Method and apparatus for LTM cell change and LTM candidate configuration, and communication system

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a method and apparatus for an LTM cell change and an LTM candidate configuration, and a communication system. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving an LTM candidate configuration sent by a network device, and the terminal device executing an LTM cell change, wherein the execution of the LTM cell change at least includes using the LTM candidate configuration, the LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by means of an LTM cell change command.

Description

Methods, apparatus, and communication systems for LTM cell changes and LTM candidate configurations. Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this application relate to the field of communication technology. Background Technology

[0002] Network-controlled mobility applies to connected terminal devices and can be divided into two types: cell-level mobility and beam-level mobility. Cell-level mobility can be based on layer 3 (L3) or layer 1 / 2 (L1 / L2).

[0003] Rel-18 introduced Layer 1 / L2 Triggered Mobility (LTM), which offers improved handover latency and downtime compared to Layer 3-based mobility. However, LTM introduced in Rel-18 also has some limitations compared to Layer 3 mobility, and one of the goals of the Rel-19 project is to eliminate these limitations.

[0004] First, LTM operation only supports mobility between cells within the same gNB (same CU, i.e., intra-CU). Depending on the network deployment scenario, this greatly limits the opportunities to use LTM. By ensuring LTM operation between cells of different gNBs (i.e., inter-CU), the network will be able to obtain the benefits of LTM from more handovers.

[0005] Secondly, Layer 3 mobility uses Layer 3 measurement reporting, which supports UE evaluation events to trigger measurement reports, reducing signaling overhead compared to periodic measurement reporting. Layer 1 measurements used for LTM mobility do not support such triggering events. Extended L1 measurement reporting, including event-triggered L1 measurement reporting, ensures timely measurement reporting while reducing signaling overhead. Furthermore, Layer 1 measurements in the LTM process are limited to Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) measurements. Extended L1 measurement, including Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), addresses this limitation and promises to achieve greater throughput on the target cell immediately after cell handover.

[0006] Finally, Layer 3 mobility has undergone several releases, establishing Conditional Handover (CHO) and other Conditional Mobility Procedures (CPAC, SCPAC) to achieve high robustness by ensuring that the procedure does not require prior signaling interaction with the source cell. LTM, introduced in Rel-18 (release 18), provides short downtime, but its robustness is inferior to Conditional Layer 3 Mobility Procedures. Extending the triggering mechanism of LTM can improve robustness.

[0007] It should be noted that the above introduction to the technical background is only for the purpose of providing a clear and complete explanation of the technical solutions of this application and facilitating understanding by those skilled in the art. It should not be assumed that these technical solutions are known to those skilled in the art simply because they have been described in the background section of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In Rel-19 (version 19), LTM enhancements should be defined, such as Conditional L1 / L2 Triggered Mobility (CLTM or C-LTM), so that the system can benefit from high robustness and short interrupts.

[0009] Conditional LTM is defined as follows: when one or more LTM cell switch execution conditions are met, the terminal equipment or user equipment (UE) performs an LTM cell switch. For CLTM, the source cell sends a conditional LTM configuration to the terminal equipment via Radio Resource Control Reconfiguration (RRC Reconfiguration). This conditional LTM configuration includes LTM candidate configurations and corresponding execution conditions. The source cell and each candidate cell provide their own conditional LTM execution conditions to the terminal equipment. The terminal equipment includes the received conditional LTM configuration in its own LTM configuration. In addition, the execution conditions corresponding to the LTM candidate configurations can be configured based on events.

[0010] The inventors discovered that CLTM based on Intra-CU LTM is currently supported, but CLTM based on Inter-CU LTM is not supported. CLTM can be configured as RACH-based (Random Access Channel-based) or RACH-less (Random Access Channel-less).

[0011] For Layer 3 handover (L3 HO), the possibility of radio link failure (RLF) during handover can be reduced by introducing CHO. CHO can be configured / supported together with existing L3 HO. For example, even if the terminal device has already configured the candidate cell configuration of CHO, the source cell can still send a handover (HO) command to the terminal device.

[0012] Conditional LTM is also configured to reduce the likelihood of RLF occurring during cell handover, for example, reducing the likelihood of RLF occurring during Intra-CU LTM triggered by network devices. How Conditional LTM can coexist with Intra-CU LTM, Inter-CU LTM, and L3 HO / CHO needs to be considered or defined.

[0013] To address at least one of the above-mentioned problems or other similar problems, embodiments of this application provide a method, apparatus, and communication system for LTM cell change and LTM candidate configuration.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a method for LTM cell modification is provided, comprising:

[0015] The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration sent by the network device;

[0016] The terminal device performs an LTM cell change, which includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0017] The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0018] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, an apparatus for LTM cell changing is provided, comprising:

[0019] The receiving unit receives LTM candidate configurations sent by the network device;

[0020] The processing unit performs LTM cell change, which includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0021] The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0022] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a method for providing LTM candidate configurations is provided, comprising:

[0023] The network device sends LTM candidate configurations to the terminal device. These LTM candidate configurations are used for first LTM cell changes and / or second LTM cell changes.

[0024] Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0025] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, an apparatus for an LTM candidate configuration is provided, comprising:

[0026] The transmitting unit sends LTM candidate configurations to the terminal device, the LTM candidate configurations being used for first LTM cell change and / or second LTM cell change.

[0027] Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0028] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0029] Network devices that send LTM candidate configurations for first LTM cell change and / or second LTM cell change;

[0030] The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration and performs an LTM cell change, wherein performing the LTM cell change includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0031] Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0032] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application is that the terminal device performs LTM cell change according to LTM cell change including conditional LTM cell change and / or LTM cell change triggered by LTM cell change command. As a result, it is possible to achieve the coexistence of conditional LTM cell change and Inter-CU LTM cell change, Intra-CU LTM cell change, and Layer 3 handover (including conditional handover), thereby reducing the possibility of RLF and improving robustness.

[0033] Specific embodiments of this application are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of this application can be adopted. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, embodiments of this application include many changes, modifications, and equivalents.

[0034] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0035] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, whole, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, or components. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The elements and features described in one drawing or embodiment of this application may be combined with elements and features shown in one or more other drawings or embodiments. Furthermore, in the drawings, similar reference numerals denote corresponding parts in several drawings and can be used to indicate corresponding parts used in more than one embodiment.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the LTM cell change process;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a candidate configuration method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 is another schematic diagram of a candidate configuration method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a measuring device in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of a candidate configuration device in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description. Specific embodiments of this application are specifically disclosed in the description and drawings, illustrating partial implementations in which the principles of this application may be employed. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the described embodiments; rather, it includes all modifications, variations, and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0046] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish different elements by name, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or chronological order of these elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one or more of the terms listed in association and all combinations thereof. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc., refer to the presence of the stated features, elements, components, or assemblies, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, or assemblies.

[0047] In the embodiments of this application, the singular forms "a," "the," etc., including the plural forms, should be broadly understood as "a kind" or "a class" rather than limited to the meaning of "an." Furthermore, the term "the" should be understood to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the term "according to" should be understood as "at least partially based on…," and the term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on…," unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise.

[0048] In the embodiments of this application, the term "communication network" or "wireless communication network" may refer to a network that conforms to any of the following communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), etc.

[0049] Furthermore, communication between devices in a communication system can be carried out according to communication protocols at any stage, including but not limited to the following communication protocols: 1G (generation), 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G and 5G, New Radio (NR), etc., and / or other currently known or future communication protocols.

[0050] In the embodiments of this application, the term "network device" refers, for example, to a device in a communication system that connects a terminal device to a communication network and provides services to that terminal device. Network devices may include, but are not limited to, the following devices: integrated access and backhaul node (IAB-node), base station (BS), access point (AP), transmission and reception point (TRP), broadcast transmitter, mobile management entity (MME), gateway, server, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), etc.

[0051] The term "base station" can include, but is not limited to, NodeBs (or NBs), evolved NodeBs (or eNodeBs or eNBs), and 5G base stations (gNBs), etc. It can also include Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), Remote Radio Units (RRUs), relays, or low-power nodes (such as femeto, pico, etc.). The term "base station" can encompass some or all of its functions, and each base station can provide communication coverage to a specific geographic area. The term "cell" can refer to a base station and / or its coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0052] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "User Equipment" (UE) or "Terminal Equipment" (TE) refer, for example, to a device that accesses a communication network and receives network services through a network device. A terminal device can be fixed or mobile, and may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), terminal, subscriber station (SS), access terminal (AT), station, etc.

[0053] The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, the following devices: cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, machine-type communication device, laptop computer, cordless phone, smartphone, smartwatch, digital camera, etc.

[0054] For example, in scenarios such as the Internet of Things (IoT), terminal devices can also be machines or devices for monitoring or measurement, such as including but not limited to: machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, vehicle communication terminals, device-to-device (D2D) terminals, machine-to-machine (M2M) terminals, and so on.

[0055] Furthermore, the terms "network side" or "network equipment side" refer to one side of the network, which can be a base station or include one or more network devices as described above. The terms "user side," "terminal side," or "terminal equipment side" refer to the side of the user or terminal, which can be a UE or include one or more terminal devices as described above.

[0056] In the following description, without causing confusion, the terms “uplink control signal” and “uplink control information (UCI)” or “physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)” are used interchangeably, as are the terms “uplink data signal” and “uplink data information” or “physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)”.

[0057] The terms “downlink control signal” and “downlink control information (DCI)” or “physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)” are interchangeable, as are the terms “downlink data signal” and “downlink data information (PDSCH)” or “physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)”.

[0058] Furthermore, sending or receiving a PUSCH can be understood as sending or receiving uplink data carried by the PUSCH; sending or receiving a PUCCH can be understood as sending or receiving uplink information carried by the PUCCH; and sending or receiving a PRACH can be understood as sending or receiving a preamble carried by the PRACH. Uplink signals can include uplink data signals and / or uplink control signals, and can also be referred to as uplink transmission (UL transmission), uplink information, or uplink channel. Sending an uplink transmission on uplink resources can be understood as using those uplink resources to send the uplink transmission. Similarly, downlink data / signals / channels / information can be understood accordingly.

[0059] In the embodiments of this application, higher-layer signaling may be, for example, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; for example, referred to as an RRC message, including MIB, system information, dedicated RRC messages; or referred to as an RRC information element. Higher-layer signaling may also be, for example, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling; or referred to as a MAC control element. However, this application is not limited to these.

[0060] The following examples illustrate the scenarios of embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto.

[0061] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication system of this application, illustrating the case with terminal devices and network devices as examples. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include network devices 101 and 103 and terminal device 102 (for simplicity, Figure 1 only uses one terminal device as an example for illustration).

[0062] In this embodiment, terminal device 102 can communicate sequentially with either network device 101 or 103. Taking communication between terminal device 102 and network device 101 as an example, existing services or future services can be performed between network device 101 and terminal device 102. These services include, but are not limited to, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), etc.

[0063] In this system, terminal device 102 can send data to network device 101, for example, using authorized or unauthorized transmission methods (e.g., configured grant). In authorized mode, network device 101 can receive data sent by one or more terminal devices 102 within the authorized range and provide feedback to terminal device 102, such as ACK / NACK confirmation messages, or indicate a new grant to terminal device 102. Based on the feedback information or the new grant, terminal device 102 can either confirm the end of the transmission process, initiate new data transmission, or retransmit data. In unauthorized transmission mode, terminal device 102 can transmit new data within the configured grant range or retransmit data.

[0064] The following explains LTM, CLTM, and related concepts.

[0065] Layer 3 mobility has been developed in several releases, defining Conditional Handover (CHO) and other Conditional Mobility Procedures (CPAC, SCPAC) to achieve high robustness by ensuring that the procedure is performed without prior signaling interaction with the source cell. LTM, introduced in Rel-18, provides short downtime, but its robustness is inferior to Conditional Layer 3 mobility procedures. In Rel-19, LTM enhancements should be defined so that the system can benefit from both high robustness and short downtime. The goals of the Rel-19 work project include the following:

[0066] Table 1

[0067] LTM is a process in which the gNB receives L1 or L3 measurement reports from the UE, and based on this, the gNB changes the UE's serving cell via a cell switch command sent via the MAC CE. The MAC-triggered Intra-CU cell switch mechanism (i.e., Intra-CU LTM cell switch) requires the UE to at least reset the MAC entity. RLC and PDCP processing depend on the network configuration. The cell switch command instructs the gNB to previously prepare and provide the UE with an LTM candidate configuration via RRC signaling, and then the UE applies the target configuration according to the cell switch command.

[0068] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the LTM cell change process. Subsequent LTM is achieved by repeating early synchronization, executing LTM cell change, and completing LTM cell change, without releasing other LTM candidate configurations after each LTM cell change. The basic process on the air interface applies to Primary Cell Group (MCG) LTM or Secondary Cell Group (SCG) LTM.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, the LTM process includes the following steps:

[0070] S1. A UE in RRC_CONNECTED state sends a MeasurementReport message to a gNB. The gNB decides to configure LTM and initiates an LTM candidate configuration. In the case of inter-gNB LTM, the source gNB requests one or more gNBs to configure LTM for one or more candidate cells. The candidate gNB sends the LTM candidate configuration to the source gNB.

[0071] S2.gNB sends a Radio Resource Control Reconfiguration (RRCReconfiguration) message to the UE, which includes LTM candidate configurations.

[0072] S3. The UE stores the LTM candidate configuration and sends a Radio Resource Control Reconfiguration Complete (RRCReconfigurationComplete) message to the gNB.

[0073] S4a. Before receiving the cell change command, the UE performs downlink (DL) synchronization of the candidate cell; the UE can activate / deactivate the TCI state of the LTM candidate cell, triggered by the source gNB.

[0074] S4b. Before receiving a cell change command, the UE can perform uplink (UL) synchronization with a candidate cell by using UE-based TA measurement, if TA measurement is configured, and / or by sending a preamble to the candidate cell, triggered by the source gNB. When UE-based TA measurement is configured, the UE obtains the TA value of the candidate cell through measurement. Before receiving a cell change command, at the network's request, the UE performs early TA acquisition with the candidate cell. This is accomplished through a CFRA triggered from the source cell's PDCCH order and subsequently by the UE sending a preamble to the indicated candidate cell. To minimize data interruption to the source cell caused by the CFRA to the candidate cell, the UE does not accept random access responses from network devices for obtaining the TA value, which is indicated in the cell change command. The UE does not maintain a TA timer for the candidate cell, relying on the network implementation to ensure TA validity.

[0075] S5. The UE performs L1 measurements on the configured candidate cells and sends an L1 measurement report to the gNB, wherein L1 measurements should be performed as long as RRC reconfiguration (i.e., step S2) applies;

[0076] S6. The source gNB decides to perform a cell change to a target cell and informs the target gNB. The source gNB sends a target configuration ID, including a candidate configuration index indicating the target cell, a beam indicated by a TCI state or a beam indicated by downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) TCI states, and a timing advance command for the target cell, if available, an LTM cell change command MAC CE to trigger the cell change. The UE switches to the target cell and applies the candidate configuration indicated by the target configuration ID.

[0077] S7. If the UE does not have a valid TA for the target cell, the UE performs a random access procedure to the target cell.

[0078] S8. The UE completes the LTM cell change process by sending an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the target cell. If the UE performed a random access (RA) procedure in S7, the UE considers the LTM cell change to be successfully completed when the random access procedure is successfully completed. For RACH-less LTM, the UE considers the LTM cell change to be successfully completed when it determines that the network has successfully received its first UL data.

[0079] For random access procedures on LTM candidate cells used for early uplink timing advance (UL TA) acquisition, contention-free random access (CFRA) is triggered by the physical downlink control channel order (PDCCH). The UE sends MSG1 to the cell and does not listen for responses from the cell. To support UE power ramp-up, the UE can retransmit MSG1 as instructed by the network.

[0080] For subsequent LTM, the LTM candidate configurations provided in S2 can be used to execute multiple steps S4a-S8.

[0081] The LTM process has been illustrated above. The following section will explain mobility coexistence.

[0082] For LTM and L3 handover, when the terminal device has already stored the LTM candidate configuration, the terminal device can also perform any L3 handover except for DAPS handover. In the RRC message of the terminal device applying any L3 handover (excluding DAPS), the target cell can add, modify or release the LTM candidate configuration.

[0083] For L3 handover, if the terminal device receives an L3 HO command before satisfying any CHO execution conditions, the terminal device will comply with the L3 HO command and perform the L3 HO procedure; if the terminal device satisfies the CHO execution conditions before receiving the L3 HO command, the terminal device will continue to execute the CHO procedure.

[0084] For CHO, if the terminal device triggers multiple NR cells during the conditional reconfiguration process, the terminal device shall select a cell to execute the CHO. For example, the terminal device may consider beam and beam quality to select one of the triggering cells to execute the CHO.

[0085] However, how conditional LTM can coexist with Intra-CU LTM, how conditional LTM can coexist with Inter-CU LTM, and how conditional LTM can coexist with L3 HO / CHO need to be considered or defined.

[0086] The following description is provided in conjunction with specific examples. In the following description, without causing confusion, "CLTM" and "C-LTM" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably; "LTM cell change" and "LTM cell switch" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably; "LTM cell switch execution" and "LTM execution" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably; "execute LTM" and "execute LTM cell change" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably; "for LTM" and "for LTM cell change" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably; "trigger LTM" and "trigger LTM cell change" have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably.

[0087] First aspect of the embodiments

[0088] This application provides a method for LTM cell changing, applied to a terminal device. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the LTM cell changing method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

[0089] 301, The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration sent by the network device;

[0090] 302, the terminal device performs an LTM cell change, the LTM cell change includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0091] In this embodiment of the application, the LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change, wherein the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0092] It is worth noting that Figure 3 above is only an illustrative description of the embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto. For example, the execution order between various operations can be appropriately adjusted, and other operations can be added or some operations can be removed. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications based on the above content, and are not limited to the description in Figure 3 above.

[0093] According to the above embodiments, the terminal device performs LTM cell change based on LTM triggered by conditional LTM and / or LTM cell change command, thereby enabling the coexistence of conditional LTM, Inter-CU LTM and Intra-CU LTM, and reducing the possibility of RLF.

[0094] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change, that is, the terminal device performs a conditional LTM (CLTM) according to the LTM configuration; the LTM candidate configuration is used for a second LTM cell change (for example, the LTM cell change process in Figure 2 can be referred to), that is, the terminal device performs an LTM triggered by an LTM cell change command according to the LTM configuration.

[0095] The following describes the LTM candidate configuration when it is used for changes to the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell.

[0096] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, wherein the first LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for a second LTM cell change.

[0097] The first LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change, that is, the terminal device performs conditional LTM cell change according to the first LTM candidate configuration; the second LTM candidate configuration is used for the second LTM cell change, that is, the terminal device performs LTM cell change triggered by the LTM cell change command according to the second LTM candidate configuration.

[0098] Taking the LTM candidate configuration as an example, which includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, in some embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of N1 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of N1 configurations.

[0099] For example, N1 can be 4, 8, 16, etc. Taking N1=4 as an example, the first LTM candidate configuration can include up to 4 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration can also include up to 4 configurations. The number of configurations included in the second LTM candidate configuration can be the same as or different from the number of configurations included in the first LTM candidate configuration, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0100] Taking the LTM candidate configuration as an example, which includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, in some other embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of N2 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of 8 configurations.

[0101] For example, N2 can be 4, 8, 16, etc. Taking N2=4 as an example, the first LTM candidate configuration can include up to 4 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration can include up to 8 configurations. In addition, the number of configurations included in the first LTM candidate configuration can also be 8. That is, the number of configurations included in the first LTM candidate configuration can also be the same as the number of configurations included in the second LTM candidate configuration. This application does not impose any restrictions.

[0102] Taking the LTM candidate configuration including a first LTM configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration as an example, in some embodiments, the terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on a first ID, wherein the first ID is the ID of the first LTM candidate configuration and is different from the ID of the second LTM candidate configuration, or the terminal device identifies the second LTM candidate configuration based on the ID of the second LTM candidate configuration.

[0103] For example, the first ID is the first LTM candidate configuration ID, which may be called the CLTM-Candidate ID, or it may be other parameters; the second LTM candidate configuration ID is the LTM-Candidate ID, and the first ID is different from the LTM candidate configuration ID. When the terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on the first ID, the remaining LTM candidate configurations become the second LTM candidate configurations. Therefore, the terminal device can distinguish between the first and second LTM candidate configurations. When the terminal device identifies the second LTM candidate configuration based on the second LTM candidate configuration ID, the remaining LTM candidate configurations become the first LTM candidate configurations. Therefore, the terminal device can also distinguish between the first and second LTM candidate configurations.

[0104] In some embodiments, the total number of the first ID and the second LTM candidate configuration ID is N1. Referring to the description of the above embodiments, N1 can be 4, 8, 16, etc.

[0105] For example, the maximum number of second LTM candidate configuration IDs is 8; the minimum number of first IDs is 1, and the maximum is N1-8.

[0106] For example, when N1 is 16, the number of second LTM candidate configuration IDs can be 8, and the number of first IDs is 8. As another example, when N1 is 8, the number of second LTM candidate configuration IDs can be 4, and the number of second IDs is 4. However, the number of second LTM candidate configuration IDs cannot be 8. Therefore, the minimum number of first IDs must be 1.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration associated with the first ID or the candidate configuration for changing the first LTM cell includes or is associated with at least one of the following: the LTM candidate configuration; and the corresponding execution conditions, wherein the execution conditions are associated with being provided by the serving cell or the source cell or the LTM candidate configuration or the target cell.

[0108] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration and the second LTM candidate configuration can be identified by the first ID or the second LTM candidate configuration ID. When the terminal device uses the first ID to identify the first LTM candidate configuration, the first LTM candidate configuration associated with the first ID may include at least one of the above contents. When the terminal device uses the second LTM candidate configuration ID to identify the second LTM candidate configuration, the remaining LTM candidate configurations, that is, the candidate configurations used for the first LTM, may include at least one of the above contents.

[0109] Therefore, when the LTM candidate configuration includes the first LTM candidate configuration and the second LTM candidate configuration, the terminal device can correctly identify the first LTM candidate configuration and the second LTM candidate configuration.

[0110] The above illustration shows the use of two separate sets of LTM candidate configurations (one set being the first LTM candidate configuration described above, and the other set being the second LTM candidate configuration described above). This application is not limited to this, and for example, a single set of LTM candidate configurations may also be used.

[0111] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration.

[0112] Taking the inclusion of a third LTM candidate configuration (a set of LTM candidate configurations) in the LTM candidate configuration as an example, in some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change. That is, the third LTM candidate configuration can be used to execute the conditional LTM procedure or to execute the LTM procedure triggered by the LTM cell change command (refer to the LTM cell change procedure described in Figure 2).

[0113] Taking the inclusion of a third LTM candidate configuration in the LTM candidate configuration as an example, in some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the first LTM cell change. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration without including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the second LTM cell change.

[0114] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with the corresponding execution conditions, is used (only) for the first LTM cell change and not for the second LTM cell change.

[0115] In some embodiments, according to the instructions / configuration of the network device, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used (only) for the first LTM cell change and not for the second LTM cell change.

[0116] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0117] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change, according to the instructions / configuration of the network device.

[0118] For example, according to the instructions or configuration of the network device, for a third LTM candidate configuration that includes or is associated with the corresponding execution conditions, the terminal device can only use it for the first LTM cell change. The remaining third LTM candidate configurations, for example, those that do not include or are not associated with the corresponding execution conditions, can be used for the second LTM cell change. However, third LTM candidate configurations that include or are associated with the corresponding execution conditions cannot be used for the second LTM cell change.

[0119] For example, depending on the instructions or configuration of the network device, the terminal device can use a third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or is not associated with the corresponding execution conditions for both first LTM cell changes and second LTM cell changes.

[0120] For example, the terminal device may also set a third candidate configuration, including or associated with corresponding execution conditions, for or only for the first LTM cell change without the instructions or configuration of the network device, and not for the second LTM cell change. Alternatively, the terminal device may set a third LTM candidate configuration, including or associated with corresponding execution conditions, for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change without the instructions or configuration of the network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, a third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or have no associated corresponding execution conditions is used only for second LTM cell changes and not for first LTM cell changes.

[0122] In other words, a third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or is not associated with the corresponding execution conditions cannot be used for conditional LTM, because for the execution of conditional LTM, including the LTM candidate configuration and the corresponding execution conditions is necessary, and a third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or is not associated with the corresponding execution conditions cannot meet the above requirements and therefore cannot be used for conditional LTM.

[0123] In some embodiments, for a third LTM candidate configuration that includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, the network device indicates or configures at least one of the following:

[0124] The third LTM candidate configuration is used for changes to the first LTM cell and / or the second LTM cell;

[0125] The third LTM candidate configuration is used for third LTM cell changes, wherein the third LTM cell change is a Release19 LTM cell change and / or an Inter-CU LTM cell change.

[0126] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change, including: the terminal device receiving the instruction / configuration from the network device, instructing / configuring to use the third LTM candidate configuration for the first LTM cell change, or the second LTM cell change, or both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0127] For example, for an instruction or configuration of a network device, the network device can use a choose structure to select either a second LTM cell change or a first LTM cell change, or a first LTM cell change or a second LTM cell change, as the value for that instruction or configuration.

[0128] In other embodiments, the network device instructs / configures a third LTM candidate configuration for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change, including: the terminal device receiving a first parameter instructing or configuring the network device, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used at least for a first LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used only for a first LTM cell change; and / or, the terminal device receiving a second parameter instructing or configuring the network device, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used at least for a second LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used only for a second LTM cell change.

[0129] For example, the network device indicates a first parameter to the terminal device, which indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is only used for the first LTM cell change, that is, not for the second LTM cell change, or the first parameter indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is at least used for the first LTM cell change, that is, the corresponding LTM candidate configuration may also be used for the second LTM cell change.

[0130] And / or, the network device indicates a second parameter to the terminal device, the second parameter indicating that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used only for the second LTM cell change, that is, not for the second LTM cell change, or the second parameter indicating that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used at least for the second LTM cell change, that is, the corresponding LTM candidate configuration may also be used for the first LTM cell change.

[0131] In the above embodiments, the network device may indicate only the first parameter to the terminal device, or only the second parameter to the terminal device, or indicate both the first parameter and the second parameter to the terminal device.

[0132] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures a third LTM candidate configuration for a third LTM cell change, including: the terminal device using the third LTM candidate configuration for a third LTM cell change according to the instruction or configuration of the network device.

[0133] For example, the third LTM cell change can be an Inter-CU LTM cell change, or it can be an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command in Rel-19 (version 19).

[0134] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a third parameter indicated or configured by the network device, the third parameter indicating a third LTM candidate configuration for a third LTM cell change, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the third parameter is used (only) for the third LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the third parameter is not used for the first LTM cell change.

[0135] For example, the network device indicates that the third LTM candidate configuration is only used for the third LTM cell change, that is, the network device indicates that the third LTM candidate configuration is only used for the Inter-CU LTM cell change, or only for the LTM cell change triggered by the LTM cell change command in Rel-19. In other words, the third LTM candidate configuration cannot be used for the first LTM cell change at this time; or, the network device indicates that the third LTM candidate configuration cannot be used for the first LTM cell change, wherein the first LTM cell change can be a conditional LTM, or a conditional LTM triggered by the LTM cell change command in Rel-19.

[0136] For example, the third LTM candidate configuration includes or is associated with a second ID, and the terminal device determines whether the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for third LTM cell change based on the second ID.

[0137] For example, if the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is the same as the second ID included or associated in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change. That is, if the third LTM candidate configuration includes the second ID, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to that second ID can at least be used for the first LTM cell change; or, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration is used only for the first LTM cell change; and / or

[0138] If the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is different from the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration can be used at least for the second LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration can only be used for the second LTM cell change.

[0139] In the above embodiments, if the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is the same as the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID in the third LTM candidate configuration can at least be used for the first LTM cell change, that is, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID can also be used for other LTM cell changes, such as the second LTM cell change; or, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID in the third LTM candidate configuration is only used for the first LTM cell change, that is, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID cannot be used for other LTM cell changes besides the first LTM cell change, such as the second LTM cell change. When the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is different from the second ID included in the third LTM candidate configuration, the application of the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second ID is similar to the above situation.

[0140] The above describes the LTM candidate configuration when it is used for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change. When the LTM execution process is triggered, the terminal device performs an LTM cell change according to the LTM candidate configuration. The execution process of the LTM cell change is described below.

[0141] In some embodiments, only one LTM cell change is triggered in the first LTM and the second LTM. That is, the terminal device performs an LTM cell change process based on only one LTM candidate configuration.

[0142] In some embodiments, when only one LTM execution process is triggered, the terminal device uses the corresponding LTM candidate configuration of the first LTM cell change or the second LTM cell change to perform LTM cell change.

[0143] For example, if the terminal device meets the execution conditions for the first LTM cell change before receiving the LTM cell change command, the terminal device will use the corresponding LTM candidate configuration to execute the first LTM cell change.

[0144] For example, if there are multiple triggering cells that meet the execution conditions of the first LTM, the terminal device selects one of the triggering cells to perform the first LTM cell change based on at least one of the following conditions:

[0145] Beam and beam quality;

[0146] Effective timing advance;

[0147] Activated TCI State;

[0148] Dedicated Random Access Configuration;

[0149] Configure the grant settings.

[0150] For example, when a terminal device receives a MAC CE including a TA value, it determines / associates the TA value of the corresponding LTM candidate configuration / cell based on the MAC CE; it starts / restarts a / corresponding timer; during the timer's operation, the terminal device considers the LTM candidate configuration / cell to have a valid TA; otherwise (the timer is not running, such as not started / timeout), the terminal device considers the LTM candidate configuration / cell to have no valid TA.

[0151] For example, if there are multiple triggering cells that meet the execution conditions of the first LTM: taking beam and beam quality as an example, the terminal device can select the cell with the highest beam and beam quality among the triggering cells to perform the first LTM cell change; taking a valid TA as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a TA among the triggering cells to perform the first LTM cell change; taking an active TCI state as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with an active TCI state among the triggering cells to perform the first LTM cell change; taking a dedicated RA configuration as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a dedicated RA configuration among the triggering cells to perform the first LTM cell change; taking a configuration authorization configuration as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a configuration authorization configuration among the triggering cells, or the cell with the most recent configuration authorization time, to perform the first LTM cell change.

[0152] When multiple cells meet one of the above conditions, the terminal device can further select two or more conditions to select a cell to perform the first LTM cell change, which is not limited in this application.

[0153] For example, if there are multiple triggering cells that meet the execution conditions of the first LTM: taking a valid TA and an active TCI state as an example, the terminal device can select a triggering cell that has a TA and an active TCI state (and both are associated with the same TAG) to perform the first LTM cell change; taking an active TCI state and a configuration authorization configuration as an example, the terminal device can select a triggering cell that has an active TCI state and a configuration authorization configuration (and the configuration authorization is associated with the active TCI state, or the configuration authorization associated with the active TCI state is the closest in time to the trigger time) to perform the first LTM cell change.

[0154] For example, before the execution conditions of the first LTM are met, the terminal device receives an LTM cell change command. The terminal device uses the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target candidate ID indicated by the LTM cell change command to perform the LTM cell change.

[0155] For example, the terminal device uses the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target candidate ID indicated by the LTM cell change command to perform an LTM cell change, which is for a second LTM cell change.

[0156] In some embodiments, when only one LTM cell change execution process is triggered, the terminal device performs LTM cell change using the corresponding LTM candidate configuration according to the network device configuration, or waits.

[0157] For example, the terminal device can perform LTM cell change according to the corresponding LTM candidate configuration configured by the network device. The LTM cell change can be a first LTM cell change or a second LTM cell change. Alternatively, the terminal device can wait according to the instructions of the network device until it receives the network device configuration with the corresponding LTM candidate configuration, or meets the execution conditions for the first LTM cell change, or receives the LTM cell change command.

[0158] In some embodiments, the execution of both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change is triggered.

[0159] In some embodiments, when both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, the terminal device may perform an LTM cell change according to at least one of the following:

[0160] Implemented based on terminal devices;

[0161] According to network configuration;

[0162] Prioritize changes to the first LTM cell;

[0163] Prioritize the implementation of changes to the second LTM cell;

[0164] Based on terminal devices, considering the first condition;

[0165] Based on the first condition.

[0166] For example, when both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, the LTM cell change can be executed based on the terminal device itself, such as executing only the first LTM cell change, executing only the second LTM cell change, or other situations; or it can be executed based on the network configuration, which may indicate that the first LTM cell change is specified first, or only the first LTM cell change is executed; or the first LTM cell change or the second LTM cell change is executed first, and this execution order can be configured in advance by the terminal device or the network device; or it can be implemented based on the terminal device, considering whether to execute the LTM cell change according to the first condition.

[0167] In other embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0168] Beam and beam quality;

[0169] There is a valid TA;

[0170] Activated TCI State;

[0171] Dedicated RA configuration;

[0172] Configured grant settings.

[0173] For example, if both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, taking beam and beam quality as conditions, the terminal device can select the cell with the highest beam and beam quality among the triggering cells to perform its corresponding LTM cell change; taking a valid TA as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a TA or the cell with the smallest TA among the triggering cells to perform its corresponding LTM cell change; taking an active TCI state as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with an active TCI state among the triggering cells to perform its corresponding LTM cell change; taking a dedicated RA configuration as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a dedicated RA configuration among the triggering cells to perform its corresponding LTM cell change; taking a configuration authorization configuration as an example, the terminal device can select a cell with a configuration authorization configuration among the triggering cells to perform its corresponding LTM cell change.

[0174] In some embodiments, another LTM cell change is triggered while the terminal device is performing an LTM cell change.

[0175] In some embodiments, under the above circumstances, the terminal device continues the current LTM cell change process, or the terminal device continues the current LTM cell change process based on the UE implementation, or performs, starts, initiates, or executes the other LTM cell change.

[0176] For example, the current LTM cell change process can be a change of the first LTM cell, a change of the second LTM cell, or a change of other LTM cells. The other LTM cell change that is triggered can also be a change of the first LTM cell, a change of the second LTM cell, or a change of other LTM cells.

[0177] The LTM cell change command in the above embodiments is described below.

[0178] In some embodiments, the terminal device ignores the LTM cell change command sent by the network device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0179] The centralized unit (CU) where the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command resides does not have the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM; or

[0180] The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command has corresponding execution conditions.

[0181] In some embodiments, if the terminal device has configured the execution conditions for the first LTM, the network device does not send an LTM cell handover command to the terminal device.

[0182] In the above embodiments, the network device can be a source cell, a source gNB, or a source gNB-DU.

[0183] In some embodiments, the CU has corresponding execution conditions, which may include at least one of the following:

[0184] At least one LTM candidate configuration of the CU has execution conditions;

[0185] At least one LTM candidate configuration of the CU is associated with at least one execution condition provided by the serving cell, source cell, candidate cell, LTM candidate configuration, or target cell;

[0186] The network device instructs the CU that all LTM candidate configurations should not be used for second LTM cell changes or first LTM cell changes.

[0187] At least one LTM candidate configuration of the CU includes or configures parameters for changing the first LTM cell;

[0188] All LTM candidate configurations of the CU do not include or are not configured with parameters indicating cell changes for the second LTM;

[0189] All LTM candidate configurations for the CU do not include or are not configured with parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0190] For example, all LTM candidate configurations of a CU can also be all LTM candidate configurations containing the same second ID. For at least one LTM candidate configuration of a CU, in some examples, all LTM candidate configurations of a CU have execution conditions, or are associated with at least one execution condition provided by the serving cell, source cell, candidate cell, LTM candidate configuration, or target cell, or include or configure parameters indicating changes for the first LTM cell.

[0191] In some embodiments, the execution conditions for the target configuration ID may include at least one of the following:

[0192] The target configuration ID is associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0193] The LTM candidate configurations for the target configuration ID include the execution conditions;

[0194] The LTM candidate configurations for the target configuration ID are associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0195] The network device indicates that the LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID is not used for the second LTM cell change, or the network device indicates that the LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID is used for the first CLTM cell change.

[0196] The target configuration ID is associated with parameters used to change in the first LTM cell;

[0197] The LTM candidate configuration for the target configuration ID includes parameters indicating the changes to the first LTM cell;

[0198] The target configuration ID is not associated with parameters used to indicate changes in the second LTM cell;

[0199] The LTM candidate configuration for the target configuration ID does not include parameters indicating the cell change for the second LTM.

[0200] The target configuration ID is not associated with parameters used to indicate changes in the third LTM cell;

[0201] The LTM candidate configuration for the target configuration ID does not include parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0202] In this embodiment of the application, the first LTM cell change can also coexist with L3 HO. The sending of L3 HO commands will be described below.

[0203] In some embodiments, the terminal device ignores the L3HO command sent by the network device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0204] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command is a candidate configuration for LTM;

[0205] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command has the corresponding LTM execution conditions.

[0206] In other embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with the execution conditions for the first LTM cell change, the network device does not send an L3 HO command to the terminal device.

[0207] The network device that sends the L3 HO command can be the source cell or the source gNB.

[0208] In some embodiments, the target cell has LTM-related execution conditions, which may include at least one of the following:

[0209] The target cell is associated with the corresponding LTM execution conditions;

[0210] The LTM candidate configurations for the target cell include the execution conditions;

[0211] The LTM candidate configurations corresponding to the target cell are associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0212] The network device indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is not used for the second LTM cell change, or the network device indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change.

[0213] The target cell association indicates the parameters used to change in the first LTM cell;

[0214] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell includes parameters indicating changes for the first LTM cell;

[0215] The target cell is not associated with parameters used to indicate changes in the second LTM cell;

[0216] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell does not include parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0217] The target cell is not associated with parameters used to indicate changes in the third LTM cell;

[0218] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell does not include parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0219] For example, the parameter used for changing the first LTM cell can be the first parameter in the above embodiment; the parameter used for changing the second LTM cell can be the second parameter in the above embodiment; and the parameter used for changing the third LTM cell can be the third parameter in the above embodiment.

[0220] In this application embodiment, for CHO, the network device may support the coexistence of the first LTM cell change and CHO, or the network device may not support the coexistence of the first LTM cell change and CHO.

[0221] In some embodiments, the terminal device does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0222] A cell under a gNB does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0223] A cell under a gNB-DU does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0224] A cell does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0225] A cell supports simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO.

[0226] In addition, in some examples, the triggering of L3 HO or CHO and LTM cell change execution may include the following situations:

[0227] Only one of the L3 HO, CHO, or LTM cell changes is triggered;

[0228] L3 HO or CHO, as well as LTM cell changes, are all triggered;

[0229] During the execution of LTM, L3 HO or CHO is triggered, or LTM cell change is triggered when L3 HO or CHO is triggered.

[0230] In the above situation, the execution of L3 HO or CHO and LTM cell changes can refer to the execution methods of the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] The above description only covers the steps or processes relevant to this application, but this application is not limited thereto. The methods in the embodiments of this application may also include other steps or processes, and for details of these steps or processes, please refer to related technologies.

[0232] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0233] Through the above embodiments, the terminal device performs LTM cell change according to LTM triggered by conditional LTM and / or LTM cell change command. Thus, the coexistence of conditional LTM, Inter-CU LTM and Intra-CU LTM can be realized. Furthermore, by limiting the transmission of L3 HO command and CHO command, the coexistence of conditional LTM, L3 HO and CHO can be supported, reducing the possibility of RLF.

[0234] Second aspect of the embodiments

[0235] This application provides a method for LTM candidate configuration, applied to network devices.

[0236] Figure 4 is another schematic diagram of the method for LTM candidate configuration according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes:

[0237] 401. The network device sends the LTM candidate configuration to the terminal device. The LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change.

[0238] In this embodiment of the application, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0239] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, wherein the first LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the first LTM cell, and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the second LTM cell.

[0240] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration.

[0241] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0242] In some embodiments, a third LTM candidate configuration including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the first LTM cell change, or a third LTM candidate configuration not including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the second LTM cell change.

[0243] In some embodiments, the network device sends an LTM cell change command when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0244] The centralized unit (CU) where the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command resides does not have the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM cell change; or

[0245] The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command does not have the corresponding execution conditions.

[0246] In some embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with execution conditions for changing the first LTM cell, the network device does not send an LTM cell handover command to the terminal device.

[0247] In some embodiments, the network device sends an L3 HO command when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0248] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command is not a candidate configuration for LTM cell changes;

[0249] The L3 HO command indicates that the target cell does not have an LTM cell, thus changing the corresponding execution conditions.

[0250] The implementation methods for 401 and 402 can be referred to the embodiments in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0251] The above description only covers the steps or processes relevant to this application, but this application is not limited thereto. The methods in the embodiments of this application may also include other steps or processes, and for details of these steps or processes, please refer to related technologies.

[0252] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0253] Through the above embodiments, the network device sends LTM candidate configurations including those for triggering LTM with conditional LTM and / or LTM cell change commands. This enables the coexistence of conditional LTM, Inter-CU LTM, and Intra-CU LTM. Furthermore, by limiting the sending of L3 HO commands and CHO commands, the coexistence of conditional LTM, L3 HO, and CHO can be supported, reducing the likelihood of RLF occurrence.

[0254] Third aspect of the embodiments

[0255] This application provides an apparatus for changing an LTM cell. This LTM cell changing apparatus can be applied to a terminal device. This LTM cell changing apparatus corresponds to the method of the first aspect embodiment; identical details are omitted here.

[0256] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an LTM cell changing device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the LTM cell changing device 500 may include:

[0257] The receiving unit 501 receives LTM candidate configurations sent by the network device;

[0258] Processing unit 502 performs LTM cell change, which includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0259] The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0260] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, wherein the first LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the first LTM cell, and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the second LTM cell.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration includes up to N1 configurations (e.g., 4, 8, 16), and the second LTM candidate configuration includes up to N1 configurations (e.g., 4, 8, 16).

[0262] In some embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration includes up to N2 configurations (e.g., 4, 8, 16), and the second LTM candidate configuration includes up to 8 configurations.

[0263] In some embodiments, the terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on a first ID, wherein the first ID is a first LTM candidate configuration ID, and the first ID is different from the second LTM candidate configuration ID (LTM-Candidate ID), or the terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on the second LTM candidate configuration ID.

[0264] In some embodiments, the total number of the first ID and the second LTM candidate configuration ID is N1.

[0265] In some embodiments, the number of the second LTM candidate configuration IDs is at most 8, and the number of the first IDs is at least 1 and at most N1-8.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first LTM candidate configuration associated with the first ID or the candidate configuration for changing the first LTM cell includes or is associated with at least one of the following:

[0267] LTM candidate configurations;

[0268] The corresponding execution conditions;

[0269] The execution conditions are provided by the serving cell, the source cell, the LTM candidate configuration, or the target cell.

[0270] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration.

[0271] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0272] In some embodiments, a third LTM candidate configuration including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the first LTM cell change; or, a third LTM candidate configuration not including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the second LTM cell change.

[0273] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used (only) for changes in the first LTM cell and not for changes in the second LTM cell.

[0274] According to the instructions / configuration of the network device, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is (only) used for the first LTM cell change and not for the second LTM cell change, or

[0275] The third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for changes in the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell, or...

[0276] According to the instructions / configuration of the network device, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0277] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or is not associated with corresponding execution conditions is used (only) for the second LTM cell change, and not for the first LTM cell change.

[0278] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures at least one of the following:

[0279] The third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change;

[0280] The third LTM candidate configuration is used for third LTM cell change, wherein the third LTM cell change is a Release 19 LTM cell change and / or an Inter-CU LTM cell change.

[0281] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change, including:

[0282] The terminal device receives an instruction / configuration from the network device, wherein the instruction / configuration corresponds to a third LTM candidate configuration for changing the first LTM cell, or changing the second LTM cell, or changing both the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell.

[0283] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change, including:

[0284] The terminal device receives a first parameter indicated / configured by the network device, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used at least for the first LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used only for the first LTM cell change, and / or

[0285] The terminal device receives a second parameter indicated / configured by the network device. The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used at least for the second LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used only for the second LTM cell change.

[0286] In some embodiments, the network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for third LTM cell change, including: the terminal device using the third LTM candidate configuration for third LTM cell change according to the instruction / configuration of the network device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a third parameter indicated / configured by the network device, the third parameter indicating that the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the third LTM cell change, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the third parameter is used (only) for the third LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the third parameter is not used for the first LTM cell change.

[0288] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration includes or is associated with a second ID, and the terminal device determines whether the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for the third LTM cell change based on the second ID.

[0289] In some embodiments, if the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is the same as the second ID included or associated in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used at least for the first LTM cell change, or the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used only for the first LTM cell change; and / or

[0290] If the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is different from the second ID included or associated in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used at least for the second LTM cell change, or the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used only for the second LTM cell change.

[0291] In some embodiments, only one of the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change is triggered.

[0292] In some embodiments, the terminal device uses the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first LTM cell change or the second LTM cell change to perform the LTM cell change.

[0293] In some embodiments, before receiving an LTM cell change command, the terminal device satisfies the execution conditions for the first LTM cell change, and the terminal device executes the first LTM cell change using the corresponding LTM candidate configuration.

[0294] In some embodiments, if there are multiple triggering cells that meet the execution conditions for the first LTM cell change, the terminal device selects one of the triggering cells to execute the first LTM cell change based on at least one of the following conditions:

[0295] Beam and beam quality;

[0296] Valid TA;

[0297] Activated TCI State;

[0298] Dedicated RA configuration;

[0299] Configured grant settings.

[0300] In some embodiments, before the execution conditions of the first LTM are met, the terminal device receives an LTM cell change command, and the terminal device uses the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target candidate ID indicated by the LTM cell change command to perform the LTM cell change.

[0301] In some embodiments, the terminal device performs LTM cell change using the corresponding LTM candidate configuration, or waits, based on the configuration / instructions of the network device.

[0302] In some embodiments, when both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, the terminal device performs an LTM cell change according to at least one of the following:

[0303] Implemented based on terminal devices;

[0304] According to network configuration;

[0305] Prioritize changes to the first LTM cell;

[0306] Prioritize the implementation of changes to the second LTM cell;

[0307] Based on terminal devices, considering the first condition;

[0308] Based on the first condition.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0310] Beam and beam quality;

[0311] There is a valid TA;

[0312] Activated TCI State;

[0313] Dedicated RA configuration;

[0314] Configured grant settings.

[0315] In some embodiments, while the terminal device is performing an LTM cell change, another LTM cell change is triggered:

[0316] The terminal device continues the current LTM cell change process, or,

[0317] The terminal device is implemented based on the UE and can continue the current LTM cell change process, or perform, start, initiate, or execute another LTM cell change.

[0318] In some embodiments, the terminal device ignores the LTM cell change command sent by the network device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0319] The centralized unit (CU) where the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command is located has the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM cell to change; or

[0320] The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command has corresponding execution conditions.

[0321] In some embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with execution conditions for changing the first LTM cell, the network device does not send an LTM cell handover command to the terminal device.

[0322] In some embodiments, the CU has corresponding execution conditions, including at least one of the following:

[0323] At least one LTM candidate configuration of the CU has an execution condition;

[0324] The CU is associated with at least one LTM candidate configuration and is associated with at least one execution condition provided by the serving cell, source cell, candidate cell, LTM candidate configuration, or target cell.

[0325] The network device instructs that all LTM candidate configurations of the CU should not be used for second LTM cell changes or for first LTM cell changes;

[0326] At least one LTM candidate configuration of the CU includes or configures parameters for changing the first LTM cell;

[0327] All LTM candidate configurations of the CU do not include or are not configured with parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0328] All LTM candidate configurations of the CU do not include or are not configured with parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0329] In some embodiments, the target configuration ID has corresponding execution conditions, including at least one of the following:

[0330] The target configuration ID is associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0331] The LTM candidate configurations for the target configuration ID include execution conditions;

[0332] The LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID is associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0333] The network device indicates that the LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID is not used for the second LTM cell change, or the network device indicates that the LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID is used for the first LTM cell change;

[0334] The target configuration ID is associated with parameters used to change in the first LTM cell;

[0335] The LTM candidate configuration of the target configuration ID includes parameters indicating changes for the first LTM cell;

[0336] The target configuration ID is not associated with parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0337] The LTM candidate configuration for the target configuration ID does not include parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0338] The target configuration ID is not associated with parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell;

[0339] The LTM candidate configuration for the target configuration ID does not include parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0340] In some embodiments, the terminal device ignores the L3HO command sent by the network device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0341] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command is a candidate configuration for LTM cell changes;

[0342] The L3 HO command indicates that the target cell has an LTM cell and the corresponding execution conditions have been changed.

[0343] In some embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with execution conditions for changing the first LTM cell, the network device does not send an L3 HO command to the terminal device.

[0344] In some embodiments, there are corresponding execution conditions for LTM, including at least one of the following:

[0345] The target cell is associated with the corresponding LTM execution conditions;

[0346] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell includes the execution conditions;

[0347] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell is associated with the corresponding execution conditions;

[0348] The network device indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is not used for the second LTM cell change, or the network device indicates that the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change.

[0349] The target cell association indicates the parameters used for changes in the first LTM cell;

[0350] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell includes parameters indicating changes for the first LTM cell;

[0351] The target cell is not associated with parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0352] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell does not include parameters indicating changes for the second LTM cell;

[0353] The target cell is not associated with parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell;

[0354] The LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the target cell does not include parameters indicating changes for the third LTM cell.

[0355] In some embodiments, the terminal device does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0356] A cell under a gNB does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0357] A cell under a gNB-DU does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0358] A cell does not support simultaneous configuration of the first LTM cell change and CHO; or

[0359] A cell supports simultaneous configuration of changes to the first LTM cell and CHO.

[0360] It is worth noting that the above description only covers the components or modules relevant to this application, but this application is not limited thereto. The LTM cell alteration apparatus 500 in this application embodiment may also include other components or modules, and for details regarding these components or modules, please refer to related technologies.

[0361] Furthermore, for simplicity, Figure 5 only illustrates the connection relationships or signal flow between the various components or modules, but those skilled in the art should understand that various related technologies such as bus connections can be used. The aforementioned components or modules can be implemented using hardware facilities such as processors, memory, transmitters, and receivers; this application does not limit this implementation.

[0362] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0363] Through the above embodiments, the terminal device performs LTM cell change according to LTM triggered by conditional LTM and / or LTM cell change command. Thus, the coexistence of conditional LTM, Inter-CU LTM and Intra-CU LTM can be realized. Furthermore, by limiting the transmission of L3 HO command and CHO command, the coexistence of conditional LTM, L3 HO and CHO can be supported, reducing the possibility of RLF.

[0364] Fourth aspect of the embodiment

[0365] This application provides an apparatus for LTM candidate configuration, which is applied to a network device and corresponds to the method in the second aspect embodiment. The same content is omitted from the description.

[0366] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of an LTM candidate configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the LTM candidate configuration apparatus 600 may include a sending unit 601 and a processing unit 602.

[0367] The sending unit 601 sends an LTM candidate configuration to the terminal device, the LTM candidate configuration being used for first LTM cell change and / or second LTM cell change.

[0368] In this embodiment of the application, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0369] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a first LTM configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, wherein the first LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the first LTM cell, and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the second LTM cell.

[0370] In some embodiments, the LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration.

[0371] In some embodiments, the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0372] In some embodiments, a third LTM candidate configuration including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the first LTM cell change; or, a third LTM candidate configuration not including or associated with corresponding execution conditions is used for the second LTM cell change.

[0373] In some embodiments, the sending unit 601 sends an LTM cell change command to the terminal device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0374] The centralized unit (CU) where the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command resides does not have the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM cell change; or

[0375] The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command does not have the corresponding execution conditions.

[0376] In some embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with execution conditions for changing the first LTM cell, the sending unit 601 does not send an LTM cell handover command to the terminal device.

[0377] In some embodiments, the sending unit 601 sends an L3HO command to the terminal device when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0378] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command is not a candidate configuration for LTM cell changes;

[0379] The target cell indicated by the L3 HO command does not have the corresponding execution conditions.

[0380] The implementation methods for 601 and 602 can be referred to the embodiments of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. The implementation methods for the receiving unit and the transmitting unit can be referred to the embodiments of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0381] It is worth noting that the above description only covers the components or modules relevant to this application, but this application is not limited thereto. The LTM candidate configuration apparatus 600 of this application embodiment may also include other components or modules, and for details of these components or modules, please refer to related technologies.

[0382] Furthermore, for simplicity, Figure 6 only illustrates the connection relationships or signal flow between the various components or modules, but those skilled in the art should understand that various related technologies such as bus connections can be used. The aforementioned components or modules can be implemented using hardware facilities such as processors, memory, transmitters, and receivers; this application does not limit this implementation.

[0383] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0384] Through the above embodiments, the network device sends LTM candidate configurations including those for triggering LTM with conditional LTM and / or LTM cell change commands. This enables the coexistence of conditional LTM, Inter-CU LTM, and Intra-CU LTM. Furthermore, by limiting the sending of L3 HO commands and CHO commands, the coexistence of conditional LTM, L3 HO, and CHO can be supported, reducing the likelihood of RLF occurrence.

[0385] Fifth aspect of the embodiment

[0386] This application provides a communication system that may include network devices and terminal devices.

[0387] Referring to Figure 1, the terminal device includes the candidate configuration device of the third aspect embodiment, and the network device includes the candidate configuration device of the fourth aspect embodiment. The contents that are the same as those in the embodiments of the first to fourth aspects will not be repeated.

[0388] This application provides a communication system, including:

[0389] Network devices that send LTM candidate configurations;

[0390] The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration and performs an LTM cell change, wherein performing the LTM cell change includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0391] The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0392] This application also provides a terminal device.

[0393] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the terminal device 700 may include a processor 710 and a memory 720; the memory 720 stores data and programs and is coupled to the processor 710. It is worth noting that this figure is exemplary; other types of structures may also be used to supplement or replace this structure to implement telecommunications functions or other functions.

[0394] For example, processor 710 can be configured to execute a program to implement the method as described in the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0395] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal device 700 may further include: a communication module 730, an input unit 740, a display 750, and a power supply 760. The functions of these components are similar to those in the prior art and will not be described in detail here. It is worth noting that the terminal device 700 does not necessarily include all the components shown in Figure 7; these components are not essential. Furthermore, the terminal device 700 may also include components not shown in Figure 7, which can be referred to in the prior art.

[0396] This application also provides a network device.

[0397] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the network device configuration according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the network device 800 may include: a processor 801 (e.g., a central processing unit CPU) and a memory 802; the memory 802 is coupled to the processor 801. The memory 802 can store various types of data; in addition, it also stores an information processing program 803, and executes the program 803 under the control of the processor 801.

[0398] For example, processor 801 may be configured to execute a program to implement the method as described in the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0399] In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the network device 800 may also include a communication module 804, etc.; the functions of the above components are similar to those in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here. It is worth noting that the network device 800 does not necessarily need to include all the components shown in Figure 8; furthermore, the network device 800 may also include components not shown in Figure 8, which can be referred to in the prior art.

[0400] This application also provides a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in a terminal device, the program causes the terminal device to perform the method in the first aspect embodiment.

[0401] This application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes a terminal device to perform the method described in the first aspect embodiment.

[0402] This application also provides a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in a network device, the program causes the network device to perform the method described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0403] This application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes a network device to perform the method described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0404] The apparatus and methods described above in this application can be implemented in hardware or in combination with software. This application relates to a computer-readable program that, when executed by a logic component, enables the logic component to implement the apparatus or components described above, or to implement the various methods or steps described above. This application also relates to storage media for storing the above programs, such as hard disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, DVDs, flash memory, etc.

[0405] The methods / apparatus described in conjunction with the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in hardware, software modules executed by a processor, or a combination of both. For example, one or more and / or combinations of one or more functional block diagrams shown in the figures can correspond to various software modules in a computer program flow, or to various hardware modules. These software modules can correspond to the various steps shown in the figures, respectively. These hardware modules can be implemented, for example, using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to embed these software modules.

[0406] The software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storage medium can be coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium; or the storage medium can be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The software module can be stored in the memory of a mobile terminal or in a memory card that can be inserted into the mobile terminal. For example, if the device (such as a mobile terminal) uses a high-capacity MEGA-SIM card or a high-capacity flash memory device, the software module can be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the high-capacity flash memory device.

[0407] One or more and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings can be implemented as a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or any suitable combination thereof for performing the functions described herein. One or more and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in communication with a DSP, or any other such configuration.

[0408] The present application has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these descriptions are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application based on its spirit and principles, and these modifications and variations are also within the scope of the present application.

[0409] Regarding the implementation methods including the above embodiments, the following notes are also disclosed:

[0410] 1. A method for LTM cell modification, comprising:

[0411] The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration sent by the network device;

[0412] The terminal device performs an LTM cell change, which includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration.

[0413] The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM (CLTM) cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0414] 2. A method for LTM candidate configuration, comprising:

[0415] The network device sends LTM candidate configurations to the terminal device. These LTM candidate configurations are used for first LTM cell changes and / or second LTM cell changes.

[0416] Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

[0417] 3. The method according to Appendix 2, wherein the LTM candidate configuration includes a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration, wherein the first LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the first LTM cell, and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for changing the second LTM cell; or,

[0418] The LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration; the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

[0419] 4. The method according to Appendix 2, wherein the network device sends an LTM cell change command when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0420] The centralized unit (CU) where the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command resides does not have the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM cell change; or

[0421] The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command does not have the corresponding execution conditions.

[0422] 5. According to the method described in Appendix 2, wherein only one of the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change is triggered; the terminal device uses the corresponding LTM candidate configuration of the first LTM cell change or the second LTM cell change to perform the LTM cell change.

[0423] 6. The method according to Appendix 2, wherein when both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, the terminal device performs the LTM cell change according to at least one of the following: based on the terminal device implementation; based on network configuration; prioritizing the first LTM cell change; prioritizing the second LTM cell change; based on the terminal device implementation, considering a first condition; based on the first condition.

[0424] 7. A terminal device comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program and the processor being configured to execute the computer program to implement the LTM cell change method as described in Appendix 1.

[0425] 8. A network device comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program and the processor being configured to execute the computer program to implement a method for LTM candidate configuration as described in any one of Appendices 2 to 6.

[0426] 9. A computer program product comprising at least a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes a terminal device to perform the LTM cell change method as described in Appendix 1.

[0427] 10. A computer program product comprising at least a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes a network device to perform a method for LTM candidate configuration as described in any one of Appendices 2 to 6.

Claims

1. An LTM cell modification device, configured in a terminal device, wherein, The device includes: The receiving unit receives LTM candidate configurations sent by the network device; The processing unit performs LTM cell change, which includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration. The LTM candidate configuration is used for a first LTM cell change and / or a second LTM cell change. The first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The LTM candidate configurations include a first LTM candidate configuration and a second LTM candidate configuration. The first LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change, and the second LTM candidate configuration is used for the second LTM cell change.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The first LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of N1 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration includes a maximum of N1 configurations; Alternatively, the first LTM candidate configuration may include up to N2 configurations, and the second LTM candidate configuration may include up to 8 configurations.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on the first ID, wherein the first ID is different from the LTM candidate configuration ID, or the terminal device identifies the first LTM candidate configuration based on the LTM candidate configuration ID; Wherein, the total number of the first ID and the LTM candidate configuration IDs is N1; and / or The maximum number of LTM candidate configuration IDs is 8, and the minimum number of the first IDs is 1, with a maximum of N1-8.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The first LTM candidate configuration associated with the first ID, or the candidate configuration for changing the first LTM cell, includes or is associated with at least one of the following: LTM candidate configurations; The corresponding execution conditions; The execution conditions are provided by the serving cell, the source cell, the LTM candidate configuration, or the target cell.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The LTM candidate configuration includes a third LTM candidate configuration; The third LTM candidate configuration is used for changes to the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The third LTM candidate configuration, including or associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the change of the first LTM cell; or The third LTM candidate configuration, which does not include or is not associated with the corresponding execution conditions, is used for the second LTM cell change.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for changes in the first LTM cell but not for changes in the second LTM cell. According to the instructions / configuration of the network device, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the first LTM cell change, but not for the second LTM cell change, or The third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for changes in the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell, or... According to the instructions / configuration of the network device, the third LTM candidate configuration, which includes or is associated with corresponding execution conditions, is used for the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The third LTM candidate configuration that does not include or have no associated execution conditions is used for the second LTM cell change, but not for the first LTM cell change.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, Network devices are instructed / configured to include at least one of the following: The third LTM candidate configuration is used for the first LTM cell change and / or the second LTM cell change; The third LTM candidate configuration is used for third LTM cell change, wherein the third LTM cell change is a Release 19 LTM cell change and / or an Inter-CU LTM cell change.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for changes to the first LTM cell and / or the second LTM cell, including: The terminal device receives an instruction / configuration from the network device, wherein the instruction / configuration corresponds to a third LTM candidate configuration for changing the first LTM cell, or changing the second LTM cell, or changing both the first LTM cell and the second LTM cell; or... The terminal device receives a first parameter indicated / configured by the network device, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used at least for the first LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the first parameter is used only for the first LTM cell change, and / or the terminal device receives a second parameter indicated / configured by the network device, wherein the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used at least for the second LTM cell change, or the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the second parameter is used only for the second LTM cell change.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The network device instructs / configures the third LTM candidate configuration for third LTM cell changes, including: The terminal device uses the third LTM candidate configuration for the third LTM cell change according to the instructions / configuration of the network device; The terminal device receives a third parameter indicated / configured by the network device. The third parameter indicates that the third LTM candidate configuration is used for the third LTM cell change. Alternatively, the LTM candidate configuration corresponding to the third parameter may not be used for the first LTM cell change.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The third LTM candidate configuration includes or is associated with a second ID, and the terminal device determines whether the corresponding LTM candidate configuration is used for the third LTM cell change based on the second ID.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, If the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is the same as the second ID included or associated in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used at least for the first LTM cell change, or the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used only for the first LTM cell change. and / or If the second ID of the current cell or serving cell is different from the second ID included or associated in the third LTM candidate configuration, then the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used at least for the second LTM cell change, or the corresponding LTM candidate configuration can be used only for the second LTM cell change.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, Only one of the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change is triggered; The terminal device performs the LTM cell change using the corresponding LTM candidate configuration of the first LTM cell change or the second LTM cell change.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When both the first LTM cell change and the second LTM cell change are triggered, the terminal device performs the LTM cell change according to at least one of the following: Implemented based on terminal devices; According to network configuration; The change to the first LTM cell will be executed first; Prioritize the implementation of the second LTM cell change; Based on terminal devices, considering the first condition; Based on the first condition; The first condition includes at least one of the following: Beam and beam quality; There is a valid TA; Activated TCI state; Dedicated random access configuration; Configure the authorization settings.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, While the terminal device is performing the LTM cell change, another LTM cell change is triggered: The terminal device continues the LTM cell change process, or... The terminal device, based on the UE, can continue the cell change process, or perform, start, initiate, or execute another LTM cell change.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal device ignores the LTM cell change command sent by the network device when at least one of the following conditions is met: The CU containing the target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command has the corresponding execution conditions for the first LTM cell to change; or The target configuration ID indicated by the LTM cell change command has corresponding execution conditions.

19. An apparatus for an LTM candidate configuration, configured in a network device, wherein, The device includes: The transmitting unit sends LTM candidate configurations to the terminal device, the LTM candidate configurations being used for first LTM cell change and / or second LTM cell change. Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

20. A communication system, comprising: Network devices that send LTM candidate configurations for first LTM cell change and / or second LTM cell change; The terminal device receives the LTM candidate configuration and performs an LTM cell change, wherein performing the LTM cell change includes at least applying the LTM candidate configuration. Wherein, the first LTM cell change is a conditional LTM cell change, and the second LTM cell change is an LTM cell change triggered by an LTM cell change command.

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