Communication method and apparatus, terminal device, and network device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device, and a network device. If a first LTM candidate beam satisfies a first LTM event, the present application starts a first TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. Within the duration of the first TTT, the present application continuously monitors whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously satisfies the first LTM event. In this way, if the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM event any more before expiration of the first TTT, the present application determines a duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time at which the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM event any more, the duration being "a first duration", and determines a trigger state of LTM measurement reporting corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam on the basis of the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, thereby triggering LTM measurement reporting on the basis of an LTM event and a TTT.

Description

Communication methods and devices, terminal equipment and network equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411990158.8, filed on December 28, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus, Terminal Equipment and Network Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] For higher data transmission rates and more complex user scenarios, traditional layer 3 (such as network layer) mobility management methods can no longer meet the requirements for low latency and high reliability. Especially in high-speed mobility scenarios, terminal devices need to frequently switch base stations or cells, and relying on network layer-triggered handover can lead to significant handover delays, affecting user experience.

[0004] To reduce latency, Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) technology introduces a more sensitive and efficient handover mechanism. It utilizes signal changes at Layer 1 (such as the physical layer) or Layer 2 (such as the data link layer) to promptly detect network conditions and quickly initiate corresponding mobility operations, such as cell handover, frequency band handover, and beam switching. This significantly shortens the time delay of mobility decisions, improves the success rate and efficiency of handover, and meets users' needs for high-speed, stable, and low-latency mobile communication services.

[0005] However, further research is needed on how to trigger LTM measurement reporting based on LTM events and trigger times (TTT) so that the network can make mobility management and decisions based on the LTM measurement reports. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device and a network device, with the aim of realizing LTM measurement reporting based on LTM events and TTT.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0008] In response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event, the first TTT is initiated;

[0009] If a first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the time from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0010] As can be seen, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), this application will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, this application will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0011] Thus, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, this application determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". The triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0012] In one possible example of the first aspect, determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT includes:

[0013] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is sent.

[0014] It is evident that if this ratio is greater than or equal to the ratio threshold, it indicates that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event for a relatively long period within the first TTT duration. The longer the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the first TTT duration, the more stable its beam quality becomes over a longer period. This stability can reduce unnecessary frequent switching and avoid the risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0015] In this way, if the ratio is greater than or equal to the ratio threshold, the terminal device can trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam in advance before the first TTT expires. That is, the terminal device sends the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam in advance, thereby realizing timely reporting of beam quality to the network device and supporting the network device to perform mobility management and decision-making in advance.

[0016] It is worth noting that the ratio threshold directly determines the triggering condition for LTM measurement reports. Increasing the ratio threshold requires the first LTM candidate beam to satisfy the first LTM event for a longer period within the first TTT (Time To Watch) in order to trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. Therefore, by setting the ratio threshold appropriately, it can be ensured that LTM measurement reports are only triggered when the beam quality remains stable for a relatively long time, thereby reducing unnecessary frequent switching and avoiding the risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0017] In one possible example of the first aspect, determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT includes:

[0018] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is sent.

[0019] If the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT is less than a ratio threshold, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is postponed or discarded.

[0020] It should be noted that postponing the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam can be understood as not considering sending or triggering the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam within the current report transmission opportunity, but waiting for the next report transmission opportunity to consider whether to send or trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. In other words, postponement can mean temporarily not triggering the LTM measurement report, but choosing to wait for a more suitable time to trigger the LTM measurement report.

[0021] Discarding the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam can be understood as not sending or triggering the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. In other words, discarding can mean completely abandoning the transmission or triggering of the LTM measurement report, meaning that the LTM measurement report is no longer considered.

[0022] If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device calculates the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT. Since the first duration can represent the duration during which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event, this ratio can represent the degree to which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT.

[0023] It is evident that if this ratio is less than the threshold, it indicates that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event for a relatively short period within the first TTT duration. The shorter the time the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the first TTT duration, the more it indicates that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam fluctuates within a short period. Such fluctuations increase network load and pose a risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0024] In this way, if the ratio is less than the ratio threshold, the terminal device will postpone or discard the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, thereby avoiding reporting the beam quality fluctuating in a short period of time to the network.

[0025] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset.

[0026] As can be seen, when the first LTM event occurs when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset, it means that the first LTM is triggered or the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset. This offset can be determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or a default value.

[0027] In this way, the first LTM event can ensure that the candidate beam has better quality than the serving cell's beam when considering cell handover or beam adjustment.

[0028] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than an absolute threshold.

[0029] It can be seen that when the first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold, this means that when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold, the first LTM is triggered or the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event.

[0030] In this way, the first LTM event can reflect that the first LTM candidate beam has good beam quality, so that the first LTM candidate beam can be used as a potential handover target when considering cell handover or beam adjustment.

[0031] In one possible example of the first aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0032] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0033] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0034] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0035] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0036] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0037] As can be seen, the network device configures one or more LTM candidate beams and the beam identifier of each LTM candidate beam to the terminal device through higher-layer signaling. When the terminal device reports the beam identifier information to the network device through the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know from the beam identifier information that the terminal device is reporting the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam.

[0038] Network devices configure one or more LTM candidate beams and their corresponding LTM measurement resources, along with the identifier of each LTM measurement resource, to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling. When a terminal device reports resource identifier information to the network device via an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can determine from the resource identifier information that the terminal device is performing measurements based on the LTM measurement resources corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0039] When the terminal device reports beam quality information to the network device through the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam based on the beam quality information.

[0040] When a terminal device reports event information to a network device through an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can determine from the event information that the terminal device triggered the LTM measurement report based on the first LTM event.

[0041] When a terminal device reports report identification information to a network device through an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know from the report identification information that the terminal device has reported an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0042] In one possible example of the first aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0043] As can be seen, the terminal device can report the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam to the network device through MAC-CE.

[0044] In one possible example of the first aspect, before initiating the first TTT, the process also includes receiving configuration information used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0045] It is evident that the network configures the duration of the first TTT to the terminal device through configuration information.

[0046] In one possible example of the first aspect, after determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes:

[0047] In response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not meet the first LTM requirement before the first TTT expires, the first TTT is stopped;

[0048] In response to the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfying the first LTM event, the first TTT is restarted.

[0049] Therefore, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device stops the first TTT, thus eliminating the need for the terminal device to time the first TTT. If the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfies the first LTM event, the terminal device restarts the first TTT and continues to monitor whether the first LTM event is still satisfied during the restarted first TTT duration.

[0050] In one possible example of the first aspect, after determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes:

[0051] In response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM requirement and the second LTM candidate beam meets the second LTM requirement before the first TTT expires, the first TTT is restarted; or,

[0052] In response to the occurrence of a first LTM candidate beam not satisfying the first LTM event and a second LTM candidate beam satisfying the second LTM event before the first TTT expires, the first TTT is stopped and the second TTT is started.

[0053] As can be seen, the second LTM candidate beam is one of one or more LTM candidate beams configured in the network, and the second LTM candidate beam is different from the first LTM candidate beam. The LTM event triggered based on the beam quality of the second LTM candidate beam is simply referred to as the "second LTM event".

[0054] Simultaneously, the first LTM candidate beam and the second LTM candidate beam maintain the same first TTT. Therefore, if, before the first TTT expires, the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM event, since the first LTM candidate beam and the second LTM candidate beam maintain the same TTT, the terminal device restarts the first TTT and continues to monitor whether the second LTM event is still satisfied during the restarted first TTT duration.

[0055] Secondly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0056] If the first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0057] The first TTT is in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event to be enabled.

[0058] As can be seen, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), this application will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, this application will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0059] Thus, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, this application determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". The triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0060] In one possible example of the second aspect, determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT includes:

[0061] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is received.

[0062] In one possible example of the second aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or,

[0063] The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0064] In one possible example of the second aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0065] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0066] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0067] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0068] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0069] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0070] In one possible example of the second aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0071] In one possible example of the second aspect, before determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes: sending configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0072] Thirdly, a communication device according to this application includes:

[0073] An activation unit is used to activate the first TTT in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event.

[0074] The triggering unit is used to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT if a first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0075] In one possible example of the third aspect, in determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering unit is used to:

[0076] In response to a ratio of the first duration to the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is sent; or,

[0077] If the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT is less than a ratio threshold, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is postponed or discarded.

[0078] In one possible example of the third aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or...

[0079] The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0080] In one possible example of the third aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0081] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0082] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0083] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0084] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0085] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0086] In one possible example of the third aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0087] In one possible example of the third aspect, the communication device also includes a receiving unit;

[0088] The receiving unit is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0089] In one possible example of the third aspect, the activation unit is also configured to stop the first TTT in response to a first LTM candidate beam not satisfying the first LTM event occurring before the first TTT expires;

[0090] The activation unit is also used to restart the first TTT in response to the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfying the first LTM event.

[0091] In one possible example of the third aspect, the activation unit is further configured to restart the first TTT in response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM and a second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires; or...

[0092] The activation unit is also configured to stop the first TTT and activate the second TTT in response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not meet the first LTM and the second LTM candidate beam meets the second LTM before the first TTT expires.

[0093] Fourthly, a communication device according to this application includes:

[0094] The triggering unit is used to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT if the first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0095] The first TTT is in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event to be enabled.

[0096] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, in determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering unit is used to:

[0097] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is received.

[0098] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or...

[0099] The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0100] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0101] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0102] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0103] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0104] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0105] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0106] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0107] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the communication device also includes a transmitting unit;

[0108] The sending unit is used to send configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0109] Fifthly, the method described in the first aspect above is applied to terminal devices.

[0110] Sixthly, the method described in the second aspect above is applied to network devices.

[0111] A seventh aspect is a terminal device according to this application, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method described in the first aspect above.

[0112] Eighthly, a network device according to this application includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method described in the second aspect above.

[0113] A ninth aspect is a chip according to this application, comprising a processor, wherein the processor performs the method described in the first or second aspect above. Optionally, the chip further comprises an interface circuit connected to the processor, the interface circuit being used for transmitting and receiving information.

[0114] A tenth aspect is a chip module according to this application, including a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip includes a processor, and the processor performs the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0115] Eleventhly, there is a computer-readable storage medium according to this application, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implement the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0116] The twelfth aspect is a computer program product of this application, comprising a computer program or instructions, wherein the computer program or instructions, when executed, implement the method described in the first or second aspect above. For example, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0117] It is worth noting that the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in the third to twelfth aspects can be found in the technical effects of the technical solutions in the first or second aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0118] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 5 is a timing diagram of an LTM measurement report triggered by LTM events and TTT according to an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 6 is a timing diagram of another embodiment of the present application based on LTM events and TTT triggering LTM measurement reports;

[0124] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 11 is a functional unit block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 12 is a functional unit block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0132] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may also include steps or units not listed, or may also include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0133] The term "embodiment" as used in the embodiments of this application means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0134] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" or "at least one item" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0135] In the embodiments of this application, "and / or" describes the association relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural.

[0136] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0137] In this application's embodiments, "equal to" can be used with "greater than" and is applicable to technical solutions where the value is greater than, or it can be used with "less than" and is applicable to technical solutions where the value is less than. When "equal to" is used with "greater than," it is not used with "less than"; when "equal to" is used with "less than," it is not used with "greater than."

[0138] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," "associated (related)," and "mapped" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when no distinction is emphasized, the concepts or meanings expressed are consistent.

[0139] In the embodiments of this application, "network" can be expressed as the same concept as "system," and a communication system is a communication network.

[0140] In this application, "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0141] The communication system of this embodiment will be described below as an example.

[0142] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, evolution systems of NR systems, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) systems, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), or future communication systems, etc.

[0143] It should be noted that some communication systems support a limited number of user connections and are easy to implement. With the development of communication technology, the communication system of this application can also support device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) communication, etc.

[0144] In one possible example, the communication system of this application can support beamforming, carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or standalone (SA) deployment scenarios.

[0145] In one possible example, the communication system of this application can support communication scenarios using unlicensed spectrum. In this embodiment, unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as shared spectrum. Alternatively, this embodiment can also be applied to licensed spectrum. Licensed spectrum can also be considered as non-shared spectrum.

[0146] An exemplary network architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application is shown in FIG1. ​​In FIG1, the communication system 10 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The terminal device 120 can communicate with the network device 110 wirelessly.

[0147] Of course, Figure 1 is merely an example of a network architecture for a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication system in this application embodiment. For example, the communication system 10 may also include a server or other devices, or the communication system 10 may include other network devices besides network device 110, or the communication system 10 may include other terminal devices besides terminal device 120.

[0148] The terminal devices mentioned in this embodiment are illustrated below.

[0149] In one possible example, the terminal device can be a device with transceiver capabilities, and may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), remote terminal equipment (relay UE), relay equipment (relay UE), access terminal equipment, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, mobile device, user terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. It should be noted that a relay device is a terminal device capable of providing relay forwarding services to other terminal devices (including remote terminal devices).

[0150] For example, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in remote medical care, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, or wireless terminal devices in smart homes, etc.

[0151] For example, a terminal device can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device in a future communication system, or terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., without specific limitations.

[0152] In one possible example, the terminal device may include means for providing wireless communication functions to the terminal device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include a chip or other discrete components.

[0153] In one possible example, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can be deployed on water (such as on ships); or it can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device may include devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as chip systems, chips, or chip modules. For example, the chip system may include chips, but may also include other discrete devices. The terminal device can be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., without specific limitations.

[0154] The network devices mentioned in this embodiment are illustrated below.

[0155] In one possible example, the network device could be a transceiver device that can be used to communicate with terminal devices.

[0156] In one possible example, the network device may include means for providing wireless communication capabilities to the network device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include a chip or other discrete components.

[0157] In one possible example, a network device provides services to a cell, and terminal devices within that cell can communicate with the network device via transmission resources (such as spectrum resources). This cell can be a macro cell, small cell, metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, or femto cell, etc.

[0158] In one possible example, the network device has mobility characteristics; for example, the network device can be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device can be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite can be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device can also be a base station located on land, water, or other similar locations.

[0159] In one possible example, network devices may include access network devices and / or devices in the core network (CN).

[0160] The following provides an example of an access network device.

[0161] In one possible example, the access network equipment can be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) node. The RAN can be a network composed of multiple RAN nodes (e.g., 5G-RAN nodes), implementing radio physical layer functions, resource scheduling and radio resource management, radio access control, and mobility management functions. The RAN can connect to the user plane function (UPF) via the user plane interface N3, and can be used to transmit data from terminal devices; the RAN can establish a control plane signaling connection with the access and mobility management function (AMF) via the control plane interface N2, and is used to implement functions such as radio access bearer control. RAN nodes can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to 5G node base (gNB), evolved node base (eNB), access point (AP), world interoperability for microwave access base station (WiMAX BS), transmission receiving point (TRP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, master node (MN) in a dual connectivity architecture, and secondary node (SN) in a dual connectivity architecture, etc.

[0162] In one possible example, the access network device can refer to a device used to communicate with a terminal device. For example, the access network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a base station (nodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, an evolved node base (eNB) in an LTE system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, and access network equipment in future 5G networks or future evolved PLMN networks, etc. The embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0163] In a possible example, in 5G NR, the functionality of access network equipment is divided into two parts, referred to as centralized unit (CU) - distributed unit (DU) separation. From a protocol stack perspective, the CU includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer of the LTE base station, while the DU includes the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer of the LTE base station. In a typical 5G base station deployment, the CU and DU are physically connected via fiber optic cable, and logically share a specially defined F1 interface for communication between them. Functionally, the CU is primarily responsible for radio resource control and configuration, inter-cell mobility management, and bearer management. The DU is primarily responsible for scheduling, physical signal generation, and transmission.

[0164] In one possible example, the access network equipment could be a macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small cell, relay station, balloon station, etc.

[0165] The following provides an example of core network equipment.

[0166] In one possible example, core network equipment may include network elements that provide various functions. Here, "network element" can also be referred to as an entity, device, apparatus, or module, etc., without specific limitation. Furthermore, for ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, the network exposure function (NEF) network element is abbreviated as NEF. In this case, "NEF" should be understood as a NEF network element or NEF entity. The following omits explanations of similar cases.

[0167] For example, core network equipment may include a mobility management entity (MME), a broadcast multicast service center (BMSC), or corresponding functional entities in the 5G system, such as core network control plane (CP) or user plane (UP) network functions. The core network control plane can also be understood as the core network control plane function (CPF) entity.

[0168] In one possible example, the network elements included in the core network equipment include at least one of the following: session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), NEF, authentication server function (AUSF), unified data management (UDM), network slice selection function (NSSF), network repository function (NRF), application function (AF), unified data repository (UDR), network data analytics function (NWDAF), service control point (SCP), network slice admission control function (NSACF), or network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF).

[0169] It should be noted that terminal devices can connect to access network devices wirelessly, and access network devices can connect to core network devices wirelessly or via wired connections. Core network devices can connect to a data network (DN). Access network devices and core network devices can be independent physical devices, or the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of access network devices can be integrated into the same physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of core network devices and some of the functions of access network devices.

[0170] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system according to an embodiment of this application. In Figure 2, the communication system 20 includes UE, (R)AN, UPF, DN, SMF, SCP, NSACF, AMF, AUSF, NSSAAF, AF, UDM, PCF, NRF, NEF, and NSSF. Specifically, the UE connects to the AMF via the N1 interface, the (R)AN connects to the UPF via the N2 interface, the UPF connects to the DN via the N6 interface, the UPF connects to other UPFs via the N9 interface, the UPF connects to the SMF via the N4 interface, the SMF connects to other network elements via the Nsmf interface, the AMF connects to other network elements via the Naamf interface, the AUSF connects to other network elements via the Nausf interface, the NSSAAF connects to other network elements via the Nnssaaf interface, the SCP connects to other network elements via the Nscp interface, the NSACF connects to other network elements via the Nnsacf interface, the AF connects to other network elements via the Naf interface, the UDM connects to other network elements via the Nudm interface, the PCF connects to other network elements via the Npcf interface, the NRF connects to other network elements via the Nnrf interface, the NEF connects to other network elements via the Nnef interface, and the NSSF connects to other network elements via the Nnssf interface.

[0171] It should be noted that the names of the network elements included in Figure 2 are merely names and do not limit the function of the network element itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the aforementioned network elements may also have other names, and no specific restrictions are placed on this. For example, in future communication systems, some or all of the aforementioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may have other names, etc. This is explained uniformly here and will not be elaborated further below.

[0172] Furthermore, the network elements in Figure 2 do not necessarily need to exist simultaneously; the required network elements can be determined based on needs. The connection relationships between the network elements in Figure 2 are also not uniquely defined and can be adjusted according to requirements. It is understood that the aforementioned network elements or functions can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0173] Of course, Figure 2 is only an example of the network architecture of a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication system in the embodiments of this application.

[0174] The communication system of this embodiment has been described above. The LTM mechanism of this embodiment will be explained in detail below.

[0175] The Layer 3 Mobility Management (LTM) mechanism was introduced in Release 18 (R18) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Compared with Layer 3-based mobility management, the LTM mechanism significantly reduces cell handover latency and downtime, thereby improving the efficiency of mobility management. It is particularly suitable for highly dynamic environments, providing a smoother communication experience.

[0176] The LTM mechanism, based on Layer 1 or Layer 2 triggering mechanisms, enables faster cell handover responses and avoids the longer delays of traditional Layer 3 mechanisms. The specific process is as follows:

[0177] 1. Network Configuration Phase

[0178] Network devices can configure one or more LTM candidate beams and their corresponding LTM measurement resources to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling). The configuration of these candidate beams and measurement resources determines how the terminal device will perform beam quality measurements.

[0179] LTM candidate beams are beam measurement targets provided by network devices to terminal devices. Network devices typically select the beam of the serving cell and / or the beam of the candidate cell as LTM candidate beams based on factors such as the current wireless environment, network load, and user location.

[0180] The selection of LTM candidate beams depends not only on the configuration of network equipment, but also on changes in the actual wireless environment, such as the user's location, movement speed, and surrounding interference.

[0181] LTM measurement resources refer to the signal resources used by the terminal equipment to evaluate the beam quality of LTM candidate beams after receiving network configuration. These resources may include synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and / or channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RSs). These signals serve as the basis for measurement and are used to evaluate the beam quality of LTM candidate beams.

[0182] 2. Terminal Equipment Measurement Phase

[0183] By configuring LTM candidate beams and LTM measurement resources, the terminal equipment can perform beam measurements on each LTM candidate beam. These measurements include beam quality assessments of the SSB and / or CSI-RS.

[0184] Beam quality evaluation metrics may include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), or received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc.

[0185] In other words, the beam quality of LTM candidate beams can be measured by metrics such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, or RSSI. Among them, RSRP can include Layer 1-RSRP (L1-RSRP), SINR can include Layer 1-SINR (L1-SINR), RSRQ can include Layer 1-RSRQ (L1-RSRQ), and RSSI can include Layer 1-RSSI (L1-RSSI).

[0186] 3. Reporting phase of LTM measurement report triggered by LTM events and TTT.

[0187] Terminal devices can trigger the reporting of LTM measurement reports based on LTM events and TTT.

[0188] An LTM event can be a mobility management event triggered at Layer 1 or Layer 2, designed to trigger relevant network decisions, such as cell selection, reselection, or handover, based on measurements from the terminal device.

[0189] LTM events can be triggered based on the beam quality of LTM candidate beams, thus playing an important role in optimizing network adaptability, improving performance, and enhancing user experience.

[0190] LTM events can rely on terminal devices to measure the beam quality of LTM candidate beams in real time, and report the beam quality to network devices through LTM measurement reports when specific conditions are met, thereby guiding network mobility management decisions.

[0191] Different LTM events have different triggering conditions and operational logic, and are designed with high flexibility to adapt to different network loads, user mobility, and other environmental factors. For example, LTM event types can include the following:

[0192] LTM Event 2: The beam quality of the serving cell is below the absolute threshold.

[0193] Triggering condition: LTM event 2 is triggered when the beam quality of the serving cell falls below this absolute threshold. The main purpose of LTM event 2 is to monitor whether the beam quality of the serving cell has degraded to a level that affects communication quality. This absolute threshold can be determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocols, or by default. For example, taking beam quality as measured by RSRQ, if the RSRQ of the serving cell is below this absolute threshold, LTM event 2 is satisfied.

[0194] Operational logic: The triggering of LTM event 2 typically indicates that the beam quality of the current serving cell can no longer meet communication requirements. The network should notify the terminal device to reassess the beam quality and consider whether to perform cell handover or reselection. If the beam quality of the serving cell remains below the threshold, the terminal device should trigger the reselection of a cell with better beam quality, thereby improving communication quality.

[0195] LTM Event 3: The candidate cell's beam quality is one offset higher than the serving cell's beam quality.

[0196] Triggering condition: LTM event 3 is triggered when the beam quality of a candidate cell is higher than that of the serving cell by an offset. LTM event 3 ensures that the candidate cell has a sufficient advantage in beam quality relative to the serving cell when considering cell handover or beam adjustment. This offset can be network-configured, pre-configured, specified by standard protocols, or default. For example, taking beam quality as measured by RSRQ, assuming the serving cell's RSRQ is -10dB, if the candidate cell's RSRQ is 3dB higher than -10dB (this 3dB is the offset), such as the candidate cell's RSRQ reaching -7dB, then LTM event 3 is satisfied.

[0197] Operational logic: LTM event 3 reflects the need to consider whether to perform cell handover when the serving cell has poor beam quality and the candidate cell has good signal quality.

[0198] LTM Event 4: The beam quality of the candidate cell is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0199] Triggering condition: LTM event 4 is triggered when the beam quality of a candidate cell exceeds an absolute threshold. This absolute threshold can be determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or a default value. It can be a criterion for measuring whether a candidate cell has sufficiently good beam quality to serve as a potential handover target. For example, if beam quality is measured by RSRQ, and the candidate cell's RSRQ exceeds this absolute threshold, then LTM event 4 is satisfied.

[0200] Operational logic: LTM event 4 reflects that when the beam quality of a candidate cell is good enough, the network can consider switching the terminal device to that candidate cell.

[0201] LTM Event 5: The serving cell's beam quality is below one absolute threshold, while the candidate cell's beam quality is above another absolute threshold.

[0202] Triggering conditions: LTM event 5 is triggered when the beam quality of the serving cell is below one absolute threshold and the beam quality of the candidate cell is above another absolute threshold. These two absolute thresholds can be network-configured, pre-configured, specified by standard protocols, or default values, and can be used to more accurately determine the necessity of handover. For example, taking beam quality as measured by RSRQ, LTM event 5 is satisfied when the RSRP of the serving cell is below -100dBm and the RSRP of the candidate cell is above -90dBm.

[0203] Operational logic: LTM event 4 indicates that the serving cell has poor beam quality, while the candidate cell has better beam quality. In this case, the network will consider performing a handover operation, prioritizing the candidate cell with higher beam quality, thereby improving user experience and communication quality.

[0204] TTT is a key parameter in LTM measurement events, referring to the length of time an LTM event must continuously meet its triggering conditions from the moment the triggering condition is met until the actual triggering of the LTM measurement report. In communication systems, TTT ensures the stability of LTM event triggering and prevents inaccurate triggering due to short-term signal fluctuations or measurement errors, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of LTM measurement reports.

[0205] Time To Time (TT) is defined as the period during which the terminal device continuously monitors whether an LTM event is satisfied within the duration of the TTT after it is triggered. In other words, the terminal device continuously monitors whether the LTM event is still satisfied during the duration of the TTT. If the LTM event is satisfied within the duration of the TTT, it indicates that the LTM event is stable and may trigger a corresponding LTM measurement report. If the LTM event is no longer satisfied within the duration of the TTT (for example, due to a sudden change in beam quality), the TTT will stop or reset.

[0206] Time-to-Time (TTT) can be used to prevent the ping-pong effect and false triggering of LTM measurement events. The ping-pong effect refers to short-term fluctuations in signal quality, with frequent handovers between multiple cells. For example, a terminal device might detect that the signal strength of a neighboring cell briefly exceeds that of the current serving cell, but then quickly decreases. Without a TTT mechanism, this fluctuation leads to frequent handovers, increasing network load and degrading user experience. By introducing a TTT mechanism, such frequent handovers can be effectively avoided, improving network stability and resource efficiency.

[0207] By appropriately setting the TTT (Time To Hand) duration, signal changes can be ensured to be relatively stable, rather than temporary fluctuations. For example, in mobile networks, if a handover occurs immediately when the beam quality of a neighboring cell just exceeds that of the serving cell, frequent handovers may occur due to signal fluctuations. After setting TTT, the terminal device will wait for a period of time (i.e., the TTT duration) after the LTM (Low-Temporary Memory) event is met, observing whether the beam quality continues to meet the conditions. Handover will only be performed if the signal consistently meets the handover conditions within the TTT duration, thus reducing the ping-pong effect.

[0208] Each LTM candidate beam can maintain its own independent Time-to-Measure (TTT), or each LTM candidate beam can maintain the same TTT. If an LTM candidate beam satisfies an LTM event, the terminal device can activate the TTT maintained by that LTM candidate beam. If the LTM candidate beam continues to satisfy the event within the duration of the TTT, an LTM measurement report corresponding to that LTM candidate beam is reported. If the LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the event within the duration of the TTT, the TTT is stopped or reset.

[0209] TTT can be a timer. Therefore, the duration of TTT can refer to the runtime of the timer, enabling TTT means starting the timer, and stopping or resetting TTT means stopping or resetting the timer.

[0210] The TTT duration can be configured by the network, pre-configured, specified by standard protocols, or set by default. For example, the network can set an appropriate TTT duration based on network type, coverage area characteristics, and service type. In densely populated urban areas, due to the dense distribution of base stations and potentially frequent signal changes, a relatively long TTT, such as 480ms, may be set to reduce the ping-pong effect. In rural areas, due to the wide coverage of base stations and relatively stable signals, a shorter TTT, such as 240ms, may be set.

[0211] 4. Network Decision-Making Process

[0212] After the aforementioned conditions are met, the terminal device will report an LTM measurement report to the network device. Upon receiving the LTM measurement report from the terminal device, the network device can make decisions on cell selection, reselection, or handover based on the beam quality information in the LTM measurement report, in order to ensure communication connection quality, network performance, and mobility management efficiency.

[0213] The following embodiment uses the first LTM candidate beam and the first TTT as examples to illustrate how to implement LTM measurement reports triggered by LTM events and TTT.

[0214] It should be noted that the first LTM candidate beam is one of one or more LTM candidate beams configured in the network. The terminal device performs beam quality measurements on the first LTM candidate beam based on the LTM measurement resources corresponding to it, and determines whether the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering conditions for a certain LTM event, i.e., whether to trigger a certain LTM event.

[0215] When the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), the terminal device activates the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is referred to as the "first LTM event", and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is referred to as the "first TTT".

[0216] During the duration of the first TTT (i.e. the duration of the first TTT), the terminal device will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously satisfies the first LTM event.

[0217] If the first LTM candidate beam continuously satisfies the first LTM event during the first TTT (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam still satisfies the first LTM event when the first TTT expires or expires), the terminal device triggers the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. This triggering of the LTM measurement report by the terminal device can be understood as the terminal device sending or reporting the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. Correspondingly, the network device receives the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0218] If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires or times out), then in this embodiment, the triggering method in S320 of Figure 3 can be used to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0219] Taking the execution by a terminal device as an example, Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The terminal device can perform the following steps:

[0220] S310. In response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event, start the first TTT.

[0221] S320. If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event.

[0222] It is worth noting that the first duration can also be the duration from when the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event to when it no longer satisfies the first LTM event, or the duration for which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event. The first duration is less than the duration of the first TTT.

[0223] As can be seen, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device can determine the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event. This duration is referred to as the "first duration". The terminal device can determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0224] Taking network device execution as an example, Figure 4 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The network device can perform the following steps:

[0225] S410. If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT.

[0226] The first TTT is triggered in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event.

[0227] As can be seen, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the network device can determine the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event. This duration is referred to as the "first duration". The device can then determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0228] In a possible example, for determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the first TTT duration in S320, the terminal device can perform the following steps:

[0229] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, the terminal device sends an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0230] Correspondingly, regarding the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam determined based on the first duration and the first TTT duration in S410, the network device can perform the following steps:

[0231] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, the network device receives the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0232] It should be noted that if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device calculates the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT. Since the first duration can represent the duration during which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event, this ratio can represent the degree to which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT.

[0233] It is evident that if this ratio is greater than or equal to the ratio threshold, it indicates that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event for a relatively long period within the first TTT duration. The longer the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the first TTT duration, the more stable its beam quality becomes over a longer period. This stability can reduce unnecessary frequent switching and avoid the risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0234] In this way, if the ratio is greater than or equal to the ratio threshold, the terminal device can trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam in advance before the first TTT expires. That is, the terminal device sends the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam in advance, thereby realizing timely reporting of beam quality to the network device and supporting the network device to perform mobility management and decision-making in advance.

[0235] It is worth noting that the ratio threshold directly determines the triggering condition for LTM measurement reports. Increasing the ratio threshold requires the first LTM candidate beam to satisfy the first LTM event for a longer period within the first TTT (Time To Watch) in order to trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. Therefore, by setting the ratio threshold appropriately, it can be ensured that LTM measurement reports are only triggered when the beam quality remains stable for a relatively long time, thereby reducing unnecessary frequent switching and avoiding the risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0236] The following example illustrates the occurrence of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event within the first TTT duration. Table 1 compares the triggering method of this embodiment with "Triggering Method 1" and "Triggering Method 2".

[0237] Table 1

[0238] Triggering method 1 is to trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam only if the first LTM candidate beam still satisfies the first LTM event when the first TTT expires.

[0239] It should be noted that in "Triggering Method 1", since the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT, the terminal device will not wait for the first TTT to expire, but will postpone the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. Thus, compared with the triggering method of this application, "Triggering Method 1" may result in the LTM measurement report not being triggered in a timely manner.

[0240] For example, as shown in Figure 5, at time A, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event and initiates the first TTT. At time B within the first duration, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event. At time C, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event and re-initiates the first TTT, and at time D, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam still satisfies the first LTM event. Here, the duration between time A and time B is the first duration. The duration between time A and time D is the duration of the first TTT, meaning time A is the start time of the first TTT, and time D is the end time of the first TTT.

[0241] In Figure 5, assuming the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT is greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, according to the triggering method of this embodiment, the terminal device will trigger an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam at time B. However, according to "triggering method 1", the terminal device will trigger an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam at time D.

[0242] Triggering method 2 is that if the number of times the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event is equal to the number threshold within the duration of the first TTT, then the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is triggered.

[0243] It should be noted that the terminal device will detect the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam at certain time intervals, so that multiple detections are performed within the duration of the first TTT, and the device will determine whether the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event during each detection.

[0244] Therefore, in "Triggering Method 2", the terminal device can determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on whether the number of times the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event is equal to the number threshold, and trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam when the number is equal to the number threshold. The number threshold can be network configuration, pre-configuration, specified by standard protocols, or a default value.

[0245] However, since the occurrence of the number of times equal to the number threshold occurs before the occurrence of the number of times the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event, and there may be signal fluctuations of the first LTM candidate beam between the occurrence of the number of times equal to the number threshold and the occurrence of the number of times the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event, "triggering method 2" may result in poorer reliability and accuracy of the LTM measurement report compared to the triggering method of this embodiment.

[0246] For example, as shown in Figure 6, at time E, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event and initiates the first TTT. At time F within the first duration, the number of times the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event equals the number threshold. At time G within the first duration, the terminal device detects that the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event. Here, time F is before time G.

[0247] In Figure 6, assuming the ratio of the first duration to the first TTT duration is greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, according to the triggering method of this embodiment, the terminal device will trigger an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam at time G. However, according to "triggering method 2", the terminal device will trigger an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam at time F. However, there may be signal fluctuations in the first LTM candidate beam between time F and time G.

[0248] In a possible example, for determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the first TTT duration in S320, the terminal device can perform the following steps:

[0249] If the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT is less than a ratio threshold, the terminal device delays or discards the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0250] It should be noted that postponing the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam can be understood as not considering sending or triggering the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam within the current report transmission opportunity, but waiting for the next report transmission opportunity to consider whether to send or trigger the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. In other words, postponement can mean temporarily not triggering the LTM measurement report, but choosing to wait for a more suitable time to trigger the LTM measurement report.

[0251] Discarding the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam can be understood as not sending or triggering the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam. In other words, discarding can mean completely abandoning the transmission or triggering of the LTM measurement report, meaning that the LTM measurement report is no longer considered.

[0252] If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device calculates the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT. Since the first duration can represent the duration during which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event, this ratio can represent the degree to which the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT.

[0253] It is evident that if this ratio is less than the threshold, it indicates that the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event for a relatively short period within the first TTT duration. The shorter the time the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event within the first TTT duration, the more it indicates that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam fluctuates within a short period. Such fluctuations increase network load and pose a risk of the ping-pong effect.

[0254] In this way, if the ratio is less than the ratio threshold, the terminal device will postpone or discard the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, thereby avoiding reporting the beam quality fluctuating in a short period of time to the network.

[0255] In one possible example, the ratio threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0256] In one possible example, the first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is an offset higher than the beam quality of the serving cell.

[0257] As can be seen, when the first LTM event occurs when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset, it means that the first LTM is triggered or the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset. This offset can be determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or a default value.

[0258] In this way, the first LTM event can ensure that the candidate beam has better quality than the serving cell's beam when considering cell handover or beam adjustment.

[0259] In one possible example, the first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than an absolute threshold.

[0260] It can be seen that when the first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold, this means that when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold, the first LTM is triggered or the first LTM candidate beam satisfies the first LTM event.

[0261] In this way, the first LTM event can reflect that the first LTM candidate beam has good beam quality, so that the first LTM candidate beam can be used as a potential handover target when considering cell handover or beam adjustment.

[0262] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0263] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0264] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0265] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0266] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0267] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0268] As can be seen, the network device configures one or more LTM candidate beams and the beam identifier of each LTM candidate beam to the terminal device through higher-layer signaling. When the terminal device reports the beam identifier information to the network device through the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know from the beam identifier information that the terminal device is reporting the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam.

[0269] Network devices configure one or more LTM candidate beams and their corresponding LTM measurement resources, along with the identifier of each LTM measurement resource, to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling. When a terminal device reports resource identifier information to the network device via an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can determine from the resource identifier information that the terminal device is performing measurements based on the LTM measurement resources corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0270] When the terminal device reports beam quality information to the network device through the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam based on the beam quality information.

[0271] When a terminal device reports event information to a network device through an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can determine from the event information that the terminal device triggered the LTM measurement report based on the first LTM event.

[0272] When a terminal device reports report identification information to a network device through an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, the network device can know from the report identification information that the terminal device has reported an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0273] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the media access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0274] As can be seen, the terminal device can report the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam to the network device through MAC-CE.

[0275] In one possible example, the network device configures the duration of the first TTT to the terminal device via higher-layer signaling.

[0276] For example, as shown in Figure 7, which is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, the method includes the following steps:

[0277] S710. The network device sends configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0278] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information.

[0279] S720 is the same as S310, so it will not be described again.

[0280] S730 is the same as S320, so it will not be described again.

[0281] It is evident that network devices configure the duration of the first TTT to terminal devices through configuration information.

[0282] In one possible example, if a first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device can stop the first TTT and restart the first TTT when the first LTM candidate beam re-satises the first LTM event.

[0283] For example, as shown in Figure 8, which is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, the method includes the following steps:

[0284] S810 is the same as S310, so it will not be described again.

[0285] S820 is the same as S320, so it will not be described again.

[0286] S830. In response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not meet the first LTM before the first TTT expires, the terminal device stops the first TTT.

[0287] S840. In response to the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfying the first LTM event, the terminal device restarts the first TTT.

[0288] Therefore, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device stops the first TTT, thus eliminating the need for the terminal device to time the first TTT. If the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfies the first LTM event, the terminal device restarts the first TTT and continues to monitor whether the first LTM event is still satisfied during the restarted first TTT duration.

[0289] If the first LTM candidate beam continues to meet the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT after restarting, the terminal device triggers the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0290] If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event within the duration of the first TTT after restarting, the terminal can continue to use the triggering method in S320 of Figure 3 to determine the triggering status of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, which will not be elaborated further.

[0291] In one possible example, if an event occurs before the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM and an event occurs before the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM, then the terminal device can restart the first TTT.

[0292] For example, as shown in Figure 9, which is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, the method includes the following steps:

[0293] S910 is the same as S310, so it will not be described again.

[0294] S920 is the same as S320, so it will not be described again.

[0295] S930. In response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires, the terminal device restarts the first TTT.

[0296] It should be noted that the second LTM candidate beam is one of one or more LTM candidate beams configured in the network, and the second LTM candidate beam is different from the first LTM candidate beam. The LTM event triggered based on the beam quality of the second LTM candidate beam is simply referred to as the "second LTM event".

[0297] Simultaneously, the first LTM candidate beam and the second LTM candidate beam maintain the same first TTT. Therefore, if, before the first TTT expires, the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM event, since the first LTM candidate beam and the second LTM candidate beam maintain the same TTT, the terminal device restarts the first TTT and continues to monitor whether the second LTM event is still satisfied during the restarted first TTT duration.

[0298] If the second LTM candidate beam continues to meet the second LTM event within the duration of the first TTT after restarting, the terminal device triggers the LTM measurement report corresponding to the second LTM candidate beam.

[0299] If, within the duration of the first TTT after restarting, the second LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the second LTM event, the terminal can continue to use the triggering method in S320 of Figure 3 to determine the triggering status of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the second LTM candidate beam, which will not be elaborated further.

[0300] In one possible example, if an event occurs before the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM and a second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires, the terminal device can stop the first TTT and start the second TTT.

[0301] For example, as shown in Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, the method includes the following steps:

[0302] S1010 is the same as S310, so it will not be described again.

[0303] S1020 is the same as S320, so it will not be described again.

[0304] S1030. In response to the occurrence of an event that the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires, the terminal device stops the first TTT and starts the second TTT.

[0305] It should be noted that the second LTM candidate beam is one of one or more LTM candidate beams configured in the network, and the second LTM candidate beam is different from the first LTM candidate beam. The LTM event triggered based on the beam quality of the second LTM candidate beam is simply referred to as the "second LTM event".

[0306] Simultaneously, the first LTM candidate beam maintains the first TTT, while the second LTM candidate beam maintains the second TTT, and the first TTT and the second TTT are different. Therefore, if, before the first TTT expires, the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM event, since the first LTM candidate beam and the second LTM candidate beam each maintain different TTTs, the terminal device stops the first TTT and starts the second TTT, and continues to monitor whether the second LTM event is still satisfied within the duration of the second TTT.

[0307] If the second LTM candidate beam continuously satisfies the second LTM event within the duration of the second TTT, the terminal device triggers the LTM measurement report corresponding to the second LTM candidate beam.

[0308] If the second LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the second LTM event within the duration of the second TTT, the terminal can continue to use the triggering method in S320 of Figure 3 to determine the triggering status of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the second LTM candidate beam, which will not be elaborated further.

[0309] The communication device of this embodiment will be described below as an example.

[0310] The above mainly describes the solution of the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the method. The functional units of a communication device according to this embodiment are illustrated below. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the terminal device or network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this embodiment can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in a hardware or computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this embodiment.

[0311] This application embodiment can divide terminal devices or network devices into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into different functional units, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software program module. It should be noted that the unit division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division, while other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0312] In the case of using integrated units, FIG11 is a functional unit composition block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 includes an activation unit 1101 and a trigger unit 1102.

[0313] Optionally, the activation unit 1101 is a module unit for activating TTT.

[0314] Optionally, the trigger unit 1102 is a module unit for triggering LTM measurement reports.

[0315] Optionally, the communication device 1100 further includes a communication unit. The communication unit can be a modular unit used for communicating relevant information, and there are no specific limitations on this. For example, the communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. Additionally, the communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0316] Optionally, the communication device 1100 further includes a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 1100. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0317] Optionally, the communication device 1100 is a chip or a chip module.

[0318] Optionally, the activation unit 1101 and the trigger unit 1102 can be integrated into the processing unit.

[0319] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0320] Optionally, the communication device 1100 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the terminal device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0321] In specific implementation, the enabling unit 1101 and the triggering unit 1102 are used to execute any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units can be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0322] An activation unit is used to activate the first TTT in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event.

[0323] The triggering unit is used to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT if a first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0324] Therefore, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), the communication device 1100 will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, the communication device 1100 will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0325] Thus, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the communication device 1100 determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". Based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0326] In one possible example, in determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering unit 1102 is used to:

[0327] In response to a ratio of the first duration to the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is sent; or,

[0328] If the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT is less than a ratio threshold, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is postponed or discarded.

[0329] In one possible example of the third aspect, the first LTM event is that the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or...

[0330] The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0331] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0332] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0333] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0334] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0335] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0336] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0337] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0338] In one possible example, the communication device 1100 also includes a receiving unit;

[0339] The receiving unit is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0340] In one possible example, the activation unit 1101 is also configured to stop the first TTT in response to a first LTM candidate beam not satisfying the first LTM event occurring before the first TTT expires;

[0341] The activation unit 1101 is also used to restart the first TTT in response to the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfying the first LTM event.

[0342] In one possible example, the activation unit 1101 is further configured to restart the first TTT in response to an event that a first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM and a second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires; or...

[0343] The activation unit 1101 is also configured to stop the first TTT and activate the second TTT in response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not meet the first LTM and the second LTM candidate beam meets the second LTM before the first TTT expires.

[0344] In the case of using integrated units, FIG12 is a functional unit block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1200 includes a triggering unit 1201.

[0345] Optionally, the trigger unit 1102 is a module unit for triggering LTM measurement reports.

[0346] Optionally, the communication device 1200 further includes a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 1200. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0347] Optionally, the communication device 1200 further includes a communication unit. The communication unit can be a modular unit used for communicating relevant information, and there are no specific limitations on this. For example, the communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. Additionally, the communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0348] Optionally, the communication device 1200 is a chip or a chip module.

[0349] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may also include a processing unit.

[0350] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0351] Optionally, the triggering unit 1201 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the network device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0352] Triggering unit 1201 is used to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT if the first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0353] The first TTT is in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event to be enabled.

[0354] As can be seen, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), the terminal device will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, the terminal device will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0355] Thus, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the communication device 1200 determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". Based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0356] In one possible example, in determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering unit 1201 is used to:

[0357] In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is received.

[0358] In one possible example, the first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or...

[0359] The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

[0360] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information;

[0361] The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0362] Resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam;

[0363] Beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam;

[0364] The event information indicates the first LTM event;

[0365] The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

[0366] In one possible example, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the MAC-CE.

[0367] In one possible example, the communication device 1200 also includes a transmitting unit;

[0368] The sending unit is used to send configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

[0369] The structure of a terminal device in this embodiment is illustrated below.

[0370] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. The terminal device 1300 may include a processor 1310, a memory 1320, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1310 and the memory 1320.

[0371] Optionally, the memory 1320 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1320 is used to store program code executed by the terminal device 1300 and data transmitted.

[0372] Optionally, the terminal device 1300 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0373] Optionally, the terminal device 1300 can be one of the terminal devices described above.

[0374] Optionally, the processor 1310 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1310 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0375] Optionally, the processor 1310 can be a baseband chip, chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component or any combination thereof.

[0376] Specifically, the processor 1310 in the terminal device 1300 is used to execute the computer program or instructions 1321 stored in the memory 1320 to perform the following operations:

[0377] In response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event, the first TTT is initiated;

[0378] If a first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the time from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event.

[0379] As can be seen, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), the terminal device 1300 will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, the terminal device 1300 will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0380] Thus, if the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the terminal device 1300 determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". Based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the terminal device 1300 determines the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0381] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above. The terminal device 1300 can be used to execute the method embodiment described above in this embodiment, and will not be described again.

[0382] The structure of a network device according to this embodiment is illustrated below.

[0383] Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. The network device 1400 may include a processor 1410, a memory 1420, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1410 and the memory 1420.

[0384] Optionally, the memory 1420 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM or CD-ROM, and the memory 1420 is used to store the program code executed by the network device 1400 and the data transmitted.

[0385] Optionally, the network device 1400 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0386] Optionally, network device 1400 can be any of the network devices described above.

[0387] Optionally, the processor 1410 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1410 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0388] Optionally, the processor 1410 can be a baseband chip, a chip, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0389] Specifically, the processor 1410 in the network device 1400 executes the computer program or instructions 1421 stored in the memory 1420 to perform the following operations:

[0390] As can be seen, if the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam meets the triggering condition of a certain LTM event (i.e., the first LTM candidate beam meets the LTM event), the terminal device will activate the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam. The triggered LTM event is called the "first LTM event," and the TTT maintained by the first LTM candidate beam is called the "first TTT." During the duration of the first TTT, the terminal device will continuously monitor whether the first LTM candidate beam continuously meets the first LTM event.

[0391] Thus, if a first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the network device 1400 determines the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the occurrence time of the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfying the first LTM event, which is called the "first duration". Based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined, thereby realizing the triggering of the LTM measurement report based on the LTM event and TTT.

[0392] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above. The network device 1400 can be used to execute the method embodiment described above in this embodiment, and will not be described again here.

[0393] The following provides examples illustrating other relevant aspects of this embodiment.

[0394] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to or incorporated into terminal devices. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a terminal device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitations.

[0395] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to network devices or applied within network devices. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a network device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitations.

[0396] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned terminal device and network device.

[0397] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0398] This application also provides a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0399] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0400] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0401] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the above embodiments are all described as a series of actions. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps in the embodiments of this application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of this application.

[0402] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment in this application have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0403] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, read-only optical disk (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or management device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or management device.

[0404] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0405] The modules or units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules or units, hardware modules or units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices or products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of its modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules or units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0406] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In response to a first LTM candidate beam satisfying a first LTM event triggered by either Layer 1 or Layer 2, a first trigger time (TTT) is initiated. If the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event before the first TTT expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT includes: In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is sent; or, In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being less than a ratio threshold, the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is postponed or discarded.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first LTM event occurs when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or, The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information; The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam; The resource identification information indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam; The beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam; The event information indicates the first LTM event; The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the Media Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Before the first TTT is initiated, the following is also included: Receive configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, After determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes: In response to an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM before the first TTT expires, the first TTT is stopped; In response to the first LTM candidate beam re-satisfying the first LTM event, the first TTT is restarted.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, After determining the trigger state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes: In response to an event that occurs before the first TTT expires, where the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM and the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM, the first TTT is restarted; or, In response to the occurrence of an event that the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM and an event that the second LTM candidate beam satisfies the second LTM before the first TTT expires, the first TTT is stopped and the second TTT is started.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, include: If the first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first trigger time (TTT) expires, the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is determined according to the first duration and the duration of the first TTT. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event. The first TTT is in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event to be enabled.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The step of determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT includes: In response to the ratio of the first duration to the duration of the first TTT being greater than or equal to a ratio threshold, an LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is received.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first LTM event occurs when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the beam quality of the serving cell by an offset; or, The first LTM event is when the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam is higher than the absolute threshold.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam includes at least one of the following: beam identification information, resource identification information, beam quality information, event information, or report identification information; The beam identification information indicates the beam identification of the first LTM candidate beam; The resource identifier indicates the identifier of the LTM measurement resource corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam; The beam quality information indicates the beam quality of the first LTM candidate beam; The event information indicates the first LTM event; The report identification information indicates the report identifier of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam is carried by the Media Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, Before determining the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on the first duration and the duration of the first TTT, the method further includes: Send configuration information, which is used to configure the duration of the first TTT.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The activation unit is used to activate the first trigger time TTT in response to a first LTM event triggered by a first layer 1 or layer 2 motion LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event. The triggering unit is configured to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on a first duration and the duration of the first TTT if an event occurs before the first TTT expires that the first LTM candidate beam does not satisfy the first LTM. The first duration is the time from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer satisfies the first LTM event.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The triggering unit is configured to determine the triggering state of the LTM measurement report corresponding to the first LTM candidate beam based on a first duration and the duration of the first TTT if a first LTM candidate beam fails to meet the first LTM event before the first triggering time TTT expires. The first duration is the duration from the start time of the first TTT to the time when the first LTM candidate beam no longer meets the first LTM event. The first TTT is in response to the first LTM candidate beam satisfying the first LTM event to be enabled.

17. A terminal device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-8 and 9-14.

18. A network device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-8 and 9-14.

19. A chip, comprising a processor, characterized in that, The processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-8 and 9-14.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-8 and 9-14.

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