Cell selection method, terminal, and network side device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a cell selection method, a terminal, and a network side device. A terminal executes a predetermined operation during cell selection, so that the terminal can use different cell selection schemes according to requirements during the cell selection to meet different cell selection requirements. When the terminal receives second information from a target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

Description

Cell selection method, terminal and network side equipment

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510087622.0, filed on January 20, 2025, entitled “Cell Selection Method, Terminal and Network Side Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a cell selection method, a terminal, and network-side equipment. Background Technology

[0004] Network energy saving (NES) is of great significance for environmental sustainability, reducing environmental impacts (such as greenhouse gas emissions), and saving operating costs. However, in the cell selection schemes provided in related technologies (such as the initial cell selection scheme), if a cell is an energy-saving cell, the terminal will not be able to select that cell, which is detrimental to network energy saving. Therefore, in the context of network energy saving, how to optimize the cell selection scheme remains an urgent technical problem to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a cell selection method, a terminal, and a network-side device, which can optimize the cell selection schemes provided in related technologies.

[0006] In a first aspect, a cell selection method is provided, comprising: during the cell selection process, a terminal performs at least one of operations 1-5; operation 1: searching for or determining a first cell on a first frequency, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; operation 2: if the first cell on the first frequency satisfies a first condition, then continuing to search for or determine cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; operation 3: searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; operation 4: if the cell determined based on stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is used as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then a cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, wherein the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal; operation 5: under the condition of satisfying a second condition, sending first information to the target cell, wherein the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, wherein the second information is used for cell selection, and the target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0007] Secondly, a cell selection device is provided, applied to a terminal. The device includes: a processing module, configured to perform at least one of operations 1-5 during the cell selection process; operation 1: searching for or determining a first cell on a first frequency, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; operation 2: if the first cell on the first frequency satisfies a first condition, then continuing to search for or determine cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; operation 3: searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency. Cell, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is taken as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, and the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal; Operation 5: If the second condition is met, first information is sent to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, the second information is used for cell selection, and the target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0008] Thirdly, a cell selection apparatus is provided, the apparatus being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0009] Fourthly, a terminal is provided, the terminal including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0010] Fifthly, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform at least one of operations 1-5 during the cell selection process; operation 1: searching for or determining a first cell on a first frequency, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; operation 2: if the first cell on the first frequency satisfies a first condition, then continuing to search for or determine cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; operation 3: searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency. X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is taken as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then a cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, and the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal; Operation 5: If the second condition is met, first information is sent to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, the second information is used for cell selection, and the target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0012] A seventh aspect provides a wireless communication system, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0013] Eighthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0015] This application provides several possible cell selection schemes, which optimize the selection schemes provided in related technologies, enabling the terminal to adopt different cell selection schemes during the cell selection process to meet different cell selection needs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 is one of the flowcharts of a cell selection method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 3 is a second schematic flowchart of a cell selection method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cell selection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the required operation, or the requested result in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the required operation or requested result based on the judgment result.

[0025] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can also be referred to as User Equipment (UE), and can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart earphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. Furthermore, in addition to the terminals described above, terminal 11 can also be a chip within a terminal, such as a modem chip, a system-on-chip (SoC), etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0027] Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment. Access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs), or wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc. Among them, base stations can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform stations). The term "base station" can be any suitable term in the field, such as "station" or any other appropriate term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the base station in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of base station.

[0028] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), and Binding Support. Functions include BSF, Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform station).It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it is also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0030] The technical solutions provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a cell selection method 200 provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. This method 200 can be executed by a terminal, but is not limited to that executed by a terminal; specifically, it can be executed by hardware and / or software installed in the terminal. In this embodiment, the method 200 may include at least the following steps.

[0032] S210, during the cell selection process, the terminal performs a predetermined operation, which includes at least one of the following operations 1-5.

[0033] The terminal can be in either RRC connected state or RRC disconnected state, without limitation. In this embodiment, the RRC disconnected state includes, but is not limited to, RRC inactive state and RRC idle state.

[0034] Operation 1: Search for or determine the first cell on the first frequency, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0035] The first frequency can be any frequency capable of cell search or determination. Operation 1 can be used for initial cell selection or cell reselection, and there is no limitation on this.

[0036] It is understood that the "search" mentioned in this application achieves the same effect as the "search" mentioned in the cell selection section of existing 5G protocols. However, in this application, "search" can also be described in other ways, i.e., it is not limited to the description "search," such as "find."

[0037] In some embodiments, when the terminal performs operation 1, this method embodiment 200 may further include at least one of the following operations 11-14 to achieve camping of the first cell or determination of the target cell.

[0038] Operation 11: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state, the terminal cell selects (or camps) on the first cell, thereby completing the cell selection process.

[0039] Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0040] Operation 12: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal determines the first cell as the target cell, wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0041] Operation 13: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, and the cell signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal determines the first cell as the target cell, wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0042] Operation 14: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search or determine the first cell on other frequencies; wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency, and the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

[0043] It is understood that the energy-saving cell mentioned in the context of this application can be understood as a cell in an energy-saving state, and "in an energy-saving state" means that the transmission of the second information requires a terminal request. In this embodiment, the energy-saving cell can be, but is not limited to, this description, such as power-saving cell, energy-saving state cell, network energy-saving cell, etc.

[0044] Similarly, the term "non-energy-efficient cell" as used in this application context can be understood as a cell in a non-energy-efficient state. In this embodiment, the term "non-energy-efficient cell" can be, but is not limited to, this description.

[0045] Operation 2: If the first cell on the first frequency meets the first condition, then continue to search for or determine cells on the first frequency other than the first cell, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0046] The first frequency can be any frequency capable of cell search or determination. Operation 2 can be used for initial cell selection or cell reselection, and is not limited thereto.

[0047] In some embodiments, the terminal continuing to search for or determine cells other than the first cell on the first frequency may include: the terminal continuing to search for or determine a second cell other than the first cell on the first frequency, wherein the second cell is the cell with the (N+1)th strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

[0048] For example, suppose the first cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality (i.e., N=1) on the first frequency, that is, the first cell is the strongest cell. However, if the first cell does not meet the first condition, then the terminal can continue to search for or determine the cell with the second strongest signal quality (i.e., N+1) on the first frequency.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first condition may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following conditions 11-12.

[0050] Condition 11: The first cell is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell and not the suitable cell, or the first cell is an energy-saving cell and not the suitable cell.

[0051] The suitable cell can be understood as a cell that can provide normal service to the terminal. For example, the suitable cell can be a cell determined according to the S criterion, which is not barred for the terminal and can provide normal service to the terminal, and the Public Land Mobile Network to which the suitable cell belongs is consistent with the subscription data of the terminal.

[0052] Condition 12: The Master Information Block (MIB) of a specific cell carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is allowed. For example, the third information may be, but is not limited to, the field "allowed" in the "intraFreqReselection" field of the MIB.

[0053] The specific cell is either the first cell or the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency. For example, if the first cell is the Nth strongest cell in terms of signal quality on the first frequency, and N=1, then the specific cell can be the first cell; if the first cell is the Nth strongest cell in terms of signal quality on the first frequency, and N>1, then the specific cell can be either the first cell or the 1st strongest cell in terms of signal quality on the first frequency, i.e., the strongest cell on the first frequency.

[0054] In some embodiments, the terminal may execute operation 2 alone to implement the cell selection process, or it may execute both operation 1 and operation 2 to implement the cell selection process; no limitation is made here.

[0055] Operation 3: Search or determine X cells on a first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and the first frequency is any frequency that can be used for cell search or determination. X can be implemented by means of protocol agreement, network-side device configuration, etc.

[0056] Compared to the cell search or determination methods in Operations 1 and 2 mentioned above, which involve searching and determining whether the first cell meets the first condition, Operation 3 involves first searching or determining the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, and then sequentially determining whether each of the top X cells meets the first condition or can be used as a target cell.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the terminal is searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, the determination method when the terminal determines the target cell based on searching for or determining X cells may include at least one of the following methods 1-2.

[0058] Method 1: The terminal judges each of the X cells in order of cell priority. If an energy-saving cell is determined from the X cells, the terminal will take the energy-saving cell as the target cell.

[0059] The cell priority order can be determined based on one or more of the following: cell signal quality, cell size, and whether the cell is energy-efficient.

[0060] For example, when the cell priority order is determined based on the strength of the cell signal quality, the cell priority order may include, but is not limited to, the cell with the stronger signal quality having a higher priority order. For instance, assuming X is 3, such as cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, and the cell signal quality of cell 2 > the cell signal quality of cell 1 > the cell signal quality of cell 3, then when the terminal judges each of the X cells sequentially according to the cell priority order, it can first determine whether cell 2 is an energy-saving cell. If so, cell 2 is determined as the target cell; otherwise, it continues to determine whether cell 1 is an energy-saving cell. If so, cell 1 is determined as the target cell, and so on.

[0061] Method 2: The terminal determines whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state according to the cell priority order. If it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the X cells, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, the terminal determines one of the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell.

[0062] Optionally, the terminal may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell in various ways. For example, the terminal may randomly determine any one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell, or it may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell according to the protocol agreement or the terminal implementation. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0063] Similar to the cell priority order described in Method 1, in Method 2, the cell priority order can be determined based on one or more of the following: cell signal quality, cell size, and whether the cell is energy-efficient.

[0064] For example, when the cell priority order is determined based on the strength of the cell signal quality, the cell priority order may include, but is not limited to, cells with stronger signal quality having higher priority. For instance, assuming X is 3, such as cells 1, 2, and 3, and the signal quality of cell 2 > the signal quality of cell 1 > the signal quality of cell 3, then when the terminal determines whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state according to the cell priority order, it can first determine whether cell 2 is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state. If so, cell 2 is determined as the target cell; otherwise, it continues to determine whether cell 1 is an energy-saving cell. If so, cell 1 is determined as the target cell, and so on. If, after sequentially determining cells 1, 2, and 3, it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among cells 1, 2, and 3, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, such as cell 3, then cell 3 can be used as the target cell.

[0065] In some embodiments, after determining the target cell based on the aforementioned method 1 and / or method 2, the terminal may perform subsequent operation 5 to request first information (such as SIB1, SSB, etc.) from the network-side device as needed, so as to achieve cell access.

[0066] Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is used as the target cell. Alternatively, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell. The suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal.

[0067] Operation 4 can also be understood as non-initial cell access.

[0068] In some embodiments, after determining the target cell based on operation 4, the terminal may further perform operation 5 to request first information (such as SIB1, SSB, etc.) from the network-side device as needed to achieve cell access.

[0069] In some embodiments, if the terminal fails to select a target cell based on operation 4, it may perform an initial cell selection, such as at least one of operations 1-3 described above, to achieve cell selection and ensure terminal communication performance.

[0070] Operation 5: If the second condition is met, send first information to the target cell. The first information is used to request the target cell to send second information. The second information is used for cell selection. The target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0071] Specifically, the target cell in operation 5 can be determined by the terminal based on at least one of the aforementioned operations 1-4, or it can be determined by the terminal according to other cell determination methods implemented by the terminal, agreed upon by the protocol, or configured by the network-side equipment. No restrictions are imposed here.

[0072] In some embodiments, the second information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: System Information Block (SIB) 1, Synchronization Signal and PBCH block (SSB).

[0073] The above-mentioned operations, such as operations 1-5, make the cell selection process of the terminal faster if the terminal can search for multiple cells on a frequency.

[0074] In this embodiment, by implementing operation 5, a cell selection process for on-demand request of second information for energy-saving cells is provided, thereby enabling the terminal to select a suitable cell as much as possible, even if the suitable cell is an energy-saving cell, so that the terminal can select a cell more quickly.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second condition described in Operation 5 may include at least one of the following conditions 21-27. This enables the terminal to determine whether it can request second information from the energy-saving cell on demand and to achieve faster cell selection based on the second information.

[0076] Condition 21: The first configuration stored in the terminal is valid, wherein the first configuration is used by the terminal to request the target cell to send the second information.

[0077] The first configuration can be obtained through protocol agreement or network-side configuration, or the first configuration can be obtained by the terminal from the target cell or an energy-saving cell or a non-energy-saving cell different from the target cell, without any restrictions.

[0078] In this embodiment, there are multiple ways to determine the validity of the first configuration. For example, it can be determined based on terminal implementation, protocol agreement, etc., without any limitation.

[0079] Condition 22: The MIB of the target cell carries fourth information, which is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to access the target cell.

[0080] For example, the cell bar related fields in the target cell's MIB are set to not bar the terminal.

[0081] Condition 23: The Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the target cell is greater than or equal to the seventh threshold, and / or the Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the target cell is greater than or equal to the eighth threshold.

[0082] The seventh and eighth thresholds can reuse the reference signal received power threshold and reference signal received quality threshold used in cell selection (such as the S criterion) in related technologies, or they can be newly introduced thresholds. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on them.

[0083] Furthermore, in the case where the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are newly introduced thresholds, the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold can be thresholds agreed upon by the protocol or configured by higher layers, and there are no restrictions here.

[0084] Condition 24: The terminal does not store the second information of the target cell, or the second information of the target cell stored in the terminal is invalid.

[0085] In this embodiment, there are multiple ways to determine that the second information is invalid. For example, it can be determined according to the terminal implementation, protocol agreement, etc., without any limitation.

[0086] Condition 25: The target cell is searched or determined based on a third frequency, and the target cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the third frequency.

[0087] The third frequency can be the first frequency or any frequency other than the first frequency, and there is no limitation on it.

[0088] Condition 26: The target cell is searched or determined based on the fourth frequency, and cells with higher signal quality on the fourth frequency than the target cell are not suitable cells.

[0089] Condition 27: When performing cell search or determination based on at least one fifth frequency, the sixth condition is met, but no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state is found, while at least one energy-saving cell is found, wherein the target cell is one of the at least one energy-saving cell, and the sixth condition includes at least one of the following conditions 271-273.

[0090] Condition 271: The number of searches or determinations reaches the ninth threshold.

[0091] Condition 272: The number of cells searched or identified reaches the tenth threshold.

[0092] Condition 273: The time required for cell search or determination reaches the eleventh threshold.

[0093] The ninth threshold, the tenth threshold, and the eleventh threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration, or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0094] In some embodiments, the implementation of "the time for cell search or determination reaches the eleventh threshold" in condition 27 may include: the remaining duration of a timer (such as T311) reaches the eleventh threshold, wherein the timer may be, but is not limited to, started when cell search or determination is performed based on at least one fifth frequency.

[0095] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell in various ways. For example, the terminal may randomly determine any one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell, or it may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell according to the protocol agreement or the terminal implementation. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0096] In this embodiment of the application, multiple possible cell selection schemes are provided based on the aforementioned operations 1-5, thereby enabling the optimization of cell selection schemes in related technologies. This allows the terminal to select a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state or an energy-saving cell during the cell selection process, thus achieving rapid cell selection for the terminal.

[0097] In some embodiments, the specific operations the terminal performs cell selection based on in operations 1-5 can be determined by protocol agreement, higher-layer configuration, terminal implementation, etc., and no restrictions are imposed here.

[0098] In some embodiments, during the cell search or determination process of the terminal, a cell search or determination stopping condition is also configured to improve cell selection efficiency. For example, embodiment 200 of the method of this application may also include at least one of the following operations 6-8.

[0099] Operation 6: If the third condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the terminal stops the cell search or determination on the second frequency and determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the second frequency.

[0100] Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency. The third condition may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following conditions 31-33.

[0101] Condition 31: The number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches the second threshold.

[0102] The second threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0103] Condition 32: The cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches the third threshold.

[0104] The third threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0105] In some embodiments, the implementation of "the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a third threshold" in condition 32 may include: the remaining duration of a timer (such as T311) reaches a third threshold, wherein the timer may be, but is not limited to, started when performing cell search or determination based on the second frequency.

[0106] Condition 33: Among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state, but there is at least one energy-saving cell.

[0107] In some embodiments, the terminal in this operation 6 may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell in various ways. For example, the terminal may randomly determine any one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell, or it may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell according to the protocol agreement or terminal implementation. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0108] Operation 7: If the fourth condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the terminal continues to perform cell search or determination on other frequencies.

[0109] Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency. The fourth condition includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following conditions 41-44.

[0110] Condition 41: The number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches the fourth threshold.

[0111] The fourth threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0112] Condition 42: The cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches the fifth threshold.

[0113] The fifth threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0114] In some embodiments, the implementation of "the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches the fifth threshold" in condition 42 may include: the remaining duration of a timer (such as T311) reaches the fifth threshold, wherein the timer may be, but is not limited to, started when performing cell search or determination based on the second frequency.

[0115] Condition 43: There are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency.

[0116] Condition 44: No energy-saving cells are found among the cells searched or identified on the second frequency.

[0117] Operation 8: If the fifth condition is met during the cell search or determination process based on multiple frequencies, the terminal determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined, wherein the multiple frequencies include the second frequency; wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0118] The fifth condition includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following conditions 51-53.

[0119] Condition 51: The number of searches or determinations reaches the sixth threshold.

[0120] The sixth threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0121] Condition 52: The number of cells searched or identified reaches the seventh threshold.

[0122] The seventh threshold can be configured by means of protocol agreement, high-level configuration or network-side configuration, and there are no restrictions here.

[0123] Condition 53: The time required for cell search or determination reaches the eighth threshold.

[0124] In some embodiments, the implementation of "the time for cell search or determination reaches the eighth threshold" in condition 53 may include: the remaining duration of a timer (such as T311) reaches the eighth threshold, wherein the timer may be, but is not limited to, started when cell search or determination is performed based on the second frequency.

[0125] In some embodiments, the terminal in this operation 8 may determine the target cell from the at least one energy-saving cell in various ways. For example, the terminal may randomly determine any one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell, or it may determine one of the at least one energy-saving cells as the target cell according to the protocol agreement or terminal implementation. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions here.

[0126] In some embodiments, after the terminal sends the first information to the target cell, this method embodiment 200 may further include S220 as shown in FIG3, the content of which is as follows.

[0127] S220, when the terminal receives the second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0128] In this embodiment, by requesting second information from the target cell (i.e., the energy-saving cell) on demand, it is determined whether the target cell is a suitable cell. If the target cell is an energy-saving cell, the target cell is selected, thereby completing the cell access process of the terminal and ensuring the performance of the communication system.

[0129] In some embodiments, if the terminal determines that the target cell is not a suitable cell after receiving second information (such as SIB1, SSB, etc.) from the target cell, then the terminal can re-search for or determine the target cell on another frequency, and the search or determination process is the same as or similar to the aforementioned search or determination of the target cell on the first frequency; or the terminal can re-determine a target cell from the remaining energy-saving cells that have already been searched or determined, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0130] Based on the description of the cell selection scheme provided in the aforementioned method embodiment 200, the cell selection process provided in this application embodiment will be explained below with reference to examples.

[0131] Example 1

[0132] Assuming N=1 in the initial cell selection process, the cell selection process includes the following steps.

[0133] S411, the terminal searches for or determines the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 1.

[0134] S412, for cell 1, the terminal performs any one of the following a)-d).

[0135] a) If cell 1 is a non-energy-saving cell but a suitable cell, then the terminal selects cell 1.

[0136] b) If community 1 is an energy-saving community, then community 1 is determined as the target community.

[0137] c) If cell 1 is an energy-saving cell and / or the cell signal quality of cell 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then cell 1 is determined to be the target cell.

[0138] d) If cell 1 is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search for or determine the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on other frequencies (such as a second frequency different from the first frequency).

[0139] Optionally, for d) in S412, if the cell search or determination process performed on the second frequency satisfies the third condition, the terminal stops the cell search or determination on the first frequency and determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the first frequency.

[0140] S413, In the case of determining cell 1 as the target cell in S412, the terminal can also perform the aforementioned operation 5, that is, when the second condition is met, the terminal sends first information to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, and the second information is used for cell selection.

[0141] S414, when the terminal receives the second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0142] Understandably, steps S413-S414 are optional.

[0143] The implementation process of each step in Example 1 can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment 200. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0144] Example 2

[0145] Assuming N=2 in the initial cell selection process, the cell selection process includes the following steps.

[0146] S421, the terminal searches for or determines the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 1.

[0147] S422, for cell 1, if the terminal determines that cell 1 is a non-energy-saving cell and not a suitable cell (i.e., meets the first condition), then the terminal continues to search for or determine the cell with the second strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 2.

[0148] Optionally, the MIB of cell 1 carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is permitted.

[0149] S423, for cell 2, the terminal performs any one of the following a)-d).

[0150] a) If cell 2 is a non-energy-saving cell but a suitable cell, then the terminal selects cell 2.

[0151] b) If community 2 is an energy-saving community, then community 2 is determined as the target community.

[0152] c) If cell 2 is an energy-saving cell and / or the cell signal quality of cell 2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then cell 2 is determined to be the target cell.

[0153] d) If cell 2 is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search for or determine cells on other frequencies (such as a second frequency different from the first frequency). The search process is the same as the search process on the first frequency, and will not be described again here.

[0154] Optionally, for d) in S423, if the process of cell search or determination on other frequencies meets the third condition, the terminal stops cell search or determination on the other frequencies, determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined, and then performs operation 5 based on the target cell to achieve cell access.

[0155] S424, In the case of determining cell 2 as the target cell in S423, or searching for or determining the target cell on other frequencies, the terminal can also perform the aforementioned operation 5, that is, when the second condition is met, the terminal sends first information to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, and the second information is used for cell selection.

[0156] S425, when the terminal receives the second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0157] Understandably, steps S424-S425 are optional.

[0158] The implementation process of each step in this Example 2 can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned Method Implementation Example 200. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0159] Example 3

[0160] Assuming N=3 in the initial cell selection process, the cell selection process includes the following steps.

[0161] S431, the terminal searches for or determines the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 1.

[0162] S432, for cell 1, if the terminal determines that cell 1 is a non-energy-saving cell and not a suitable cell (i.e., meets the first condition), then the terminal continues to search for or determine the cell with the second strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 2.

[0163] Optionally, the MIB of cell 1 carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is permitted.

[0164] S433, for cell 2, if the terminal determines that cell 2 is a non-energy-saving cell and not a suitable cell (i.e., meets the first condition), then the terminal continues to search for or determine the cell with the third strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, denoted as cell 3, and the terminal executes any one of the following a)-d).

[0165] Optionally, the MIB of cell 1 or the MIB of cell 2 carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is permitted.

[0166] S434, For cell 3, the terminal performs any one of the following a)-f).

[0167] a) If cell 3 is a non-energy-saving cell but a suitable cell, then the terminal selects cell 3.

[0168] b) If community 3 is an energy-saving community, then community 3 is determined as the target community.

[0169] c) If cell 3 is an energy-saving cell and / or the cell signal quality of cell 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then cell 2 is determined to be the target cell.

[0170] d) If cell 3 is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search for or determine cells on other frequencies (such as a second frequency different from the first frequency). The search process is the same as the search process on the first frequency, and will not be described again here.

[0171] f) If cell 3 is an energy-saving cell, and the number of cells searched on the first frequency reaches 3, or the search time for cells reaches a threshold, then cell 3 is the target cell.

[0172] Optionally, for d) in S434, if the process of cell search or determination on other frequencies meets the third condition, the terminal stops cell search or determination on the other frequencies, determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the other frequencies or the first frequency, and then performs operation 5 based on the target cell to achieve cell access.

[0173] S435, in the case of determining cell 3 as the target cell in S433, or searching for or determining the target cell on other frequencies, the terminal can also perform the aforementioned operation 5, that is, when the second condition is met, the terminal sends first information to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, and the second information is used for cell selection.

[0174] S436, when the terminal receives the second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0175] Understandably, steps S435-S426 are optional.

[0176] The implementation process of each step in this example 3 can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment 200. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0177] Example 4

[0178] Assume the terminal first performs a cell search, and then determines the target cell based on the searched cells, where X = 3.

[0179] S441, the terminal searches for or determines X cells on a first frequency, such as cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, wherein the cell signal quality of cell 2 is greater than that of cell 1.

[0180] S442, the terminal determines whether cell 2, cell 1, and cell 3 are the target cells in the order of cell 2, cell 1, and cell 3.

[0181] For example, we can first determine whether community 2 is an energy-saving community. If it is, then community 2 is designated as the target community. Otherwise, we can continue to determine whether community 1 is an energy-saving community. If it is, then community 1 is designated as the target community. Otherwise, we can continue to determine community 3, and so on.

[0182] For example, we can first determine whether community 2 is a suitable community in a non-energy-saving state. If so, community 2 is designated as the target community. Otherwise, we continue to determine whether community 1 is a suitable community in a non-energy-saving state. If so, community 1 is designated as the target community. Otherwise, we continue to determine community 3, and so on. If none of the communities 2, 1, and 3 are suitable communities in a non-energy-saving state, but at least one energy-saving community exists, such as community 3, then community 3 can be designated as the target community.

[0183] S443, In the case where the target cell is determined in S442, the terminal can also perform the aforementioned operation 5, that is, when the second condition is met, the terminal sends first information to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, and the second information is used for cell selection.

[0184] S444, when the terminal receives the second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0185] Understandably, steps S443-S444 are optional.

[0186] Optionally, if the target cell is not determined in S442, the terminal may continue to search for X cells on other frequencies and use the same or similar method as on the first frequency to determine the target cell from the X cells, so as to ensure the smooth progress of the cell selection process.

[0187] Optionally, if the fifth condition is met during the process of searching for X cells on other frequencies, the terminal can determine the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell that has been searched or identified.

[0188] The implementation process of each step in Example 4 can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment 200. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0189] The cell selection method provided in this application can be executed by a cell selection device. This application uses the example of a cell selection device executing the cell selection method to illustrate the cell selection device provided in this application.

[0190] This application provides a cell selection device. As an example, the cell selection device can be a communication device or a component within a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device can be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal can be of the type including but not limited to the terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device can be of the type including but not limited to the network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0191] The cell selection device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), network processors (NPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceivers, pins, circuits, buses, radio frequency units, etc.

[0192] Specifically, referring to Figure 4, when the cell selection device is a terminal or a component within a terminal, the cell selection device 400 includes a processing module 410, used to perform at least one of operations 1-5 during the cell selection process; Operation 1: Search for or determine a first cell on a first frequency, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 2: If the first cell on the first frequency meets a first condition, continue searching for or determining cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; Operation 3: Search for or determine X cells on the first frequency, where the X cells are cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency. The strongest X cells, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is taken as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, and the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal; Operation 5: Under the condition of satisfying the second condition, first information is sent to the target cell, the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, the second information is used for cell selection, and the target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0193] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: select the first cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state; determine the first cell as the target cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell; determine the first cell as the target cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell and the cell signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold; and if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search or determine the first cell on other frequencies, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency; wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the first cell is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is a non-energy-efficient cell and is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is an energy-efficient cell and is not the suitable cell; the main information block (MIB) of a specific cell carries third information, which is used to indicate that in-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is allowed, and the specific cell is the first cell or the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency.

[0195] In some embodiments, continuing to search for or determine cells other than the first cell on the first frequency includes: continuing to search for or determine a second cell other than the first cell on the first frequency, wherein the second cell is the cell with the (N+1)th strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

[0196] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: if a third condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, stop the cell search or determination on the second frequency and determine the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the second frequency, wherein the third condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a second threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a third threshold; there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, but there is at least one energy-saving cell; if a fourth condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, continue the cell search or determination on other frequencies, wherein the fourth condition includes at least one of the following: The target cell is determined from at least one of the at least one energy-saving cells found if the number of cells searched or determined on the second frequency reaches a fourth threshold, the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a fifth threshold, there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, and there are no energy-saving cells among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency. If the fifth condition is met during the cell search or determination process based on multiple frequencies, the target cell is determined. The fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a sixth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a seventh threshold, and the cell search or determination time reaches an eighth threshold. The multiple frequencies include the second frequency. The second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0197] In some embodiments, when searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following: sequentially judging each of the X cells according to cell priority order; if an energy-saving cell is determined from the X cells, then the energy-saving cell is selected as the target cell; sequentially determining whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state according to cell priority order; if it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the X cells, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one of the at least one energy-saving cell is selected as the target cell.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: a first configuration stored in the terminal is valid, wherein the first configuration is used by the terminal to request the target cell to send the second information; the MIB of the target cell carries fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to access the target cell; the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the target cell is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold, and / or the reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of the target cell is greater than or equal to an eighth threshold; the second information of the target cell is not stored in the terminal, or the second information of the target cell stored in the terminal is invalid; the target cell is searched based on a third frequency or The target cell is determined to be the cell with the strongest signal quality on the third frequency; the target cell is searched or determined based on the fourth frequency, and cells on the fourth frequency with higher signal quality than the target cell are not suitable cells; when searching or determining cells based on at least one fifth frequency, the sixth condition is met, but no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state is found, while at least one energy-saving cell is found, wherein the target cell is one of the at least one energy-saving cell, and the sixth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches the ninth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches the tenth threshold, and the time for performing cell search or determination reaches the eleventh threshold.

[0199] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: upon receiving second information from the target cell and determining that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0200] The cell selection device 400 provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiments of Figures 2 to 3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0201] As shown in Figure 5, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 500, including a processor 501 and a memory 502. The memory 502 stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor 501. For example, when the communication device 500 is a terminal, the program or instructions executed by the processor 501 implement the various steps of the above-described cell selection method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 500 is a network-side device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 501 implement the various steps of the above-described cell selection method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, this will not be described again here.

[0202] This application also provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in method embodiment 200 shown in FIG2. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiment, and all implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The terminal may be the cell selection device shown in FIG4. Specifically, FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of this application.

[0203] The terminal 600 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 601, network module 602, audio output unit 603, input unit 604, sensor 605, display unit 606, user input unit 607, interface unit 608, memory 609, and processor 610.

[0204] Those skilled in the art will understand that terminal 600 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for powering various components. The power supply can be logically connected to processor 610 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in Figure 6 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0205] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 604 may include a graphics processor 6041 and a microphone 6042. The graphics processor 6041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 606 may include a display panel 6061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 607 includes at least one of a touch panel 6071 and other input devices 6072. The touch panel 6071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 6071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 6072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be described in detail here.

[0206] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 601 can transmit it to the processor 610 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 601 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 601 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0207] The memory 609 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 609 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 609 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 609 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0208] Processor 610 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 610 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 610.

[0209] The processor 610 is configured to perform at least one of operations 1-5 during the cell selection process: Operation 1: Search for or determine a first cell on a first frequency, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 2: If the first cell on the first frequency satisfies a first condition, then continue searching for or determining cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; Operation 3: Search for or determine X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on stored information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is used as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on stored information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then a cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, wherein the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal; Operation 5: If a second condition is met, send first information to the target cell, wherein the first information is used to request the target cell to send second information, wherein the second information is used for cell selection, and the target cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0210] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: select the first cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state; determine the first cell as the target cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell; determine the first cell as the target cell if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell and the cell signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold; and if the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search or determine the first cell on other frequencies, wherein the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency; wherein the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the first cell is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is a non-energy-efficient cell and is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is an energy-efficient cell and is not the suitable cell; the main information block (MIB) of a specific cell carries third information, which is used to indicate that in-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is allowed, and the specific cell is the first cell or the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency.

[0212] In some embodiments, continuing to search for or determine cells other than the first cell on the first frequency includes: continuing to search for or determine a second cell other than the first cell on the first frequency, wherein the second cell is the cell with the (N+1)th strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

[0213] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: if a third condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, stop the cell search or determination on the second frequency and determine the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the second frequency, wherein the third condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a second threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a third threshold; there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, but there is at least one energy-saving cell; if a fourth condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, continue the cell search or determination on other frequencies, wherein the fourth condition includes at least one of the following: The target cell is determined from at least one of the at least one energy-saving cells found if the number of cells searched or determined on the second frequency reaches a fourth threshold, the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a fifth threshold, there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, and there are no energy-saving cells among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency. If the fifth condition is met during the cell search or determination process based on multiple frequencies, the target cell is determined. The fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a sixth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a seventh threshold, and the cell search or determination time reaches an eighth threshold. The multiple frequencies include the second frequency. The second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

[0214] In some embodiments, when searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following: sequentially judging each of the X cells according to cell priority order; if an energy-saving cell is determined from the X cells, then the energy-saving cell is selected as the target cell; sequentially determining whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state according to cell priority order; if it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the X cells, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one of the at least one energy-saving cell is selected as the target cell.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: a first configuration stored in the terminal is valid, wherein the first configuration is used by the terminal to request the target cell to send the second information; the MIB of the target cell carries fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to access the target cell; the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the target cell is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold, and / or the reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of the target cell is greater than or equal to an eighth threshold; the second information of the target cell is not stored in the terminal, or the second information of the target cell stored in the terminal is invalid; the target cell is searched based on a third frequency or The target cell is determined to be the cell with the strongest signal quality on the third frequency; the target cell is searched or determined based on the fourth frequency, and cells on the fourth frequency with higher signal quality than the target cell are not suitable cells; when searching or determining cells based on at least one fifth frequency, the sixth condition is met, but no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state is found, while at least one energy-saving cell is found, wherein the target cell is one of the at least one energy-saving cell, and the sixth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches the ninth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches the tenth threshold, and the time for performing cell search or determination reaches the eleventh threshold.

[0216] In some embodiments, the processing module 410 is further configured to: upon receiving second information from the target cell and determining that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

[0217] It is understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of method embodiment 200 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0218] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described cell selection method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0219] The processor mentioned above is either the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments or the processor in the network-side device. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0220] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the processor are coupled. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described cell selection method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0221] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0222] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described cell selection method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0223] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including a terminal and a network-side device. The terminal can be used to implement the various processes of the above-described cell selection method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0224] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0225] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0226] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a residential area, comprising: During the cell selection process, the terminal performs at least one of the following operations: 1-5. Operation 1: Search for or determine the first cell on the first frequency, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 2: If the first cell on the first frequency meets the first condition, then continue searching for or identifying cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; Operation 3: Search or determine X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, and X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the storage information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is used as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the storage information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, and the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal. Operation 5: If the second condition is met, send first information to the target cell. The first information is used to request the target cell to send second information. The second information is used for cell selection. The target cell is an energy-saving cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further includes at least one of the following: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state, the terminal selects the first cell; If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal determines the first cell as the target cell; If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, and the cell signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal determines the first cell as the target cell. If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search or determine the first cell on other frequencies, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency. Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of the following: The first cell is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell and is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is an energy-saving cell and is not the suitable cell; The main information block (MIB) of a specific cell carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is allowed. The specific cell is the first cell or the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The terminal continues to search for or determine cells other than the first cell on the first frequency, including: The terminal continues to search for or determine a second cell on the first frequency other than the first cell, wherein the second cell is the cell with the (N+1)th strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The method further includes at least one of the following: If a third condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the terminal stops the cell search or determination on the second frequency and determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the second frequency. The third condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a second threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a third threshold; there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, but there is at least one energy-saving cell. If the fourth condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the terminal continues to perform cell search or determination on other frequencies. The fourth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a fourth threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a fifth threshold; there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency; and there are no energy-saving cells. If a fifth condition is met during cell search or determination based on multiple frequencies, the terminal determines the target cell from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined. The fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a sixth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a seventh threshold, and the time for cell search or determination reaches an eighth threshold. The multiple frequencies include the second frequency. Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the case of searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, the method further includes at least one of the following: The terminal judges each of the X cells in order of cell priority. If an energy-saving cell is determined from the X cells, the terminal takes the energy-saving cell as the target cell. The terminal determines whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state according to the cell priority order. If it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the X cells, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, the terminal selects one of the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The second condition includes at least one of the following: The first configuration stored in the terminal is valid, wherein the first configuration is used by the terminal to request the target cell to send the second information; The target cell's MIB carries fourth information, which is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to access the target cell; The target cell's reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to the seventh threshold, and / or the target cell's reference signal received quality (RSRQ) is greater than or equal to the eighth threshold. The terminal does not store the second information of the target cell, or the second information of the target cell stored in the terminal is invalid; The target cell is searched or determined based on a third frequency, and the target cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the third frequency; The target cell is searched or determined based on a fourth frequency, and cells with higher signal quality on the fourth frequency than the target cell are not suitable cells; When searching or determining a cell based on at least one fifth frequency, the sixth condition is met, but no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state is found, while at least one energy-saving cell is found, wherein the target cell is one of the at least one energy-saving cells, and the sixth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a ninth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a tenth threshold, and the time for performing cell search or determination reaches an eleventh threshold.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The method further includes: When the terminal receives second information from the target cell and determines that the target cell is a suitable cell, the terminal selects the target cell.

9. A cell selection device, applied to a terminal, the device comprising: The processing module is used to perform at least one of operations 1-5 during the cell selection process; Operation 1: Search for or determine the first cell on the first frequency, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 2: If the first cell on the first frequency meets the first condition, then continue searching for or identifying cells on the first frequency other than the first cell; Operation 3: Search or determine X cells on the first frequency, wherein the X cells are the top X cells with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency, and X is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Operation 4: If the cell determined based on the storage information is an energy-saving cell, then the energy-saving cell is used as the target cell; or, if there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the cells determined based on the storage information, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then one cell is determined from the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell, and the suitable cell can provide normal service to the terminal. Operation 5: If the second condition is met, send first information to the target cell. The first information is used to request the target cell to send second information. The second information is used for cell selection. The target cell is an energy-saving cell.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The processing module is also used for at least one of the following: If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state, then the first cell is selected; If the first cell searched or identified on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, then the first cell is identified as the target cell. If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, and the cell signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then the first cell is determined to be the target cell. If the first cell searched or determined on the second frequency is an energy-saving cell, the terminal continues to search or determine the first cell on other frequencies, where the first cell is the cell with the strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency. Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of the following: The first cell is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell and is not the suitable cell, or the first cell is an energy-saving cell and is not the suitable cell; The main information block (MIB) of a specific cell carries third information, which is used to indicate whether intra-frequency cell selection or co-frequency cell selection is allowed. The specific cell is the first cell or the cell with the strongest signal quality on the first frequency.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-11, wherein, The step of continuing to search for or determine cells other than the first cell on the first frequency includes: Continue searching for or identifying a second cell on the first frequency other than the first cell, wherein the second cell is the cell with the (N+1)th strongest cell signal quality on the first frequency.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-12, wherein, The processing module is also used for at least one of the following: If a third condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the cell search or determination on the second frequency is stopped, and the target cell is determined from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined based on the second frequency. The third condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a second threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a third threshold; there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency, but there is at least one energy-saving cell. If the fourth condition is met during the cell search or determination process on the second frequency, the cell search or determination continues on other frequencies. The fourth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of cells searched or determined based on the second frequency reaches a fourth threshold; the cell search or determination time based on the second frequency reaches a fifth threshold; there are no suitable cells in a non-energy-saving state among the cells searched or determined on the second frequency; and there are no energy-saving cells. If a fifth condition is met during cell search or determination based on multiple frequencies, the target cell is determined from at least one energy-saving cell searched or determined, wherein the fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a sixth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a seventh threshold, and the time for cell search or determination reaches an eighth threshold, wherein the multiple frequencies include the second frequency; Wherein, the second frequency is the first frequency, or the second frequency is any frequency other than the first frequency.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, In the case of searching for or determining X cells on the first frequency, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following: The X cells are evaluated sequentially according to their priority order. If an energy-saving cell is identified from the X cells, it is selected as the target cell. Based on the cell priority order, determine whether each of the X cells is a suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state. If it is determined that there is no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state among the X cells, but there is at least one energy-saving cell, then select one of the at least one energy-saving cell as the target cell.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-14, wherein, The second condition includes at least one of the following: The first configuration stored in the terminal is valid, wherein the first configuration is used by the terminal to request the target cell to send the second information; The target cell's MIB carries fourth information, which is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to access the target cell; The target cell's reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to the seventh threshold, and / or the target cell's reference signal received quality (RSRQ) is greater than or equal to the eighth threshold. The terminal does not store the second information of the target cell, or the second information of the target cell stored in the terminal is invalid; The target cell is searched or determined based on a third frequency, and the target cell is the cell with the strongest signal quality on the third frequency; The target cell is searched or determined based on a fourth frequency, and cells with higher signal quality on the fourth frequency than the target cell are not suitable cells; When searching or determining a cell based on at least one fifth frequency, the sixth condition is met, but no suitable cell in a non-energy-saving state is found, while at least one energy-saving cell is found, wherein the target cell is one of the at least one energy-saving cells, and the sixth condition includes at least one of the following: the number of frequencies searched or determined reaches a ninth threshold, the number of cells searched or determined reaches a tenth threshold, and the time for performing cell search or determination reaches an eleventh threshold.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-15, wherein, The processing module is further configured to: upon receiving second information from the target cell and determining that the target cell is a suitable cell, select the target cell.

17. A network-side device, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A readable storage medium on which a program or instructions are stored, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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