Communication method and apparatus, terminal, and network side device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, a terminal, and a network side device. The method in an embodiment of the present application comprises: a terminal executes a first operation, wherein executing the first operation comprises at least one of the following: sending terminal capability information to a network side device, wherein the terminal capability information is used for reporting a cell configuration supported by the terminal; receiving first configuration information sent by the network side device, wherein the first configuration information is used for configuring at least one of a first cell and a second cell of the terminal; receiving second configuration information sent by the network side device, wherein the second configuration information is used for configuring at least one of radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth part (BWP) switching of the terminal; receiving third configuration information sent by the network side device, wherein the third configuration information is used for configuring at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM of the terminal; receiving first indication information sent by the network side device; and receiving second indication information sent by the network side device.

Description

Communication methods, devices, terminals and network-side equipment

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510376191.X, filed in China on March 27, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] Related technologies introduce multi-carrier aggregation into a single cell (i.e., multi-carrier cell) or multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs) configured on a single carrier. However, there are currently no implementations of multi-carrier cells or multiple BWPs on a single carrier, preventing terminals from implementing related applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, terminal, and network-side device that can solve the problem that terminals cannot implement multi-carrier cells or multiple BWPs under one carrier.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0007] The terminal executes the first operation;

[0008] The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0009] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0010] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0011] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0012] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0013] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0014] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0015] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0016] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0017] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0018] Secondly, a communication method is provided, executed by a network-side device, the method comprising:

[0019] The network-side device performs the second operation;

[0020] The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0021] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0022] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0023] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0024] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0025] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0026] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0027] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0028] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0029] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0031] The processing module executes the first operation;

[0032] The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0033] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0034] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0035] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0036] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0037] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0038] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0039] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0040] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0041] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0042] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0043] The processing module is used to perform the second operation;

[0044] The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0045] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0046] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0047] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0048] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0049] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0050] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0051] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0052] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0053] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0054] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, a terminal is provided, the terminal including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0056] Seventhly, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein,

[0057] The processor is used to: perform the first operation;

[0058] The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0059] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0060] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0061] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0062] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0063] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0064] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0065] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0066] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0067] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0068] Eighthly, a network-side device is provided, the network-side device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0069] Ninthly, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein,

[0070] The processor is used to perform the second operation;

[0071] The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0072] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0073] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0074] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0075] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0076] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0077] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0078] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0079] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0080] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0082] Eleventhly, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, and the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0083] In a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0084] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the method as described in the second aspect.

[0085] In this embodiment, the terminal reports its capability information to the network-side device, enabling the network-side device to configure the terminal's first and / or second cell based on the terminal's capabilities. The terminal receives first configuration information from the network-side device, enabling configuration of the terminal's first and / or second cell. The terminal receives second configuration information from the network-side device, enabling RLM carrier handover and / or RLM BWP handover configuration. The terminal receives third configuration information from the network-side device, enabling cross-carrier RLM and / or cross-BWP RLM configuration. The terminal receives first indication information from the network-side device, enabling RLM carrier handover or RLM BWP handover based on the first indication information. The terminal receives second indication information from the network-side device, enabling cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM based on the second indication information. Thus, the terminal can implement applications related to multi-carrier cells or multiple BWPs under one carrier. Attached Figure Description

[0086] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 2a is one of the schematic diagrams of scenario deployment in related technologies;

[0088] Figure 2b is the second schematic diagram of scenario deployment in related technologies;

[0089] Figure 3 is a flowchart of one of the communication methods provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 4a is a second flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 4b is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 4c is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 4d is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of one of the structures of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 10 is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 11 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0101] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0102] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0103] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the required operation, or the requested result in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the required operation or requested result based on the judgment result.

[0104] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0105] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can also be referred to as User Equipment (UE), and can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (APs), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.Among them, base stations can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmission and Reception Point (TRP), and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform). The term "base station" can be any suitable term in the field, such as "station" or any other appropriate term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the base station in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of base station.

[0106] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), and Binding Support. Functions include BSF, Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform station).It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it is also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0107] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0108] For ease of understanding, the following explains some aspects of the embodiments of this application:

[0109] 1. Anchor cell / Non-anchor cell

[0110] Potential network energy-saving technologies can be broadly categorized into time-domain energy saving, frequency-domain energy saving, and spatial-domain energy saving. Among these, the concept of anchored cells originates from time-domain energy-saving technologies. Through network configuration information, a terminal can determine if there is an anchored cell and at least one non-anchored cell near its location. Regarding network energy-saving scenarios, the following conclusions can be drawn:

[0111] (1) Non-anchored cells that do not send System Information Blocks (SIBs) are only applicable to multi-carrier scenarios;

[0112] (2) The UE is located within the coverage area of ​​one anchored cell and one or more non-anchored cells;

[0113] (3) A non-anchored cell that does not send SIBs refers to a cell in which a UE cannot receive SIBs; a non-anchored cell that does not send Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) and SIBs refers to a cell in which a UE cannot receive either SIBs or SSBs.

[0114] (4) The UE may access the network only through the anchored cell, or it may also be able to access the network directly through a non-anchored cell. If direct access to a non-anchored cell is supported, the SIB of the anchored cell may also carry the information required for accessing the non-anchored cell;

[0115] (5) The timing, synchronization, and quasi-co-location (QCL) relationships of non-anchored cells that do not send SSB and SIB need to be determined through another cell;

[0116] (6) The UE is camped in the anchored cell; the UE is not camped in a non-anchored cell that does not send SIBs, or a non-anchored cell that does not send SSBs and SIBs.

[0117] (7) The paging function is not supported on non-anchored cells that do not send SIBs or SSBs and SIBs.

[0118] For 6G, there are two possible deployment scenarios:

[0119] As shown in Figure 2a, deployment scenario 1: Anchor cells and non-anchor cells do not co-locate;

[0120] As shown in Figure 2b, deployment scenario 2: Anchor cell / Non-anchor cell co-location.

[0121] 2. Anchor carrier / Non-anchor carrier

[0122] Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is built on cellular networks and consumes only about 180kHz of bandwidth. It can be directly deployed on GSM, UMTS, or LTE networks to reduce deployment costs and enable smooth upgrades.

[0123] Because NB-IoT single-frequency cells only have a bandwidth of 180kHz, the remaining service channel capacity is very small after deducting the overhead of the NB-IoT Physical Synchronization Signal (NPSS), Narrowband Secondary Synchronization Signal (NSSS), and SIB. To support a massive number of terminals, multiple frequency points are needed to increase network capacity, hence the concept of anchor carrier / non-anchor carrier is introduced.

[0124] In addition to anchored carriers that include NPSS, NSSS, and Narrowband Physical Broadcast Channel (NPBCH), a cell may also include at least one non-anchored carrier that does not include NPSS, NSSS, and NPBCH.

[0125] Non-anchored carriers can offload the load of anchored carriers, including SIB1 load (only TDD carriers can be offloaded), paging load, and Random Access Channel (RACH) load.

[0126] When a UE initially camps on a cell, signal quality measurements must be performed on the anchored carrier. Once the measurement relaxation conditions are met, the UE can switch to a non-anchored carrier for measurement.

[0127] When anchored and non-anchored carriers are deployed together, their coverage areas are nearly identical, both within the same 20MHz frequency band. The base station can configure Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources for the UE on the anchored carrier and n non-anchored carriers, and configure the access probability 'a' for the anchored carrier. For the n configured non-anchored carriers, the access probability is...

[0128] 3. Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) capability reporting

[0129] For NR UEs, the following terminal reporting capabilities are supported:

[0130] ssb-RLM: Indicates whether the terminal can perform RLM based on SSB measurements;

[0131] csi-RS-RLM: Indicates whether the terminal can perform RLM based on the measurement of the CSI Reference Signal (CSI-RS);

[0132] ssb-AndCSI-RS-RLM: Indicates whether the terminal can perform RLM based on SSB and CSI-RS measurements;

[0133] maxNumberResource-CSI-RS-RLM: For CSI-RS-based RLM, defines the maximum number of CSI-RS resources supported by the terminal within a slot of each Special Cell (SpCell).

[0134] For unlicensed frequency band access, the following terminal reporting capabilities are supported:

[0135] ssb-RLM-DynamicChAccess-r16: Indicates whether the terminal can support RLM based on SSB measurements for dynamic channel access mode;

[0136] ssb-RLM-Semi-StaticChAccess-r16: Indicates whether the terminal can support SSB-based RLM for semi-static channel access mode;

[0137] csi-RS-RLM-r16: Indicates whether the terminal can support RLM based on CSI-RS measurements for unlicensed frequency band access;

[0138] ssb-AndCSI-RS-RLM-r16: Indicates whether the terminal can perform RLM based on SSB and CSI-RS measurements.

[0139] For RLM measurement relaxation, the following terminal reporting capabilities are supported:

[0140] rlm-Relaxation-r17: Indicates whether the terminal supports the criteria and requirements for RLM measurement relaxation. The terminal must maintain a consistent setting for this capability value across all FDD-FR1, TDD-FR1, TDD-FR1-1, and TDD-FR1-2 bands.

[0141] For out-of-band RLM / BM / BFD, the following terminal reporting capabilities are supported:

[0142] rlm-BM-BFD-CSI-RS-OutsideActiveBWP-r18: Indicates whether the UE is supported to perform RLM / BM / BFD based on CSI-RS when the CD-SSB is outside the active DL BWP.

[0143] 4. RLM

[0144] Currently, the physical layer only reports "in-sync" or "out-of-sync" instructions to the upper layer for the SpCell. In other words, RLM only occurs on the SpCell.

[0145] 5. RLM on SCell

[0146] The network can configure RLM-RS not only on the SpCell, but also on the Scell.

[0147] 6. Carrier Aggregation Variant

[0148] When a UE reports FR1 / FR2 and FDD / TDD carrier aggregation, it can specify which frequency band cells it supports as SpCells via the following IE:

[0149] fr1fdd-FR1TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1FDD: When the FR1 TDD cell is used as a secondary cell, the UE supports the FR1FDD cell as the SpCell;

[0150] fr1fdd-FR1TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1TDD;

[0151] fr1fdd-FR1TDD-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1FDD: When an FR1 TDD cell and an FR2 TDD cell are used as secondary cells, the UE supports an FR1 FDD cell as an SpCell;

[0152] fr1fdd-FR1TDD-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1TDD;

[0153] fr1fdd-FR1TDD-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR2TDD;

[0154] fr1fdd-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1FDD;

[0155] fr1fdd-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR2TDD;

[0156] fr1tdd-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR1TDD;

[0157] fr1tdd-FR2TDD-CA-SpCellOnFR2TDD.

[0158] The communication methods, apparatuses, and related devices provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0159] Referring to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0160] Step 101: The terminal performs the first operation;

[0161] The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0162] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0163] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0164] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0165] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0166] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0167] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0168] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0169] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0170] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0171] In one implementation, when the second cell is a single-carrier cell, the carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple BWPs.

[0172] In one embodiment, when the second cell is a multi-carrier cell, a first carrier exists among the multiple carriers of the second cell. The first carrier is configured with multiple BWPs, and the first carrier is any one of the multiple carriers of the second cell.

[0173] In one implementation, at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs, that is, multiple BWPs configured on one carrier (such as the first carrier) of the second cell are initial BWPs.

[0174] For example, for an idle terminal, multiple initial uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) BWPs are configured within one carrier of the second cell for PAGING or RACH.

[0175] In one implementation, at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple active BWPs, that is, multiple BWPs configured on one carrier of the second cell (such as the first carrier) are active BWPs.

[0176] For example, for a connected terminal, a carrier in the second cell is configured with multiple active UL or DL ​​BWPs.

[0177] It's important to clarify that the difference between the first cell and the second cell lies in whether the resources of different frequency bands are modeled as multiple carriers or multiple BWPs. The first cell is implemented by modeling the resources of different frequency bands as multiple carriers, which are then aggregated into the first cell. The second cell is implemented by modeling the resources of different frequency bands as multiple BWPs, which are then aggregated into a single carrier in the second cell. For example, the resources of the 700MHz / 800MHz / 900MHz frequency bands can be modeled as three carriers (the first cell) or three BWPs (the carrier of the second cell).

[0178] In one implementation, the second indication information is used to activate or deactivate the cross-carrier RLM.

[0179] In one implementation, the second indication information is used to activate or deactivate the cross-BWP RLM.

[0180] In one implementation, the cell configuration being associated with the first cell can mean that the cell configuration is a configuration related to the first cell, for example, the cell configuration is the cell configuration of the first cell.

[0181] In one implementation, the cell configuration being associated with the second cell can mean that the cell configuration is a configuration related to the second cell, for example, the cell configuration is the cell configuration of the second cell.

[0182] In this embodiment, the terminal reports its capability information to the network-side device, enabling the network-side device to configure the terminal's first and / or second cell based on the terminal's capabilities. The terminal receives first configuration information from the network-side device, enabling configuration of the terminal's first and / or second cell. The terminal receives second configuration information from the network-side device, enabling RLM carrier handover and / or RLM BWP handover configuration. The terminal receives third configuration information from the network-side device, enabling cross-carrier RLM and / or cross-BWP RLM configuration. The terminal receives first indication information from the network-side device, enabling RLM carrier handover or RLM BWP handover based on the first indication information. The terminal receives second indication information from the network-side device, enabling cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM based on the second indication information. Thus, the terminal can implement applications related to multi-carrier cells or multiple BWPs under one carrier.

[0183] Optionally,

[0184] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0185] The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0186] The number of carriers in the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0187] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell.

[0188] The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources;

[0189] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources;

[0190] The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information;

[0191] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching;

[0192] The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0193] The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function;

[0194] The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0195] The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier;

[0196] The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources;

[0197] And / or,

[0198] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0199] The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal;

[0200] The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell;

[0201] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell.

[0202] The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources;

[0203] The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources;

[0204] The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS;

[0205] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover;

[0206] The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups.

[0207] The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality;

[0208] The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs.

[0209] The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP.

[0210] The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

[0211] In the embodiments of this application, the component carrier can also be replaced by a member carrier, carrier unit, component carrier, or constituent carrier.

[0212] In the embodiments of this application, the component BWP can also be replaced by member BWP, BWP unit, component BWP or ingredient BWP.

[0213] In one implementation, the constituent carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal (e.g., UE) includes at least one of the following:

[0214] The frequency band or frequency of the component carriers: For example, a terminal can report {band1, band2, band3} to support multi-carrier cells. Then the network-side equipment can configure any combination of component carriers (CCs) within band1, band2, and band3 as a multi-carrier cell; or, for example, a terminal can report {CC1, CC2, and CC3} to support multi-carrier cells, then the network-side equipment can configure any combination of CC1, CC2, and CC3 as a multi-carrier cell.

[0215] Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier;

[0216] Bandwidth of the constituent carrier: The carrier bandwidth that supports network-side devices configuring carriers as constituent carriers of multi-carrier cells;

[0217] Starting point of the frequency constituting the carrier: Supports network-side devices in configuring the starting point position of the frequency constituting the carrier;

[0218] Frequency end point of the constituent carrier: Supports network-side devices in configuring the position of the frequency end point of the constituent carrier;

[0219] Frequency mask of constituent carriers: Network-side devices are not supported in configuring the frequency positions of constituent carriers; for example, when the mask indicates (f1,f2), it means that within the range of (f1,f2) of the carrier frequency band, network-side devices are not supported in configuring it as a constituent carrier of a multi-carrier cell.

[0220] For example, a terminal can report that it supports the network-side device configuring {CC1, CC2, and CC3} as a multi-carrier cell. Therefore, the terminal needs to report information for each CC to the network-side device, including the CC frequency band and the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the CC. The network-side device can then configure an appropriate multi-carrier cell for the terminal based on this information.

[0221] In one embodiment, the terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0222] The constituent carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal (such as UE);

[0223] The number of carriers in the first cell supported by the terminal: This indicates how many carriers the terminal supports the network-side equipment to configure as a cell. For example, the terminal can indicate per band or per band combination, etc.

[0224] The total bandwidth of the first cell supported by the terminal: the supported multi-carrier cell bandwidth, which represents the total bandwidth of the carrier group when the terminal supports the network-side device to configure several carriers into a cell; the total bandwidth can be the sum of the bandwidths of each constituent carrier, or the bandwidth distance between the lowest frequency of the lowest constituent carrier and the highest frequency of the highest constituent carrier.

[0225] The carrier that the terminal supports configuring PUCCH resources: This indicates which component carrier can be used as the carrier for the terminal to transmit PUCCH when the terminal supports configuring a multi-carrier cell with network-side equipment;

[0226] The third indication information is used to indicate whether PUCCH carrier handover is supported, that is, whether PUCCH carrier handover is supported when the terminal supports the network-side equipment to configure multi-carrier cells. The PUCCH carrier is the carrier configured with PUCCH resources.

[0227] The terminal supports configuring carrier information for RLM-RS: This indicates which component carrier the terminal can configure as the carrier for the terminal to perform RLM when the network-side device configures a multi-carrier cell;

[0228] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether RLM carrier handover is supported, that is, to indicate whether the terminal supports enabling RLM carrier handover when the network-side device configures a multi-carrier cell. For example, when the terminal reports this capability per band pair per BC (e.g., band1 and band2), and the network-side device configures carrier 1 of band1 and carrier2 of band2 for the terminal as a multi-carrier cell, if the network-side device configures carrier 1 as an RLM carrier, then the network-side device is allowed to switch the terminal's RLM carrier to carrier2; or if the network-side device configures carrier 2 as an RLM carrier, then the network-side device is allowed to switch the terminal's RLM carrier to carrier1. It should be noted that for the terminal to report support for RLM carrier handover between two carriers or two frequency bands, it needs to report in advance that each constituent carrier or each frequency band (carrier within it) supports being configured as an RLM carrier.

[0229] The terminal supports RLM carrier switching consisting of carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0230] The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether cross-carrier RLM is supported. That is, it is used to indicate whether the terminal supports configuring cross-carrier RLM for the terminal when the network-side device configures a multi-carrier cell. For example, when two CCs with similar frequencies are configured as a multi-carrier cell, the network-side device can configure SSB based on RLM for CC1 and CSI-RS based on RLM for CC2. The terminal can perform RLM based on SSB of CC1 and CSI-RS of CC2.

[0231] The terminal supports carrier groups (i.e., carrier groups) or frequency band groups (i.e., carrier frequency band groups) for cross-carrier RLM: This indicates that the terminal supports carrier combinations or frequency band combinations for cross-carrier RLM. For example, when the terminal indicates that {CC1,CC2} supports cross-carrier RLM, it means that the terminal supports RLM based on SSB / CSI-RS of CC1 and CSI-RS / SSB of CC2.

[0232] The terminal supports configuring constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the primary carrier: This indicates that when the network-side device configures multiple carriers as a multi-carrier cell, the terminal supports the network-side device in configuring which constituent carrier or which frequency band of the carrier as the primary carrier (anchor carrier). For example, when the terminal reports that {CC1, CC2, and CC3} can be configured as a multi-carrier cell, and simultaneously reports that CC1 can be configured as the primary carrier and CC2 can also be configured as the primary carrier, then when the network-side device configures CC1 / CC2 / CC3 to the terminal as a multi-carrier cell, it can choose to configure CC1 or CC2 as the primary carrier of the terminal.

[0233] The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources: This indicates that when the network-side equipment configures multiple carriers as a multi-carrier cell, the terminal supports the network-side equipment in configuring paging resources (such as paging frame, paging occasion (PO), or permanent equipment identifier (PEI)) for which constituent carrier or carrier frequency band. For example, the terminal may want the network-side equipment to configure PO on the low-frequency band CC1 and configure data transmission on the high-frequency band CC2 to achieve balanced transmission efficiency. Therefore, the terminal only reports CC1 as a constituent carrier that supports paging configuration.

[0234] In one implementation, as shown in Figure 4a, the terminal receives a terminal capability query message (such as a terminal capability query request) from the network-side device; the terminal sends terminal capability information to the network-side device, reporting the multi-carrier cell configurations supported by the terminal. Thus, the network-side device can configure a suitable multi-carrier cell configuration for the terminal.

[0235] By enabling the multi-carrier cell configuration supported by the aforementioned terminals, it is possible to realize how terminals report the aggregation of multiple carriers across multiple frequency bands into a single cell. This allows network-side devices to know how to configure multi-carrier cell resources for terminals. Compared to the traditional CA resource configuration method, this can reduce the signaling overhead of resource configuration and potentially reduce carrier activation latency.

[0236] In one implementation, the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal (e.g., UE) includes at least one of the following:

[0237] The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP;

[0238] The sub-BWP intervals SCS that make up the BWP;

[0239] Bandwidth constituting BWP: Supports network-side devices in configuring BWPs with the bandwidth required to form a BWP;

[0240] Frequency start point of BWP: Supports network-side devices in configuring the frequency start point location of BWP;

[0241] Frequency end points that make up a BWP: Supports network-side devices in configuring the location of the frequency end points that make up a BWP;

[0242] Frequency mask that makes up a BWP: Network-side devices are not supported in configuring the frequency locations that make up a BWP; for example, when the mask indicates (f1,f2), it means that within the range of (f1,f2) in the BWP frequency band, network-side devices are not supported in configuring it as a BWP.

[0243] In one embodiment, the terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0244] The BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal (such as UE);

[0245] The number of BWPs in the second cell supported by the terminal: This indicates how many BWPs the terminal supports the network-side equipment to configure as a carrier. For example, the terminal can indicate per band or per band combination, etc.

[0246] The total bandwidth of the second cell supported by the terminal: The supported second cell bandwidth represents the total bandwidth of the BWP group when the terminal supports the network-side device to configure several BWPs as one carrier; the total bandwidth can be the sum of the bandwidth of each component BWP, or the bandwidth distance between the lowest frequency of the lowest component BWP and the highest frequency of the highest component BWP.

[0247] Terminal supports configuration of PUCCH resources BWP: Indicates which component BWP can be used as the terminal to send PUCCH when the terminal supports the network-side device to configure the second cell;

[0248] The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether PUCCH BWP handover is supported, that is, whether PUCCH BWP handover is supported when the terminal supports the network-side equipment to configure the second cell. PUCCH BWP is the BWP that configures PUCCH resources.

[0249] Terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS: This indicates which component BWP the terminal can configure as the BWP for the terminal to perform RLM when the network-side device configures the second cell;

[0250] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether RLM BWP handover is supported, that is, to indicate whether the terminal supports enabling RLM BWP handover when the network-side device configures the second cell. For example, when the terminal reports this capability per band pair per BC (such as band1 and band2), and the network-side device configures BWP1 of band1 and BWP2 of band2 as a carrier of the second cell for the terminal, if the network-side device configures BWP1 as an RLM BWP, then the network-side device is allowed to switch the terminal's RLM BWP to BWP2; or if the network-side device configures BWP2 as an RLM BWP, then the network-side device is allowed to switch the terminal's RLM BWP to BWP1. It should be noted that if the terminal reports support for RLM BWP handover between two BWPs or two frequency bands, it needs to report in advance that each constituent BWP or each frequency band (within the BWP) supports configuration as an RLM BWP.

[0251] The terminal supports RLM BWP handover consisting of BWP groups or BWP band groups;

[0252] The eighth indication information: This indicates whether cross-BWP RLM is supported, that is, whether the terminal supports configuring cross-BWP RLM for the terminal when the network-side device configures a second cell; for example, when two BWPs with similar frequencies are configured as one carrier, the network-side device can configure the RLM-based SSB of BWP1 and the RLM-based CSI-RS of BWP2 at the same time; the terminal can perform RLM based on the SSB of BWP1 and the CSI-RS of BWP2;

[0253] Terminal supports BWP groups (i.e., forming BWP groups) or frequency band groups (i.e., BWP frequency band groups) across BWP RLM: This indicates that the terminal supports BWP combinations or frequency band combinations across BWP RLM. For example, when the terminal indicates that {BWP1, BWP2} supports cross-BWP RLM, it means that the terminal supports RLM execution based on SSB / CSI-RS of BWP1 and CSI-RS / SSB of BWP2.

[0254] The terminal supports configuring constituent BWPs or BWP frequency bands as the primary BWP: This indicates that when the network-side device configures multiple BWPs as a carrier, the terminal supports the network-side device in configuring which constituent BWP or which frequency band of BWPs as the primary BWP (anchored BWP). For example, when the terminal reports that {BWP1, BWP2, and BWP3} can be configured as a carrier, and simultaneously reports that BWP1 can be configured as the primary BWP and BWP2 can also be configured as the primary BWP, then when the network-side device configures BWP1 / BWP2 / BWP3 to the terminal as a carrier, it can choose to configure BWP1 or BWP2 as the primary BWP of the carrier.

[0255] The terminal supports configuring the constituent BWPs or BWP frequency bands for paging resources: This indicates that when the network-side device configures multiple BWPs as a single carrier, the terminal supports the network-side device configuring paging resources (such as paging frames, paging occasions, or PEIs) for which constituent BWPs or frequency bands. For example, the terminal may want the network-side device to configure PO on the low-frequency BWP1 and configure data transmission on the high-frequency BWP2 to achieve balanced transmission efficiency. Therefore, the terminal only reports BWP1 as a constituent BWP that supports paging configuration.

[0256] Optionally, the granularity of reporting the above terminal capability information can be per UE, per band combination (BC), per band, per band pair, per band pair per BC, per carrier pair, per component carrier (CC) pair, per CC (per CC per band per BC), per feature set (FS), or per FSPC (per feature set per CC), etc.

[0257] In this embodiment, the terminal may report to the network-side device the cell configurations associated with the first cell that the terminal supports; or, the terminal may report to the network-side device the cell configurations associated with the second cell that the terminal supports; or, the terminal may simultaneously report to the network-side device the cell configurations associated with the first cell and the cell configurations associated with the second cell that the terminal supports. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0258] It should be noted that, based on the aforementioned terminal capability information, the network-side equipment can consider the terminal's capabilities when configuring the terminal's first and / or second cell.

[0259] Optionally,

[0260] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0261] The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device;

[0262] The frequency start point of the first cell;

[0263] The frequency end point of the first cell;

[0264] Frequency masking of the first cell;

[0265] The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier;

[0266] The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell;

[0267] The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0268] The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0269] The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell;

[0270] And / or,

[0271] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0272] The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device;

[0273] The frequency start point of the second cell;

[0274] The frequency end point of the second cell;

[0275] Frequency masking of the second cell;

[0276] The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP;

[0277] The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell;

[0278] Carrier configuration information of the second cell;

[0279] Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0280] In one embodiment, the constituent carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device includes at least one of the following:

[0281] The frequencies that make up the carrier wave;

[0282] SCS that make up the carrier;

[0283] Bandwidth of the constituent carriers: that is, the bandwidth of each constituent carrier;

[0284] The starting point of the frequency of each component carrier: that is, the position of the starting point of the frequency of each component carrier;

[0285] Frequency end point of each component carrier: that is, the position of the frequency end point of each component carrier;

[0286] Frequency mask of a carrier: The masked portion between the start and end points of the frequency of each carrier is not configured as a carrier resource;

[0287] Frequency starting point offset of constituent carriers: that is, the offset of the frequency starting point of each constituent carrier relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common SSB of the multi-carrier cell, or the offset relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common search space of the multi-carrier cell.

[0288] Frequency end point offset of constituent carriers: that is, the offset of the frequency end point of each constituent carrier relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common SSB of the multi-carrier cell, or the offset relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common search space of the multi-carrier cell.

[0289] In one implementation, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0290] The constituent carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device;

[0291] The starting point of the first cell's frequency: that is, the starting point of the frequency of the multi-carrier cell; for example, if the network-side equipment configures CC1, CC2 and CC3 as multi-carrier cells, and the frequency relationship of CC1, CC2 and CC3 is from low to high, then the starting point of the multi-carrier cell's frequency can be the lowest frequency position of CC1.

[0292] The frequency end point of the first cell: that is, the location of the frequency end point of the multi-carrier cell; for example, if the network side equipment configures CC1, CC2 and CC3 as multi-carrier cells, and the frequency relationship of CC1, CC2 and CC3 is from low to high, then the frequency end point of the multi-carrier cell can be the highest frequency position of CC3.

[0293] The first cell's frequency mask (mask): This refers to the multi-carrier cell frequency mask, which indicates that the portion between the frequency start and end points of a multi-carrier cell is not configured as carrier resources. For example, if the network-side equipment configures CC1, CC2, and CC3 as multi-carrier cells, with their frequencies arranged from low to high, then the multi-carrier cell frequency mask indicates the portion between the frequency start and end points of the multi-carrier cell where no resources are configured.

[0294] The constituent carriers configured as the main carrier in the first cell: representing the CC configured as the main carrier;

[0295] The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell: representing the CCs configured as RLM carriers;

[0296] First indication information: used to indicate whether the RLM carrier switching function is enabled;

[0297] Second indication information: used to indicate whether cross-carrier RLM function is enabled;

[0298] The initial uplink BWP configuration information for the first cell: It can be an initial uplink BWP configured per CC, or it can be an initial uplink BWP shared by all the constituent carriers of a multi-carrier cell.

[0299] The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell: It can be an initial downlink BWP configured per CC, or it can be an initial downlink uplink BWP shared by all the constituent carriers of a multi-carrier cell.

[0300] The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell can include at least one activated BWP configuration information.

[0301] In one implementation, based on the capabilities reported by the terminal, the network-side device can configure a multi-carrier cell that matches the terminal's capabilities. As shown in Figure 4b, the terminal receives first configuration information from the network-side device, which can be multi-carrier cell configuration information.

[0302] In one embodiment, the BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device includes at least one of the following:

[0303] The frequencies that make up the BWP;

[0304] The SCS that make up the BWP;

[0305] Bandwidth comprising a BWP: that is, the bandwidth of each component of a BWP;

[0306] Frequency starting point of BWP: that is, the position of the frequency starting point of each component BWP;

[0307] Frequency end points of BWP: that is, the position of the frequency end point of each component BWP;

[0308] Frequency mask that makes up a BWP: This indicates that the masked portion between the frequency start point and the frequency end point of each component BWP is not configured as a BWP resource;

[0309] Frequency starting point offset of each component BWP: that is, the offset of the frequency starting point of each component BWP relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common SSB of the multiple BWP cells, or the offset relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common search space of the multiple BWP cells.

[0310] Frequency end point offset of a BWP: This refers to the offset of each frequency end point of a BWP relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common SSB of the multiple BWP cells, or the offset relative to the lowest or highest frequency position of the common search space of the multiple BWP cells.

[0311] In one implementation, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0312] The network-side device is configured with the component BWP information of the second cell;

[0313] The starting point of the second cell's frequency: that is, the location of the starting point of the second cell's frequency; for example, if the network-side equipment configures BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3 as a carrier, and the frequency relationship of BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3 is from low to high, then the starting point of the second cell's frequency can be the lowest frequency position of BWP1.

[0314] The frequency end point of the second cell: that is, the location of the frequency end point of the second cell; for example, if the network side equipment configures BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3 as a carrier, and the frequency relationship of BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3 is from low to high, then the frequency end point of the second cell can be the highest frequency position of BWP3.

[0315] The frequency mask of the second cell indicates the portion of the second cell's frequency range between its start and end points that is not configured as a BWP resource. For example, if the network-side equipment configures BWP1, BWP2, and BWP3 as a single carrier, with their frequencies arranged from low to high, then the second cell frequency mask indicates the portion of the second cell's frequency range between its start and end points where no resources are configured.

[0316] The component BWP configured as the primary BWP in the second cell: BWP representing the configuration of the primary BWP;

[0317] The component BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell: represents the BWP configured as RLM BWP;

[0318] First indication information: Used to indicate whether the RLM BWP switching function is enabled;

[0319] Second instruction information: used to indicate whether cross-BWP RLM functionality is enabled;

[0320] Carrier configuration information for the second cell.

[0321] In this embodiment, the terminal may receive first configuration information sent by the network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure the terminal's first cell; or, the first configuration information being used to configure the terminal's second cell; or, the first configuration information being used to configure both the terminal's first and second cells; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0322] It should be noted that the configuration of the terminal's first cell and / or second cell can be achieved through the above-mentioned first configuration information.

[0323] Optionally,

[0324] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0325] The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0326] Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0327] Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching;

[0328] Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0329] And / or,

[0330] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0331] Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0332] The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0333] BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching;

[0334] RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

[0335] In one implementation, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0336] Source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching: that is, the source carrier that allows the terminal to perform RLM carrier switching;

[0337] Target carrier for which RLM carrier switching is permitted: that is, the target carrier for which the terminal is permitted to perform RLM carrier switching;

[0338] Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching: that is, carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow the terminal to perform RLM carrier switching;

[0339] RLM-RS configuration information of the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching: used to indicate the RLM-RS on the target carrier that allows the terminal to perform RLM carrier switching; the RLM-RS includes reference signals such as SSB and CSI-RS.

[0340] In one implementation, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0341] Source BWP that allows RLM BWP handover: that is, the source BWP that allows the terminal to perform RLM BWP handover;

[0342] Target BWP that allows RLM BWP handover: That is, the target BWP that allows the terminal to perform RLM BWP handover;

[0343] BWP pairs or BWP groups that allow RLM BWP inter-switch: that is, BWP pairs or BWP groups that allow terminals to perform RLM BWP inter-switch.

[0344] RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP handover: used to indicate the RLM-RS on the target BWP that allows the terminal to perform RLM BWP handover; the RLM-RS includes reference signals such as SSB and CSI-RS.

[0345] In one implementation, the network-side device can configure RLM carrier handover for the terminal based on the capabilities reported by the terminal. As shown in Figure 4c, the terminal receives second configuration information from the network-side device, which can be RLM carrier handover configuration information.

[0346] In this embodiment, the terminal receives second configuration information sent by the network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure the terminal's RLM carrier switching; or, the second configuration information is used to configure the terminal's RLM BWP switching; or, the second configuration information is used to configure both the terminal's RLM carrier switching and RLM BWP switching. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0347] It should be noted that the above second configuration information enables the terminal to configure RLM carrier switching and / or RLM BWP switching.

[0348] Optionally, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0349] The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM;

[0350] RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM;

[0351] And / or,

[0352] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0353] Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM;

[0354] The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

[0355] In one implementation, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0356] The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM;

[0357] RLM-RS configuration information of the component carriers of the cross-carrier RLM: used to indicate the RLM-RS on each component carrier of the cross-carrier RLM; the RLM-RS includes reference signals such as SSB and CSI-RS.

[0358] In one implementation, the network-side device can configure cross-carrier RLM for the terminal based on the capabilities reported by the terminal. As shown in Figure 4d, the terminal receives third configuration information from the network-side device, which can be cross-carrier RLM configuration information.

[0359] For example, the network-side device configures cross-carrier RLM on CC1 and CC2 for the terminal. The network-side device configures the SSB on CC1 as the RLM-RS and also configures the CSI-RS on CC2 as the RLM-RS. The terminal can perform RLM based on the RLM-RS of CC1 or CC2 separately, or it can perform RLM by combining the RLM-RS of CC1 and CC2.

[0360] In one implementation, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0361] Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM;

[0362] RLM-RS configuration information for constituent BWPs across BWP RLM: used to indicate the RLM-RS on each constituent BWP across BWP RLM; the RLM-RS includes reference signals such as SSB and CSI-RS.

[0363] In this embodiment, the terminal receives third configuration information sent by the network-side device. The third configuration information is used to configure the terminal's cross-carrier RLM; or, the third configuration information is used to configure the terminal's cross-BWP RLM; or, the third configuration information is used to configure the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0364] It should be noted that the third configuration information mentioned above enables the terminal to perform cross-carrier RLM and / or cross-BWP RLM configurations.

[0365] Optionally, the RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other;

[0366] And / or,

[0367] The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

[0368] Optionally,

[0369] The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following:

[0370] The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs;

[0371] Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier;

[0372] The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave;

[0373] The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0374] The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0375] Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave;

[0376] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0377] The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave;

[0378] And / or,

[0379] The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following:

[0380] The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP;

[0381] The SCS that make up the BWP;

[0382] The bandwidth that makes up a BWP;

[0383] The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP;

[0384] The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP;

[0385] Frequency masking that makes up a BWP;

[0386] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP;

[0387] The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

[0388] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0389] The terminal receives a terminal capability query request sent by the network-side device.

[0390] In this embodiment, the terminal receives a terminal capability query request sent by the network-side device, thereby enabling the terminal to report terminal capability information to the network-side device based on the terminal capability query request.

[0391] Optionally,

[0392] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0393] Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier;

[0394] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier;

[0395] The duration of RLM carrier switching;

[0396] or,

[0397] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0398] The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP;

[0399] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP;

[0400] Duration of RLM BWP switching;

[0401] Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0402] It should be noted that the duration of the RLM carrier handover can also be described as: the handover duration of the RLM carrier handover; the duration of the RLM BWP handover can also be described as: the handover duration of the RLM BWP handover.

[0403] It should be noted that, through the aforementioned first indication information, the terminal is able to perform RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching based on the first indication information.

[0404] Optionally, if the first indication information includes the duration of RLM carrier handover, the method further includes:

[0405] The terminal starts a first timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM carrier handover;

[0406] If the first timer times out, the terminal performs an RLM carrier handover and switches to the source RLM carrier;

[0407] or,

[0408] If the first indication information includes the duration of the RLM BWP handover, the method further includes:

[0409] The terminal starts a second timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM BWP handover;

[0410] If the second timer times out, the terminal performs an RLM BWP handover and switches to the source RLM BWP.

[0411] It should be noted that the terminal starts the first timer after receiving the duration of the RLM carrier switch; when the first timer expires, the terminal switches back to the source RLM carrier. In other words, the terminal is only briefly switched to another carrier for RLM.

[0412] In this embodiment, when the first indication information includes the duration of RLM carrier switching, the terminal can determine the timing of RLM carrier switching based on whether the first timer has expired, thereby realizing RLM carrier switching.

[0413] It should be noted that after the terminal receives the duration of the RLM BWP handover, it starts a second timer; when the second timer expires, the terminal switches back to the source RLM BWP. In other words, the terminal is only briefly switched to another BWP for RLM.

[0414] In this embodiment, when the first indication information includes the duration of RLM BWP handover, the terminal can determine the timing of RLM BWP handover based on whether the second timer has expired, thereby realizing RLM BWP handover.

[0415] In related technologies, NB-IoT terminals support single-cell multi-carrier technology, but only within a single frequency band. For multi-band multi-carrier cells, there is currently no capability for terminals to report support for multi-band multi-carrier cells. Furthermore, in related technologies, Relative Multi-Low Power (RLM) is only executed on the SpCell, and how to design RLM capabilities for multi-band multi-carrier cells is a technical problem to be solved. The embodiments of this application solve the problem of how terminals can report the aggregation of multiple frequency bands into a single cell by reporting terminal capability information; and also solve the problem of how terminals can report the functionality of each carrier in a supported multi-carrier cell.

[0416] Referring to Figure 5, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0417] Step 201: The network-side device performs the second operation;

[0418] The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0419] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0420] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0421] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0422] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0423] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0424] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0425] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0426] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0427] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0428] Optionally,

[0429] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0430] The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0431] The number of carriers in the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0432] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell.

[0433] The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources;

[0434] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources;

[0435] The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information;

[0436] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching;

[0437] The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0438] The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function;

[0439] The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0440] The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier;

[0441] The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources;

[0442] And / or,

[0443] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0444] The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal;

[0445] The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell;

[0446] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell.

[0447] The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources;

[0448] The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources;

[0449] The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS;

[0450] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover;

[0451] The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups.

[0452] The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality;

[0453] The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs.

[0454] The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP.

[0455] The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

[0456] Optionally,

[0457] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0458] The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device;

[0459] The frequency start point of the first cell;

[0460] The frequency end point of the first cell;

[0461] Frequency masking of the first cell;

[0462] The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier;

[0463] The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell;

[0464] The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0465] The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0466] The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell;

[0467] And / or,

[0468] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0469] The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device;

[0470] The frequency start point of the second cell;

[0471] The frequency end point of the second cell;

[0472] Frequency masking of the second cell;

[0473] The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP;

[0474] The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell;

[0475] Carrier configuration information of the second cell;

[0476] Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0477] Optionally,

[0478] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0479] The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0480] Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0481] Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching;

[0482] Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0483] And / or,

[0484] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0485] Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0486] The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0487] BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching;

[0488] RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

[0489] Optionally,

[0490] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0491] The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM;

[0492] RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM;

[0493] And / or,

[0494] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0495] Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM;

[0496] The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

[0497] Optionally,

[0498] The RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other;

[0499] And / or,

[0500] The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

[0501] Optionally,

[0502] The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following:

[0503] The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs;

[0504] Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier;

[0505] The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave;

[0506] The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0507] The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0508] Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave;

[0509] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0510] The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave;

[0511] And / or,

[0512] The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following:

[0513] The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP;

[0514] The SCS that make up the BWP;

[0515] The bandwidth that makes up a BWP;

[0516] The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP;

[0517] The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP;

[0518] Frequency masking that makes up a BWP;

[0519] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP;

[0520] The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

[0521] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0522] The network-side device sends a terminal capability query request to the terminal.

[0523] Optionally,

[0524] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0525] Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier;

[0526] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier;

[0527] The duration of RLM carrier switching;

[0528] or,

[0529] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0530] The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP;

[0531] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP;

[0532] Duration of RLM BWP switching;

[0533] Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0534] It should be noted that this embodiment is an implementation of the network-side device corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 3. For the specific implementation, please refer to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. To avoid repetition, this embodiment will not be described again.

[0535] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a communication device. This application uses a communication device executing the communication method as an example to illustrate the communication device provided in this application.

[0536] This application provides a communication device. As an example, the communication device may be a communication equipment or a component within a communication equipment, such as a chip. The communication equipment may be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0537] The communication device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), network processors (NPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceivers, pins, circuits, buses, radio frequency units, etc.

[0538] Specifically, referring to Figure 6, when the communication device is a terminal or a component within a terminal, the communication device 300 includes:

[0539] Processing module 301 executes the first operation;

[0540] The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0541] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0542] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0543] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0544] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0545] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0546] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0547] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0548] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0549] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0550] Optionally,

[0551] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0552] The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0553] The number of carriers in the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0554] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell.

[0555] The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources;

[0556] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources;

[0557] The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information;

[0558] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching;

[0559] The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0560] The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function;

[0561] The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0562] The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier;

[0563] The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources;

[0564] And / or,

[0565] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0566] The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal;

[0567] The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell;

[0568] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell.

[0569] The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources;

[0570] The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources;

[0571] The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS;

[0572] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover;

[0573] The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups.

[0574] The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality;

[0575] The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs.

[0576] The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP.

[0577] The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

[0578] Optionally,

[0579] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0580] The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device;

[0581] The frequency start point of the first cell;

[0582] The frequency end point of the first cell;

[0583] Frequency masking of the first cell;

[0584] The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier;

[0585] The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell;

[0586] The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0587] The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0588] The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell;

[0589] And / or,

[0590] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0591] The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device;

[0592] The frequency start point of the second cell;

[0593] The frequency end point of the second cell;

[0594] Frequency masking of the second cell;

[0595] The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP;

[0596] The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell;

[0597] Carrier configuration information of the second cell;

[0598] Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0599] Optionally,

[0600] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0601] The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0602] Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0603] Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching;

[0604] Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0605] And / or,

[0606] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0607] Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0608] The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0609] BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching;

[0610] RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

[0611] Optionally,

[0612] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0613] The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM;

[0614] RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM;

[0615] And / or,

[0616] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0617] Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM;

[0618] The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

[0619] Optionally,

[0620] The RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other;

[0621] And / or,

[0622] The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

[0623] Optionally,

[0624] The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following:

[0625] The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs;

[0626] Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier;

[0627] The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave;

[0628] The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0629] The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0630] Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave;

[0631] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0632] The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave;

[0633] And / or,

[0634] The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following:

[0635] The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP;

[0636] The SCS that make up the BWP;

[0637] The bandwidth that makes up a BWP;

[0638] The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP;

[0639] The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP;

[0640] Frequency masking that makes up a BWP;

[0641] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP;

[0642] The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

[0643] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0644] The receiving module is used to receive terminal capability query requests sent by the network-side device.

[0645] Optionally,

[0646] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0647] Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier;

[0648] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier;

[0649] The duration of RLM carrier switching;

[0650] or,

[0651] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0652] The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP;

[0653] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP;

[0654] Duration of RLM BWP switching;

[0655] Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0656] Optionally,

[0657] If the first indication information includes the duration of RLM carrier switching, the processing module is further configured to:

[0658] Start a first timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM carrier handover;

[0659] If the first timer times out, perform an RLM carrier handover and switch to the source RLM carrier;

[0660] or,

[0661] If the first indication information includes the duration of the RLM BWP handover, the processing module is further configured to:

[0662] Start a second timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM BWP switching;

[0663] If the second timer times out, perform an RLM BWP switch and switch to the source RLM BWP.

[0664] Referring to Figure 7, when the communication device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the communication device 400 includes:

[0665] Processing module 401 is used to perform the second operation;

[0666] The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0667] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0668] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0669] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0670] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0671] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0672] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0673] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0674] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0675] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0676] Optionally,

[0677] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0678] The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0679] The number of carriers in the first cell supported by the terminal;

[0680] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell.

[0681] The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources;

[0682] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources;

[0683] The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information;

[0684] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching;

[0685] The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0686] The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function;

[0687] The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups;

[0688] The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier;

[0689] The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources;

[0690] And / or,

[0691] The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0692] The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal;

[0693] The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell;

[0694] The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell.

[0695] The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources;

[0696] The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources;

[0697] The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS;

[0698] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover;

[0699] The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups.

[0700] The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality;

[0701] The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs.

[0702] The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP.

[0703] The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

[0704] Optionally,

[0705] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0706] The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device;

[0707] The frequency start point of the first cell;

[0708] The frequency end point of the first cell;

[0709] Frequency masking of the first cell;

[0710] The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier;

[0711] The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell;

[0712] The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0713] The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell;

[0714] The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell;

[0715] And / or,

[0716] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0717] The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device;

[0718] The frequency start point of the second cell;

[0719] The frequency end point of the second cell;

[0720] Frequency masking of the second cell;

[0721] The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP;

[0722] The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell;

[0723] Carrier configuration information of the second cell;

[0724] Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0725] Optionally,

[0726] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0727] The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0728] Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0729] Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching;

[0730] Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching;

[0731] And / or,

[0732] The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0733] Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0734] The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching;

[0735] BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching;

[0736] RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

[0737] Optionally,

[0738] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0739] The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM;

[0740] RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM;

[0741] And / or,

[0742] The third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0743] Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM;

[0744] The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

[0745] Optionally,

[0746] The RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other;

[0747] And / or,

[0748] The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

[0749] Optionally,

[0750] The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following:

[0751] The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs;

[0752] Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier;

[0753] The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave;

[0754] The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0755] The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0756] Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave;

[0757] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave;

[0758] The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave;

[0759] And / or,

[0760] The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following:

[0761] The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP;

[0762] The SCS that make up the BWP;

[0763] The bandwidth that makes up a BWP;

[0764] The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP;

[0765] The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP;

[0766] Frequency masking that makes up a BWP;

[0767] The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP;

[0768] The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

[0769] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0770] The sending module is used to send a terminal capability query request to the terminal.

[0771] Optionally,

[0772] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0773] Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier;

[0774] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier;

[0775] The duration of RLM carrier switching;

[0776] or,

[0777] The first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0778] The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP;

[0779] The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP;

[0780] Duration of RLM BWP switching;

[0781] Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

[0782] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiments of FIG3 and FIG5 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0783] As shown in Figure 8, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 500, including a processor 501 and a memory 502. The memory 502 stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor 501. For example, when the communication device 500 is a terminal, the program or instructions executed by the processor 501 implement the various steps of the above-described communication method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 500 is a network-side device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 501 implement the various steps of the above-described communication method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0784] This application also provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in the method embodiment shown in FIG3. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiment, and all implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this terminal embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. The terminal may be the communication device shown in FIG6. Specifically, FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of this application.

[0785] The terminal 600 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 601, network module 602, audio output unit 603, input unit 604, sensor 605, display unit 606, user input unit 607, interface unit 608, memory 609, and processor 610.

[0786] Those skilled in the art will understand that terminal 600 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for powering various components. The power supply can be logically connected to processor 610 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in Figure 9 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0787] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 604 may include a graphics processor 6041 and a microphone 6042. The graphics processor 6041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 606 may include a display panel 6061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 607 includes at least one of a touch panel 6071 and other input devices 6072. The touch panel 6071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 6071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 6072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be described in detail here.

[0788] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 601 can transmit it to the processor 610 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 601 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 601 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0789] The memory 609 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 609 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 609 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 609 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0790] Processor 610 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 610 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 610.

[0791] Wherein, processor 610 is configured to: perform a first operation; the execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0792] Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0793] The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell.

[0794] The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching.

[0795] The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0796] Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0797] Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0798] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0799] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0800] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0801] It is understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description in Figure 3 of the method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0802] This application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG5. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described network-side device method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0803] Specifically, this application embodiment also provides a network-side device, which can be the communication device shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 10, the network-side device 700 includes: an antenna 701, a radio frequency device 702, a baseband device 703, a processor 704, and a memory 705. The antenna 701 is connected to the radio frequency device 702. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 702 receives information through the antenna 701 and sends the received information to the baseband device 703 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 703 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to the radio frequency device 702. The radio frequency device 702 processes the received information and transmits it through the antenna 701.

[0804] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 703, which includes a baseband processor.

[0805] The baseband device 703 may include at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are disposed, as shown in FIG10. One of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 705 via a bus interface to call the program or instructions in the memory 705 to execute the network-side device operation shown in the above method embodiment.

[0806] The network-side device may also include a network interface 706, such as a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0807] Wherein, processor 704 is configured to: perform a second operation; the execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0808] The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal.

[0809] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0810] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0811] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0812] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0813] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0814] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0815] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0816] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0817] In addition, the network-side device 700 of this application embodiment also includes: a program or instructions stored in a memory 705 and executable on a processor 704. The processor 704 calls the program or instructions in the memory 705 to execute the methods executed by each module shown in FIG7 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0818] Specifically, this application also provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG11, the network-side device 800 includes a processor 801, a network interface 802, and a memory 803. The network-side device may be the communication device shown in FIG7. The network interface 802 is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0819] The processor 801 is configured to: perform a second operation; the second operation includes at least one of the following: receiving terminal capability information sent by the terminal, the terminal capability information being used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal;

[0820] Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell;

[0821] Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching;

[0822] Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM;

[0823] Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching;

[0824] Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM;

[0825] The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs.

[0826] The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS.

[0827] The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

[0828] In addition, the network-side device 800 in this application embodiment also includes: a program or instructions stored in a memory 803 and executable on a processor 801. The processor 801 calls the program or instructions in the memory 803 to execute the methods executed by each module shown in FIG7 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0829] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0830] The processor mentioned above is either the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments or the processor in the network-side device. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0831] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0832] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0833] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0834] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the communication method applied to the terminal as described above, and the network-side device can be used to execute the steps of the communication method applied to the network-side device as described above.

[0835] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0836] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0837] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: The terminal executes the first operation; The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following: Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal; The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell. The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching. The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM; Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching; Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM; The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs. The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS. The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following: The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal; The number of carriers supported by the terminal within the first cell; The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell. The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources; The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources; The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information; The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching; The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups; The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function; The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups; The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier; The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources; And / or, The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following: The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal; The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell; The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell. The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources; The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources; The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS; The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover; The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups. The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality; The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs. The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP. The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device; The frequency start point of the first cell; The frequency end point of the first cell; Frequency masking of the first cell; The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier; The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell; The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell; The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell; The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell; And / or, The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device; The frequency start point of the second cell; The frequency end point of the second cell; Frequency masking of the second cell; The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP; The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell; Carrier configuration information of the second cell; Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching; Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; And / or, The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching; The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching; BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching; RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM; RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM; And / or, The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM; The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other; And / or, The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

7. The method according to claim 2, 3 or 5, wherein, The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following: The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs; Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier; The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave; The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave; The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave; And / or, The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following: The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP; The SCS that make up the BWP; The bandwidth that makes up a BWP; The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP; The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP; Frequency masking that makes up a BWP; The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP; The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising: The terminal receives a terminal capability query request sent by the network-side device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The first indication information includes at least one of the following: Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier; The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier; The duration of RLM carrier switching; or, The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP; The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP; Duration of RLM BWP switching; Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, If the first indication information includes the duration of RLM carrier switching, the method further includes: The terminal starts a first timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM carrier handover; If the first timer times out, the terminal performs an RLM carrier handover and switches to the source RLM carrier; or, If the first indication information includes the duration of the RLM BWP handover, the method further includes: The terminal starts a second timer, the value of which is the duration of the RLM BWP handover; If the second timer times out, the terminal performs an RLM BWP handover and switches to the source RLM BWP.

11. A communication method, comprising: The network-side device performs the second operation; The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following: The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal. Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell; Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching; Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM; Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching; Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM; The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs. The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS. The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following: The first component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell supported by the terminal; The number of carriers supported by the terminal within the first cell; The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the first cell. The terminal supports carriers that can be configured with Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources; The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports carrier switching configured with PUCCH resources; The terminal supports configuring RLM-RS carrier information; The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM carrier switching; The terminal supports RLM carrier switching of constituent carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups; The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-carrier RLM function; The terminal supports cross-carrier RLM component carrier groups or carrier frequency band groups; The terminal supports configuration of constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands as the main carrier; The terminal supports configuring the constituent carriers or carrier frequency bands of paging resources; And / or, The terminal capability information includes at least one of the following: The first component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell supported by the terminal; The terminal supports the initial BWP number or active BWP number within the carrier of the second cell; The terminal supports the total bandwidth of the second cell. The terminal supports BWP configuration of PUCCH resources; The sixth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports switching of the BWP configured with PUCCH resources; The terminal supports configuring BWP information for RLM-RS; The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports RLM BWP handover; The terminal supports RLM BWP handover in the form of BWP groups or BWP band groups. The eighth indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports cross-BWP RLM functionality; The terminal supports the formation of BWP groups or BWP band groups across BWP RLMs. The terminal supports configuration as a constituent BWP or BWP frequency band of the main BWP. The terminal supports configuring paging resources consisting of BWP or BWP frequency bands.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: The second component carrier information is the component carrier information of the first cell configured by the network-side device; The frequency start point of the first cell; The frequency end point of the first cell; Frequency masking of the first cell; The first cell is configured with constituent carriers of the main carrier; The constituent carriers configured as RLM carriers in the first cell; The initial uplink BWP configuration information of the first cell; The initial downlink BWP configuration information of the first cell; The activated BWP configuration information for the first cell; And / or, The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: The second component BWP information is the component BWP information of the second cell configured by the network-side device; The frequency start point of the second cell; The frequency end point of the second cell; Frequency masking of the second cell; The second cell is configured with the main BWP as the constituent BWP; The BWP configured as RLM BWP in the second cell; Carrier configuration information of the second cell; Wherein, the RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: The source carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; Target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; Carrier pairs or carrier groups that allow RLM carrier switching; Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS) configuration information for the target carrier that allows RLM carrier switching; And / or, The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: Source BWP that allows RLM BWP switching; The target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching; BWP pairs or groups that allow RLM BWP switching; RLM-RS configuration information of the target BWP that allows RLM BWP switching.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein, The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: The constituent carrier information of cross-carrier RLM; RLM-RS configuration information for the constituent carriers of a cross-carrier RLM; And / or, The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: Compositional BWP information across BWP RLM; The components of the BWP RLM include the BWP RLM-RS configuration information.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The RLM-RS configuration information of the constituent carriers configures the RLM-RS periods on different carriers to be the same or to be integer multiples of each other; And / or, The RLM-RS configuration information that makes up the BWP is configured such that the RLM-RS periods on different BWPs are the same or are integer multiples of each other.

17. The method according to claim 12, 13 or 15, wherein, The constituent carrier information includes at least one of the following: The frequency band or frequency to which the carrier wave belongs; Subcarrier spacing (SCS) that makes up the carrier; The bandwidth that makes up the carrier wave; The starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; The end point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; Frequency masking that makes up the carrier wave; The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the carrier wave; The offset of the frequency end point of the carrier wave; And / or, The constituent BWP information includes at least one of the following: The frequency band or frequency that constitutes the BWP; The SCS that make up the BWP; The bandwidth that makes up a BWP; The starting point of the frequencies that make up the BWP; The frequency termination point that constitutes the BWP; Frequency masking that makes up a BWP; The offset of the starting point of the frequency that makes up the BWP; The offset of the frequency end point that makes up BWP.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-17, further comprising: The network-side device sends a terminal capability query request to the terminal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11-18, wherein, The first indication information includes at least one of the following: Carrier ID of the target RLM carrier; The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM carrier; The duration of RLM carrier switching; or, The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The BWP ID of the target RLM BWP; The RLM-RS configuration ID activated on the target RLM BWP; Duration of RLM BWP switching; Wherein, the target RLM carrier is a carrier configured with RLM-RS, and the target RLM BWP is a BWP configured with RLM-RS.

20. A communication device, comprising: The processing module executes the first operation; The execution of the first operation includes at least one of the following: Send terminal capability information to network-side devices, wherein the terminal capability information is used to report the cell configuration supported by the terminal; The terminal receives first configuration information sent by a network-side device, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one of a first cell and a second cell. The terminal receives second configuration information sent by a network-side device. The second configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: radio link monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM bandwidth portion (BWP) switching. The terminal receives third configuration information sent by a network-side device, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM; Receive first indication information sent by the network-side device, the first indication information being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching; Receive a second indication information sent by the network-side device, the second indication information being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM; The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs. The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS. The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

21. A communication device, comprising: The processing module is used to perform the second operation; The execution of the second operation includes at least one of the following: The terminal capability information sent by the receiving terminal is used to report the cell configurations supported by the terminal. Send first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure at least one of the terminal's first cell and second cell; Send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal’s Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) carrier switching and RLM Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching; Send third configuration information to the terminal, the third configuration information being used to configure at least one of the terminal's cross-carrier RLM and cross-BWP RLM; Send a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message being used to indicate RLM carrier switching or RLM BWP switching; Send a second indication message to the terminal, the second indication message being used to activate or deactivate cross-carrier RLM or cross-BWP RLM; The cell configuration is associated with at least one of a first cell and a second cell, wherein the first cell is a multi-carrier cell and at least one carrier of the second cell is configured with multiple initial BWPs or multiple active BWPs. The RLM carrier switching is the switching of a carrier configured with a Radio Link Monitoring Reference Signal (RLM-RS), and the RLM BWP switching is the switching of a BWP configured with an RLM-RS. The cross-carrier RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two carriers, and the cross-BWP RLM means that the terminal simultaneously listens to RLM-RS on at least two BWPs.

22. A terminal comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

23. A network-side device, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A readable storage medium storing a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or implement the steps of the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19.

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