RU2773241C2 - Method and apparatus for maintaining the relation between neighbouring cells, as well as network apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication.

SUBSTANCE: technical result is achieved due to the fact that, in order to maintain the relation between neighbouring cells, the first node, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, requests the second node to configure a measurement and issue a command to the terminal to transmit information related to automatic neighbour relation (ANR), wherein the ANR-related information is transmitted to the first node via the second node. The second node, based on the frequency value information and the PCI information of the target cell, configures a measurement and issues a command to the terminal to transmit the information on the predetermined cell and the system broadcast information of at least one cell.

EFFECT: reduced network resource consumption.

16 cl, 8 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of mobile communication technologies and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells, as well as a network device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet people's desire for speed, low latency, high-speed mobility and energy efficiency of services, and the diversity and complexity of services in the future, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) international standardization organization began to develop 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technologies .

The radio interface part of 5G mobile communication technology is called the New Radio (NR) system. Since it is not easy to achieve full NR coverage at an early stage of NR deployment, conventional network coverage is a combination of Long Term Evolution (LTE) system coverage and NR coverage. In addition, the close interoperability operating mode between LTE and NR is being introduced to protect mobile operators' anticipated investment in LTE in the near future. Of course, the NR cell may alternatively be used independently.

In LTE, ad hoc network (SON) has an automatic neighbor cell relationship management (ANR) function, and a network node can report finding a missing neighbor cell relationship by measuring a user equipment (UE) and further maintain the integrity and efficiency of the neighbor cell list. However, this ANR is provided for one network node. In a dual connection (DC) network, two network nodes provide services to a UE. The problem to be solved is to provide a way to implement the ANR function in such a scenario.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present application provide a method and apparatus for maintaining a relationship between neighboring cells, as well as a network device.

The method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells presented in the embodiment of the present application includes:

configuring the measurement by the first node and instructing the terminal regarding the ANR related information, or requesting the second node to configure the measurement and instructing the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, wherein

if the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node, and forwards the information related to the ANR to the second a node so that the second node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node; and if the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, the second node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node, and forwards the ANR related information to the first node to have the first node store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

The method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells presented in the embodiment of the present application includes:

receiving by the first node a measurement report sent by the terminal, and determining based on the measurement report that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node; and

requesting by the first node, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, the ANR related information of the given cell from the second node, wherein

if information related to the ANR of a given cell from the second node is available to be obtained by the first node, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, a neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node; and if the ANR related information of the specified cell from the second node is not available for the first node to receive, the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information associated with ANR.

The device for maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells is presented in the embodiment of the present application, while the device is applied to the first node and contains:

a measurement configuration unit, configured to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal regarding the information related to the ANR, or request the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information related to the ANR; and

a query unit configured to query the second node for the measurement configuration and issue a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, wherein

if the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node, and forwards the information related to the ANR to the second a node so that the second node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node; and if the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, the second node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node, and forwards the ANR related information to the first node to have the first node store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

The device for maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells is presented in the embodiment of the present application, while the device is applied to the first node and contains:

a determination unit, configured to receive a measurement report sent by the terminal and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node; and

a requester configured to request, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, the ANR related information of the given cell from the second node, wherein

if information related to the ANR of a given cell from the second node is available to be obtained by the first node, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, a neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node; and if the ANR related information of the specified cell from the second node is not available for the first node to receive, the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information associated with ANR.

The network device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a processor and a storage device. The storage device is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to call and run the computer program stored in the storage device to perform the above-mentioned method of maintaining a neighbor cell relationship.

The chip provided in the embodiment of the present application is configured to implement the aforementioned method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells.

Specifically, the chip comprises: a processor capable of calling and running a computer program stored in a storage device to cause the device on which the chip is installed to execute the above-mentioned method of maintaining a neighbor cell relationship.

The computer-readable storage medium provided in the embodiment of the present application is configured to store a computer program, wherein the computer program causes the computer to execute the above-mentioned method of maintaining a neighbor cell relationship.

The computer program product presented in the embodiment of the present application comprises a computer program instruction, wherein the computer program instruction causes the computer to execute the aforementioned method of maintaining a neighbor cell relationship.

In an embodiment of the present application, a computer program is provided, whereby when the computer program is run on the computer, the computer can perform the above method of maintaining neighbor cell relationship.

The ANR function in the DC network is implemented by using the above-mentioned technical solutions, and neighbor cell relationships for multiple serving cells in two network nodes can be maintained simultaneously through the network node's ANR notification function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS

The accompanying drawings described herein are used to provide additional understanding of this application and form part of this application. Exemplary embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an undesirable limitation of the present application. On the attached graphics:

in fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 2 is a flowchart 1 of a method for maintaining a neighbor cell relationship according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 3 is a flowchart 2 of a method for maintaining a neighbor cell relationship according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 4 shows a schematic representation 1 of the structural elements of an apparatus for maintaining a relationship between neighboring cells according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 5 is a schematic representation of 2 structural elements of an apparatus for maintaining neighbor cell relationship according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 6 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

in fig. 7 is a block diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application; and

in fig. 8 is a block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments represent some, but not all, embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative effort are within the scope of the legal protection of the present application.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) LTE, Time Division Duplex (TDD) LTE, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System for Microwave Access ( WiMAX) or 5G system.

For example, the communication system 100 used in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 1. Communication system 100 may include a network device 110, and network device 110 may be a device that communicates with terminal 120 (or called a communication terminal or terminal). Network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area and may communicate with a terminal located within the coverage area. Optionally, network device 110 may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM or CDMA system, a NodeB (NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolutionary NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN). Alternatively, the network device may be a network-side device in a mobile switching center, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, or a 5G network, or may be a network device or the like in a promising evolutionary public land mobile network (PLMN).

Communication system 100 further comprises at least one terminal 120 located within the coverage area of network device 110. As used herein, "terminal" includes, but is not limited to: subscriber line (DSL), digital cable or direct cable; and/or other data connection/network; and/or a wireless interface connection, such as a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network, or an AM-FM broadcast transmitter; and/or a device of another terminal configured to receive/transmit communication signals; and/or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. A terminal configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", "wireless terminal", and/or "mobile terminal". An example of a mobile terminal includes, but is not limited to, a satellite or cell phone; a personal communications system (PCS) terminal that integrates a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile, and data communications capabilities; and may be a PDA containing a radiotelephone, pager, Internet/Intranet access, web browser, address book, calendar, and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and may be a conventional laptop computer and/or a portable receiver or other electronic device that contains a radiotelephone transceiver. The terminal may be an access terminal, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile console, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communications device, a user agent, or a user device. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless subscriber access station (WLL), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless capable handheld device, a computing device, another device. processing connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, a terminal in an advanced evolutionary PLMN, or the like.

Optionally, terminals 120 may perform device-to-device (D2D) communication with each other.

Optionally, a 5G system or 5G network may also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) system or NR network.

In FIG. 1 illustratively shows one network device and two terminals. Optionally, communication system 100 may contain multiple network devices, and each network device may contain a different number of terminals within its coverage area. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

Optionally, communication system 100 may further comprise another network entity, such as a network controller or a mobility management node. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

It should be understood that in the network/system, in the embodiments of the present application, a device having a communication function may be referred to as a communication device. Using the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal 120 that have a communication function. Network device 110 and terminal 120 may be the specific devices described above. The details are not described again in this document. The communications device may further comprise other devices in communications system 100, such as other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management node. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably in the present description. The term "and/or" in the present description only refers to a relationship relation to describe related objects and indicates that three relationships can exist, for example, "A and/or B" can indicate the following three cases: A exists separately, there are both A and B, and B exists separately. In addition, the "/" symbol in the present specification generally denotes an "or" relationship between related entities.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are mainly applied to a 5G mobile communication system. Of course, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the 5G mobile communication system, and may alternatively be applied to other types of mobile communication systems. The main application scenarios for the 5G mobile communication system are described below.

(1) eMBB Scenario: eMBB aims to provide the user with multimedia content, services and data, and the demand for its services is growing rapidly. Since eMBB can be used in different scenarios, such as indoor, urban, rural, etc., its capacity is significantly different from its demand. Thus, the service requires analysis with reference to a specific use case.

(2) URLLC scenario: Common applications of URLLC include: industrial automation, power system automation, remote medical operations, road safety, and the like.

(3) mMTC Scenario: Typical features of URLLC include: high connection density, small data volume, delay insensitive service, low cost and long module life, and the like.

When discussing NR in R15, it is agreed that each NR carrier has a maximum channel bandwidth of 100 MHz for low frequency and 400 MHz for high frequency. In addition, the 100MHz/400MHz channel bandwidth is continuous. If the UE continues to operate on the broadband carrier, the power consumption of the UE is high. Therefore, it is assumed that the radio frequency (RF) bandwidth of the UE is adjustable according to the bandwidth of the UE. The configuration and sending of multiple synchronous signal blocks (SSB, SSS/PSS, and PBCH block) of a specific cell are determined on the entire broadband carrier of a 5G broadband cell. Since the receiving bandwidth of the idle UE is smaller than the bandwidth of the broadband cell, after detecting the SSB of a certain cell by searching, the UE obtains the broadcast system information and tunes. Therefore, on the entire broadband carrier of a 5G broadband cell, idle UEs are randomly distributed with frequency values on which all SSBs of a particular cell are located.

In LTE, SON has an ANR function, and an LTE base station can report finding a missing neighbor cell relationship through UE measurement, further maintain the integrity and efficiency of the neighbor cell list, and reduce abnormal neighbor cell switching, thereby improving network performance, eliminating manual control. and reducing the cost of operating and maintaining the network. In addition, LTE neighbor cell relationship includes intra-LTE neighbor cell relationship and intra-RAT neighbor cell relationship. When using the NR network, the NR cell must maintain the relationship between neighboring LTE cells within the RAT. In addition, the NR cell also needs to support the ANR function and keep the missing neighbor cell in its neighbor cell relationship list.

According to another aspect, the DC architecture includes EN-DC, NE-DC, 5GC-EN-DC, and NR DC. In EN-DC, an LTE node serving as an MN and an NR node serving as an SN are connected to the EPC core network. In the NE-DC, an NR node serving as an MN node and an eLTE node serving as an SN node are connected to the 5GC core network. In 5GC-EN-DC, an eLTE node serving as an MN node and an NR node serving as an SN node are connected to the 5GC core network. In the NR DC, an NR node serving as an MN node and an NR node serving as an SN node are connected to the 5GC core network.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may apply to any type of DC architecture described above. In FIG. 2 shows a flowchart 1 of a method for maintaining a neighbor cell relationship according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells includes the following steps.

Step 201: The first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal regarding the information related to the ANR, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instructs the terminal to send the information related to the ANR, wherein if the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmitting the ANR related information, the first node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship of the cell contained in the first node, and forwards the ANR related information to the second node so that the second node saves the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node; and if the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, the second node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node, and forwards the ANR related information to the first node to have the first node store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

In this embodiment of the present application, the terminal may be any device capable of communicating with a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a vehicle-mounted terminal, or a laptop computer. In addition, the terminal is configured to be in the DC mode. In the DC mode, the terminal can communicate with two network nodes at the same time, and the two network nodes are the first node and the second node, respectively.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node is the master node (MN) in the dual connectivity network, and the second node is the secondary node (SN) in the dual connectivity network; or the second node is the master node (MN) in the dual connectivity network and the first node is the secondary node (SN) in the dual connectivity network.

Moreover, the first node and the second node may be of the same type or different types. For example, the first node is an LTE base station and the second node is an NR base station. As another example, the first node and the second node are NR base stations.

In this embodiment of the present application, considering that the terminal sends the measurement report to the first node as an example, the first node is MN or SN. Specifically, the first node receives the measurement report transmitted by the terminal, determines based on the measurement report that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node, and then performs one of the following two actions.

(1) First action. The first node configures, based on the frequency value information and/or physical cell identifier (PCI) information of the target cell, a measurement, and instructs the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell.

Herein, the first target cell information contains at least one of the PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

Herein, the broadcast system information of at least one cell may be the broadcast information in the system forwarding of any cell.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell transmitted by the terminal to the first node is used for the first node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node. Herein, the fact that the first node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

For example, the first node contains four serving cells, and all four serving cells determine if the given cell is a missing neighbor cell, and if so, the four serving cells add the given cell to their neighbor cell relationship list.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node sends at least one of the first target cell information, broadcast system information of at least one cell, target cell measurement result, serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and neighbor cell measurement result to the second node for storage by the second node. neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node. Herein, the fact that the second node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

For example, the second node has two serving cells, and all two serving cells determine if the given cell is a missing neighbor cell, and if so, the two serving cells add the given cell to their neighbor cell relationship list.

(2) Second act. The first node requests, based on the frequency value information and/or the PCI information of the target cell, that the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the target cell.

In this embodiment of the present application, the second node configures, based on the frequency value information and/or the PCI information of the target cell, the measurement, and instructs the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell. Herein, the fact that the second node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

Herein, the first target cell information contains at least one of the PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

Herein, the broadcast system information of at least one cell may be the broadcast information in the system forwarding of any cell.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node receives at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result sent by the second node to be stored by the first a neighbor cell relationship node for the cell contained in the first node. Herein, the fact that the first node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

It should be noted that a given cell in the embodiments of the present application may be a cell or multiple cells. In addition, the target cell contains the target cell. In an embodiment, the target cell is the cell having the best signal quality as measured by the terminal.

In FIG. 3 shows a flowchart 2 of a method for maintaining a neighbor cell relationship according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells includes the following steps.

Step 301: The first node receives the measurement report sent by the terminal and determines based on the measurement report that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node.

In this embodiment of the present application, the terminal may be any device capable of communicating with a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a vehicle-mounted terminal, or a laptop computer. In addition, the terminal is configured to be in the DC mode. In the DC mode, the terminal can communicate with two network nodes at the same time, and the two network nodes are the first node and the second node, respectively.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node is the master node (MN) in the dual connectivity network, and the second node is the secondary node (SN) in the dual connectivity network; or the second node is the master node (MN) in the dual connectivity network and the first node is the secondary node (SN) in the dual connectivity network.

Moreover, the first node and the second node may be of the same type or different types. For example, the first node is an LTE base station and the second node is an NR base station. As another example, the first node and the second node are NR base stations.

In this embodiment of the present application, considering that the terminal sends the measurement report to the first node as an example, the first node is MN or SN. Specifically, the first node receives the measurement report sent by the terminal and determines, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node.

Step 302. The first node requests, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, information related to the ANR of the given cell from the second node, wherein if the ANR related information of the given cell from the second node is available to receive by the first node, the first node stores, based on the information associated with the ANR, a neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node; and if the ANR related information of the specified cell from the second node is not available for the first node to receive, the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information associated with ANR.

Specifically, the first node sends a request message to the second node, wherein the request message contains at least one of target cell frequency value information, target cell PCI information, and cell ID information of the serving cell on the first node side for terminal. In addition, the cell ID information of the serving cell on the first node side of the terminal contains at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

It should be noted that a given cell in the embodiments of the present application may be a cell or multiple cells. In addition, the target cell contains the target cell. In an embodiment, the target cell is the cell having the best signal quality as measured by the terminal.

After receiving the request message, the second node accesses, according to the frequency value information and/or the PCI information of the target cell, the neighbor cell relationship table and the list of cells for which the second node is responsible, if the ANR related information of the target cell is detected, sends information to the first node, and if information associated with the ANR of the given cell is found, performs one of the following two actions.

(1) First action. The first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal regarding the information associated with the ANR. Specifically, the first node stores, based on the information associated with the ANR, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node, and forwards the ANR related information to the second node for the second node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node. The ANR related information includes first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell, wherein the first target cell information includes at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, identifier cells, TAC and RNAC.

Specifically, the first node configures, based on the frequency value information and/or the physical cell identifier (PCI) information of the target cell, a measurement, and instructs the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell.

Herein, the first target cell information contains at least one of the PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

Herein, the broadcast system information of at least one cell may be the broadcast information in the system forwarding of any cell.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell transmitted by the terminal to the first node is used for the first node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node. Herein, the fact that the first node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

For example, the first node contains four serving cells, and all four serving cells determine if the given cell is a missing neighbor cell, and if so, the four serving cells add the given cell to their neighbor cell relationship list.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node sends at least one of the first target cell information, broadcast system information of at least one cell, target cell measurement result, serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and neighbor cell measurement result to the second node for storage by the second node. neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node. Herein, the fact that the second node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

For example, the second node has two serving cells, and the two serving cells determine if the given cell is a missing neighbor cell, and if so, the two serving cells add the given cell to their neighbor cell relationship list.

(2) Second act. The first node requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to send information related to the ANR. Specifically, the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, and the second node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node, and forwards the information related to the ANR. , to the first node to store by the first node the relationship between neighboring cells for the cell contained in the first node. The ANR related information includes first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell, wherein the first target cell information includes at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, identifier cells, TAC and RNAC.

In this embodiment of the present application, the second node configures, based on the frequency value information and/or the PCI information of the target cell, the measurement, and instructs the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell. Herein, the fact that the second node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

Herein, the first target cell information contains at least one of the PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

Herein, the broadcast system information of at least one cell may be the broadcast information in the system forwarding of any cell.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first node receives at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result sent by the second node to be stored by the first a neighbor cell relationship node for the cell contained in the first node. Herein, the fact that the first node stores the neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

In FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation 1 of the structural elements of an apparatus for maintaining a relationship between neighboring cells according to an embodiment of the present application. The device is applied to the first node and, as shown in FIG. 4, contains:

a measurement configuration unit 401, configured to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal regarding information related to the ANR, or request the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR; and

a query block 402, configured to query the second node for the measurement configuration and instruct the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR.

If the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit ANR related information, the first node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node, and forwards the ANR related information to the second node. a node so that the second node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node; and if the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, the second node stores, based on the ANR related information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node, and forwards the ANR related information to the first node to have the first node store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises:

a determining unit 403, configured to receive the measurement report sent by the terminal and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node.

The measurement configuration unit 401 is configured to configure the measurement and issue a command, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, to the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell.

In an embodiment, the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell transmitted by the terminal to the first node is used for the first node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

In an embodiment, the fact that the first node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises:

a direction unit 404, configured to send at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result to the second node for storage by the second communication node between adjacent cells for the cell contained in the second node.

In an embodiment, the fact that the second node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises:

a determining unit 403, configured to receive the measurement report sent by the terminal and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node.

The requester 402 is configured to request, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, that the second node configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit information associated with the target cell.

In an embodiment, the fact that the second node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information associated with a given cell includes:

configuring by the second node, based on the frequency value information and/or the PCI information of the measurement target cell, and instructing the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of the at least one cell.

In an embodiment, the first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell transmitted by the terminal to the second node is used to store by the second node a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node.

In an embodiment, the fact that the second node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the second node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the second node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises:

a receiving unit 405, configured to receive at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result sent by the second node to the first node stored the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

In an embodiment, the fact that the first node maintains a neighbor cell relationship for a cell contained in the first node means that each serving cell of the terminal contained in the first node determines whether a given cell is a neighbor cell with respect to the serving cell.

In an embodiment, the first target cell information contains at least one of the PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

In an embodiment, the first node is the master node in the dual connectivity network and the second node is the secondary node in the dual connectivity network; or

the second node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the first node is the secondary node in the dual connection network.

One skilled in the art will understand that descriptions relating to the above-described device for maintaining neighbor cell relationship in the embodiments of the present application can be understood by referring to descriptions relating to the method for maintaining neighbor cell relationship in the embodiments of the present application.

In FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation 2 of the structural elements of an apparatus for maintaining a relationship between neighboring cells according to an embodiment of the present application. The device is applied to the first node and, as shown in FIG. 5, contains:

a determination unit 501, configured to receive a measurement report sent by the terminal and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list of the cell contained in the first node; and

a query block 502, configured to query, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, ANR related information of a given cell from the second node.

If information related to the ANR of a given cell from the second node is available to be obtained by the first node, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, a neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node; and if the ANR related information of the specified cell from the second node is not available for the first node to receive, the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information associated with ANR.

In an embodiment, the requester 502 is configured to send a request message to the second node, wherein the request message contains at least one of the target cell frequency value information, the target cell PCI information, and the serving cell cell ID information on the side of the first node for the terminal.

In an embodiment, the cell ID information of the serving cell at the first node side for the terminal comprises at least one of PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC.

In an implementation corresponding to the fact that the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the device further comprises a measurement configuration block 503 and a direction block 504 .

The measurement configuration unit 503 is configured to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal regarding the ANR related information and store, based on the ANR information, the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

The direction block 504 is configured to forward information related to the ANR to the second node for the second node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the second node.

In accordance with the fact that the first node requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the apparatus further comprises a receiving block 505 .

The receiving unit 505 is configured to receive information related to the ANR sent by the second node for the first node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node.

In an embodiment, the ANR related information comprises first target cell information and/or broadcast system information of at least one cell, wherein the first target cell information includes at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI, Cell ID, TAC and RNAC.

In an embodiment, the first node is the master node in the dual connectivity network and the second node is the secondary node in the dual connectivity network; or

the second node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the first node is the secondary node in the dual connection network.

One skilled in the art will understand that descriptions relating to the above-described device for maintaining neighbor cell relationship in the embodiments of the present application can be understood by referring to descriptions relating to the method for maintaining neighbor cell relationship in the embodiments of the present application.

In FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a network device (eg MN or SN in DC). The communication device 600 shown in FIG. 6 includes a processor 610. The processor 610 can call and run a computer program in a storage device to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication device 600 may further comprise a storage device 620. The processor 610 may call and execute a computer program in the storage device 620 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

Memory 620 may be a component independent of processor 610 or may be integral to processor 610.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, communications device 600 may further include a transceiver 630, and processor 610 may control transceiver 630 to communicate with another device. In particular, the transceiver 630 sends information or data to another device or receives information or data sent by another device.

The transceiver 630 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 630 may further comprise an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

Optionally, the communication device 600 may be specifically a network device in this embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 600 may implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in various ways in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

Optionally, the communication device 600 may be specifically a mobile terminal/terminal in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication device 600 may implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal in various ways in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

In FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. Chip 700 shown in FIG. 7 includes a processor 710. The processor 710 can call and run a computer program in a storage device to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the chip 700 may further comprise a memory 720. The processor 710 may call and execute a computer program in the memory 720 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

Memory 720 may be a component independent of processor 710 or may be integral to processor 710.

Optionally, the chip 700 may further comprise an input interface 730. The processor 710 may control the input interface 730 to communicate with another device or chip, and in particular may receive information or data sent by another device or chip.

Optionally, chip 700 may further include an output interface 740. Processor 710 may control output interface 740 to communicate with another device or chip, and in particular, may output information or data to another device or chip.

Optionally, the chip may be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip may implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in various ways in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

Optionally, the chip may be applied to the mobile terminal/terminal in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip may implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal in various ways in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

It should be understood that the chip referred to in this embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a system-level chip, a system chip, a system on a chip, or a system on a chip, or the like.

In FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a communication system 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, communication system 900 includes a terminal 910 and a network device 920.

The terminal 910 may be configured to implement the respective functions implemented by the terminal in the above method, and the network device 920 may be configured to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the network device in the above method. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

It should be understood that the processor according to this embodiment of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip and is capable of processing signals. During implementation, the steps of the above embodiment of the method may be implemented by using a hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor, or implemented by using an instruction in the form of software. The above processor may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete logic element or a transistorized logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or perform the methods, steps, and flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly performed or performed using a hardware decoding processor, or may be performed or performed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located on a storage medium well known in the art, such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, programmable ROM, electrically erasable programmable memory or a register. The storage medium is located in the storage device, and the processor reads information stored in the storage device and performs the steps of the above methods in conjunction with the processor hardware.

It should be understood that the storage device in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile storage device or a non-volatile storage device, or may include both a volatile and a non-volatile storage device. The non-volatile memory may be read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrical EPROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM) that is used as an external cache. By exemplary, but not limiting, description, many types of RAM can be used, for example, static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), advanced SDRAM (ESDRAM). ), DRAM with a synchronous channel (SLDRAM), and RAM with a direct resident access bus (DR RAM). It should be noted that the storage device for the system and method described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, storage devices and any other suitable types of storage devices.

It should be understood that the above description of the storage device is illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the storage device in embodiments of the present application may alternatively be Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Evolved SDRAM (ESDRAM), SDRAM with synchronous channel (SLDRAM), direct resident access bus RAM (DR RAM), or the like. types of storage devices.

In an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, configured to store a computer program.

Optionally, a computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a network device in the embodiments of the present application, and a computer program causes the computer to execute the appropriate procedures implemented by the network device in the methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

Optionally, a computer-readable storage medium may be applied to a network device in a mobile terminal/terminal in the embodiments of the present application, and a computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal in the methods in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

In an embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is further provided, comprising a computer program instruction.

Optionally, the computer program product may be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instruction causes the computer to execute the appropriate procedures implemented by the network device in the methods in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

Optionally, the computer program product may be applied to the mobile terminal/terminal in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instruction causes the computer to execute the corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal in the methods in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

In an embodiment of the present application, a computer program is further provided.

Optionally, the computer program may be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present invention, and when the computer program is run on the computer, the computer may execute the corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in the methods in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

Optionally, the computer program may be applied to a network device in the mobile terminal/terminal in the embodiments of the present invention, and when the computer program is run on the computer, the computer may execute the corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal in the methods in the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the details are not re-described herein.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary blocks and steps of the algorithm described with reference to the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Depending on the specific applications and design constraints of the technical solution, these functions are implemented in hardware or software mode. A person skilled in the art may use other methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but this implementation should not be assumed to be outside the scope of this application.

The person skilled in the art can clearly understand that for a simple and clear description, for the specific operation processes of the system, device and unit described above, reference can be made to the corresponding process in the above method embodiments, and the details in this document will not be described again. .

It should be understood that in several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented differently. For example, the device embodiment described is illustrative only. For example, a block split is only a logic function split, and there may be another split during actual implementation. For example, many blocks or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be left out or not performed. In addition, the interconnections shown or discussed, or direct connections or communication connections, may be implemented using some interfaces. Indirect or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

Blocks described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and parts shown as blocks may or may not be physical blocks, may be located in the same location, or may be distributed among multiple network blocks. Some or all of the blocks may be selected according to actual requirements in order to achieve the goals of the solutions of the embodiments.

In addition, the functional blocks in embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each of the units may physically exist separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

When implemented as software functional blocks and sold or used as a stand-alone product, the functions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present application per se, or a part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solutions can be implemented as a software product. The computer program product is stored on a storage medium and contains a number of instructions to enable the computing device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in an embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, removable hard disk, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk.

The descriptions are only specific implementations of the present application, but are not intended to limit the scope of the legal protection of the present application. Any variation or substitution that a person skilled in the art will readily understand within the technical scope disclosed in this application falls within the scope of the protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of legal protection of the present application should be determined by the scope of legal protection of the claims.

Claims (42)

1. The method of maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells, including: requesting by the first node from the second node the measurement configuration and issuing a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the automatic control of the relationship between neighboring cells, ANR, while the information related to the ANR is transmitted to the first node through the second node, while requesting (201) by the first node from the second node for configuring the measurement and issuing a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, includes: requesting by the first node, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, that the second node configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit ANR related information; wherein the step of configuring the second measurement node and instructing the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR includes: configuring the second measurement node based on the frequency value information and PCI information of the target cell, and instructing the terminal to transmit the target cell information and broadcast system information at least one cell. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it additionally includes: receiving by the first node a measurement report sent by the terminal, and determining, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in a neighbor cell relationship list for cells contained in the first node. 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further includes: the first node receiving at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result sent by the second node to store the neighbor cell relationship by the first node for the cell contained in the first node. 4. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that the first information of a given cell contains at least one of the following: a list of a public land mobile network PLMN, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC and RNAC tracking area code. 5. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that the first node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the second node is the secondary node in the dual connection network; or the second node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the first node is the secondary node in the dual connection network. 6. A device for maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells, and the device is applied to the first node and contains: a query unit configured to query the second node for configuring the measurement and issue a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the automatic control of the relationship between neighboring cells, ANR, while the information related to ANR is transmitted to the first node through the second node, wherein the requester is further configured to: request, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, that the second node configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit ANR related information, wherein the control of the second node configuring the measurement and issuing a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR includes: configuring by the second node based on the frequency value information and the PCI information of the measurement target cell, and instructing the terminal to transmit the first target cell information and broadcast system information of at least one cell. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that it additionally contains: a determination unit, configured to receive the measurement report sent by the terminal, and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cells contained in the first node. 8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the device further comprises: a receiving unit, configured to receive at least one of the first target cell information, the broadcast system information of at least one cell, the target cell measurement result, the serving cell measurement result of the terminal, and the neighbor cell measurement result sent by the second node so that the first node stores neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node. 9. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 6-8, characterized in that the first target cell information contains at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC. 10. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 6-9, characterized in that the first node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the second node is the secondary node in the dual connection network; or the second node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the first node is the secondary node in the dual connection network. 11. A device for maintaining the relationship between neighboring cells, and the device is applied to the first node and contains: a determining unit, configured to receive a measurement report sent by the terminal and determine, based on the measurement report, that the target cell is not in the neighbor cell relationship list for the cell contained in the first node; a requester configured to request, based on the frequency value information and/or PCI information of the target cell, information related to ANR of a given cell from the second node, wherein the information related to ANR contains broadcast system information of at least one cell , wherein if information related to the ANR of a given cell from the second node is available to be obtained by the first node, the first node stores, based on the information related to the ANR, a neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node; and if the ANR related information of the specified cell from the second node is not available for the first node to receive, the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit the ANR related information, or requests the second node to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit the information associated with ANR. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the requester is configured to send a request message to the second node, and the request message contains at least one of the following: target cell frequency value information, target cell PCI information cell and cell ID information of the serving cell on the first node side for the terminal. 13. The apparatus of claim. 12, characterized in that the cell ID information of the serving cell on the first node side for the terminal contains at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC, and RNAC . 14. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 11-13, characterized in that in accordance with the fact that the first node configures the measurement and instructs the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the device further comprises a measurement configuration block and a direction block, wherein the measurement configuration unit is configured to configure the measurement and instruct the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR and store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node based on the ANR information; and the direction block is configured to send information related to the ANR to the second node to store the second node of the relationship between neighboring cells for the cell contained in the second node; and in accordance with the fact that the first node requests the second node to configure the measurement and issue a command to the terminal to transmit information related to the ANR, the device further comprises a receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information related to the ANR sent by the second node for the first node to store the neighbor cell relationship for the cell contained in the first node. 15. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 11-14, characterized in that the information associated with the ANR further contains the first information of the specified cell, while the first information of the specified cell contains at least one of the following: PLMN list, frequency value information, PCI information, cell ID, TAC and RNAC. 16. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 11-15, characterized in that the first node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the second node is the secondary node in the dual connection network; or the second node is the master node in the dual connection network, and the first node is the secondary node in the dual connection network.

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