Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium, which help a terminal device to correctly determine whether to trigger the reporting of a measurement report, thereby reducing the impact on a mobility decision made by a network device. The method comprises: acquiring a predicted measurement result in a prediction window; determining that a first measurement result between a first moment and a second moment meets a first condition; and when a predicted measurement result between the second moment and a third moment meets a second condition, sending a measurement report, wherein the first condition is an entry condition or an exit condition for a first measurement event, the gap between the first moment and the second moment is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event, the second moment is located within the prediction window, the first moment is earlier than the second moment, the third moment is later than the second moment, and the third moment is not later than the end moment of the prediction window.

Description

Communication method, apparatus, and storage medium

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411991043.0, filed on December 30, 2024, entitled “Communication method, apparatus, and storage medium”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In wireless communication, a terminal device can measure the signal quality of a serving cell and a neighboring cell, and send a measurement report to a network device. The network device can make a mobility decision based on the measurement report of the terminal device. The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) specification proposes a set of measurement reporting mechanisms performed by the terminal device, and these measurement reports can be triggered due to the satisfaction of a measurement event. The network device can specify the measurement event type corresponding to the measurement report reported by the terminal device through radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Currently, the measurement event types defined by 3GPP are, for example, A1 event to A6 event, B1 event to B2 event. When the measurement result obtained by the terminal device satisfies the entering condition or the leaving condition of a certain measurement event, and lasts for a period of time, the reporting condition of the measurement report is satisfied. The period of time is called time to trigger (TTT), which represents the duration of continuously satisfying the entering condition / leaving condition of the measurement event.

[0004] Currently, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) assisted mobility can support obtaining measurement results based on prediction, such as reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc., which can be obtained according to an AI model deployed on the terminal side. Specifically, the terminal device can obtain predicted measurement results within a prediction window (PW) based on the AI model, and the terminal device can send a measurement report to the network device when the actual measurement result and / or the predicted measurement result satisfies the entering condition or the leaving condition of a measurement event, and the duration reaches the TTT.

[0005] However, if the measured measurement result and / or the predicted measurement result continuously satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event for a duration reaching the TTT, but the predicted measurement result outside the duration does not satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, the terminal device cannot determine whether to trigger the reporting of the measurement report, thereby affecting the mobility decision of the network device. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method, device and storage medium, which is beneficial to the terminal device to correctly determine whether to trigger the reporting of the measurement report, thereby reducing the impact on the mobility decision of the network device.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device. Hereinafter, the method is described by taking the application to the terminal device as an example.

[0008] The method comprises: obtaining a predicted measurement result within a prediction window; determining that a first measurement result between a first time and a second time satisfies a first condition; and in a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and a third time satisfies a second condition, sending a measurement report.

[0009] The first condition is an entering condition or a leaving condition of a first measurement event, the duration between the first time and the second time is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event, the second time is within the prediction window, the first time is earlier than the second time, the third time is later than the second time, and the third time is not later than the end time of the prediction window.

[0010] In one possible case, the first time can be within the prediction window, for example, the first time is the start time of the prediction window, and the first measurement result includes the predicted measurement result.

[0011] In another possible case, the first time is earlier than the current time, and the first measurement result includes the measured measurement result and the predicted measurement result. The duration between the first time and the current time includes the measured measurement result, or the duration between the first time and the current time includes the measured measurement result and the predicted measurement result. The duration between the current time and the second time includes the predicted measurement result.

[0012] Based on the technical solution of the present application, in a case where the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition, the terminal device can further determine whether the predicted measurement result at other time outside the TTT of the first measurement event satisfies the second condition, so as to more accurately determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid, or in other words, whether to trigger the reporting of the measurement report, thereby benefiting the network device to make a more accurate mobility decision.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant satisfies the second condition comprises one or more of: the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach a third condition; the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition for a partial time; or, the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition for a partial time; wherein the first condition is an entering condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is a leaving condition of the first measurement event; or, the first condition is a leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is an entering condition of the first measurement event.

[0014] It should be understood that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant satisfying the second condition indicates that the predicted measurement result within the prediction window generally satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and thus it can be determined that the predicted side measurement event is valid.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition for a partial time comprises one or more of: a time length that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition is less than a first threshold; a proportion of the first time length that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition is less than a second threshold; a maximum duration that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition is less than a third threshold; or, a proportion of the first time length that the maximum duration that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant reaches the third condition is less than a fourth threshold; wherein the first time length is a time length between the second time instant and the third time instant; or, a time length between the first time instant and the third time instant; or, a time length between a starting time instant of the prediction window and the third time instant.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition for a partial time comprises one or more of: a time length that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition is less than a fifth threshold; a proportion of the first time length that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition is less than a sixth threshold; or, a maximum duration that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition is less than a seventh threshold; or, a proportion of the first time length that the maximum duration that the predicted measurement result between the second time instant and the third time instant does not reach the first condition is less than an eighth threshold. Wherein the first time length is a time length between the second time instant and the third time instant, or, a time length between the first time instant and the third time instant, or, a time length between a starting time instant of the prediction window and the third time instant.

[0017] Optionally, each of the thresholds described above can be configured by the network device or predefined. As an example, the first threshold, the third threshold, the fifth threshold, or the seventh threshold can be the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, in a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the second condition, the method further includes: in a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the second condition and satisfies a fourth condition, sending the measurement report.

[0019] In the present application, considering the future trend of the predicted measurement result, the terminal device can send the measurement report to the network device in a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time in the prediction window satisfies the second condition and satisfies the fourth condition. Wherein, the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the fourth condition, which means that the predicted measurement result at the tail of the prediction window can satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event, so the predicted measurement result in a period of time after the prediction window will also satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event with high probability, therefore, the terminal device can make a more accurate decision on reporting the measurement report, so that the network device makes a more accurate mobility decision.

[0020] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the fourth condition includes one or more of: the predicted measurement result at the third time reaches the first condition; the predicted measurement result between the fourth time and the third time reaches the first condition; the predicted measurement result at the third time does not reach the third condition; or, the predicted measurement result between the fourth time and the third time does not reach the third condition; wherein, the first condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event; or, the first condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event; the fourth time is earlier than the third time and later than the second time.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the measurement report includes one or more of: the predicted measurement result at the start time of the prediction window, the predicted measurement result at the first time, the predicted measurement result at the second time, the predicted measurement result at the third time, or the predicted measurement result at the fourth time. In this way, the network device can more accurately determine whether the first measurement event predicted by the terminal device is valid based on the content carried by the measurement report, which is conducive to the network device making a more accurate mobility decision.

[0022] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time length is configured by the network device or predefined.

[0023] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a time length between the fourth time and the third time is configured by the network device or predefined.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a measurement configuration of the first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0025] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal side, for example, a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for a communication function in the terminal device, and hereinafter, the method is described by taking the application to the terminal device as an example.

[0026] The method includes: obtaining a measurement configuration of a first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate a length of a prediction window; obtaining a prediction measurement result in the prediction window based on the measurement configuration; and in a case where a first measurement result between a first time and a second time meets an entering condition or a leaving condition of the first measurement event, sending a measurement report. The second time is located in the prediction window, the first time is earlier than the second time, and a time length between the first time and the second time is equal to a TTT of the first measurement event.

[0027] In a possible case, the first time can be located in the prediction window, for example, the first time is a start time of the prediction window, and the first measurement result includes the prediction measurement result.

[0028] In another possible case, the first time is earlier than a current time, and the first measurement result includes a real-time measurement result and a prediction measurement result. The first time and the current time include the real-time measurement result, or the first time and the current time include the real-time measurement result and the prediction measurement result. The current time and the second time include the prediction measurement result.

[0029] Based on the technical solution of the present application, the network device can associate the prediction window with a single measurement configuration, which can more flexibly configure the length of the prediction window, thereby helping to avoid the case that the terminal device cannot determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid due to the length of the prediction window being greater than the TTT of the first measurement event, and further helping the network device to make a more accurate mobility decision and improve the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0030] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the prediction window is less than or equal to the TTT of the first measurement event. This helps to avoid the case that the terminal device cannot determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid, and further helps the network device to make a more accurate mobility decision and improve the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0031] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the measurement configuration comprises length information of the prediction window, the prediction window being a prediction window corresponding to a model used by the measurement configuration.

[0032] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the measurement configuration comprises model information, the model information being used to indicate a model used by the measurement configuration, the prediction window being a prediction window corresponding to the model.

[0033] The third aspect provides a communication apparatus for performing the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the apparatus comprises modules for performing the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0034] In one design, the apparatus can include modules corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described above in any of the above aspects, which can be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0035] In another design, the apparatus is a communication chip, which can include an input circuit or interface for transmitting information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0036] In another design, the apparatus is a terminal device, which can include a transmitter for transmitting information or data, and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0037] In another design, the apparatus is configured in a terminal device, and is used to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0038] The fourth aspect provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor configured to invoke and run a computer program from a memory, so that the apparatus performs the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0039] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory to implement the method described in the above aspects.

[0040] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a transmitter and a receiver, which can be separate or integrated together as a transceiver.

[0041] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects above.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects above.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the aspects above, such as receiving or processing the data involved in the methods above.

[0044] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which is located in or outside the processor.

[0045] Optionally, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a possible application framework in a communication system;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another possible application framework in a communication system;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a framework in which AI is applied in NR;

[0051] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams of time-domain prediction based on AI measurement;

[0052] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of the relationship between the length of a prediction window and TTT;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams of the relationship between the length of a prediction window and TTT provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are schematic block diagrams of communication apparatuses according to embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Before introducing the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the following points will be explained first.

[0060] First, in the embodiments shown below, each term and English abbreviation, such as prediction window, prediction measurement result, entering condition, leaving condition, TTT, etc., are all exemplary examples given for the convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms capable of achieving the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0061] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the first, second, and various numbers are only used to distinguish the same or similar items with basically the same functions and effects for the convenience of description. For example, the first time and the second time are only used to distinguish different times, and do not limit the sequence, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the number and execution sequence, and the words "first", "second", etc. also do not necessarily mean different.

[0062] Third, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0063] Fourth, in the present application, "indication" can include direct indication and indirect indication, can include explicit indication and implicit indication, and can include determination. When it is described that certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In the present application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or an index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only by a part of the to-be-indicated information, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of the sub-information can be the same or different. The present application does not limit the specific manner of indication, and it can be understood that for the sender of the indication information, the indication information can be used to indicate the to-be-indicated information, and for the receiver of the corresponding indication information, the indication information can be used to determine the to-be-indicated information.

[0064] In the present application, certain information is used to indicate one or more contents, which can be replaced by the information indicating one or more contents, or the information including one or more contents.

[0065] Fifth, in the present application, "when", "if" and "whether" all refer to the objective situation that the device will make corresponding processing, and are not limited to time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "whether" can be replaced, and "when" and "in the case of" can be replaced. "When" and "if" / "whether" can be replaced.

[0066] Sixth, in the present application, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to represent an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0067] Seventh, "sending information / data" only indicates the direction of information / data transmission, including the direct sending of the communication interface (such as the air interface (abbreviated as air interface)) of the device, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the module interface, and "sending" can include the indirect sending of the processing unit through the communication interface, that is, the processing unit outputs information / data through the module interface, and then transmits to the communication interface of the device, and is sent out by the communication interface. "Receiving information / data" only indicates the direction of information / data transmission, including the direct receiving of the communication interface, "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the module interface, and "receiving information / data" can include the indirect receiving of the processing unit through the communication interface, that is, the communication interface receives information / data, and then transmits to the module interface of the processing unit, and is input to the processing unit by the module interface. "Sending information / data to … (such as a terminal device)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal device. It can include direct or indirect sending of information / data to the terminal device. "Receiving information / data from … (such as a terminal device)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal device, and can include direct or indirect receiving of information / data from the terminal device. The information / data between the source and the destination of the information / data transmission can be processed as necessary, for example, format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information / data from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be similarly understood, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] In other words, sending and receiving can be between devices, for example, between terminal devices and network devices; or can be within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0069] Eighth, in this application, the schemes in various embodiments can be reasonably combined, and the explanation or description of each term appearing in the embodiments, similar operations or steps can be mutually referenced or explained in various embodiments, and this is not limited.

[0070] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which embodiments of the application can be applied. Figure 1 shows a possible, non-limiting, schematic diagram of a system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 comprises a radio access network (RAN) 10 and a core network 20. Optionally, the communication system 100 further comprises an Internet 30. The radio access network 10 can comprise at least one access network device (e.g. 110a and 110b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal (e.g. 120a-120j in Figure 1). The terminals are connected to the access network devices by wireless links and the access network devices are connected to the core network 20 by wireless or wireline links. The core network devices and the access network devices can be independent, separate physical devices, or the functionality of the core network devices and the access network devices can be integrated in the same physical devices, or the core network devices and the access network devices can be integrated in the same physical devices with part of the functionality of the core network devices and part of the functionality of the access network devices. Terminals and terminals, and access network devices and access network devices, can be connected to each other by wireline or wireless links. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram only. The communication system can comprise other access network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0071] The radio access network 10 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, for example, a 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) system (also referred to as a long term evolution (LTE) system), a 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) system (also referred to as a new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to future mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems, and the specific implementation is not limited. The radio access network 10 can also be an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN). The radio access network 10 can also be a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication network, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication network, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication network, etc. The radio access network 10 can also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are fused.

[0072] The access network device is a node in the radio access network, which can also be referred to as a RAN node, and can also be referred to as a RAN device. The access network device is used to help the terminal to realize wireless access. The plurality of access network devices in the communication system 100 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types.

[0073] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access point (AP) in a satellite, an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, an access network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., can be deployed in a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. The access network device can also be a device assuming a base station function in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, unmanned aircraft communication, or machine communication. Alternatively, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0074] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the access network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately configured, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a radio frequency remote unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the access network device can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in a radio access network (RAN), or the CU can be divided into an access network device in a core network, which is not limited here.

[0075] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an O-RAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0076] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiving function, which can send signals to an access network device or receive signals from the access network device. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a terminal equipment, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc.

[0077] For example, the terminal device includes a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like with a wireless connection function. At present, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, and the like), a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, and the like), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, and the like), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flight device (for example, a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), and the like. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, for example, a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX), and the like. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, the terminal device can also be a device with terminal functions in D2D communication.

[0078] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal, and the device for realizing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device; or can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, for example, a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. All or part of the functions of the terminal device in the present application can also be realized by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0079] The terminal device can be widely applied to various scenarios, for example, D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, and the like.

[0080] The access network device and the terminal can be fixed in position or movable. The access network device and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can be deployed on water surface; and can be deployed on an airplane, a balloon, and a man-made satellite. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal.

[0081] The roles of the access network device and the terminal can be relative. For example, the helicopter or the unmanned aerial vehicle 120i in FIG. 1 can be configured as a mobile access network device, and for the terminal 120j that accesses the wireless access network 10 through 120i, 120i is the access network device; but for the access network device 110a, 120i is the terminal, that is, 110a and 120i communicate through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate through an interface protocol between access network devices and access network devices, and at this time, 120i is also an access network device relative to 110a. Therefore, the access network device and the terminal can be collectively referred to as a communication apparatus, 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with an access network device function, and 120a-120j in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with a terminal function.

[0082] The access network device and the terminal, the access network device and the access network device, and the terminal and the terminal can communicate through a licensed spectrum, can communicate through an unlicensed spectrum, and can simultaneously communicate through the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum; can communicate through a spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), can communicate through a spectrum above 6 GHz, and can simultaneously use the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0083] In embodiments of the present application, the functions of the access network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device, or by a control subsystem containing the functions of the access network device. The control subsystem containing the functions of the access network device herein can be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of the terminal can also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device containing the functions of the terminal.

[0084] In the present application, the access network device sends downlink (DL) signals or downlink information to the terminal, and the downlink signals or downlink information are carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink (UL) signals or uplink information to the access network device, and the uplink signals or uplink information are carried on the uplink channel. The terminal can establish a wireless connection on a cell controlled by the access network device in order to communicate with the access network device. The cell with which the terminal establishes a wireless connection is called the service cell of the terminal. When the terminal communicates with the service cell, it can also be interfered by signals from neighboring cells.

[0085] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system 200 suitable for embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 200 includes a network device 201, an AI module 202, a terminal device 203, and a terminal device 204. The network device 201 is, for example, the access network device 110a in FIG. 1 described above. For the functions and possible forms of the terminal device and the network device, please refer to the description of FIG. 1 above, which will not be repeated here. The AI module 202 is used to perform AI-related operations, such as constructing a training data set or training an AI model, etc.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the network device 201 can send data related to training an AI model to the AI module 202, and the AI module 202 constructs a training data set and trains an AI model. For example, the data related to training an AI model can include data reported by the terminal device. The AI module 202 can send the results of AI model-related operations to the network device 201 and forward them to the terminal device through the network device 201. For example, the results of AI model-related operations can include at least one of the following: a trained AI model, an evaluation result or a test result of the model, etc. Illustratively, part of the trained AI model can be deployed on the network device 201, and the other part can be deployed on the terminal device. Alternatively, the trained AI model can be deployed on the network device 201, or the trained AI model can be deployed on the terminal device.

[0087] It should be understood that FIG. 2 only illustrates an example in which the AI module 202 is directly connected with the network device 201, and in other scenarios, the AI module 202 can also be connected with a terminal device. Alternatively, the AI module 202 can be connected with both the network device 201 and the terminal device. Alternatively, the AI module 202 can also be connected with the network device 201 through a third-party network element. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the connection relationship between the AI module and other network elements.

[0088] It should also be understood that the AI module shown in FIG. 2 is independent of the network device 201, for example, the AI module 202 is arranged in a host or a cloud server of an over the top (OTT) system.

[0089] It should also be understood that the AI module 202 can also be arranged as a module in the network device and / or the terminal device, for example, arranged in the access network device or the terminal device shown in FIG. 1, and can also be arranged in the core network device.

[0090] It should also be understood that the number of AI modules is not limited in the present application. For example, when there are multiple AI modules, the multiple AI modules can be divided based on functions, for example, different AI modules are responsible for different functions.

[0091] It should also be understood that the AI module can be a separate device, can be integrated in the same device to realize different functions, or can be a network element in a hardware device, or can be a software function running on a dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform), and the specific form of the AI module is not limited in the present application.

[0092] In the present application, the AI module can also be described as an AI network element, an AI node, an AI device, an AI apparatus, etc., and no limitation is made thereto.

[0093] It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 are only simplified schematic diagrams for example and for understanding, for example, the communication system can include more or fewer devices than those shown in FIGS. 1 or 2, for example, can also include a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device, etc., which are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In actual applications, the communication system can include multiple network devices, or can include multiple terminal devices. The number of network devices and terminal devices included in the communication system is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0094] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in FIG. 3, network elements in the communication system are connected through interfaces (e.g., NG interface, Xn interface), or air interfaces. One or more AI modules are deployed in one or more of the network elements, such as a core network device, an access network device, a terminal device, or an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) device (for clarity, only one AI module is shown in each network element in FIG. 3). The CU and / or the DU can also be provided with one or more AI modules. Optionally, the CU can be further split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. One or more AI modules are deployed in the CU-CP and / or the CU-UP.

[0095] The AI module is used to implement a corresponding AI function. The AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. The model of the AI module can implement different functions according to different parameter configurations. The model of the AI module can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: a structural parameter (e.g., at least one of a number of neural network layers, a width of a neural network, a connection relationship between layers, a weight of a neuron, an activation function of a neuron, or a bias in the activation function), an input parameter (e.g., a type of input parameter and / or a dimension of the input parameter), or an output parameter (e.g., a type of output parameter and / or a dimension of the output parameter). The bias in the activation function can also be referred to as a bias of the neural network.

[0096] One AI module can have one or more models. One model can infer an output including one parameter or multiple parameters. The learning process, the training process, or the inference process of different models can be deployed in different nodes or devices, or can be deployed in the same node or device.

[0097] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). For example, the RIC can be an AI module shown in FIG. 3, which is used to implement an AI-related function. The RIC includes a near-real time RIC (near-RT RIC) and a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC). The Non-RT RIC mainly processes non-real-time information, such as data that is not sensitive to latency, which can be in the order of seconds. The near-RT RIC mainly processes near-real-time information, such as data that is relatively sensitive to latency, which can be in the order of tens of milliseconds.

[0098] The near-real-time RIC is used for model or function training and inference. For example, the AI model or function is trained, and inference is performed using the AI model or function. The near-real-time RIC can obtain network side and / or terminal side information from the access network device (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminal device, which can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near-real-time RIC can submit the inference result to the access network device and / or terminal device. Optionally, the inference result can be exchanged between the CU and the DU, and / or between the DU and the RU, for example, the near-real-time RIC submits the inference result to the DU, and the DU sends it to the RU.

[0099] The non-real-time RIC can also be used for model or function training and inference. For example, the AI model or function is trained, and inference is performed using the model or function. The non-real-time RIC can obtain network side and / or terminal side information from the access network device (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminal device. The information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference result can be submitted to the access network device and / or terminal device. Optionally, the inference result can be exchanged between the CU and the DU, and / or between the DU and the RU, for example, the non-real-time RIC submits the inference result to the DU, and the DU sends it to the RU.

[0100] Optionally, the near-real-time RIC and the non-real-time RIC can be separately set as a network element. Optionally, the near-real-time RIC and the non-real-time RIC can be part of other devices, for example, the near-real-time RIC is set in the access network device (e.g., CU, DU), and the non-real-time RIC is set in the OAM, cloud server, core network device, or other network device.

[0101] For ease of understanding, the related technologies and concepts involved in the present application are introduced as follows.

[0102] 1. Machine learning

[0103] AI refers to the ability of a machine to have human intelligence, for example, the ability of a machine to apply software and hardware of a computer to simulate certain intelligent behaviors of a human. Machine learning (ML) is an important technical approach to achieve AI. In a machine learning method, a machine learns (or trains) a model using training data. The model represents a mapping between an input and an output. The learned model can be used for inference (or prediction), i.e., the model can be used to predict an output corresponding to a given input. The output can also be referred to as an inference result (or a prediction result). The model can also be referred to as an AI model, an ML model, a rule, or other names. An AI model can be considered as a specific method to achieve a certain AI function, and the AI model represents a mapping relationship or a function between the input and the output of the model. Machine learning can be divided into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

[0104] A deep neural network (DNN) is a specific implementation form of machine learning. According to the universal approximation theorem, a neural network can theoretically approximate any continuous function, thereby enabling the neural network to learn any mapping. A traditional communication system needs to rely on rich expert knowledge to design a communication module, while a deep learning communication system based on a DNN can automatically discover an implicit pattern structure from a large amount of data sets, establish a mapping relationship between data, and obtain a performance better than a traditional modeling method.

[0105] A DNN generally has more than one hidden layer, and the hidden layer often directly affects the ability to extract information and fit a function. Increasing the number of hidden layers of the DNN or expanding the width of each layer can improve the function fitting ability of the DNN. The weighting value in each neuron is a parameter of the DNN network model. The model parameters are optimized through a training process, thereby enabling the DNN network to have the ability to extract data features and express a mapping relationship. A DNN generally uses a supervised learning or unsupervised learning strategy to optimize the model parameters.

[0106] According to the construction mode of the network, the DNN can be divided into a feedforward neural network (FNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a recurrent neural network (RNN). The CNN is a neural network specially designed to process data with a similar grid structure. For example, time series data (time axis discrete sampling) and image data (two-dimensional discrete sampling) can be considered as data with a similar grid structure. The CNN does not use all input information for operation at one time, but uses a fixed-size window to extract part of the information for convolution operation, which greatly reduces the calculation amount of model parameters. In addition, according to the different types of information extracted by the window (such as people and objects in the same picture as different types of information), each window can use different convolution kernel operations, which enables the CNN to better extract the features of the input data. The RNN is a DNN network that uses feedback time series information. Its input includes the new input value at the current time and the output value of itself at the previous time. The RNN is suitable for obtaining sequence features with temporal correlation, and is particularly suitable for speech recognition, channel coding and decoding, and the like.

[0107] It should be understood that the terminal-side model or the network-side model in the present application can use one or more machine learning algorithms described above for model inference to obtain measurement values and / or prediction values, for example, predicted reference signal received power (RSRP), predicted channel state information (CSI).

[0108] 3GPP currently proposes to apply AI to NR, to improve network performance and user experience by intelligently collecting and analyzing data. The framework for applying AI in NR is shown in FIG. 5, in which a data collection entity stores data input from base stations, CUs, DUs, UEs, or other management entities, as a database for AI model training and data analysis inference. A model training entity obtains an AI model by analyzing the training data provided by the data collection entity. A model inference entity takes the data provided by the data collection entity as input of the AI model, and gives a reasonable prediction based on AI for network operation, or guides the network to make a strategy adjustment. The strategy adjustment is uniformly planned by an actor entity, and is sent to multiple network entities for operation. At the same time, after the relevant strategy is applied, the specific performance of the network will be input again into the database for storage.

[0109] AI has various application scenarios and functions in NR, such as energy saving, load balancing, mobility parameter optimization, and the like.

[0110] 2. Handover procedure

[0111] In a wireless communication system, a terminal device can perform a handover procedure to improve communication performance.

[0112] In one possible implementation, a network device can control mobility management of a terminal device in a connected state. For example, a source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message containing a handover command to instruct the terminal device to hand over to a target cell and how to hand over to the target cell. After receiving the RRC reconfiguration message containing the handover command, the terminal device releases the source cell, stops uplink and downlink data transmission with the source cell, and accesses the target cell according to the handover command.

[0113] In another possible implementation, a terminal device can improve handover success rate based on a conditional handover (CHO) mechanism. For example, a source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to a terminal device when the signal quality of a source link is good, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes CHO configuration information. The CHO configuration information can include configuration information of one or more candidate cells, execution trigger conditions of the candidate cells, measurement configuration, and the like. After receiving the CHO configuration, the terminal device does not immediately initiate a handover request to the candidate cell, but continues to maintain connection and data transmission with the source base station. After determining a candidate cell that meets the execution trigger condition in the one or more candidate cells, the terminal device can decide to initiate handover execution to the target cell.

[0114] 3. AI-assisted mobility

[0115] The AI-assisted mobility can support obtaining measurement results, such as RSRP, RSSI, and the like, based on a prediction manner. The measurement results can include cell-level measurement results or beam-level measurement results. The measurement results can be obtained based on an AI model deployed on a terminal side or an AI model deployed on a network side. The prediction manner can include one or more of time domain prediction, space domain prediction, or frequency domain prediction.

[0116] Currently, prediction of cell-level measurement results of layer 3 (L3) includes the following three cases:

[0117] (1) predicting beam-level measurement results of layer 1 (L1), and generating L3 cell-level measurement results based on predicted L1 beam-level measurement results;

[0118] (2) predicting L3 cell-level measurement results based on L3 cell-level measurement results;

[0119] (3) Predict the L3 cell level measurement result based on the L1 beam level measurement result.

[0120] Currently, the prediction of the L3 beam level measurement result includes the following three cases:

[0121] (1) Predict the L1 beam level measurement result, and generate the L3 beam level measurement result based on the predicted L1 beam level measurement result;

[0122] (2) Predict the L3 beam level measurement result based on the L3 beam level measurement result;

[0123] (3) Predict the L3 beam level measurement result based on the L1 beam level measurement result.

[0124] In the above description, the L3 cell level measurement result can be the cell level measurement result after L3 filtering, the L3 beam level measurement result can be the beam level measurement result after L3 filtering, and the L1 beam level measurement result can be the beam measurement result before L1 filtering or the beam level measurement result after L1 filtering.

[0125] For time domain prediction, currently, two cases are defined as follows:

[0126] Case 1: The measurement result covered by the prediction window is predicted from the measurement result of the observation window, and when the measurement result is obtained, the observation window and the prediction window slide with the sampling period or the measurement period, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, each time the sampling period or the measurement period is slid. The starting time of the prediction window is not earlier than the current time.

[0127] Case 2: The measurement result covered by the prediction window is predicted from the measurement result of the observation window, and then the observation window and the prediction window can slide by skipping a prediction window, wherein a prediction window can include one or more sampling periods or measurement periods. More specifically, according to whether there is a measurement result to be predicted in the observation window, case 2 includes two cases as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the difference lies in whether there is a measurement result to be predicted in the observation window. As shown in FIG. 6B, the observation window and the prediction window slide by skipping a prediction window, wherein there is no measurement result to be predicted in the observation window. As shown in FIG. 6C, the observation window and the prediction window slide by skipping a prediction window, wherein there is a measurement result to be predicted in the observation window. Wherein, legend 1 represents the current measured value, legend 2 represents the current predicted value, and legend 3 represents the measurement result to be predicted.

[0128] The terminal device can obtain a measurement result in the prediction window based on the AI model, referred to as a predicted measurement result. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can send a measurement report to the network device when the predicted measurement result meets the entering condition or the leaving condition of a measurement event and the duration reaches the TTT.

[0129] 4. Reporting of the measurement report

[0130] After the terminal device determines that the measurement result meets the condition of a certain measurement event (the condition is an entering condition or a leaving condition) and the duration reaches a certain time, the terminal device determines that a trigger condition is met, and the trigger condition corresponds to the reporting condition of the measurement report or the execution trigger condition of the candidate cell. The duration is referred to as TTT. That is, when the duration that the measurement result meets the condition of a certain measurement event reaches the TTT, the terminal device determines that the trigger condition is met.

[0131] Currently, the measurement event types defined by 3GPP are, for example, A1 to A6 events, B1 to B2 events. Table 1 shows the meanings of various types of measurement events.

[0132] Table 1

[0133] In the above table 1, Ms represents the measurement result of the serving cell, Mn represents the measurement result of the neighbor cell, Hys represents the amplitude hysteresis of the measurement result, Thresh, Thresh1, and Thresh2 represent the threshold, Ofs represents the frequency offset of the serving cell, Ofn represents the frequency offset of the neighbor cell, Ocs represents the cell offset (CIO) of the serving cell, Ocn represents the cell offset of the neighbor cell, and Off represents the bias of the measurement result.

[0134] The indicators for characterizing the signal quality include but are not limited to RSRP, RSSI, reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). When the measurement event uses different indicators, the signal quality (measurement result) in the above table 1 is the measurement result of the corresponding indicator. For example, when the indicator is RSRP, the terminal device measures the RSRP of the serving cell or the neighbor cell.

[0135] Among them, RSRP can reflect the received strength of the reference signal, RSSI can reflect the total signal strength of the current channel, RSRQ can reflect the signal-to-noise ratio and interference level of the current channel quality, and is approximately equal to the ratio of RSRP to RSSI.

[0136] When the network device provides the measurement configuration to the terminal device, one measurement identity is associated with one measurement object identity and one reporting configuration identity, so that the terminal device reports the measurement result to the network device, and associates the measurement result with the measurement identity, so that the network device can determine the measurement object and the reporting configuration corresponding to the reported measurement result. Meanwhile, the network device can also configure the corresponding TTT in the reporting configuration for a single measurement event. The reporting configuration can also be described as the measurement configuration or the measurement reporting configuration.

[0137] Based on the above description, the terminal device can obtain the measurement result in a predicted manner by using the AI model, such as obtaining the predicted measurement result in a prediction window, wherein the starting time of the prediction window is not earlier than the current time. As shown in FIG. 7A, the current time is T0, the terminal device obtains the predicted measurement result in the prediction window at T0, and the length of the prediction window is P. In one possible case, P is greater than TTT, T1 is located in the prediction window, and if the predicted measurement result between T1 and T2 satisfies the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, but the predicted measurement result between T2 and T3 in the prediction window does not satisfy (or does not all satisfy) the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, the terminal device cannot accurately determine whether the predicted measurement event is valid. As shown in FIG. 7B, T1 is located before the start time of the prediction window (for example, in the observation window), T2 is located in the prediction window, and T1 and T2 include the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result. If the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result between T1 and T2 satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, but the predicted measurement result between T2 and T3 in the prediction window does not satisfy (or does not all satisfy) the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, the terminal device cannot accurately determine whether the predicted measurement event is valid.

[0138] On the one hand, if the predicted measurement event is considered invalid as soon as there is a predicted measurement result that does not satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, the network device may not be able to make a reasonable switching decision in time. For example, only a small part of the predicted measurement result between T2 and T3 does not satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, which does not actually affect the subsequent signal quality of the candidate cell corresponding to the predicted measurement result, and in fact, the cell switching can be performed. However, because the terminal device considers that the predicted measurement event is invalid, the measurement report is not reported, and therefore the network device cannot make a switching decision in time.

[0139] If the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event is satisfied based only on the predicted measurement result (or the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result) between the time T1 and the time T2, it is considered that the predicted measurement event is valid, which may lead to an incorrect switching decision of the network device. For example, the predicted measurement result in a period of time after the time T2 cannot satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the measurement event, and if switching is performed, it may lead to ping-pong effect and affect the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0140] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In a case where a duration in which the predicted measurement result (or the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result) continuously satisfies a first condition (an entering condition or a leaving condition) of a first measurement event reaches a TTT of the first measurement event, the terminal device further determines whether the predicted measurement result in a time other than the TTT satisfies a second condition, so as to determine whether to trigger reporting of a measurement report, thereby facilitating the network device to make a timely and accurate switching decision.

[0141] The technical solutions of the present application and how the technical solutions of the present application solve the above technical problems will be described in detail below through specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes can not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0142] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 provided by the embodiment of the present application. The steps of the method 800 can be executed by the terminal side and the network side in interaction, for example, the terminal side is a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function in the terminal device, and the network side is a network device or a communication module in the network device, or a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function in the network device. Hereinafter, the terminal device is taken as an example for description, and the network device is taken as an example for description.

[0143] The method 800 includes but is not limited to S801 to S803, and each step is described in detail below.

[0144] S801, the terminal device obtains a predicted measurement result in a prediction window.

[0145] The terminal device can obtain the predicted measurement result in the prediction window based on an AI model. The AI model can be deployed inside the terminal device.

[0146] In the present application, AI can replace ML, the AI model can replace the ML model, AI function or ML function, and prediction can replace inference.

[0147] The predicted measurement result can include a beam-level predicted measurement result and / or a cell-level predicted measurement result.

[0148] Exemplarily, the predicted measurement result can be RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, or SINR.

[0149] S802, the terminal device determines that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies a first condition.

[0150] The second time is within the prediction window, and the first time is earlier than the second time. The first measurement result includes the predicted measurement result, or the first measurement result includes the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result.

[0151] In one possible case, the first time is within the prediction window, for example, the first time is the start time of the prediction window, and the first measurement result includes the predicted measurement result.

[0152] In another possible case, the first time is earlier than the current time, and the first measurement result includes the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result. The first time and the current time include the actual measurement result, or the first time and the current time include the actual measurement result and the predicted measurement result. The current time and the second time include the predicted measurement result.

[0153] The first condition is an entering condition or a leaving condition of the first measurement event. The first measurement event is, for example, any of the measurement events shown in Table 1, and the entering condition and the leaving condition of each measurement event can be referred to Table 1, which will not be described here.

[0154] The length of time between the first time and the second time is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event. On the basis that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition, the terminal device also needs to consider whether the predicted measurement result in the time after the second time satisfies a second condition, so as to determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid, or in other words, whether the reporting of the measurement report is triggered, which is described below in relation to S803.

[0155] S803, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the network device in a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and a third time satisfies the second condition.

[0156] The third time is later than the second time, and the third time is not later than the end time of the prediction window. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first time and the second time are within the prediction window, and the third time is the end time of the prediction window. In a case where the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the second condition, the terminal device can consider that most of the predicted measurement results within the prediction window satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and therefore, the terminal device can determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid, so that the terminal device can send the measurement report to the network device.

[0157] It should be noted that the first time point is located in the prediction window in FIG. 9A as an example, and in addition, the first time point can be earlier than the current time point, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first time point is located in the observation window, the second time point is located in the prediction window, and the third time point is the end time point of the prediction window.

[0158] The measurement report reported by the terminal device is associated with a measurement identifier associated with the first measurement event, so that the network device can determine the first measurement event based on the measurement identifier associated with the measurement report after receiving the measurement report, thereby making a handover decision to improve the communication performance of the terminal device. If the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point does not satisfy the second condition, the terminal device can consider that the predicted measurement result in a period of time after the second time point does not satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and therefore the terminal device can determine that the predicted first measurement event is invalid, so that the terminal device can not send the measurement report to the network device, so that the network device does not need to make a handover decision, which is beneficial to avoid frequent handover of cells and affect the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0159] For ease of description, the first condition satisfied by the first measurement result between the first time point and the second time point can be referred to as constraint A in the following.

[0160] The second condition in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point satisfies the second condition, including one or more of the following: the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point does not reach a third condition (hereinafter referred to as constraint B); the predicted measurement result of part of the time between the second time point and the third time point reaches the third condition (hereinafter referred to as constraint C); or, the predicted measurement result of part of the time between the second time point and the third time point does not reach the first condition (hereinafter referred to as constraint D).

[0162] It should be noted that there can be multiple time periods of predicted measurement results reaching the third condition between the second time point and the third time point, and the part of the time between the second time point and the third time point here can refer to the maximum duration of the predicted measurement result reaching the third condition in the multiple time periods, or the cumulative time of the multiple time periods.

[0163] In a possible case, when the first condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event, the third condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and in this case, the combination of constraint A and constraint B, constraint C or constraint D is explained as follows.

[0164] For the combination of constraint A and constraint B, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the leaving condition of the first measurement event, so the terminal device can determine that the predicted measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0165] For the combination of constraint A and constraint C, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event for a part of time, but this part of time is short, and the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the leaving condition of the first measurement event for most of the time, so the terminal device can determine that the predicted measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0166] In a possible implementation, the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event for a part of time, including that: a time length for which the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event is less than a first threshold; a proportion of the time length for which the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event in a first time length is less than a second threshold; a maximum duration for which the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event is less than a third threshold; or, a proportion of the maximum duration for which the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time reaches the leaving condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than a fourth threshold.

[0167] For the combination of constraint A and constraint D, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event for a part of time, but this part of time is short, and the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time can reach the entering condition of the predicted measurement event for most of the time, so the terminal device can determine that the predicted measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the entering condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the prediction measurement result in the part of the time between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event, including that: a time length in which the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event is less than a fifth threshold; a proportion of the time length in which the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than a sixth threshold; a time length in which the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event is less than a seventh threshold; or, a proportion of the time length in which the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than an eighth threshold.

[0169] In another possible scenario, the first condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event, in which case, the combination of the constraint A and the constraint B, the constraint C or the constraint D is explained as follows.

[0170] For the combination of the constraint A and the constraint B, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event, and therefore, the terminal device can determine that the prediction measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0171] For the combination of the constraint A and the constraint C, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the prediction measurement result in part of the time between the second time and the third time reaches the entering condition of the first measurement event, but this part of time is short, and the prediction measurement result in most of the time between the second time and the third time does not reach the entering condition of the first measurement event, and therefore, the terminal device can determine that the prediction measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0172] In a possible implementation, the prediction measurement result of the partial time between the second time and the third time reaching the entering condition of the first measurement event includes that: a time length of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time reaching the entering condition of the first measurement event is less than a first threshold; a proportion of the time length of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time reaching the entering condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than a second threshold; a maximum duration of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time reaching the entering condition of the first measurement event is less than a third threshold; or, a proportion of the maximum duration of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time reaching the entering condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than a fourth threshold.

[0173] For the combination of the constraint A and the constraint D, it can be understood that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the prediction measurement result of the partial time between the second time and the third time does not reach the leaving condition of the first measurement event, but this partial time is short, and the prediction measurement result of most of the time between the second time and the third time can reach the leaving condition of the prediction measurement event, therefore, the terminal device can determine that the prediction measurement result in the prediction window generally satisfies the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and further determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid.

[0174] In a possible implementation, the prediction measurement result of the partial time between the second time and the third time not reaching the leaving condition of the first measurement event includes that: a time length of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time not reaching the leaving condition of the first measurement event is less than a fifth threshold; a proportion of the time length of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time not reaching the leaving condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than a sixth threshold; a duration of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time not reaching the leaving condition of the first measurement event is less than a seventh threshold; or, a proportion of the duration of the prediction measurement result between the second time and the third time not reaching the leaving condition of the first measurement event in the first time length is less than an eighth threshold.

[0175] The first time length can be a time length between the second time and the third time, or a time length between the first time and the third time, or a time length between the starting time of the prediction window and the third time.

[0176] The thresholds can be configured by the network device or predefined. For example, the first threshold, the third threshold, the fifth threshold, or the seventh threshold can be a TTT of the first measurement event.

[0177] In consideration of a trend of change of the predicted measurement result in the future, the terminal device can send the measurement report to the network device in a case that the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time in the prediction window satisfies the second condition and satisfies the fourth condition. The predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfying the fourth condition indicates that the predicted measurement result at the tail of the prediction window can satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the predicted measurement result in a period of time after the prediction window also has a high probability to satisfy the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event. Therefore, the mobility decision made by the network device based on the predicted measurement result in the prediction window is more accurate.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfying the fourth condition includes that the predicted measurement result at the third time reaches the first condition, the predicted measurement result between the fourth time and the third time reaches the first condition, the predicted measurement result at the third time does not reach the third condition, or the predicted measurement result between the fourth time and the third time does not reach the third condition. The first condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event. Alternatively, the first condition is the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entering condition of the first measurement event.

[0179] The third time is the end time of the prediction window or slightly earlier than the end time of the prediction window, and the fourth time is earlier than the third time and later than the second time, as shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B. The length of time between the fourth time and the third time is configured by the network device or predefined.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the method 800 can further include that the network device sends, to the terminal device, a measurement configuration of the first measurement event, where the measurement configuration is used to indicate the TTT of the first measurement event. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the measurement configuration.

[0181] It should be noted that the network device can configure a corresponding TTT for a single measurement event, that is, different measurement configurations can correspond to different TTTs. Furthermore, the network device can configure the same TTT or different TTTs for the entering condition and the leaving condition of one measurement event, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0182] In the foregoing description, in a case that the first measurement result of the terminal device between the first time and the second time continuously satisfies the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event for a length of time reaching the TTT of the first measurement event, whether the predicted measurement result at other time than the TTT of the first measurement event satisfies the second condition is determined to determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid or whether the reporting of the measurement report is triggered, so that the network device can make a more accurate mobility decision.

[0183] To enable the network device to make more accurate mobility decisions, the application further provides a communication method 1000, the steps of the method 1000 can be executed by the terminal side and the network side interaction, wherein the terminal side is, for example, a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device, and the following is described by taking the terminal device as an example; the network side is, for example, a network device or a communication module in the network device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the network device, and the following is described by taking the network device as an example. The method 1000 includes but is not limited to S1001 and S1002, see the description below.

[0184] S1001, the terminal device determines that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition.

[0185] Wherein, the second time is located in the prediction window, and the first time is earlier than the second time. The first measurement result includes a prediction measurement result, or the first measurement result includes a real measurement result and a prediction measurement result.

[0186] In one possible case, the first time is located in the prediction window, for example, the first time is the start time of the prediction window, and the first measurement result includes the prediction measurement result.

[0187] In another possible case, the first time is earlier than the current time, and the first measurement result includes a real measurement result and a prediction measurement result. Wherein, the first time and the current time include the real measurement result, or the first time and the current time include the real measurement result and the prediction measurement result. The current time and the second time include the prediction measurement result.

[0188] Wherein, the first condition is the entering condition or the leaving condition of the first measurement event, and the time length between the first time and the second time is the TTT of the first measurement event. For the introduction of the first time and the second time, please refer to the description in the above, which will not be repeated here.

[0189] The first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition, which can be replaced by the time length that the first measurement result continuously satisfies the first condition reaches the first time length.

[0190] In the embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine that the predicted first measurement event is valid, or determine to trigger the reporting of the measurement report, in the case that the terminal device determines that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition.

[0191] S1002, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the network device, wherein the measurement report can include one or more of the following: the predicted measurement result at the start time of the prediction window, the predicted measurement result at the first time, the predicted measurement result at the second time, the predicted measurement result at the third time, or the predicted measurement result at the fourth time. After the network device receives the measurement report, it can make a more accurate mobility decision based on the measurement results carried in the measurement report.

[0192] The third time and the fourth time are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0193] As an example, the predicted measurement result at the first time, the predicted measurement result at the second time, the predicted measurement result at the third time, and the predicted measurement result at the fourth time all meet the entering condition of the A3 event (see Table 1 for the definition of the A3 event), the network device can determine the A3 event, and then the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch to a neighboring cell with better signal quality to improve the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0194] As an example, the predicted measurement result at the first time and the predicted measurement result at the second time meet the entering condition of the A3 event, but the predicted measurement result at the fourth time and the predicted measurement result at the third time do not meet the entering condition of the A3 event, the network device can consider that the measurement results in the time after the third time can not meet the entering condition of the A3 event, if the terminal device is instructed to switch to a neighboring cell, it may be necessary to instruct the terminal device to switch cells again afterwards, which will cause a ping-pong effect and affect the communication performance of the terminal device, therefore, the network device can determine not to switch cells.

[0195] It can be understood that part or all of the steps of the above method 1000 can also be implemented in the method 800. For example, in the above S803, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the network device in the case that the predicted measurement result of the terminal device between the second time and the third time meets the second condition, and the measurement report includes one or more of the following: the predicted measurement result at the start time of the prediction window, the predicted measurement result at the first time, the predicted measurement result at the second time, the predicted measurement result at the third time, or the predicted measurement result at the fourth time.

[0196] In order for the network device to make a more accurate mobility decision, as shown in FIG. 11, the present application also provides a communication method 1100, the steps of which can be executed by the terminal side and the network side in interaction, wherein the terminal side is, for example, a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device, and hereinafter the terminal device is taken as an example for description; the network side is, for example, a network device or a communication module in the network device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the network device, and hereinafter the network device is taken as an example for description.

[0197] The method 1100 includes but is not limited to S1101-S1103, see the following description.

[0198] S1101, the terminal device obtains a measurement configuration of a first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate a length of a prediction window.

[0199] In a possible implementation, the measurement configuration includes length information of the prediction window, the length information of the prediction window being used to indicate the length of the prediction window. For example, the length information of the prediction window includes the length of the prediction window, or the length information of the prediction window includes an index of the length of the prediction window, and the length of the prediction window can be determined through the index of the length of the prediction window.

[0200] The prediction window can be a prediction window corresponding to a model used by the measurement configuration. The model herein can be an AI model.

[0201] In another possible implementation, the measurement configuration includes model information or model functionality information, the model information or model functionality information being used to indicate the length of the prediction window.

[0202] The model information or model functionality information is used to indicate the length of the prediction window, which can be understood as the model information or model functionality information being used to indicate a model or model functionality used by the measurement configuration, and the prediction window is a prediction window corresponding to the model or model functionality, so that the terminal device can determine the length of the prediction window based on the model information or model functionality information. The model herein can be an AI model.

[0203] As an example, the measurement configuration can further include but is not limited to a measurement object, a measurement period, a trigger condition or a measurement range. The measurement object refers to an object that needs to be measured, such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, delay, etc., the trigger condition refers to a condition for triggering measurement, such as triggering measurement when the signal strength is lower than a threshold, and the measurement range refers to a geographical or spectral range for measurement, such as measurement in a specific frequency band or a specific area.

[0204] The terminal device obtains the measurement configuration of the first measurement event, including that the terminal device receives the measurement configuration of the first measurement event from the network device, or the terminal device obtains the measurement configuration of the first measurement event from a storage unit, i.e., the network device has sent the measurement configuration before, the terminal device stores the measurement configuration, and obtains the measurement configuration when measurement is needed.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the length of the prediction window is less than or equal to the TTT of the first measurement event. This helps to avoid a situation where the length of the prediction window is greater than the TTT of the first measurement event, which would prevent the terminal device from determining whether the predicted first measurement event is valid. This, in turn, helps the network device make more accurate mobility decisions.

[0206] S1102, the terminal device acquires the predicted measurement results within the prediction window based on the measurement configuration.

[0207] The terminal device performs measurements based on the measurement configuration and obtains the predicted measurement results within the prediction window based on the actual measurement results.

[0208] S1103, if the terminal device sends a measurement report to the network device when the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the entry or exit conditions of the first measurement event.

[0209] The second time point is located within the prediction window, the first time point is earlier than the second time point, and the duration between the first time point and the second time point is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0210] The first measurement result includes the predicted measurement result, or the first measurement result includes the measured measurement result and the predicted measurement result.

[0211] In one possible scenario, the first moment is within the prediction window; for example, the first moment is the start time of the prediction window, and the first measurement result includes the predicted measurement result.

[0212] In another possible scenario, the first time point is earlier than the current time point, and the first measurement result includes both the measured measurement result and the predicted measurement result. Specifically, the time between the first time point and the current time point includes the measured measurement result, or the time between the first time point and the current time point includes both the measured measurement result and the predicted measurement result. The time between the current time point and the second time point includes the predicted measurement result.

[0213] In this embodiment, the network device can configure an associated prediction window for a single measurement. This allows for more flexible configuration of the prediction window length. For example, different prediction window lengths can be configured for different measurements. This helps to avoid situations where the terminal device cannot determine whether the predicted first measurement event is valid because the length of the prediction window is greater than the TTT of the first measurement event. This, in turn, helps the network device make more accurate mobility decisions and improves the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0214] In one possible implementation, the measurement report may include measurement results at the start time of the prediction window and / or measurement results at the end time of the prediction window. These measurement results include both actual and predicted measurement results.

[0215] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, the description takes the transmission and reception between the terminal device and the network device as an example. In the O-RAN architecture, the network device may include CU, DU, RU, and optionally, it may also include a unit integrating AI functions, such as a serving unit (SU) and / or an intelligence unit (IU). The names of the serving unit and the intelligence unit are only examples. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0216] In the O-RAN architecture, the measurement report sent by the terminal device to the network device in the above method 800, mode 1000 or mode 1100 can be that the terminal device sends the measurement report to the RU, then the RU sends the measurement report to the DU, and then the DU sends the measurement report to the CU or SU or IU.

[0217] In the O-RAN architecture, in the above method 1100, the network device sends the measurement configuration of the first measurement event to the terminal device. This can be done by the CU, SU, or IU sending the measurement configuration to the DU, then the DU sending the measurement configuration to the RU, and then the RU sending the measurement configuration to the terminal device.

[0218] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0219] The communication method according to the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 8 and 11. The communication device according to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 12 and 13.

[0220] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing module 1210 and a transceiver module 1220. The processing module 1210 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 1220 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication module.

[0221] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing module 1210 and a transceiver module 1220. The processing module 1210 is used for data processing, and the transceiver module 1220 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication module.

[0222] The device 1200 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the device 1200 can be a component (e.g., a chip) configured in the terminal device or network device. The processing module 1210 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1220 is used to perform receiving and transmitting-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0223] Optionally, the transceiver module 1220 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0224] It should be noted that device 1200 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, device 1200 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by device 1200 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0225] Optionally, the device 1200 is used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0226] Optionally, the device 1200 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store data and / or to store computer programs or instructions. The processing module 1210 can read the computer programs / instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device 1200 can implement the above-described method embodiments.

[0227] When device 1200 is used to implement the function of terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG8, processing module 1210 is used to: obtain the predicted measurement result within the prediction window; and determine that the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the first condition; transceiver module 1220 is used to: send a measurement report when the predicted measurement result between the second time and the third time satisfies the second condition, wherein the first condition is the entry condition or exit condition of the first measurement event, the duration between the first time and the second time is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event, the second time is located within the prediction window, the first time is earlier than the second time, the third time is later than the second time and not later than the end time of the prediction window.

[0228] Optionally, the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points satisfy the second condition, including one or more of the following: the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points do not meet the third condition; the predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second and third time points meet the third condition; or, the predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition; wherein, the first condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the exit condition for the first measurement event; or, the first condition is the exit condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event.

[0229] Optionally, the predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second and third time points meet the third condition, including one or more of the following: the duration of the predicted measurement results meeting the third condition between the second and third time points is less than a first threshold; the proportion of the duration of the predicted measurement results meeting the third condition between the second and third time points to the first duration is less than a second threshold; the maximum duration of the predicted measurement results meeting the third condition between the second and third time points is less than a third threshold; or, the proportion of the maximum duration of the predicted measurement results meeting the third condition between the second and third time points to the first duration is less than a fourth threshold; wherein, the first duration is the duration between the second and third time points; or, the duration between the first and third time points; or, the duration between the start time of the prediction window and the third time point.

[0230] Optionally, the predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition, including one or more of the following: the duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition is less than a fifth threshold; the proportion of the duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition to the first duration is less than a sixth threshold; or, the maximum duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition is less than a seventh threshold; or, the proportion of the maximum duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points do not meet the first condition to the first duration is less than an eighth threshold; wherein, the first duration is the duration between the second and third time points; or, the duration between the first and third time points; or, the duration between the start time of the prediction window and the third time point.

[0231] Optionally, the transceiver module 1220 is used to send a measurement report if the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points meet the second condition and the fourth condition.

[0232] Optionally, the transceiver module 1220 is configured to: satisfy a fourth condition in the predicted measurement result between the second and third time points, including one or more of the following: the predicted measurement result at the third time point meets the first condition; the predicted measurement result between the fourth and third time points meets the first condition; the predicted measurement result at the third time point does not meet the third condition; or, the predicted measurement result between the fourth and third time points does not meet the third condition; wherein, the first condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the exit condition for the first measurement time; or, the first condition is the exit condition for the first measurement time, and the third condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event; the fourth time point is earlier than the third time point and later than the second time point.

[0233] Optionally, the measurement report may include one or more of the following: the predicted measurement results at the first time, the predicted measurement results at the second time, the predicted measurement results at the third time, or the predicted measurement results at the fourth time.

[0234] Optionally, the first duration is configured by the network device or is predefined.

[0235] Optionally, the duration between the fourth time point and the third time point is configured by the network device or is predefined.

[0236] Optionally, the transceiver module 1220 is configured to: receive a measurement configuration for a first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0237] When device 1200 is used to implement the functions of network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG8, transceiver module 1220 is used to: receive measurement reports; processing module 1210 is used to: determine switching decisions based on measurement reports.

[0238] When device 1200 is used to implement the function of terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG11, processing module 1210 is used to: obtain the measurement configuration of the first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate the length of the prediction window; and, based on the measurement configuration, obtain the predicted measurement result within the prediction window; transceiver module 1220 is used to: send a measurement report if the first measurement result between the first time and the second time satisfies the entry condition or exit condition of the first measurement event; wherein, the second time is located within the prediction window, the first time is earlier than the second time, and the duration between the first time and the second time is equal to the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0239] Optionally, the length of the prediction window is less than or equal to the TTT of the first measurement event.

[0240] Optionally, the measurement configuration includes the length information of the prediction window, which is the prediction window corresponding to the model used in the measurement configuration.

[0241] Optionally, the measurement configuration includes model information indicating the model used in the measurement configuration, and the prediction window is the prediction window corresponding to the model.

[0242] When device 1200 is used to implement the functions of network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG11, transceiver module 1220 is used to: receive measurement reports; processing module 1210 is used to: determine switching decisions based on measurement reports.

[0243] For a more detailed description of each step, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device 1300 includes one or more processors 1310 and an interface circuit 1320. The one or more processors 1310 and the interface circuit 1320 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1320 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the device 1300 may also include a memory 1330 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1310, or for storing input data required by the processor 1310 to execute instructions, or for storing data generated after the processor 1310 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1320 can also be understood as part of the one or more processors 1310, in which case the device 1300 includes the one or more processors 1310.

[0245] The one or more processors 1310 and memory 1330 can be configured separately or integrated, and this application does not limit this.

[0246] When the device 1300 is used to implement the method shown in FIG8, FIG10 or FIG11, the one or more processors 1310 are used to implement the functions of the processing module 820, and the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 810.

[0247] When the aforementioned device 1300 is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip of the terminal device implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the terminal device receives information from the network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and then sent to the chip of the terminal device by these modules. The chip of the terminal device sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0248] When the aforementioned device 1300 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip of the network device implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent to the chip of the network device by these modules. The chip of the network device sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent to the terminal device by these modules.

[0249] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0250] This application also provides a computer program product, including: a computer program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0251] This application also provides an apparatus, which can be a chip, including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the methods in the above embodiments, such as receiving or processing data involved in the methods in the above embodiments.

[0252] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor can be a central processing unit, or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0253] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0254] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0255] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0256] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0257] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0258] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0259] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0260] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Obtain the predicted measurement results within the prediction window; Determine that the first measurement result between the first time point and the second time point satisfies the first condition; If the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points meet the second condition, a measurement report is sent. Wherein, the first condition is the entry condition or exit condition of the first measurement event, the duration between the first time and the second time is equal to the lag time TTT of the first measurement event, the second time is located within the prediction window, the first time is earlier than the second time, the third time is later than the second time and not later than the end time of the prediction window.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The predicted measurement results between the second and third time points satisfy the second condition, including one or more of the following: The predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point did not meet the third condition; The predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second time point and the third time point meet the third condition; or, The predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second and third time points did not meet the first condition; wherein, The first condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the exit condition for the first measurement event; or, The first condition is the departure condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second time point and the third time point meet the third condition, including one or more of the following: The duration for which the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point meets the third condition is less than the first threshold. The proportion of the duration during which the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point meets the third condition to the first duration is less than the second threshold. The maximum duration for which the predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point meet the third condition is less than the third threshold; or, The maximum duration of the predicted measurement results meeting the third condition between the second and third time points is less than the proportion of the first duration to a fourth threshold; wherein... The first duration is the duration between the second time point and the third time point; or, the duration between the first time point and the third time point; or, the duration between the start time of the prediction window and the third time point.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The predicted measurement results for a portion of the time between the second time point and the third time point do not meet the first condition, including one or more of the following: The duration during which the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point does not meet the first condition is less than the fifth threshold; The proportion of the duration during which the predicted measurement result between the second time point and the third time point does not meet the first condition is less than the sixth threshold; or, The maximum duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point do not meet the first condition is less than the seventh threshold; or, The proportion of the maximum duration during which the predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point do not meet the first condition to the first duration is less than an eighth threshold; wherein... The first duration is the duration between the second time point and the third time point; or, the duration between the first time point and the third time point; or, the duration between the start time of the prediction window and the third time point.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, If the predicted measurement results between the second and third time points meet the second condition, a measurement report is sent, including: If the predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point satisfy the second condition and the fourth condition, the measurement report is sent.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The predicted measurement results between the second time point and the third time point satisfy the fourth condition, including one or more of the following: The predicted measurement result at the third moment meets the first condition; The predicted measurement result between the fourth time point and the third time point meets the first condition; The predicted measurement result at the third time point did not meet the third condition; or, The predicted measurement result between the fourth time point and the third time point did not meet the third condition; wherein, The first condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the exit condition for the first measurement event; or, The first condition is the departure condition for the first measurement event, and the third condition is the entry condition for the first measurement event; The fourth time point is earlier than the third time point and later than the second time point.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The measurement report includes one or more of the following: The prediction measurement results at the start time of the prediction window, the prediction measurement results at the first time, the prediction measurement results at the second time, the prediction measurement results at the third time, or the prediction measurement results at the fourth time.

8. The method as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first duration is configured by the network device or is predefined.

9. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The duration between the fourth time point and the third time point is configured by the network device or is predefined.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the measurement configuration of the first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate the TTT of the first measurement event.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Obtain the measurement configuration for the first measurement event, the measurement configuration being used to indicate the length of the prediction window; Based on the measurement configuration, obtain the predicted measurement results within the prediction window; If the first measurement result between the first time point and the second time point satisfies the entry or exit conditions of the first measurement event, a measurement report is sent. Wherein, the second moment is located within the prediction window, the first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the duration between the first moment and the second moment is equal to the hysteresis time TTT of the first measurement event.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The length of the prediction window is less than or equal to the TTT of the first measurement event.

13. The method as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The measurement configuration includes the length information of the prediction window, which is the prediction window corresponding to the model used in the measurement configuration.

14. The method as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The measurement configuration includes model information, which indicates the model used in the measurement configuration, and the prediction window is the prediction window corresponding to the model.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or cause the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 to be performed.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 14 to be performed.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: A computer program or instruction that, when executed, causes the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 to be performed.

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