CN115812325A

CN115812325A - Method for avoiding repeated cell reselection, user equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115812325A
Application number: CN202180049006.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 时咏晟; 张旭
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-13
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2023-03-17
Also published as: WO2022012412A1

Abstract

A method, user Equipment (UE), and storage medium for avoiding repeated cell reselection are provided. The method includes the following. When detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, starting a timer, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further includes a second cell, and a signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold. Performing no cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell. Based on the method and the device, repeated cell reselection between more than two cells can be avoided, and then the power consumption of the UE is reduced.

Description

Method for avoiding repeated cell reselection, user equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, a user equipment, and a storage medium for avoiding repeated cell reselection.

Background

In general, when signal qualities of a serving cell of a User Equipment (UE) and neighboring cells of the serving cell are similar, the UE may perform repeated cell reselection (i.e., ping-pong cell reselection) between the two cells. Existing prevention mechanisms can address repeated cell reselection between two cells. However, since the network configuration is not ideal, when signal qualities or priorities of two or more cells (including a serving cell and a plurality of neighboring cells) are similar, the UE may repeatedly perform cell reselection between the two or more cells even if the UE does not move, which unnecessarily increases power consumption of the UE. Therefore, how to avoid repeated cell reselection between more than two cells is an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments provide a method, user equipment and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for avoiding repeated cell reselection between two or more cells, thereby reducing power consumption of a UE.

In a first aspect, a method of avoiding repeated cell reselection is provided. The method is implemented in a UE and includes the following. When detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, starting a timer, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further includes a second cell, and a signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold. Performing no cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In a second aspect, a UE is provided. The UE includes at least one processor and memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and stores at least one computer-executable instruction that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the method described in the first aspect.

In a third aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method described in the first aspect.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of ping-pong cell reselection for four cells.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselection according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of cell reselection for three cells in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselections according to other embodiments.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselections according to other embodiments.

Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for avoiding repeated cell reselection according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a User Equipment (UE) according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical solutions of the embodiments better understood by those skilled in the art, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be obtained by a person skilled in the art without any inventive step based on the present embodiments, shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. in the description and claims of this application and the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. Such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the communication system includes a User Equipment (UE) 101, a first network device 102, and a second network device 103.

The above-described UE101 is a client-side entity for signal reception and transmission. The above UE101 may be referred to as a terminal device, a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Terminal (MT), etc. The UE101 may be a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet, a computer with wireless transceiver functionality, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, an Augmented Reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal for industrial control, autopilot, telemedicine, smart grid, traffic safety, smart city or smart home, a device supporting enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), and so forth. The techniques employed by the UE101 described above and the form of the UE101 described above are not limited herein.

The first network device 102 is a network device corresponding to a serving cell (i.e., cell a) of the UE101, and the second network device 103 is a network device corresponding to a neighboring cell (i.e., cell B) of the serving cell. The first network device 102 may be the same as or different from the second network device 103. The number of neighboring cells in the communication system of fig. 1 is for illustration only and is not intended to limit the present application.

Since the network configuration is not ideal, e.g., the signal quality or priority of cell a and cell B are similar, the UE101 camped on cell a initiates cell reselection to cell B. After the UE101 reselects to cell B, i.e., camps on cell B, the UE101 initiates cell reselection to cell a. Moreover, the above process may potentially be repeated multiple times. That is, the UE101 may frequently switch between cell a and cell B. In this case, each of the cell a and the cell B is defined as a ping-pong cell, and the two cells (i.e., the cell a and the cell B) form a ping-pong cell pair.

A network device (e.g. the first network device 102 or the second network device 103) is an entity on the network side for signal reception and transmission. The network device may be an evolved node B (eNB), a transmission/reception point (TRP), a next generation node B (gNB) in a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) system, a node in other future mobile communication systems or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, etc. The technology and form of the network device employed by the network device is not limited herein.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention can be applied to LTE, 5G mobile communication and various future communication systems.

Cell reselection of two cells is described above and cell reselection of a plurality of cells, for example, four cells, is described below.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of ping-pong cell reselection for four cells. As shown in fig. 2, there are four cells: physical Cell Identity (PCI) 1, PCI2, PCI3, and PCI4, and the priorities of the four cells are 7, 5, 7, and 7, respectively, where 0 represents the lowest priority and 7 represents the highest priority. These priorities are provided by the system information and broadcast to the UEs. First, due to non-ideal network configuration (e.g., PCI1 and PCI2 have similar signal quality), the UE performs ping-pong cell reselection between PCI1 and PCI2, i.e., the UE frequently switches between PCI1 and PCI 2. In this case, PCI1 and PCI2 are called ping-pong cell pairs. The above-mentioned signal quality refers to the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), which is defined as the linear average of the power contribution of the resource elements carrying cell-specific reference signals within the considered measurement frequency bandwidth in the third generation partnership project (3 GPP). Existing ping-pong prevention between two cells forces the UE to stay on PCI 2. Second, however, because PCI3 is on a higher priority frequency, the UE reselects from PCI2 to PCI3, following the 3GPP specifications. Third, because PCI4 and PCI3 have the same priority, and the signal quality of PCI4 is higher than that of PCI3, the UE reselects from PCI3 to PCI4, which is a normal ranking-based cell reselection. Fourth, the UE reselects from PCI4 to PCI1, also based on normal ranking-based cell reselection. When the UE reselects from PCI2 back to PCI1 through (i.e., by means of) PCI3 and PCI4, the above four steps are repeated, and thus the UE performs unnecessary cell reselection. Thus, the existing ping-pong prevention between two cells cannot prevent large loop ping-pong cell reselection.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present application provide a method for avoiding repeated cell reselection between more than two cells, so as to reduce power consumption of a UE. The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is executed after the UE is forced to stay in one cell of the ping-pong cell pair (i.e., existing ping-pong prevention). The embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselections according to an embodiment. The method is implemented in the UE. As shown in fig. 3, the method starts at 301.

301, when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, starting a timer, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further includes a second cell, and a signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold.

For a better understanding of the method of the present embodiment, please refer to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of cell reselection for three cells according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 4, there are three cells: a first cell, a second cell, and a third cell. Referring to solid arrows in fig. 4, a UE frequently switches, i.e., performs repeated cell reselection, between a first cell and a second cell, and thus each of the first cell and the second cell is defined as a ping-pong cell, and the first cell and the second cell form a ping-pong cell pair. The UE is currently camped on the first cell and the method of the present embodiment is directed to preventing the UE from reselecting back to the second cell.

In this embodiment, the ping-pong cell pair includes a first cell (i.e., the serving cell of the UE) and a second cell (i.e., the neighboring cell of the serving cell), wherein each of the first cell and the second cell is a ping-pong cell. The reason why the first cell and the second cell are defined as ping-pong cells is that: the difference in signal quality between the first cell and the second cell is less than a first threshold (i.e., the signal quality of the first cell and the second cell are similar), and the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the first cell and the second cell, i.e., the UE frequently switches between the first cell and the second cell.

In this case, when it is detected that the UE is camped on the first cell, a timer is started to initiate a prevention mechanism for repeated cell reselection. The timer may be started for the second cell, for both the second cell and the first cell, or for the UE, without limitation.

And 302, not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In this embodiment, the third cell is another neighboring cell and is different from the first cell and the second cell. Before the above timer expires, the UE camped on the first cell is prohibited from reselecting back to the second cell or the first cell, either directly or through the third cell, even if the third cell has a better signal quality or a higher priority than the first cell. For example, the UE first camps on the first cell, and before the timer expires, the UE may reselect to the third cell when the third cell has a better signal quality or a higher priority than the first cell. After the UE reselects to the third cell, i.e., camps on the third cell, the UE may reselect to the second cell or the first cell, however, the above procedure will result in unnecessary cell reselection. Therefore, in this embodiment, to avoid unnecessary cell reselection, after the UE camps on the third cell, the UE does not perform cell reselection to the second cell or the first cell, i.e., the UE camps on the third cell only. For example, the UE first camps on the first cell, and in order to avoid unnecessary cell reselection, the UE remains camped on the first cell and does not perform cell reselection to the second cell and the third cell until the timer expires. For the above two examples, the UE may reselect from the first cell to the third cell before the timer expires, but after reselecting from the first cell to the third cell, the UE can only camp on the third cell, and the UE cannot reselect to the second cell or the first cell; alternatively, the UE may remain camped on the first cell and not reselect to any other cell (e.g., the third cell and the second cell) until the timer expires.

The number of neighboring cells is not limited herein. There may be other neighbouring cells such as a fourth cell, in which case the UE is prohibited from reselecting back to the second cell over the third and/or fourth cells.

According to the method of this embodiment, when it is detected that the UE is camped on the first cell in the ping-pong cell pair, a timer is started, and before the timer expires, cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair through the third cell. Therefore, repeated cell reselection between more than two cells can be avoided, and the power consumption of the UE can be reduced.

In at least one embodiment, the following operations are further performed prior to starting the timer. Detecting that a change in location of the UE is less than a second threshold, and the UE performing repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell.

In this embodiment, when it is detected that the change in the location of the UE is less than the second threshold (i.e., the UE moves a small or even no distance), the UE performs repeated cell reselections between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell, and detects the ping-pong cell pair, it is considered that ping-pong cell reselections for more than two cells are detected. Ping-pong cell reselection of more than two cells is caused by the existing prevention mechanism of two cells. Existing prevention mechanisms force the UE to stay on one cell (e.g., the first cell) of the ping-pong cell pair. However, if the third cell has a better signal quality or a higher priority than the first cell, the UE may reselect from the first cell to the third cell and then may reselect from the third cell to the second cell. That is, when the UE uses the third cell to reselect back to the other cell (e.g., the second cell) in the ping-pong cell pair, another round of ping-pong cell reselection occurs.

In this case, a preventive mechanism for repeated cell reselection needs to be started, e.g., a timer is started.

In at least one embodiment, the timer is started as follows. A first timer is started. Before the expiration of the timer, cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell, which includes the following contents. Not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the first timer expires.

In this embodiment, a first timer is started for a second cell on which the UE is not camped to prevent the UE from reselecting back to the second cell before the first timer expires. Before the expiration of the first timer, the UE may remain camped on the first cell or reselect to a third cell (see dashed arrow in fig. 4), but cannot reselect to the second cell. Thus, another round of ping-pong cell reselection may be avoided.

In at least one embodiment, the timer is started as follows. A second timer is started. Before the expiration of the timer, cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell, which includes the following contents. Not performing cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell through the third cell until the second timer expires.

In this embodiment, a second timer is started for the first cell and the second cell simultaneously to prevent the UE from camping on the first cell and reselecting back to the second cell before the second timer expires. The UE may reselect to the third cell, but may not camp on the first cell and reselect to the second cell, before the second timer expires.

The existing preventive mechanisms have the following disadvantages. The timer is stopped when the UE leaves the ping-pong cell pair, e.g., leaves the first cell to the third cell. That is, without timer constraints, the UE will again go back to the second cell through the third cell, which will result in another round of ping pong cell reselection. In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the UE reselects to another cell (e.g., a third cell), the second timer does not stop until it expires, which would prevent another round of ping-pong cell reselection.

Furthermore, if multiple ping-pong cell pairs are detected, each ping-pong cell pair will have its own timer for each ping-pong cell. The UE will eventually stop cell reselection and stay in one cell.

In at least one embodiment, the timer is started as follows. A third timer is started. Before the expiration of the timer, cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell, which includes the following contents. Not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the third timer expires.

In this embodiment, a third timer is started for the UE to prevent the UE from reselecting back to the second cell before the third timer expires. The UE may remain camped on the first cell or reselect to a third cell, but not the second cell, until the third timer expires. Thus, another round of ping-pong cell reselection can be avoided.

In at least one embodiment, the following operations are further performed. Not performing cell reselection to the third cell until the third timer expires.

In this embodiment, the UE can only remain camped on the first cell, but cannot reselect to the third cell, let alone to the second cell, before the third timer expires. Thus, another round of ping-pong cell reselection can be avoided.

In at least one embodiment, the following operations are further performed. And determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold value.

In this embodiment, a third timer is started upon detection of a ping-pong cell reselection of more than two cells, and the UE will remain camped on the first cell or reselect to the third cell if the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold before the third timer expires. Alternatively, before the third timer expires, if the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold, the UE will remain camped only on the first cell, i.e., cell reselection will not be performed. That is, if the signal quality of the serving cell (i.e., the first cell) is acceptable, the UE will not perform cell reselection to other cells. As described above, signal quality refers to Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP).

As described above, the timer may be started for the second cell, for the second cell and the first cell simultaneously, or for the UE. In the following embodiments, the timer is started for the second cell and the first cell simultaneously. Further, ping-pong cell reselection of more than two cells is detected before the timer is started. That is, it is detected that the change in location of the UE is less than the second threshold, and the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselections according to other embodiments. The method is implemented in the UE. As shown in fig. 5, the method begins at 501.

And 501, detecting that the position change of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and performing repeated cell reselection by the UE between a ping-pong cell pair and a third cell, wherein the ping-pong cell pair comprises a first cell and a second cell, and a signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than the first threshold.

502, when it is detected that the UE is camped on the first cell, a second timer is started.

And 503, before the second timer expires, not performing cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell via the third cell, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In this embodiment, ping-pong cell reselection is detected for more than two cells, and the second timer is started for the first cell and the second cell to prevent the UE from camping on the first cell and reselecting back to the second cell before the second timer expires. Before the second timer expires, the UE may reselect to the third cell (see the dashed arrow in fig. 4), but cannot camp on the first cell and reselect to the second cell.

According to the method in this embodiment, it is detected that the change in the location of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and it is detected that the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell; starting a second timer when the UE is detected to reside in the first cell; before expiration of the second timer, cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell is not performed through the third cell. Therefore, repeated cell reselection between two or more cells can be avoided, and thus, power consumption of the UE can be reduced.

As described above, the timer may be started for the second cell, for the second cell and the first cell simultaneously, or for the UE. In the following embodiments, a timer is started for the UE. Further, ping pong cell reselection of more than two cells is detected prior to the timer being started. That is, it is detected that the change in location of the UE is less than the second threshold, and it is detected that the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell. In addition, after the timer is started, the signal quality of the first cell is determined to be greater than a preset threshold.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of avoiding repeated cell reselections according to other embodiments. The method is implemented in the UE. As shown in fig. 6, the method starts at 601.

601, detecting that the location change of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and performing repeated cell reselection by the UE between a ping-pong cell pair and a third cell, where the ping-pong cell pair includes a first cell and a second cell, and a signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than the first threshold.

And 602, starting a third timer when the UE is detected to camp on the first cell.

603, determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold.

604, not performing cell reselection to the second cell via the third cell until the third timer expires.

605 not performing cell reselection to the third cell until the third timer expires.

In this embodiment, ping-pong cell reselection is detected for more than two cells, a third timer is started for the UE to prevent the UE from reselecting back to the second cell before the third timer expires, and the signal quality of the first cell is determined to be greater than a preset threshold. Until the third timer expires, the UE can only remain camped on the first cell, but cannot reselect to the third cell or to the second cell.

According to the method in this embodiment, it is detected that the change in the location of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and it is detected that the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell; starting a third timer when the UE is detected to reside in the first cell; determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold; not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the third timer expires; and before the third timer expires, not performing cell reselection to the third cell. Therefore, repeated cell reselection between two or more cells can be avoided, and thus, power consumption of the UE can be reduced.

The above description mainly introduces the solution of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the method implementation process. It is understood that the electronic device comprises corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions in order to realize the above-mentioned functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as 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, 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 mobile terminal may be divided into the functional units according to the method example, for example, each functional unit may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit. It should be noted that the division of the unit in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for avoiding repeated cell reselection according to an embodiment. The apparatus 700 is implemented in a UE, and as shown in fig. 7, the apparatus 700 includes an initiating unit 701 and an executing unit 702.

The starting unit 701 is configured to start a timer when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, where the ping-pong cell pair further includes a second cell, and a difference between signal qualities of the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold. The executing unit 702 is configured to not perform cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair through a third cell before the timer expires, where the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In at least one example, the apparatus 700 further comprises a detection unit. The detecting unit is configured to detect that a location change of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and the UE performs repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell.

In at least one example, in starting the timer, the starting unit 701 is configured to start a first timer. In an aspect that the cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell until the timer expires, the executing unit 702 is configured to not perform the cell reselection to the second cell by the third cell until the first timer expires.

In at least one example, in starting the timer, the starting unit 701 is configured to start a second timer. In an aspect that cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair is not performed by the third cell until the timer expires, the executing unit 702 is configured to not perform cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell by the third cell until the second timer expires.

In at least one example, in starting the timer, the starting unit 701 is configured to start a third timer. In an aspect that the cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell until the timer expires, the executing unit 702 is configured to not perform the cell reselection to the second cell by the third cell until the timer expires.

In at least one example, the apparatus 700 further includes a first execution unit. The first performing unit is configured to not perform cell reselection to the third cell until the third timer expires.

In at least one example, the apparatus 700 described above further comprises a determining unit. The determining unit is configured to determine that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold.

According to the apparatus of this embodiment, when it is detected that the UE is camped on the first cell in the ping-pong cell pair, a timer is started, and before the timer expires, cell reselection is not performed on the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell. Therefore, repeated cell reselection between more than two cells can be avoided, and the power consumption of the UE can be reduced.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 8, the UE includes at least one processor 810, a memory 820, and a communication interface 830.

The memory 820 is coupled to the at least one processor 810 and the communication interface 830 and stores one or more programs 821 (e.g., at least one computer-executable instruction). When executed by the at least one processor 810, the at least one computer-executable instruction causes the at least one processor 810 to perform: starting a timer when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further comprises a second cell, and a signal quality difference value between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold value; and not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one processor is further configured to: before starting the timer, detecting that the location change of the UE is smaller than a second threshold, and performing repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell by the UE.

In at least one embodiment, when configured to start the timer, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: a first timer is started. When configured to not perform cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via the third cell before the timer expires, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the first timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, when configured to start the timer, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: a second timer is started. When configured to not perform cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via the third cell before the timer expires, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: not performing cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell through the third cell until the second timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, when configured to start the timer, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: a third timer is started. When configured to not perform cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via the third cell before the timer expires, the at least one processor is specifically configured to: not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the third timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one processor is further configured to: not performing cell reselection to the third cell until the third timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one processor is further configured to: and determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold value.

According to the UE of this embodiment, when it is detected that the UE resides in the first cell of the ping-pong cell pair, a timer is started, and before the timer expires, cell reselection is not performed in the ping-pong cell pair through the third cell. Therefore, repeated cell reselection between more than two cells can be avoided, and the power consumption of the UE can be reduced.

The present embodiments also employ a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform: starting a timer when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further comprises a second cell, and a signal quality difference value between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold value; and not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair via a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

In at least one embodiment, the computer program, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: before starting the timer, detecting that a change in location of the UE is less than a second threshold, and the UE performing repeated cell reselection between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell.

In at least one embodiment, in starting the timer, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: starting a first timer; in an aspect in which cell reselection is not performed within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell until the timer expires, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the first timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, in starting the timer, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: starting a second timer; in an aspect in which cell reselection is not performed within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell until the timer expires, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: not performing cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell through the third cell until the second timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, in starting the timer, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: starting a third timer; in an aspect in which cell reselection is not performed within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell until the timer expires, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform: not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell until the third timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, the computer program, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: not performing cell reselection to the third cell until the third timer expires.

In at least one embodiment, the computer program, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: and determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold value.

The present application is described herein with reference to schematic flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus/devices (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a given manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of process steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It should be noted that, for simplicity of description, the above-mentioned method embodiments are described as a series of acts or combination of acts, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the present application is not limited by the order of acts described, as some steps may occur in other orders or concurrently depending on the application. Further, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments and that acts and modules referred to are not necessarily required for this application

In the foregoing embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and for parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to related descriptions of other embodiments.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described embodiments of the apparatus are merely illustrative, and for example, the above-described division of the units is only one type of division of logical functions, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection of some interfaces, devices or units, and may be an electric or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit may be stored in a computer readable memory if it is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be substantially implemented or a part of or all or part of the technical solution contributing to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a memory, and including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method of the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned memory comprises: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a U disk, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a removable hard disk, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps of the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by a program, which is stored in a computer-readable memory, the memory including: flash disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic or optical disk, and the like.

While the application has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Claims

1. A method of avoiding repeated cell reselection, implemented in a user equipment, UE, and comprising:

starting a timer when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further comprises a second cell, and a signal quality difference value between the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold; and

performing no cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by a third cell prior to expiration of the timer, wherein the third cell is different from the first cell and the second cell.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to the start of the timer, the timer is started,

detecting that a change in location of the UE is less than a second threshold, and the UE performing repeated cell reselections between the ping-pong cell pair and the third cell.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2,

starting the timer comprises:

starting a first timer;

not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell prior to expiration of the timer comprises:

not performing cell reselection to the second cell by the third cell before expiration of the first timer.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2,

starting the timer comprises:

starting a second timer;

not performing cell reselection to the first cell and the second cell by the third cell before expiration of the second timer.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2,

starting the timer comprises:

starting a third timer;

not performing cell reselection to the second cell by the third cell before expiration of the third timer.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: performing no cell reselection to the third cell prior to expiration of the third timer.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising: determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold.

8. A user equipment, UE, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing at least one computer-executable instruction that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform:

starting a timer when detecting that the UE resides in a first cell of a ping-pong cell pair, wherein the ping-pong cell pair further comprises a second cell, and a difference value of signal qualities of the first cell and the second cell is smaller than a first threshold; and

9. The UE of claim 8, the at least one processor further configured to:

prior to the start of the timer, the timer is started,

10. The UE of claim 8 or 9, wherein,

when configured to start the timer, the at least one processor is specifically configured to:

starting a first timer;

the at least one processor, when configured to not perform cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell prior to expiration of the timer, is specifically configured to:

11. The UE of claim 8 or 9, wherein,

starting a second timer;

12. The UE of claim 8 or 9, wherein,

starting a third timer;

13. The UE of claim 12, the at least one processor further configured to:

performing no cell reselection to the third cell prior to expiration of the third timer.

14. The UE of claim 12 or 13, the at least one processor further configured to:

determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than a preset threshold.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform:

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, which when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to perform:

prior to the start of the said timer(s),

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 or 16,

in terms of starting the timer, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform:

starting a first timer;

in respect of not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell prior to expiration of the timer, when the computer program is executed by the processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform:

not performing cell reselection to the second cell through the third cell before expiration of the first timer.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 or 16,

starting a second timer;

in respect of not performing cell reselection within the ping-pong cell pair by the third cell prior to expiration of the timer, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program causes the processor to perform:

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 or 16,

starting a third timer;

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, which when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to perform: