CN114390610B

CN114390610B - Cell switching method, communication device and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114390610B
Application number: CN202011142864.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 智钢; 袁锴
Original assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-22
Filing date: 2020-10-22
Publication date: 2022-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-22
Also published as: CN114390610A; WO2022083260A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a cell switching method, a communication device and a storage medium. In one scenario, a communication device resides in an SA cell and is in a connected state, and a cell handover method includes: receiving measurement configuration information of an A2 event; if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than a first private threshold, a first measurement report of an A2 event is sent; the first private threshold is set for the communication device and is higher than the A2 event threshold; receiving measurement configuration information of an inter-system measurement event, wherein the measurement configuration information comprises an LTE (Long term evolution) adjacent cell; performing signal measurement on an LTE adjacent cell, and sending a second measurement report; wherein the signal quality of the LTE cell in the second measurement report is higher than a first threshold; and switching from the SA cell to a target cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target cell is one of the LTE cells. By setting the first private threshold, the SA cell can be switched to the LTE cell when the signal quality of the SA cell is general or poor, and the power consumption of the UE is saved.

Description

Cell switching method, communication device and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a cell switching method, a communications apparatus, and a storage medium.

Background

The fifth generation mobile communication network (5G) is a latest generation mobile communication technology, and compared with the early mobile communication technologies such as 4G, 3G, and 2G, the 5G mobile communication network can provide higher data rate, lower delay, full connection of internet of everything, energy saving, lower cost, higher system capacity, and large-scale device access.

Currently, some configuration strategies are to let the terminal device preferentially camp on the 5G cell. However, in the initial stage of 5G system construction, there is a defect in network parameter optimization, and the 5G employs a high frequency band and a large bandwidth, so that power consumption is high when the terminal resides in a 5G cell.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a cell switching method, a communication device and a storage medium, when the signal quality of a 5G cell is general, a terminal device can reside in an LTE cell, and power consumption is saved.

In a first aspect, a cell handover method is provided, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device resides in an SA cell and is in a connected state, and the method includes: receiving measurement configuration information of an A2 event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the A2 event comprises an A2 event threshold; performing signal measurement on an SA cell, and if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than a first private threshold (private threshold 1 in the embodiment of the present application), sending a first measurement report of an A2 event; the first private threshold is set for the communication device and is higher than an A2 event threshold; receiving measurement configuration information of a different system measurement event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the different system measurement event comprises information of an LTE adjacent cell of an SA cell; performing signal measurement on the LTE adjacent cell, and sending a second measurement report; wherein the signal quality of the LTE cell in the second measurement report is higher than a first threshold; and switching from the SA cell to a target cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target cell is one of the LTE cells.

The communication method provided by the first aspect may be applied to a scenario in which a connected terminal device is switched from an SA cell to an anchor LTE cell/a general LTE cell. The terminal device may set a private threshold 1, where the private threshold 1 is greater than an A2 event threshold configured on the network side. The terminal device may compare the signal quality of the SA cell with a privacy threshold 1, and when the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the privacy threshold 1, the terminal device may switch from the SA cell to an anchor LTE cell/a general LTE cell. By setting the private threshold 1, the switching judgment condition of the system when the terminal equipment is switched from the SA cell to the LTE cell is relaxed, and the terminal equipment can be switched to the LTE cell when the signal quality of the SA cell is general or poor, so that the power consumption of the terminal equipment is saved, the heat productivity of the terminal equipment is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged.

In a possible implementation manner, performing signal measurement on an LTE neighbor and sending a second measurement report includes: obtaining anchor LTE cell information; performing signal measurement on an anchor LTE cell in an LTE adjacent cell according to the anchor LTE cell information; if the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than a first threshold value, sending a second measurement report; the LTE cell and the target cell are both anchor LTE cells.

In this implementation, it is first determined whether the anchor LTE cell is above a first threshold. If the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, the SA cell is switched to the anchor LTE cell, the terminal equipment is automatically selected to be switched to the anchor LTE cell from the SA cell preferentially, the signal icon is always 5G when the terminal equipment displays the signal icon by adopting a CONFIG D scheme, and user experience is improved.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: if the signal quality of the LTE cell without the anchor point in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than a first threshold value, performing signal measurement on a common LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell; if the signal quality of the common LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than a first threshold value, sending a second measurement report; the LTE cell and the target cell are both common LTE cells.

In the implementation mode, whether the anchor LTE cell is higher than a first threshold value or not is judged, and if no anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, whether the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value or not is judged. And if the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, switching from the SA cell to the common LTE cell, and reducing the power consumption of the terminal equipment.

In one possible implementation, the first private threshold includes a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, where the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b; before sending the second measurement report, the method further comprises: the signal quality of the SA cell is determined to be below the private threshold 1a and above the private threshold 1b.

In this implementation, two first private thresholds are set. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1a and higher than the private threshold 1b, if the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal device can be switched from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell, and if the anchor LTE cell is not higher than the first threshold, the terminal device continues to stay in the SA cell, so that the service rate and the signal icon are ensured to be displayed as 5G all the time, and the user experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, the first private threshold includes a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, where the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b; before sending the second measurement report, the method further comprises: the signal quality of the SA cell is determined to be below the private threshold 1b.

In this implementation, two first private thresholds are set. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b, if the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal equipment can be switched from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell, the service rate and the signal icon are ensured to be always displayed as 5G, and the user experience is improved. If the anchor LTE cell is not higher than the first threshold, but the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal device can be switched from the SA cell to the common LTE cell, and power consumption of the terminal device is reduced.

In one possible implementation, acquiring anchor LTE cell information includes: the method comprises the steps of sending position information of a communication device to a cloud server, and receiving anchor point LTE cell information sent by the cloud server; and/or obtaining anchor LTE cell information, wherein the anchor LTE cell information comprises information of an anchor LTE cell where the communication device resided once.

In a possible implementation manner, the measurement configuration information of the inter-system measurement event includes measurement configuration information of a B1 event or measurement configuration information of a B2 event.

In one possible implementation, the first threshold includes any one of the following: a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold, a B2 event inter-system neighbor threshold, or a second private threshold (private threshold 2 in this embodiment) set by the communication device.

In the implementation mode, the first threshold has multiple choices, so that the flexibility of threshold setting for reporting the B1 event by the terminal equipment is improved.

In one possible implementation, the second private threshold may include a private threshold 2a and a private threshold 2b, where the private threshold 2a < the private threshold 2b. The private threshold 2a is for an anchor LTE cell and the private threshold 2b is for a general LTE cell. And if the terminal equipment determines that the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2a, switching from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell. And if the terminal equipment determines that the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell is not greater than the private threshold 2a but the signal quality of the common LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2b, switching from the SA cell to the common LTE cell. By setting the private threshold 2a to be smaller than the private threshold 2b, the threshold value for switching the terminal equipment to the anchor LTE cell is reduced, so that the terminal equipment is easier to switch to the anchor LTE cell, the service rate is preferentially guaranteed, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is reduced, and the terminal equipment is ensured to display the 5G signal icon.

In a second aspect, a cell handover method is provided, where the cell handover method is applied to a communication apparatus, where the communication apparatus resides in an SA cell and is in an idle state, and the method includes: triggering and searching an LTE cell when detecting that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than a first private threshold; the first private threshold is higher than a serving cell threshold configured by a network side and reselected to a low-priority cell, and the LTE cell comprises an anchor LTE cell and/or a common LTE cell; if the target cell is searched, reselecting the SA cell to the target cell through a cell reselection process; the target cell is one of the LTE cells, and the signal quality of the target cell is higher than a first threshold value.

The communication method provided by the second aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the idle terminal device reselects from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell/the general LTE cell. The terminal device may set a private threshold 1, where the private threshold 1 is greater than a serving cell threshold configured by the network side for reselecting to a low-priority cell. The terminal equipment can compare the signal quality of the SA cell with the private threshold 1, and can reselect the LTE cell when the signal quality of the SA cell is general or poor, so that the power consumption of the terminal equipment is saved, the heat productivity of the terminal equipment is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged.

In a possible implementation manner, the searching for the target cell includes: obtaining anchor LTE cell information; searching an anchor LTE cell according to the anchor LTE cell information; if the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell is higher than a first threshold value, determining that a target cell is searched; the target cell is an anchor LTE cell.

In this implementation, it is first determined whether the anchor LTE cell is above a first threshold. If the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, the SA cell is reselected to the anchor LTE cell, the terminal equipment is autonomously selected from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell through preferential reselection, the signal icon is always 5G when the terminal equipment displays the signal icon by adopting a CONFIG D scheme, and user experience is improved.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: if the signal quality of the LTE cell without the anchor point is higher than a first threshold value, searching the common LTE cell; if the signal quality of the common LTE cell is higher than a first threshold value, determining that a target cell is searched; the target cell is a normal LTE cell.

In the implementation mode, whether the anchor LTE cell is higher than a first threshold value or not is judged, and if no anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, whether the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value or not is judged. And if the ordinary LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, reselecting the ordinary LTE cell from the SA cell, and reducing the power consumption of the terminal equipment.

In one possible implementation, the first private threshold includes a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, where the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b; before determining that the target cell is searched, the method further comprises the following steps: the signal quality of the SA cell is determined to be below the private threshold 1a and above the private threshold 1b.

In this implementation, two first private thresholds are set. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1a and higher than the private threshold 1b, if the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal device may reselect from the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell, and if the anchor LTE cell is not higher than the first threshold, the terminal device continues to camp on the SA cell, which ensures that the signal icon is always displayed as 5G, thereby improving user experience. And the terminal equipment resides in the SA cell and can be accessed to the SA cell as soon as possible when service demands exist.

In one possible implementation, the first private threshold includes a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, where the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b; before determining that the target cell is searched, the method further comprises: the signal quality of the SA cell is determined to be below the private threshold 1b.

In this implementation, two first private thresholds are set. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b, if the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal device can reselect the anchor LTE cell from the SA cell, the service rate and the signal icon are ensured to be always displayed as 5G, and the user experience is improved. If the anchor LTE cell is not higher than the first threshold, but the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold, the terminal device can reselect from the SA cell to the common LTE cell, so that the power consumption of the terminal device is reduced.

In one possible implementation, acquiring anchor LTE cell information includes: the method comprises the steps of sending position information of a communication device to a cloud server, and receiving anchor point LTE cell information sent by the cloud server; and/or obtaining anchor LTE cell information, wherein the anchor LTE cell information comprises information of an anchor LTE cell where the communication device resides; and/or receiving a system message of the LTE cell, wherein the system message comprises a cell indicating whether the LTE cell is the anchor LTE cell, and acquiring the information of the anchor LTE cell according to the cell.

In one possible implementation, the first threshold includes any one of the following: the threshold of the low-priority reselected neighbor cell is configured by the network side, and the second private threshold is set by the communication device.

In this implementation manner, the first threshold has multiple choices, which improves the flexibility of the threshold setting for determining the target cell by the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, the second private threshold may include a private threshold 2a and a private threshold 2b, where the private threshold 2a < the private threshold 2b. The private threshold 2a is for an anchor LTE cell and the private threshold 2b is for a general LTE cell. And if the terminal equipment determines that the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2a, reselecting the SA cell to the anchor LTE cell. And if the terminal equipment determines that the signal quality of no anchor LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2a, but the signal quality of the ordinary LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2b, reselecting the ordinary LTE cell from the SA cell. By setting the private threshold 2a to be smaller than the private threshold 2b, the threshold value of the terminal device reselecting the anchor LTE cell is reduced, so that the terminal device can reselect the anchor LTE cell more easily, the power consumption of the terminal device is reduced, and the terminal device is ensured to display the 5G signal icon.

In a third aspect, a cell handover method is provided, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device resides in an LTE cell and is in a connected state, and the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell or a common LTE cell, and the method includes: receiving measurement configuration information of a B1 event or a B2 event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the B1 event or the B2 event comprises information of an NR (neighbor) neighborhood of an LTE (Long term evolution) cell; performing signal measurement on an NR neighboring cell, and sending a first measurement report; the signal quality of the NR cell in the first measurement report is higher than a third private threshold (private threshold 3 in this embodiment), where the third private threshold is set by the communication device, and the third private threshold is higher than a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold or a B2 event inter-system neighbor threshold; and establishing connection with a target NR cell, wherein the target NR cell is one of the NR cells.

The communication method provided by the third aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the connected terminal device switches from the anchor LTE cell/the LTE-only cell to the SA cell or establishes the endic dual connection to connect the 5G cell. The terminal device may set a private threshold 3, where the private threshold 3 is greater than a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold configured on the network side. The terminal device may compare the signal quality of the NR cell with the private threshold 3. By setting the private threshold 3, the condition that the terminal device is switched to the SA cell from the anchor LTE cell/the ordinary LTE cell or establishes the ENDC dual connection to connect the 5G cell is raised, the terminal device can be switched to the NR cell when the signal quality of the NR cell is very good, the power consumption of the terminal device is saved, the heat productivity of the terminal device is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged. Meanwhile, the service rate is also improved.

In a possible implementation manner, the establishing a connection between an LTE cell and a target NR cell, where the LTE cell is a general LTE cell, includes: and switching from the common LTE cell to a target NR cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target NR cell is an independent networking SA cell.

In a possible implementation manner, establishing a connection between an LTE cell as an anchor LTE cell and a target NR cell includes: switching from the anchor LTE cell to a target NR cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target NR cell is an SA cell; or establishing dual-connection ENDC dual-connection of 4G-5G wireless access with a target NR cell, wherein the target NR cell is an NR cell connected with an anchor LTE cell.

In a fourth aspect, a cell handover method is provided, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device resides in an LTE cell and is in an idle state, and the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell or a common LTE cell, and the method includes: searching an SA cell; if the target SA cell is searched, reselecting the target SA cell from the LTE cell through a cell reselection process; the signal quality of the target SA cell is higher than a third private threshold, and the third private threshold is set by the communication device and is higher than a neighboring cell threshold configured by the network side for high-priority reselection.

The communication method provided by the fourth aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the idle terminal device reselects from the anchor LTE cell/the LTE-generic cell to the SA cell. The terminal device may set a private threshold 3, where the private threshold 3 is greater than a neighbor threshold configured by the network side for high-priority reselection. The terminal device may compare the signal quality of the SA cell with the private threshold 3. By setting the private threshold 3, different system conditions of the terminal device when reselecting from the anchor LTE cell/the common LTE cell to the SA cell are improved, and the terminal device can reselect to the SA cell only when the signal quality of the SA cell is very good, so that the power consumption of the terminal device is saved, the heat productivity of the terminal device is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged. Meanwhile, the service rate is also improved.

In a possible implementation, searching for an SA cell of an independent network includes: obtaining an SA neighboring cell of the LTE cell; and searching the SA cell according to the SA neighboring cell.

In a possible implementation manner, searching an independent networking SA cell includes: acquiring a frequency point of an SA cell, wherein the frequency point of the SA cell comprises a frequency point of the SA cell where a communication device once resides; and searching the SA cell according to the frequency point of the SA cell.

In a fifth aspect, a cell handover method is provided, where the cell handover method is applied to a communication device, where the communication device resides in a general LTE cell, and the method includes: when a preset condition for rapidly switching from an LTE cell to an NR cell is met, if the communication device is in a connected state, executing an L2NR reestablishment process to switch from a common LTE cell to a target NR cell; if the communication device is in an idle state, searching an NR cell, and if a target NR cell is searched, reselecting the target NR cell; the signal quality of the target NR cell is higher than a fourth private threshold (private threshold 4 in this embodiment), and the fourth private threshold is set by the communication apparatus.

The communication method provided by the fifth aspect can be applied to a scenario in which a terminal device camped on a normal LTE cell is rapidly switched to an NR cell. When the terminal equipment is in a connected state, the L2NR reestablishment process is used for actively and quickly initiating the switching from the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell, so that the switching time delay is shortened. When the terminal equipment is in an idle state, the terminal equipment can independently search the NR cells, and can be quickly accessed into the NR cells, so that the switching time delay is shortened. The terminal device may set a private threshold 4, where the private threshold 4 is less than the private threshold 3. When the terminal device determines the target NR cell, the signal quality of the NR cell may be compared with the private threshold 4, and when the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 4, the terminal device may perform handover. By setting the private threshold 4, the service rate requirement is met on the basis that the terminal equipment is quickly switched from the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell.

In one possible implementation, the preset condition includes at least one of the following: running a white list application program in the foreground; the data volume of the data to be uploaded or the data to be downloaded is larger than a preset numerical value.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means or units for performing the steps of any of the above aspects.

In a seventh aspect, a communications apparatus is provided, where the communications apparatus includes a processor configured to couple with a memory, and read instructions in the memory and cause the communications apparatus to perform the method provided in any of the above aspects according to the instructions.

In one possible implementation, the communication device is a terminal or a chip.

In an eighth aspect, a program is provided, which when executed by a processor is adapted to perform the method provided in any of the above aspects.

In a ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, which when executed on a computer or processor, implement the method provided in any of the above aspects.

In a tenth aspect, a program product is provided, the program product comprising a computer program stored in a readable storage medium, the computer program being readable from the readable storage medium by at least one processor of a device, the at least one processor executing the computer program to cause the device to carry out the method provided by any of the above aspects.

In an eleventh aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a communication module and a processing module. The communication module may receive data transmitted by or from other devices, for example, receive a system message, receive measurement configuration information of an A2 event, measurement configuration information of a B1 event, measurement configuration information of a B2 event, transmit a measurement report of an A2 event, transmit a measurement report of a B1 event, or transmit a measurement report of a B2 event. The processing module may be configured to detect signal quality of a current serving cell, detect signal quality of a heterogeneous system cell, search for a cell, determine a target cell for handover, determine a target cell for reselection, or perform a cell reselection procedure, a cell handover procedure, establish an endec dual connectivity, and the like, so as to implement the method provided in any of the above aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a networking mode of a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applied;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G NSA networking;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of data offloading in a 5G NSA networking;

fig. 4 is another schematic diagram of data offloading in a 5G NSA networking;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a scenario in which a conventional terminal device is handed over from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a switching result of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a general LTE cell when a conventional terminal device is in different states;

fig. 7 is a message interaction diagram of a handover from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE generic cell when a conventional terminal device is in a connected state;

fig. 8 is a message interaction diagram of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a conventional terminal device is in an idle state;

fig. 9 is a scene schematic diagram of a terminal device being switched from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a general LTE cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a handover result obtained by handing over an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in different states according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a message interaction diagram for switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE generic cell when a terminal device is in a connected state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a message interaction diagram for switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in an idle state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in a connected state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 14 is another flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE generic cell when a terminal device is in a connected state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is another flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE generic cell when a terminal device is in a connected state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in an idle state according to the present invention;

fig. 17 is another flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in an idle state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is another flowchart of switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell when a terminal device is in an idle state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 19 is a schematic view of a conventional scenario in which a terminal device switches from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell;

fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a handover result of switching from an NSA cell/an ordinary LTE cell to an NR cell when a conventional terminal device is in different states;

fig. 21 is a message interaction diagram of switching from an NSA cell/an ordinary LTE cell to an NR cell when a conventional terminal device is in a connected state;

fig. 22 is a message interaction diagram of switching from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an SA cell when a conventional terminal device is in an idle state;

fig. 23 is a schematic view of a scenario that a terminal device switches from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 24 is a message interaction diagram for switching from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell when a terminal device is in a connected state according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 25 is a message interaction diagram for switching from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an SA cell when a terminal device is in an idle state according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 26 is a flowchart of a terminal device being handed over from a general LTE cell to an NR cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 28 is another schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a networking method of a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applied will be described.

5G is a latest generation of mobile communication technology, and compared with the early mobile communication technologies such as 4G, 3G, and 2G, 5G can provide higher data rate, lower delay, full connectivity of everything, more energy saving, lower cost, higher system capacity, and large-scale device access. The New Radio (NR) 5G is a new Radio Access Technology (RAT) developed by the third generation partnership project (3 gpp), and is a global standard for air interfaces of 5G networks for 5G mobile communication networks.

The existing 5G standard defines a plurality of networking modes, including an independent networking (SA) mode and a non-independent Networking (NSA) mode. Alternatively, the core network for both 5G NSA and 5G SA may be a 4G core network (EPC) or a 5G core network (5G core network, 5gc). The 5G NSA networking may also be referred to as 4G-5G wireless access dual connectivity (EN-DC) networking, and is widely applied in a 5G sa networking mode at the initial stage of 5G system construction.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a networking mode of a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applicable. As shown in fig. 1, in a scenario where a 4G system and a 5G system coexist, the networking manner may include: long Term Evolution (LTE) networking (or LTE independent networking), 5G NSA networking, and 5G SA networking. Herein, a base station in the 4G mobile communication network may be referred to as a 4G base station (eNB), and a base station in the 5G mobile communication network may be referred to as a 5G base station (5G nodeB, gnb). Cells can be configured on the eNB and the gNB, and each cell has a certain signal coverage. As shown in fig. 1 (a), in the LTE networking scheme, an LTE cell is provided by an eNB, and the eNB accesses the EPC. As shown in fig. 1 (b), in the 5G NSA networking scheme, an LTE cell is provided by an eNB, an NR cell is provided by a gNB, the gNB can be a slave station of the eNB, and the eNB and the gNB both access the EPC or the 5GC. As shown in (c) of fig. 1, the target networking mode of the 5G SA may be used, and the NR cell is provided by the gNB, and the gNB directly accesses the 5GC. It should be noted that fig. 1 only shows a part of networking manners, and does not limit the 4G networking manner and the 5G networking manner. For example, the 5G NSA networking mode can comprise multiple possible modes such as an Option 3/3a/3x mode, an Option 4/4a mode, an Option 7/7a/7x mode and the like.

The following describes the 5G NSA networking method in detail with reference to fig. 2 to 4.

1. Connection between User Equipment (UE) and base station

As shown in fig. 2, the UE may be connected to both the base station eNB of 4G LTE and the base station gNB of 5G NR. Among them, eNB is a master node, also called master station in EN-DC, master 4G base station (master eNB, meNB) or master node in EN-DC. Under an EN-DC networking mode, a base station of 5G NR can be called an En-gNB. The En-gNB is a secondary node, also referred to in En-DC as a secondary station, secondary 5G base station (SgNB), or Secondary Node (SN) in En-DC.

2. Connection between base stations

The eNB and the En-gNB are connected through an X2 interface.

3. Connection between base station and core network

In fig. 2, both eNB and En-gbb are connected to a 4G core network. The 4G core network may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a Serving Gateway (SGW). The eNB is connected to the MME through an S1-C interface and to the SGW through an S1-U interface. There is no direct connection between the En-gbb and the MME, and all control plane signaling is forwarded via the eNB. Whether the En-gbb is connected to the SGW via the S1-U interface depends on which protocol stack architecture of En-DC is used for data transmission.

4. Type of bearer

Under the EN-DC networking mode, the UE simultaneously keeps double connection with the eNB and the En-gNB, and simultaneously utilizes the wireless resources of the two base stations to carry out data transmission. The cell configured for the UE and respectively belonging to the eNB and the En-gNB is divided into two cell groups (cell groups), the cell belonging to the eNB is referred to as a Master Cell Group (MCG) under a master node in the En-DC, and the cell belonging to the En-gNB is referred to as a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) under a secondary node in the En-DC. In each cell group, radio Link Control (RLC) configuration of one radio bearer and configuration of logical channels are referred to as RLC bearers. According to the distribution of data on the primary station and the secondary station, the following 4 DC bearer types can be classified:

(1) The MCG bears: data is only on the primary station and the RLC bearer is only configured on the MCG.

(2) SCG carries: data is only on the secondary station and RLC bearers are only configured on SCG.

(3) MCG Split bearer: data is distributed at the main station, and RLC load is configured at MCG and SCG at the same time.

(4) SCG Split bearer: data is distributed in the secondary station, and the RLC load is configured in the MCG and the SCG at the same time.

For example, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of data offloading in a 5G NSA networking, which shows an MCG bearer, an SCG bearer, and an MCG Split bearer. As shown in fig. 3, a protocol stack of the eNB may include a Medium Access Control (MAC), RLC layer, and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and a protocol stack of the gNB may include an NR MAC layer, an NR RLC layer, and an NR PDCP layer. The bearer type will be described by taking downlink data transmission under dual connectivity as an example. In MCG Split bearer mode, data streams are converged on the PDCP layer, and then transmitted to the UE through multiple base stations simultaneously. In this case, one PDCP entity may be associated with two RLC entities, and may be understood as the PDCP layer transmitting a data flow to the RLC layer through RLC1 and RLC2 links, specifically, the RLC1 link may be understood as an LTE link, the RLC2 link may be understood as an NR link, and each RLC entity corresponds to an LTE air interface and an NR air interface respectively. In this scenario, the data flow of the PDCP will send PDCP packets on the LTE and NR air interfaces according to the obtained authorization. In the MCG bearer mode, the PDCP layer is associated with an RLC entity, and data of the PDCP layer is directly transmitted to the RLC layer. In SCG bearer mode, data is transmitted at the NR PDCP layer, i.e., data is transmitted at the secondary station, when an NR RLC entity is associated, data of the NR PDCP layer is directly transmitted to the NR RLC layer. In some embodiments, each RLC entity may correspond to at least one bearer link, and in some embodiments, the RLC layer may also have a plurality of RLC entities.

Exemplarily, fig. 4 is another schematic diagram of data offloading in a 5G NSA networking, which illustrates an MCG bearer, an SCG bearer, and an SCGSplit bearer. For MCG bearer and SCG bearer, reference may be made to the description in fig. 3, which is not described herein again. As shown in fig. 4, in SCGSplit bearer mode, data is converged at the NR PDCP layer, and one NR PDCP entity can associate two RLC entities, corresponding to the NR RLC layer and the RLC layer, when data is shunted at the secondary station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, names and types of UEs are not limited. For example, a UE may also be referred to as a communicator, a communication device, a terminal device, a Mobile Station (MS), a terminal or a Mobile Terminal (MT), etc., and may be a device providing voice/data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. Currently, some examples of terminal devices are: a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm top computer, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a wearable device, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, an Augmented Reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self-driving (self-driving), a wireless terminal in remote surgery (remote medical supply), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), and the like.

Next, the cell type according to the embodiment of the present application will be described.

1. And (3) an SA cell: refers to a 5G cell when 5G SA is networked. For example, as shown in fig. 1 (c), a cell configured on a 5G base station may be referred to as an SA cell.

2. NSA cell/anchor LTE cell: when the 5G NSA networking is pointed, an LTE cell connected with an ENDC double connection and a 5G cell can be established. For example, as shown in fig. 1 (b), the eNB is a master station, and a cell configured on the eNB may be referred to as an NSA cell or an anchor LTE cell. For convenience of description, the description manner of "NSA cell" is adopted in the embodiments of the present application.

3. Common LTE cell: the method refers to an LTE cell in 4G independent networking. For example, as shown in (a) of fig. 1, a cell configured on a 4G base station may be referred to as a normal LTE cell.

4. And NR cell: the cell refers to all 5G cells, including the SA cell and the 5G cell connected with the NSA cell after the ENDC double connection is established in the 5G NSA networking. For example, in (b) of fig. 1, after the UE establishes the dual connectivity, the cell configured on the En-gbb is an NR cell, but not an SA cell.

5. An LTE cell: refer to all 4G cells, including the generic LTE cell and the NSA cell/anchor LTE cell.

Next, a measurement event and a threshold value according to an embodiment of the present application will be described.

1. A2 event and A2 event thresholds

The A2 event is a measurement event for the present system, which means that the signal quality of the current serving cell is lower than the A2 event threshold. The A2 event threshold is configured on the base station side (or network side). When the base station configures A2 event measurement, the base station sends measurement configuration information to the UE, wherein the measurement configuration information carries an A2 event threshold. Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information and performs signal measurement on the current serving cell. And if the UE detects that the signal quality of the current serving cell is lower than the A2 event threshold, reporting the A2 event. Optionally, the A2 event may be used to trigger cell handover. Optionally, the A2 event may be used to start inter-cell measurement, for example, inter-system B1 event measurement.

It should be noted that, in the cell handover method provided in this embodiment of the present application, when reporting an A2 event, the UE compares the signal quality of the current serving cell with the private threshold 1 set by the UE.

2. B1 event and B1 event thresholds

The B1 event is a measurement event aiming at the different system, and the signal quality of the adjacent cell of the different system is higher than the threshold of the adjacent cell of the different system of the B1 event. The B1 event and thresholds are configured on the base station side (or network side). When the base station configures the B1 event measurement, the base station sends measurement configuration information to the UE, wherein the measurement configuration information carries a different-system adjacent cell threshold and a different-system adjacent cell frequency point of the B1 event. Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information and performs signal measurement of the inter-system neighbor cell according to the frequency point. And if the UE detects that the signal quality of the inter-system neighbor cell is higher than the threshold of the inter-system neighbor cell of the B1 event, reporting the B1 event. Optionally, the B1 event may be used to trigger an intersystem handover.

It should be noted that, in the cell switching method provided in this embodiment of the present application, when reporting a B1 event, the UE compares the signal quality of the inter-system neighboring cell with a private threshold 2 or a private threshold 3 set by the UE.

3. B2 event and B2 event thresholds

The B2 event is also a measurement event for the inter-system, which means that the signal quality of the serving cell is lower than the threshold of the serving cell for the B2 event and the signal quality of the neighboring cell of the inter-system is higher than the threshold of the neighboring cell of the inter-system for the B2 event. The B2 event and thresholds are configured on the base station side (or network side). When the base station configures the B2 event measurement, the base station sends measurement configuration information to the UE, wherein the measurement configuration information carries a B2 event threshold and a frequency point. Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information and performs signal measurement of the inter-system adjacent cell according to the frequency point. And if the UE detects that the signal quality of the service cell is lower than the threshold of the service cell of the B2 event and the signal quality of the adjacent cell of the different system is higher than the threshold of the adjacent cell of the different system of the B2 event, reporting the B2 event. Alternatively, a B2 event may be used to trigger an intersystem handover.

It should be noted that, in the cell switching method provided in this embodiment of the present application, when the UE reports a B2 event, in a scenario where the UE is switched from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a general LTE cell, the signal quality of the current serving cell is compared with the private threshold 1 set by the UE, and the signal quality of an adjacent cell in a different system is compared with the private threshold 2 set by the UE. In a scene that the UE is switched to an SA cell from an NSA cell/a common LTE cell or an ENDC dual connection is established to connect a 5G cell, the signal quality of a current service cell is compared with a B2 event service cell threshold configured on a network side, and the signal quality of an adjacent cell of a different system is compared with a private threshold 3 set by the UE.

It should be noted that both the B1 event and the B2 event are inter-system measurement events, and in the cell handover method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the B1 event is taken as an example for description. The B1 event in the embodiment of the present application may also be a B2 event.

4. Service cell threshold 1 reselected to low priority cell and low priority reselected neighbor cell threshold 2

The method is suitable for a scene that idle state UE reselects from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a common LTE cell, is configured by a base station side and can be carried in system information. Generally, UE reselection from SA cell to LTE cell network is configured for low priority reselection, and conversely, reselection from LTE cell to SA cell network is configured for high priority reselection.

5. High priority reselection neighbor threshold 3

The method is suitable for a scene that idle state UE reselects from an NSA cell/a common LTE cell to an SA cell, is configured by a base station side, and can be carried in a system message.

6. Private threshold 1 and private threshold 2

The private threshold 1 and the private threshold 2 are set by the UE, and are applicable to a scenario in which the UE switches from the SA cell to the NSA cell/the general LTE cell. The private threshold 1 is for the SA cell, and is used for the UE to determine whether the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1. The private threshold 2 is used for the UE to determine whether the signal quality of the NSA cell/the general LTE cell is higher than the private threshold 2 for the NSA cell/the general LTE cell.

7. Private threshold 3 and private threshold 4

The private threshold 3 and the private threshold 4 are set by the UE and are applicable to a scenario in which the UE switches from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell. The private thresholds 3 and 4 are both for the NR cell, and are used for the UE to determine whether the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 3 or the private threshold 4. Wherein the private threshold 3 is higher than the private threshold 4. The private threshold 3 can be applied to a scenario where the UE switches from an NSA cell/general LTE cell to an SA cell with very good signal quality or establishes an endec dual-connectivity with a non-independent networking 5G cell. The private threshold of 4 may be applied in a scenario where the UE is fast handed over from an NSA cell/a normal LTE cell to an SA cell or establishes an endec dual connectivity.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, names of the above parameters are not limited.

The cell switching method provided by the embodiment of the application is used for realizing the switching of the UE between the SA cell and the NSA cell/the common LTE cell. The application scenario may include: the UE switches from the SA cell to the NSA cell/normal LTE cell, and the UE switches from the NSA cell/normal LTE cell to the SA cell or establishes an endec dual connection. Since 5G can provide higher data rates and lower latency, some configuration strategies are currently to have the UE preferentially camp on the SA cell. However, in the initial stage of the 5G system construction, there is a defect in network parameter optimization, and moreover, when the 5G system employs a high frequency band and a large bandwidth, power consumption is high when the terminal resides in an SA cell, which causes degradation of endurance and high heating of the UE. By the cell switching method provided by the embodiment of the application, the terminal device in an idle state or a connected state can achieve the following effects: (1) When the UE does not need to download/upload data at a high speed and the signal quality of the SA cell is general, the UE may camp on the NSA cell/the general LTE cell, thereby saving the power consumption of the UE. (2) When the signal quality of the SA cell is very good, the UE consumes less power and can camp on the SA cell. Thus, when the UE needs to download/upload data at high speed, the UE connects 5G quickly by accessing the SA cell or establishing the endec dual connection.

Optionally, the terminal device in the idle state or the connected state may further implement the following effects: in the NSA/SA hybrid networking area, the UE dynamically switches between the SA cell and the NSA cell, the signal icon displayed on the UE is kept to be 5G, and the user does not perceive the UE to reside in the network.

A brief description of how the terminal device displays the signal icon follows.

The 5G NSA networking relates to two network systems of 4G and 5G, so that the terminal equipment in the NSA networking mode relates to the switching display of a 4G network icon and a 5G network icon. Referring to table 1, the global system for mobile communications association GSMA has submitted a configuration a/B/C/D four-terminal display 5G network icon scheme to 3 GPP.

TABLE 1

Optionally, the terminal device in this embodiment may adopt a CONFIG D scheme.

In the CONFIG D scheme, the terminal device displays a 5G network icon while camped on an NSA cell. The following scenarios exist: in NSA networking, when a user processes a service using a terminal device, the terminal device displays a 5G network icon but does not actually have an NR connection. In the scene, the terminal equipment can process the service by establishing the ENDC dual connection, and the terminal equipment displays the 5G network icon, so that the situation that the user thinks that the terminal equipment always resides in the 4G network is avoided, and the user experience is improved.

The technical solution of the present application is described in detail by specific examples below. The following embodiments may be combined with each other and may not be described in detail in some embodiments for the same or similar concepts or processes.

The embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other, and details of the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the embodiments of the present application, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.

In the present embodiment, "/" denotes "or" in the present embodiment. For example, handover from SA cell to NSA cell/normal LTE cell may be understood as: and switching from the SA cell to the NSA cell or switching from the SA cell to the ordinary LTE cell.

Note that in the embodiments of the present application, "switching" has a broad meaning and a narrow meaning. The broad meaning means that the UE dynamically resides in different cells and changes from one cell to another. For example, the UE handover from the SA cell to the NSA cell/normal LTE cell may include: and the idle state UE is reselected to the NSA cell/the ordinary LTE cell from the SA cell, and the connected state UE is switched to the NSA cell/the ordinary LTE cell from the SA cell. The narrow meaning refers to a cell handover procedure triggered by reporting a measurement report when the UE is in a connected state. If the UE is in a connected state, the switching in the broad sense can be realized through a cell switching process in the narrow sense, and the switching in the broad sense can also be realized through a cell redirection process, an ENDC dual connection process and the like. If the UE is in an idle state, "handover" in a broad sense may be implemented through a cell reselection procedure, etc. The cell handover process, the cell reselection process, the cell redirection process, the establishment of the endic dual connectivity process, and the like are all basic processes in the mobile communication network, and may refer to a communication protocol.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the cell where the UE resides may be a cell where the idle-state UE resides or a cell where the connected-state UE accesses.

The following describes a procedure for switching a conventional terminal device from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE-generic cell with reference to fig. 5 to 8.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a conventional scenario in which a terminal device is handed over from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE cell. As shown in fig. 5, UE1 and UE2 currently camp on the SA cell. UE1 and UE2 may be in an idle state or a connected state. The signal coverage of the SA cell is area 11, the signal coverage of the nsa cell/LTE generic cell is area 21, and there is an overlapping area between area 11 and area 21. It should be noted that fig. 5 is only an example, and the signal coverage of the SA cell, the NSA cell, and the general LTE cell is not limited. For example, in another implementation, the eNB and the gNB may be co-located base stations, and the central areas of area 11 and area 21 may coincide.

Optionally, in one scenario, the UE is in a connected state and currently accesses the SA cell. With reference to fig. 5, fig. 6 (a) and fig. 7, a procedure for switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE-generic cell when a conventional terminal device is in a connected state will be described. As shown in fig. 7, may include:

s701, the gNB sends measurement configuration information about the A2 event to the UE.

Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information sent by the gNB. The measurement configuration information may include an A2 event threshold. The specific value of the A2 event threshold is not limited in this embodiment. Alternatively, the measurement configuration information may be transmitted through RRC signaling.

S702, the UE measures the signal of the SA cell. And if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the threshold of the A2 event, reporting a measurement report of the A2 event. Accordingly, the gNB receives the measurement report sent by the UE.

For example. See fig. 5. Assume that the A2 event threshold is-108 dBm. And when the UE2 detects that the signal quality of the SA cell is-109 dBm and is lower than-108 dBm, reporting a measurement report of the A2 event. When the UE1 detects that the signal quality of the SA cell is-107 dBm and is higher than-108 dBm, the A2 event is not reported.

S703, the gNB sends measurement configuration information about the B1 event to the UE.

Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information sent by the gNB. The measurement configuration information may include a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold. In this embodiment, specific values of the inter-system neighbor cell threshold of the B1 event are not limited. Optionally, the measurement configuration information may further include a frequency point of a heterogeneous system cell (NSA cell and/or a general LTE cell).

Specifically, after reporting the A2 event, the UE waits for the network side to configure measurement of a different system B1 event. And after receiving the measurement configuration information about the B1 event, the UE performs signal measurement on the inter-system adjacent cell.

S704, if the signal quality of the inter-system neighbor is higher than the threshold of the inter-system neighbor of the B1 event, reporting a measurement report of the B1 event. Accordingly, the gNB receives the measurement report sent by the UE.

S705, the gNB determines a target cell according to the B1 event reported by the UE, and the UE executes a cell switching process.

The cell handover procedure may be an existing procedure for handing over from the SA cell to the NSA cell/LTE generic cell.

It can be seen that in a scenario where the connected UE is switched from the SA cell to the NSA cell/the LTE cell, the signal quality of the SA cell needs to be lower than an A2 event threshold configured on the network side first, and the UE triggers the network side to configure the inter-system B1 event measurement after reporting the A2 event. At present, due to a setting strategy of a network, an A2 event threshold is generally low in value, so that a UE is not easily switched from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a general LTE cell and is more easily resided in the SA cell. For example, in S702, UE1 in fig. 5 may not report the A2 event and cannot perform handover. At this time, the power consumption of the UE residing in the SA cell is already very high, the heat generated by the mobile phone is severe, and the battery life is shortened. Moreover, in S704, when the UE reports the B1 event, all the inter-system neighboring cells meeting the B1 event are reported, and the network determines the target cell. The target cell may be an NSA cell or an ordinary LTE cell, and the UE cannot control the target cell, and the handover result is shown in (a) of fig. 6. If the target cell is a normal LTE cell, the signal icon displayed by the UE is changed from 5G to 4G, and the user experience is influenced.

Optionally, in another scenario, the UE is in an idle state and currently camped in the SA cell. With reference to fig. 5 and fig. 6 (b) and fig. 8, a procedure for switching from an SA cell to an NSA cell/LTE-generic cell when a conventional terminal device is in an idle state will be described. As shown in fig. 8, may include:

s801, the UE currently resides in the SA cell.

This step may be an existing cell selection procedure.

S802, the UE judges whether the signal quality of the current resident SA cell is smaller than a service cell threshold 1 of a reselected low-priority cell configured by a network side.

Wherein reselection from an SA cell to an LTE cell is generally considered a low priority reselection, and conversely, reselection from an LTE cell to an SA cell is considered a high priority reselection. The embodiment does not limit the specific value of the threshold 1. If the signal quality of the currently camped SA cell is judged to be less than the serving cell threshold 1 for reselecting to the low priority cell configured by the network side, S803 is executed.

S803, the UE judges whether an NSA cell/common LTE cell exists, wherein the cell signal quality of the NSA cell/common LTE cell is larger than a low-priority reselection neighbor cell threshold 2 configured on the network side.

In this embodiment, the specific value of the low-priority reselected neighbor cell threshold 2 is not limited. If the NSA cell/ordinary LTE cell having the cell signal quality greater than the low-priority reselection neighbor cell threshold 2 configured on the network side exists, S804 is executed.

S804, the UE performs a cell reselection process and reselects to the NSA cell/the common LTE cell.

This step may be an existing cell reselection procedure from the SA cell to the NSA cell/the LTE common cell.

As can be seen, for the scenario that idle UE is switched from SA cell to NSA cell/LTE cell, the principle is similar to that when UE is in connected state, and both involve the local system signal threshold and the inter-system signal threshold configured on the network side. When the UE is in a connected state, the related parameters comprise an A2 event threshold and a B1 event inter-system neighbor cell threshold. When the UE is in an idle state, the related parameters include a serving cell threshold 1 and a low priority reselecting neighbor cell threshold 2 for reselecting to a low priority cell. The following problems also exist when the UE is in an idle state: the UE is more likely to camp in the SA cell, resulting in increased power consumption, severe heat generation, and shortened endurance time. Also, the cell that the UE cannot control reselection is an NSA cell or an LTE-generic cell, and the reselection result is shown in (b) of fig. 6. If the reselected cell is a normal LTE cell, the signal icon displayed by the UE is changed from 5G to 4G, and the user experience is affected.

The embodiment of the application provides a cell switching method, which is suitable for a scene that terminal equipment is switched from an SA cell to an NSA cell/a common LTE cell. In this embodiment, the UE may set a private threshold 1, where the private threshold 1 is greater than an A2 event threshold configured on the network side or a serving cell threshold 1 of a low priority cell reselected. The UE may compare the signal quality of the SA cell with a private threshold of 1, and when the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold of 1, the terminal device may switch from the SA cell to the NSA cell/normal LTE cell. By setting the private threshold 1, the switching judgment condition of the system when the terminal equipment is switched from the SA cell to the LTE cell is relaxed, and the terminal equipment can be switched to the LTE cell when the signal quality of the SA cell is general or poor, so that the power consumption of the UE is saved, the heat productivity of the UE is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, a specific value of the private threshold 1 is not limited.

The following is a detailed description with reference to fig. 9 to 18. The same steps in the embodiments of the present application are numbered identically, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

Exemplarily, fig. 9 is a scene schematic diagram of a terminal device being handed over from an SA cell to an NSA cell/general LTE cell according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 differs from fig. 5 in that: in fig. 5, the terminal device may obtain an A2 event threshold configured on the network side or a serving cell threshold 1 reselected to a low-priority cell, and compare the signal quality of the SA cell with the threshold, as a handover determination condition of the system. In fig. 9, the terminal device may obtain an A2 event threshold configured on the network side or a serving cell threshold 1 reselected to a low-priority cell, but compare the signal quality of the SA cell with a private threshold 1 set on the UE side, as a handover determination condition of the system. In fig. 9, the signal quality of the SA cell detected by UE1 and UE2 is lower than the private threshold 1, and both SA cells can be handed over to NSA cells/general LTE cells.

Optionally, in one scenario, the UE is in a connected state and currently accesses the SA cell. As shown in fig. 11, the cell handover method provided in this embodiment may include:

S1102, the UE measures signals of the SA cell. And if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1, reporting a measurement report of the A2 event. Accordingly, the gNB receives the measurement report sent by the UE.

For example. See fig. 9. Assume that the A2 event threshold is-108 dBm and the private threshold 1 is-106 dBm. UE1 detects that the signal quality of the SA cell is-107 dBm, although higher than-108 dBm, but lower than-106dbm, UE1 can report the A2 event.

Alternatively, B2 event may be used, and then the gNB will send measurement configuration information about the B2 event to the UE.

S1104, the UE measures signals of the inter-system neighbor cell. And if the signal quality of the adjacent cell of the different system is higher than the threshold value 1, reporting a measurement report of the B1 event. Accordingly, the gNB receives the measurement report sent by the UE.

Alternatively, a B2 event may be employed. And if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1 and the signal quality of the inter-system neighbor cell is higher than the threshold 1, reporting a measurement report of the B2 event.

Optionally, in an implementation manner, the threshold 1 may be a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold. In this case, S1104 is the same as S704, and the switching determination condition of the inter-system is the same as that of the conventional implementation. Similarly, if a B2 event is adopted, the threshold 1 may be a B2 event inter-system neighbor threshold.

Optionally, in another implementation manner, the threshold 1 may be a private threshold 2 set by the UE, and the specific value of the private threshold 2 is not limited in this embodiment. By setting the private threshold 2, the UE can compare the signal quality of the adjacent cell of the different system with the private threshold 2, and report the B1 event when the signal quality is higher than the private threshold 2, so that the flexibility of threshold setting for reporting the B1 event by the UE is improved.

Optionally, in another scenario, the UE is in an idle state and currently camped in the SA cell. As shown in fig. 12, the cell handover method provided in this embodiment may include:

s801, the UE currently resides in the SA cell.

S1202, the UE judges whether the signal quality of the currently residing SA cell is smaller than a private threshold 1 set by the UE.

If the signal quality of the SA cell is less than the private threshold 1, S1203 is performed.

S1203, the UE judges whether an NSA cell/common LTE cell with cell signal quality larger than a threshold value 1 exists.

The UE may perform LTE measurement according to network neighbor configuration, or perform LTE cell search autonomously. Optionally, the UE may autonomously perform LTE cell search according to the historical frequency points, where the historical frequency points may include frequency points of an LTE cell where the UE has resided. If there is an NSA cell/general LTE cell whose cell signal quality is greater than the threshold value 1, S804 is performed.

Optionally, in an implementation manner, the threshold 1 may be a low-priority reselection neighbor threshold 2. At this time, S1203 is the same as S803.

Optionally, in another implementation, the threshold 1 may be a private threshold 2 set by the UE. The UE can compare the signal quality of the LTE cell with the private threshold 2, and the flexibility of threshold setting when the UE determines the target LTE cell is improved.

S804, the UE carries out a cell reselection process and reselects to an NSA cell/a common LTE cell.

Optionally, on the basis of the embodiments shown in fig. 11 and fig. 12, the UE may identify whether the LTE cell is an NSA cell or a general LTE cell. When the UE searches for an LTE cell or measures a signal of the LTE cell, it may first determine whether the NSA cell satisfies a cell switching condition. If the NSA cell meets the cell switching condition, the SA cell is switched to the NSA cell, and the autonomous selection of the UE from the SA cell to the NSA cell in priority is realized. When the UE displays the signal icon by adopting the CONFIG D scheme, the signal icon is always 5G, and the user experience is improved. If no NSA cell meets the cell switching condition, in one implementation mode, the UE does not switch and still stays in the SA cell, and the signal icon is ensured to be displayed as 5G; in another implementation manner, the UE may determine whether the general LTE cell satisfies the cell switching condition, and if the general LTE cell satisfies the cell switching condition, the UE switches from the SA cell to the general LTE cell, so as to reduce power consumption of the UE. As for the cell switching result, referring to fig. 10, when the ue is in the connected state or the idle state, it may switch to the NSA cell preferentially.

Optionally, when the UE identifies whether the LTE cell is an NSA cell or a general LTE cell, one implementation manner may include: and the UE acquires the current position information and sends the position information to the cloud server. And the cloud server determines a first NSA cell list in a preset geographic range according to the position information and sends the first NSA cell list to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first NSA cell list and identifies whether the LTE cell is an NSA cell according to the first NSA cell list. The cloud server stores an NSA cell list. Optionally, the cloud server may update its stored NSA cell list periodically or event-triggered. Optionally, the location information may include at least one of: latitude and longitude information and the cell identification of the cell where the UE currently resides. In this embodiment, the implementation manner of acquiring the location information by the UE is not limited, for example, the location is performed by a Global Positioning System (GPS) component or a beidou system locating component installed on the UE.

Optionally, when the UE identifies whether the LTE cell is an NSA cell or a general LTE cell, another implementation manner may include: and the UE identifies whether the LTE cell is the NSA cell or not according to the NSA cell history information. The NSA cell history information may include NSA cells in which the UE has camped. Specifically, for an LTE cell where the UE has resided, whether the LTE cell is an NSA cell may be determined by identifying an upper layer indicator in a system message SIB2 or whether the endic dual-connectivity is established.

Optionally, if the UE is in an idle state, when the UE identifies that the LTE cell is an NSA cell or an ordinary LTE cell, another implementation manner may include: the UE actively searches the LTE cell and judges whether the LTE cell is the NSA cell or not by identifying an upper layer indicator in a system message SIB 2.

Optionally, the private threshold 1 may include a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, where the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b, and the embodiment does not limit specific values. See in particular fig. 15 and 18.

Optionally, the private threshold 2 may include a private threshold 2a and a private threshold 2b, where the private threshold 2a is smaller than the private threshold 2b, and the specific value is not limited in this embodiment. The private threshold 2a is for NSA cells and the private threshold 2b is for normal LTE cells. Specifically, if the UE determines that there is an NSA cell whose signal quality is greater than the private threshold 2a, it switches from the SA cell to the NSA cell. Optionally, if the UE determines that the signal quality of no NSA cell is greater than the private threshold 2a, but the signal quality of a normal LTE cell is greater than the private threshold 2b, the SA cell is switched to the normal LTE cell. By setting the private threshold 2a to be smaller than the private threshold 2b, the threshold value for switching the UE to the NSA cell is reduced, so that the UE is easier to switch to the NSA cell, the service rate is guaranteed preferentially, meanwhile, the power consumption of the UE is reduced, and the UE is ensured to display the 5G signal icon.

The following describes embodiments of the UE in the connected state and the idle state in detail. In fig. 13 to 15, the UE is in the connected state, and in fig. 16 to 18, the UE is in the idle state.

Alternatively, in one implementation, referring to fig. 13, the ue is in a connected state. Fig. 13 shows an implementation manner of S1104 and S705 in fig. 11, and the execution subject is UE. S1104 includes S1301 to S1302, and S705 may include S1303. In this embodiment, the connected UE may be handed over from the SA cell to the NSA cell.

Specifically, S1301, the UE determines whether the signal quality of the NSA cell is higher than a threshold 1.

If there is an NSA cell whose signal quality is higher than the threshold 1, S1302 to S1303 are performed. If no NSA cell has a signal quality above threshold 1, S1304 is performed.

S1302, the UE reports a measurement report of the B1 event. The measurement report includes NSA cells with cell signal quality higher than threshold 1.

After the UE reports the measurement report of the B1 event, the network side determines a target cell according to the measurement report. Since the measurement report comprises the NSA cell, the target cell is the NSA cell, and the autonomous selection of the UE from the SA cell to the NSA cell in priority is realized.

S1303, the UE is switched to the NSA cell.

S1304, the UE does not report the measurement report of the B1 event, and continues to camp in the SA cell.

Alternatively, in another implementation, referring to fig. 14, the ue is in a connected state. Fig. 14 shows an implementation manner of S1104 and S705 in fig. 11, and the execution subject is a UE. S1104 includes S1301 to S1302 and S1305 to S1306, and S705 may include S1303 and S1307. In this embodiment, the connected UE may be handed over from the SA cell to the NSA cell/LTE cell and preferentially handed over to the NSA cell.

S1301, the UE judges whether the signal quality of the NSA cell is higher than a threshold value 1.

If there is an NSA cell whose signal quality is higher than the threshold 1, S1302 to S1303 are performed. If the signal quality of no NSA cell is above the threshold 1, S1305 to S1307 are performed.

S1303, the UE is switched to the NSA cell.

S1305, the UE judges whether the signal quality of the common LTE cell is higher than a threshold value 1.

If there is an ordinary LTE cell whose signal quality is higher than the threshold 1, S1306 to S1307 are performed. If the signal quality of no ordinary LTE cell is higher than the threshold 1, then S1304 is executed, and the UE does not report the measurement report of the B1 event and continues to camp on the SA cell.

S1306, the UE reports the measurement report of the B1 event. The measurement report includes a common LTE cell whose cell signal quality is higher than a threshold 1.

S1307, the UE is switched to the common LTE cell.

Alternatively, in yet another implementation, referring to fig. 15, the ue is in a connected state. Fig. 15 shows an implementation manner of S1102, S1104 and S705 in fig. 11, where the execution subject is a UE. S1102 may include S1308 to S1309, S1104 may include S1301b to S1302b, S1305b to S1306b, and S1301a to S1302a, and S705 may include S1303b, S1307b, and S1303a. S1301a to S1304a may correspond to S1301 to S1304 in fig. 13, and S1301b to S1307b may correspond to S1301 to S1307 in fig. 14. In this embodiment, the private threshold 1 may include a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b. The UE may switch from the SA cell to the NSA cell when the signal quality of the SA cell is below the private threshold 1a and above the private threshold 1b. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b, the UE may switch from the SA cell to the NSA cell/LTE generic cell and preferentially switch to the NSA cell.

Optionally, in yet another implementation, referring to fig. 16, the ue is in an idle state. Fig. 16 shows an implementation manner of S1203 and S804 in fig. 12, and the execution subject is UE. S1203 includes S1601, and S804 may include S1602. In this embodiment, the UE may reselect from the SA cell to the NSA cell.

Specifically, in S1601, when the UE determines that the signal quality of the SA cell is less than the private threshold 1, the UE is triggered to search for the NSA cell. The UE determines whether the signal quality of the NSA cell is higher than a threshold 1.

If the signal quality of the NSA cell exists above the threshold 1, S1602 is performed. If the signal quality of no NSA cell is above threshold 1, S1603 is performed.

S1602, the UE reselects from the SA cell to the NSA cell.

S1603, the UE continues to camp on the SA cell.

Optionally, in yet another implementation, referring to fig. 17, the ue is in an idle state. Fig. 17 shows an implementation manner of S1203 and S804 in fig. 12, and the execution subject is UE. S1203 includes S1601 and S1604, and S804 may include S1602 and S1605. In this embodiment, the UE may reselect from the SA cell to the NSA cell/LTE-generic cell and preferentially reselect to the NSA cell.

If the signal quality of the NSA cell exists above the threshold 1, S1602 is performed. If the signal quality of no NSA cell is above threshold 1, S1604-S1605 are performed.

S1602, the UE reselects from the SA cell to the NSA cell.

And S1604, the UE continues to search for the common LTE cell. The UE judges whether the signal quality of the common LTE cell is higher than a threshold value 1.

If there is a normal LTE cell whose signal quality is higher than the threshold 1, S1605 is performed. If the signal quality of no ordinary LTE cell is above the threshold 1, S1603 is executed and the UE continues to camp on the SA cell.

And S1605, the UE reselects from the SA cell to the ordinary LTE cell.

Optionally, in yet another implementation, referring to fig. 18, the ue is in an idle state. Fig. 18 shows an implementation of S1202, S1203 and S804 in fig. 12, where the execution subject is a UE. S1202 may include S1308 to S1309, S1203 may include S1601b, S1604b, and S1601a, and S804 may include S1602b, S1605b, and S1602a. S1601a to S1603a may correspond to S1601 to S1603 in fig. 16, and S1601b to S1605b may correspond to S1601 to S1605 in fig. 17. In this embodiment, the private threshold 1 may include a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b. When the signal quality of the SA cell is below the private threshold 1a and above the private threshold 1b, the UE may reselect from the SA cell to the NSA cell. When the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b, the UE may reselect from the SA cell to the NSA cell/the general LTE cell and preferentially reselect to the NSA cell.

Next, a procedure for a conventional terminal device to switch from an NSA cell/LTE-only cell to an SA cell or establish an endec dual connection to connect to a 5G cell will be described with reference to fig. 19 to 22.

Exemplarily, fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which a conventional terminal device is handed over from an NSA cell/an ordinary LTE cell to an NR cell. As shown in fig. 19, UE1 and UE2 currently camp on the NSA cell/normal LTE cell. UE1 and UE2 may be in an idle state or a connected state. The coverage area of the NSA cell/LTE-generic cell is area 21, and the signal coverage area of the nr cell is area 11. In the area 12, the signal quality of the NR cell is very good, for example, greater than-95 dBm, and the threshold for measuring the cell signal is not limited in this embodiment. There is an overlapping area of region 11 and region 21. UE1 is also located within area 11 and UE2 is also located within area 12. Note that fig. 19 does not limit the signal coverage of the NR cell, NSA cell, and general LTE cell.

Optionally, in one scenario, the UE is in a connected state and currently accesses to the NSA cell/the general LTE cell. A procedure of switching from an NSA cell/general LTE cell to an NR cell when a conventional terminal device is in a connected state will be described with reference to fig. 19, fig. 20 (a), and fig. 21. As shown in fig. 21, may include:

s2101, the eNB sends measurement configuration information about the B1 event to the UE.

Correspondingly, the UE receives the measurement configuration information sent by the eNB. The measurement configuration information may include a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold. The embodiment does not limit the specific value of the inter-system neighbor cell threshold of the B1 event. Optionally, the measurement configuration information may further include a frequency point of an inter-system cell (NR cell). Alternatively, the measurement configuration information may be transmitted through RRC signaling.

S2102, the UE performs signal measurement on the NR cell. And if the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the threshold of the B1 event inter-system adjacent cell, reporting a measurement report of the B1 event. Accordingly, the eNB receives the measurement report transmitted by the UE.

For example. See fig. 19. Suppose that the B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold is-106 dBm. And when the UE2 detects that the signal quality of the NR cell is-80 dBm and is higher than-106 dBm, reporting a measurement report of the B1 event. When the UE1 detects that the signal quality of the NR cell is-105 dBm and is higher than-106 dBm, reporting a measurement report of a B1 event.

S2103, the eNB determines a target cell according to the B1 event reported by the UE, and the UE is switched to an NR cell from the NSA cell/the ordinary LTE cell.

Optionally, if the UE currently resides in an NSA cell, the target cell may be a 5G cell connected to the NSA cell, and the UE may establish an endec dual connection with the target cell.

Optionally, if the UE currently resides in the NSA cell, the target cell may be an SA cell, and the UE may be switched to the SA cell through a cell redirection procedure or a cell handover procedure.

Optionally, if the UE currently resides in the ordinary LTE cell, the target cell may be an SA cell, and the UE may be switched to the SA cell through a cell redirection procedure or a cell handover procedure.

The cell switching process, the cell redirection process and the establishment of the ENDC dual connection can be the existing processes.

It can be seen that, in a scenario where the connected UE is switched from the NSA cell/the LTE-advanced cell to the NR cell, the signal quality of the NR cell needs to be higher than a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold configured on the network side. At present, due to a setting strategy of a network, a threshold of a B1 event inter-system neighbor cell is generally low in value, so that a UE is easily switched from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell. For example, in S2102, even if the signal quality of the NR cell at the location of the UE1 is not good, the B1 event may still be reported to complete the handover.

Optionally, in another scenario, the UE is in an idle state and currently camped in an NSA cell/LTE-generic cell. A procedure of switching from an NSA cell/general LTE cell to an SA cell when a conventional terminal device is in a connected state will be described with reference to fig. 19, fig. 20 (b), and fig. 22. As shown in fig. 22, may include:

s2201, the UE currently resides in the NSA cell/the general LTE cell.

This step may be an existing cell selection procedure.

S2202, the UE judges whether there is an SA cell whose cell signal quality is larger than a high priority reselection neighbor cell threshold 3 configured by the network side.

Wherein reselection from an SA cell to an LTE cell is generally considered a low priority reselection, and conversely, reselection from an LTE cell to an SA cell is considered a high priority reselection. The embodiment does not limit the specific value of the high-priority reselected neighbor cell threshold 3. The UE may perform NR measurement according to the network neighboring cell configuration. If the SA cell having the cell signal quality greater than the high-priority reselection neighbor threshold 3 exists, S2203 is performed.

S2203, the UE performs a cell reselection process and reselects to the SA cell.

As can be seen, for the scenario in which the idle UE reselects from the NSA cell/the general LTE cell to the SA cell, the principle is similar to that when the UE is in the connected state, and both the principle and the principle relate to the inter-system signal threshold configured on the network side. When the UE is in a connected state, the related parameters comprise a B1 event inter-system neighbor cell threshold. When the UE is in an idle state, the related parameters include a high priority reselection neighbor threshold 3. The following problems also exist when the UE is in an idle state: the UE is more likely to camp in the SA cell, resulting in increased power consumption, severe heat generation, and shortened endurance time.

The embodiment of the application provides a cell switching method, which is suitable for a scene that terminal equipment is switched from an NSA cell/a common LTE cell to an NR cell. In this embodiment, the UE may set a private threshold 3, where the private threshold 3 is greater than a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold configured on the network side or a high-priority reselection neighbor threshold 3. The UE may compare the signal quality of the NR cell with the private threshold 3, and when the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 3, the terminal device may switch from the NSA cell/the general LTE cell to the scenario of the NR cell. By setting the private threshold 3, the switching judgment condition of different systems when the terminal equipment is switched from the NSA cell/the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell is improved, and the terminal equipment can be switched to the NR cell when the signal quality of the NR cell is very good, so that the power consumption of the UE is saved, the heat productivity of the UE is reduced, and the endurance time is prolonged. Meanwhile, the service rate is also improved.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, a specific value of the private threshold 3 is not limited.

The following describes in detail with reference to fig. 23 to 25.

Exemplarily, fig. 23 is a schematic view of a scenario that a terminal device is handed over from an NSA cell/a general LTE cell to an NR cell according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 23 differs from fig. 19 in that: in fig. 19, the terminal device may obtain a B1 event inter-system neighboring cell threshold or a high-priority reselection neighboring cell threshold 3 configured on the network side, and compare the signal quality of the NR cell with the neighboring cell, as a handover judgment condition of the inter-system. In fig. 23, the terminal device may obtain a B1 event inter-system neighboring cell threshold configured on the network side or a high-priority reselection neighboring cell threshold 3, but compare the signal quality of the NR cell with the private threshold 3 set on the UE side, as a handover judgment condition of the inter-system. In fig. 23, UE1 detects that the signal quality of the NR cell is lower than the private threshold 3, and does not report the B1 event and switch from the NSA cell/the general LTE cell to the NR cell. UE2 detects that the signal quality of the NR cell is above the private threshold 3 and can switch from the NSA cell/normal LTE cell to the NR cell.

Optionally, in one scenario, the UE is in a connected state and currently accesses to the NSA cell/the general LTE cell. As shown in fig. 24, the cell handover method provided in this embodiment may include:

S2402, the UE measures signals of the NR cells. And if the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 3, reporting a measurement report of the B1 event. Accordingly, the eNB receives the measurement report transmitted by the UE.

Alternatively, a B2 event may be employed. Then, if the signal quality of the NSA cell/the general LTE cell is lower than the B2 event serving cell threshold, and the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 3, the measurement report of the B2 event is reported.

S2103, the eNB determines a target cell according to the B1 event reported by the UE, and the UE is switched to an NR cell from the NSA cell/the common LTE cell.

Optionally, in another scenario, the UE is in an idle state and currently camped in an NSA cell/LTE-generic cell. As shown in fig. 25, the cell handover method provided in this embodiment may include:

s2201, the UE currently resides in the NSA cell/LTE generic cell.

S2502, the UE judges whether an SA cell with the cell signal quality larger than the private threshold 3 exists.

The UE may perform NR measurement according to network neighbor configuration, or autonomously perform SA cell search. Optionally, the UE may autonomously perform SA cell search according to historical frequency points, where the historical frequency points may include frequency points of SA cells where the UE has resided. If there is an SA cell whose cell signal quality is greater than the private threshold 3, S2203 is performed.

S2203, the UE performs a cell reselection procedure to reselect to the SA cell.

Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a cell switching method, which is suitable for a scenario in which a terminal device needs to be quickly switched from a general LTE cell to an NR cell. In this embodiment, the UE currently camps on the ordinary LTE cell and may be in a connected state or an idle state. When the UE needs to be quickly switched from the general LTE cell to the NR cell, the UE may actively initiate a procedure of switching from the general LTE cell to the NR cell. The UE may set a privacy threshold of 4, the privacy threshold of 4 being less than the privacy threshold of 3. The embodiment does not limit the specific value of the private threshold 4. When the UE determines the target NR cell, the signal quality of the NR cell may be compared with the private threshold 4, and when the signal quality of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 4, the terminal device may switch from the normal LTE cell to the NR cell. By setting the private threshold 4, the service rate requirement is met on the basis that the terminal equipment is quickly switched from the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell.

As shown in fig. 26, the cell handover method provided in this embodiment may include:

s2601, the UE foreground runs the white list application program.

The white list application may be an application for performing a large traffic service, such as a video application, a data download application, a speed measurement application, and the like.

It should be noted that S2601 determines a preset condition that the terminal device needs to be quickly handed over from the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell, and may also be other preset conditions, which is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the UE determines that the data amount of the data to be uploaded or downloaded is greater than a preset value. For another example, the UE determines that the data to be transmitted has a high latency requirement.

And S2602, if the UE is in the connected state, executing an L2NR reestablishment process, and switching from the ordinary LTE cell to the NR cell.

The L2NR reestablishment process is realized in the following mode: the method comprises the steps that a terminal initiates a reestablishment process at a 4G access layer according to a standard protocol, specifically, firstly, RRC links and layer 3/layer 2 data connection are released locally, then cell search is started, NR cells are searched preferentially in the searching process, if the NR cells meeting conditions are searched, UE initiates the access process at the NR cells, RRC connection is reestablished, if the NR cells meeting the conditions are not searched, the UE searches LTE cells, completes the reestablishment process at the LTE cells (which may be original service cells or not, and do not make provisions), and reestablishes the RRC connection. In the L2NR re-establishment procedure in this embodiment, when the UE determines the target NR cell, the signal quality of the NR cell may be compared with the private threshold 4. Through the L2NR reestablishment process, the UE can actively initiate the switching from the common LTE cell to the NR cell, and the switching time delay is shortened.

And S2603, if the UE is in an idle state, triggering to search the NR cells.

Specifically, the UE may autonomously perform NR cell search according to a historical frequency point, where the historical frequency point may include a frequency point of an NR cell where the UE has resided.

S2604, if the signal strength of the NR cell is higher than the private threshold 4, the UE accesses the NR cell.

It will be appreciated that the terminal device, in order to implement the above-described functions, comprises corresponding hardware and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. The present application is capable of being implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in conjunction with the exemplary algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is performed in hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, with the embodiment described in connection with the particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. It should be noted that the names of the modules in the embodiments of the present application are illustrative, and the names of the modules are not limited in actual implementation.

Fig. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application, where each functional module is divided according to each function. As shown in fig. 27, the terminal device may include: a communication module 2701 and a processing module 2702.

A communication module 2701 is used to transmit data to other devices or receive data from other devices. For example, receiving a system message, receiving measurement configuration information of an A2 event, measuring configuration information of a B1 event, measuring configuration information of a B2 event, transmitting a measurement report of an A2 event, transmitting a measurement report of a B1 event, or transmitting a measurement report of a B2 event.

A processing module 2702, configured to detect signal quality of a current serving cell, detect signal quality of a heterogeneous system cell, search for a cell, determine a target cell for handover, determine a target cell for reselection, or perform a cell reselection procedure, a cell handover procedure, establish an endec dual connection, and the like.

It should be noted that all relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

Please refer to fig. 28, which shows another structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the terminal device includes: a processor 2801, a receiver 2802, a transmitter 2803, a memory 2804, and a bus 2805. The processor 2801 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 2801 executes software programs and modules to execute applications of various functions and information processing. Receiver 2802 and transmitter 2803 may be implemented as one communication component, which may be a baseband chip. The memory 2804 is coupled to the processor 2801 via a bus 2805. The memory 2804 may be used to store at least one program instruction and the processor 2801 may be used to execute the at least one program instruction to implement aspects of the embodiments described above. The implementation principle and technical effect are similar to those of the embodiments related to the method, and are not described herein again.

When the terminal is started, the processor can read the software program in the memory, interpret and execute the instruction of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data (for example, a measurement report of an A2 event) needs to be sent through the antenna, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs a baseband signal to a control circuit in the control circuit, and the control circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal to the outside through the antenna in the form of electromagnetic waves. When data is transmitted to the terminal, the control circuit receives radio-frequency signals through the antenna, converts the radio-frequency signals into baseband signals and outputs the baseband signals to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signals into the data and processes the data.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that fig. 28 shows only one memory and processor for ease of illustration. In an actual terminal, there may be multiple processors and memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, and the like, which is not limited in this application.

As an alternative implementation manner, the processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit, the baseband processor is mainly used for processing communication data, and the central processing unit is mainly used for executing a software program and processing data of the software program. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may be integrated into a single processor, or may be separate processors, interconnected via bus, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal may include a plurality of baseband processors to accommodate different network formats, a plurality of central processors to enhance its processing capability, and various components of the terminal may be connected by various buses. The baseband processor may also be expressed as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may also be expressed as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing the communication protocol and the communication data may be built in the processor, or may be stored in the memory in the form of a software program, and the software program is executed by the processor to realize the baseband processing function. The memory may be integrated within the processor or may be separate from the processor. The memory includes a Cache, which may store frequently accessed data/instructions.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor.

In the embodiment of the present application, the memory may be a nonvolatile memory, such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SS), and may also be a volatile memory (volatile memory), for example, a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, not limited thereto.

The memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be circuitry or any other device capable of performing a storage function for storing program instructions and/or data. The methods provided by the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the application are all or partially generated when the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network appliance, a user device, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, e.g., from one website, computer, server, or data center, over a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) network, the computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device including one or more integrated servers, data centers, etc. the available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., digital video disk (DWD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., SSD), etc.

The embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which enables a terminal to execute the technical solutions in the above embodiments when the computer program product runs on the terminal. The principle and technical effects are similar to those of the related embodiments, and are not described herein again.

The embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which program instructions are stored, and when the program instructions are executed by a terminal, the terminal is enabled to execute the technical solutions of the above embodiments. The implementation principle and technical effect are similar to those of the related embodiments, and are not described herein again. In summary, the above embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; and these modifications or substitutions do not depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A cell handover method applied to a communication device, the communication device residing in an independent networking SA cell and being in a connected state, the method comprising:

receiving measurement configuration information of an A2 event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the A2 event comprises an A2 event threshold;

performing signal measurement on the SA cell, and if the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than a first private threshold, sending a first measurement report of the A2 event; the first private threshold is set by the communication device and is higher than the A2 event threshold, the first private threshold comprises a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, and the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b;

receiving measurement configuration information of a different system measurement event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the different system measurement event comprises information of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) adjacent cell of the SA cell;

performing signal measurement on the LTE adjacent cell, and sending a second measurement report; wherein the signal quality of the LTE cell in the second measurement report is above a first threshold;

switching from the SA cell to a target cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target cell is one of the LTE cells;

before the sending of the second measurement report, further comprising:

determining that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1a and higher than the private threshold 1b;

or,

determining that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in case that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1a and higher than the private threshold 1b, the performing signal measurement on the LTE neighbor cell and sending a second measurement report comprises:

acquiring anchor LTE cell information;

performing signal measurement on the anchor LTE cell in the LTE neighboring cell according to the anchor LTE cell information;

if the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than the first threshold value, sending the second measurement report; the LTE cell and the target cell are anchor LTE cells.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in case that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than the private threshold 1b, the performing signal measurement on the LTE neighbor cell and sending a second measurement report comprises:

acquiring anchor LTE cell information;

if the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than the first threshold value, sending the second measurement report; the LTE cell and the target cell are anchor LTE cells;

if the signal quality of the LTE cell without the anchor point in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than the first threshold value, performing signal measurement on a common LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell;

if the signal quality of the common LTE cell in the LTE adjacent cell is higher than the first threshold value, sending the second measurement report; the LTE cell and the target cell are both common LTE cells.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the obtaining anchor LTE cell information comprises:

transmitting location information of the communication device to a cloud server;

receiving the anchor LTE cell information sent by the cloud server;

and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

obtaining the anchor LTE cell information, wherein the anchor LTE cell information comprises information of an anchor LTE cell in which the communication device was camped.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement configuration information of the inter-system measurement event comprises measurement configuration information of a B1 event or measurement configuration information of a B2 event.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first threshold comprises any one of: a B1 event inter-system neighbor cell threshold, a B2 event inter-system neighbor cell threshold, or a second private threshold, where the second private threshold is set by the communication device.

7. A cell handover method applied to a communication device, the communication device residing in an independent networking SA cell and being in an idle state, the method comprising:

triggering to search for a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cell when detecting that the signal quality of the SA cell is lower than a first private threshold; the first private threshold is higher than a serving cell threshold configured by a network side and reselected to a low-priority cell, and the LTE cell comprises an anchor LTE cell and/or a common LTE cell;

if the target cell is searched, reselecting the SA cell to the target cell through a cell reselection process; the target cell is one of the LTE cells, and the signal quality of the target cell is higher than a first threshold value.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein searching for the target cell comprises:

acquiring anchor LTE cell information;

searching an anchor LTE cell according to the anchor LTE cell information;

if the signal quality of the anchor LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, determining that a target cell is searched; the target cell is an anchor LTE cell.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

if the signal quality of the LTE cell without the anchor point is higher than the first threshold value, searching the common LTE cell;

if the signal quality of the common LTE cell is higher than the first threshold value, determining that a target cell is searched; the target cell is a common LTE cell.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first private threshold comprises a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, and wherein the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b;

before the determining to search the target cell, the method further includes:

determining that the signal quality of the SA cell is below the private threshold 1a and above the private threshold 1b.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first private threshold comprises a private threshold 1a and a private threshold 1b, and wherein the private threshold 1a > the private threshold 1b;

before the determining to search the target cell, the method further includes:

determining that the signal quality of the SA cell is below the private threshold 1b.

12. The method of any of claims 8-11, wherein the obtaining anchor LTE cell information comprises:

receiving the anchor LTE cell information sent by the cloud server;

and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

acquiring the anchor LTE cell information, wherein the anchor LTE cell information comprises information of an anchor LTE cell where the communication device resides;

and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

receiving a system message of an LTE cell, wherein the system message comprises a cell indicating whether the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell;

and acquiring the anchor LTE cell information according to the cell.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the first threshold comprises any one of: a threshold of a neighboring cell reselected with low priority or a second private threshold, where the threshold of the neighboring cell reselected with low priority is configured by a network side, and the second private threshold is set by the communication device.

14. A cell switching method is applied to a communication device, the communication device resides in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cell and is in a connected state, the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell or a common LTE cell, and the method comprises the following steps:

receiving measurement configuration information of a B1 event or a B2 event, wherein the measurement configuration information of the B1 event or the B2 event comprises information of a new air interface NR neighboring cell of the LTE cell;

performing signal measurement on the NR neighboring cell, and sending a first measurement report; wherein the signal quality of the NR cell in the first measurement report is higher than a third private threshold, the third private threshold being set by the communication apparatus, and the third private threshold being higher than a B1 event inter-system neighbor threshold or a B2 event inter-system neighbor threshold;

and establishing connection with a target NR cell, wherein the target NR cell is one of the NR cells.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the LTE cell is a normal LTE cell, and wherein establishing a connection with a target NR cell comprises:

and switching from the common LTE cell to the target NR cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target NR cell is an independent networking SA cell.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell, and wherein establishing a connection with a target NR cell comprises:

switching from the anchor LTE cell to the target NR cell through a cell switching process, wherein the target NR cell is an SA cell; or,

establishing a dual-connectivity ENDC dual-connectivity for 4G-5G wireless access with the target NR cell, the target NR cell being an NR cell connected with the anchor LTE cell.

17. A cell switching method is applied to a communication device, the communication device resides in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cell and is in an idle state, the LTE cell is an anchor LTE cell or a common LTE cell, and the method comprises the following steps:

searching an independent networking SA cell;

if the target SA cell is searched, reselecting the LTE cell to the target SA cell through a cell reselection process; the signal quality of the target SA cell is higher than a third private threshold, where the third private threshold is set by the communication device and is higher than a neighboring cell threshold configured by the network side for high-priority reselection.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the searching for an SA cell for independent networking comprises:

obtaining an SA (system access) neighbor cell of the LTE cell;

and searching the SA cell according to the SA neighboring cell.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein searching for an independent networking (SA) cell comprises:

acquiring frequency points of an SA cell, wherein the frequency points of the SA cell comprise the frequency points of the SA cell where the communication device resides;

and searching the SA cell according to the frequency point of the SA cell.

20. A communication device comprising a processor configured to couple with a memory, and to read instructions from the memory and to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-19 according to the instructions.

21. The communication device of claim 20, wherein the communication device is a terminal or a chip.

22. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions which, when executed on an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-19.