined.

[0276] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 120 can further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 12) configured to store program instructions and data.

[0277] In an example, the communication apparatus is a second RAN node, a terminal device, or a TCE, and can be configured to implement any of the methods performed by the second RAN node, the terminal device, or the TCE in the foregoing embodiments.

[0278] For example, the communication apparatus is a second RAN node or a terminal device, or a communication module in the second RAN node or the terminal device, or a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions in the second RAN node or the terminal device. The communication apparatus 120 can be the second RAN node or the terminal device, or a component configurable to the second RAN node or the terminal device.

[0279] For example, the processing module 1202 is configured to determine a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR in a case where a terminal device is handed over from a first RAN node to a second RAN node. The interface module 1201 is configured to transmit first information, and indicate the mapping relationship through the first information. The first TRSR is a TRSR of MDT configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR of MDT configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device. The processing module 1202 is configured to perform S501 in the foregoing embodiments, and the interface module 1201 is configured to perform S502 in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7.

[0280] In another example, the communication apparatus is a first RAN node, and can be configured to implement any of the methods performed by the first RAN node in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 1200 is a first RAN node or a communication module in the first RAN node, or a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions in the first RAN node. The communication apparatus 1200 can be the first RAN node or a component configurable to the first RAN node.

[0281] For example, the processing module 1202 is configured to determine that the terminal device is handed over from a first RAN node to a second RAN node. The interface module 1201 is configured to send second information to the second RAN node or the terminal device. The second information indicates a first TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR of MDT configured by the first RAN node for the terminal device, and the second information is used to associate the first TRSR with a second TRSR, the second TRSR being a TRSR of MDT configured by the second RAN node for the terminal device. The processing module 1202 is configured to control the interface module 1201 to perform S501 in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7.

[0282] In yet another example, the communication apparatus is a TCE, which can be configured to implement any of the methods performed by the TCE in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 1200 is a TCE or a communication module in the TCE, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the TCE. The communication apparatus 1200 can be the TCE or a component configurable to the TCE.

[0283] For example, the interface module 1201 is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating a mapping relationship between a first TRSR and a second TRSR. The first TRSR is a TRSR of MDT configured by a first RAN node for a terminal device, and the second TRSR is a TRSR of MDT configured by a second RAN node for the terminal device. The first RAN node is a source RAN node of the terminal device, and the second RAN node is a target RAN node of the terminal device. The processing module 1202 is configured to determine, according to the first information, that a first measurement result and a second measurement result both correspond to the terminal device. The first measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the first TRSR, and the second measurement result is a measurement result corresponding to the second TRSR. The interface module 1201 is configured to perform S502 in the foregoing embodiments, and the processing module 1202 is configured to perform S503 in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6, or refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7.

[0284] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication apparatus 120 can adopt the form shown in FIG. 4. For example, the processor 401 in FIG. 4 can execute the method described in the foregoing method embodiments by invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, so that the communication apparatus 120 performs the method.

[0285] For example, the functions / implementation procedures of the processing module 1202 and the interface module 1201 in FIG. 12 can be implemented by the processor 401 in FIG. 4 invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation procedures of the processing module 1202 in FIG. 12 can be implemented by the processor 401 in FIG. 4 invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, and the functions / implementation procedures of the interface module 1201 in FIG. 12 can be implemented by the transceiver 402 in FIG. 4.

[0286] It can be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer programs or instructions, and is stored in the memory, and the processor can be used to execute the programs or instructions and implement the above method procedures. The processor can be built in the SoC (System on Chip) or ASIC, or be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor further includes the necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), or logic circuit implementing special logic operations, in addition to the core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing.

[0287] When any of the above modules or units is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, special purpose digital circuit, hardware accelerator or non-integrated discrete device, which can run necessary software or be independent of software to execute the above method procedures.

[0288] Optionally, the present application also provides a chip system, including at least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor is coupled with a memory through the interface, when the at least one processor executes the computer programs or instructions in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is executed. In a possible implementation manner, the chip system further includes the memory. Optionally, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or include the chip and other discrete devices, and the present application does not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0289] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, and the program can be stored in the above computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the program can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the communication device in any of the above embodiments, such as a hard disk or a memory of the communication device. The computer readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the communication device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, and the like. Further, the computer readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the communication device. The computer readable storage medium is used to store the above computer program and other programs and data required by the communication device. The computer readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0290] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer program product. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, and the program can be stored in the above computer program product. When the program is executed, the program can include the processes of the above method embodiments.

[0291] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer instruction. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer instruction to relevant hardware (such as a computer, a processor, a terminal device, a RAN node, or a TCE) to complete. The program can be stored in the above computer readable storage medium or the above computer program product.

[0292] Optionally, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the second RAN node and the TCE in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, or includes the terminal device and the TCE in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0293] Optionally, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of the terminal device, the first RAN node, the second RAN node, or the TCE in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

[0294] Optionally, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of the terminal device, the first RAN node, the second RAN node, or the TCE in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

[0295] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand the technical solutions of the present application from the above description of the embodiments of the present application. For the convenience and brevity of description, only the division of the above functional modules is taken as an example in the above description, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to the needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0296] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative, for example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units or components shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0297] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, can be located in one place or can be distributed to multiple different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0298] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0299] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any change or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: In a case where the terminal device switches from a first radio access network node to a second radio access network node, determining a mapping relationship between a first trace record session reference (TRSR) and a second TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the first radio access network node for the terminal device, and the second TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the second radio access network node for the terminal device; sending first information indicating the mapping relationship.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the determining of the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the method further comprises: receiving second information indicating the first TRSR; obtaining the second TRSR based on the first TRSR.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The obtaining of the second TRSR based on the first TRSR comprises: in a case where the first TRSR is available, determining the first TRSR as the second TRSR.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The obtaining of the second TRSR based on the first TRSR comprises: in a case where the first TRSR is unavailable, receiving third information indicating the second TRSR.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, Before the receiving of the third information, the method further comprises: sending fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is unavailable.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available for the second radio access network node, the plurality of TRSRs comprising the second TRSR.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein, The obtaining of the second TRSR based on the first TRSR comprises: in a case where the first TRSR is unavailable, determining the second TRSR, the second TRSR being different from the first TRSR.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that, The second information further indicates one or more of the following: a type of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, continuity of the minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second radio access network node can configure a TRSR for the terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first information further indicates one or more of the following: whether the second TRSR is changed relative to the first TRSR, a type of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or a measurement result obtained by the terminal device based on first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates a minimization of drive test configuration corresponding to the second TRSR.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the determining of the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR, the method further comprises: receiving the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, The determining of the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR comprises: receiving fifth information indicating the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: determining that a terminal device switches from a first radio access network node to a second radio access network node; sending second information to the second radio access network node or the terminal device, the second information indicating a first trace recording session reference TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the first radio access network node for the terminal device, the second information being used to associate the first TRSR and a second TRSR, the second TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by the second radio access network node for the terminal device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information, the third information indicating the second TRSR.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, Before the sending third information, the method further comprises: receiving fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the first TRSR is not available for the second radio access network node.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The fourth information further indicates a plurality of TRSRs available for the second radio access network node, the plurality of TRSRs including the second TRSR.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The second information further indicates one or more of: a type of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, a continuity of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or whether the second radio access network node can configure a TRSR for the terminal device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: sending fifth information, the fifth information indicating the mapping relationship between the first TRSR and the second TRSR.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information, the first information indicating a mapping relationship between a first trace recording session reference TRSR and a second TRSR, the first TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a first radio access network node for the terminal device, the second TRSR being a TRSR for minimization of drive tests configured by a second radio access network node for the terminal device, the first radio access network node being a source radio access network node for the terminal device, the second radio access network node being a target radio access network node for the terminal device; determining, according to the first information, that a first measurement result and a second measurement result both correspond to the terminal device, the first measurement result being a measurement result corresponding to the first TRSR, the second measurement result being a measurement result corresponding to the second TRSR.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first information further indicates one or more of: whether the second TRSR is changed relative to the first TRSR, a type of minimization of drive tests corresponding to the terminal device, or the second measurement result.

20. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus comprises means or modules for performing any of the methods in claims 1-11, or means or modules for performing any of the methods in claims 12-17, or means or modules for performing any of the methods in claims 18-19.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon computer program instructions which, when executed, cause the method in any of claims 1-11 to be implemented, or the method in any of claims 12-17 to be implemented, or the method in any of claims 18-19 to be implemented.

22. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the method of any one of claims 1-11 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 12-17 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 18-19 to be implemented.

23. A communications device, characterized by comprising: a processor coupled with a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11, or the method of any one of claims 12-17, or the method of any one of claims 18-19.

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