Patent Description:
This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method for processing link reconfiguration, a terminal device, a network device, and a computer-readable storage medium. Related technologies are known from "Minor corrections ASN. <NUM> review <NUM>, <NPL> and <CIT> & <CIT>.

In New Radio (NR), one carrier may include a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWP). For one terminal device, only one uplink BWP (UL BWP) can be activated for uplink transmission at one time. Similarly, only one downlink BWP (DL BWP) can be activated for downlink transmission at one time. Downlink control information (DCI) or the like indicates which BWP is activated for the terminal device, and the terminal device may dynamically switch to one of the plurality of BWPs in the carrier and use the BWP for transmission. How to efficiently configure the terminal device to perform transmission on different BWPs is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

It can be learned that, in the embodiments of this application, a network device indicates a preset parameter group to a terminal device, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP. It can be learned that, for different BWPs of the terminal device, the preset parameter group is configured, so that processing operations that need to be performed during transmission on the BWPs are more flexibly configured, thereby improving beam management efficiency related to BWPs and system performance. For example, on the different BWPs, if a reference signal (RS) used to determine link quality is dedicated to only one BWP, after switching to another BWP, the signal can no longer be used to determine whether link quality is excessively low. A similar problem also exists in other steps of a link reconfiguration procedure. Therefore, different signals need to be configured for different BWPs to correspond to the foregoing preset parameter group, thereby improving flexibility of configuring a terminal device to perform transmission on a BWP.

The following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> shows a wireless communications system used in this application. The wireless communications system may work in a high frequency band, and may be a future evolved 5th Generation (<NUM>) system, an NR system, a Machine to Machine (M2M) system, and the like. As shown, a wireless communications system <NUM> may include one or more network devices <NUM>, one or more terminal devices <NUM>, and a core network device <NUM>. The network device <NUM> may be a base station. The base station may be used to communicate with one or more terminal devices, or may be used to communicate with one or more base stations with some terminal device functions (for example, communication between a macro base station and a micro base station and communication between access points (APs)). The base station may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) system, or may be an Evolved Node B (eNB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or a base station in a <NUM> system or an NR system. In addition, the base station may be an AP, a Transmission Point (TRP), a Central Unit (CU) or another network entity, and may include some or all of the functions of the network entities. The core network device <NUM> includes devices such as a Serving Gateway (SGW) on a core network side. The terminal devices <NUM> may be distributed in the entire wireless communications system <NUM>, and may be stationary or may be mobile. In some non-claimed embodiments of this application, the terminal device <NUM> may be a mobile device (for example, a smartphone), a mobile station, a mobile unit, an M2M terminal device, a radio unit, a remote unit, a user agent, a mobile client or the like.

It should be noted that, the wireless communications system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is merely intended to clearly describe the technical solutions of this application, and does not constitute a limitation to this application. A person of ordinary skill in the art may know that, as network architectures evolve and new service scenarios emerge, the technical solution provided by this application is applicable to similar technical problems.

Related technologies used in this application are described below.

Currently, in an existing NR design, a plurality of DL BWPs or UL BWPs may be configured for one terminal device, and the terminal device may perform transmission on different BWPs relatively dynamically in a manner such as DCI/a Media Access Control control element (MAC CE).

However, in an existing link reconfiguration (beam failure recovery) mechanism, many configurations cannot effectively support the foregoing dynamic switching between BWPs. For example, if a signal used to determine whether link quality is excessively low (used for beam failure detection) is dedicated to only one BWP, after switching to another BWP, the signal can no longer be used to determine whether link quality is excessively low. A similar problem also exists in other steps of a link reconfiguration procedure.

For the foregoing problems, the embodiments of this application provide the following embodiments, which are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to <FIG> is a method for processing link reconfiguration according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing example of the communications system and includes the following steps.

Step <NUM>: A network device indicates a preset parameter group to a terminal device, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

It can be learned that, in this embodiment of this application, the network device indicates the preset parameter group to the terminal device, where the preset parameter group is configured for the BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform the corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP. It can be learned that, for different BWPs of the terminal device, the preset parameter group is configured, so that processing operations that need to be performed during transmission on the BWPs are more flexibly configured, thereby improving beam management efficiency related to BWPs and system performance. For example, on the different BWPs, if an RS used to determine link quality is dedicated to only one BWP, after switching to another BWP, the signal can no longer be used to determine whether link quality is excessively low. A similar problem also exists in other steps of a link reconfiguration procedure. Therefore, different signals need to be configured for different BWPs to correspond to the foregoing preset parameter group, thereby improving flexibility of configuring a terminal device to perform transmission on a BWP.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes at least one preset parameter group, and each preset parameter group corresponds to one or more BWPs.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes at least one of the following signals: a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) and a synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block; and the corresponding processing operation is detecting whether link quality is lower than a specified or configured threshold.

A value of the threshold is specified in a protocol or is configured by a network. The operation of detecting whether link quality is lower than a specified or configured threshold may be referred to as beam failure detection.

In an example, the preset parameter group includes at least one of the following signals: a CSI-RS and an SS/PBCH block; and the corresponding processing operation is selecting a signal that meets a preset condition.

The preset condition is configured by the network. For example, a value corresponding to an L1-RSRP may be used as the threshold. When detected signal quality is greater than the threshold, it is considered that the preset condition is met. The selecting a signal that meets a preset condition may also be referred to as a new candidate beam identification operation.

In this possible example, the preset parameter group is used to configure a corresponding physical random access channel (PRACH) sequence and/or a time-frequency resource.

The preset parameter group is specifically used to configure a PRACH sequence and a time-frequency resource for performing the new candidate beam identification operation.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes a group of power control parameters, where the power control parameters are used to perform transmission to a PRACH sent by the network device after the terminal device selects the signal that meets the preset condition.

The power control parameters may be a preamble Received Target Power. The preset condition may be, for example, configured by the network. For example, a value corresponding to an L1-RSRP may be used as the threshold. When detected signal quality is greater than the threshold, it is considered that the preset condition is met.

It can be learned that, in this example, after selecting the signal that meets the preset condition, the terminal device may perform transmission to the PRACH according to the power control parameters indicated by the network device, where the PRACH is sent by the network device, thereby ensuring that when being switched to other BWPs, the terminal device may accurately perform transmission to the PRACH according to corresponding power control parameters, thereby improving data transmission stability.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes a control resource set (CORESET), and the corresponding processing operation is monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the CORESET in a specified window after a PRACH signal is sent on the BWP.

In a possible example, the method further includes: configuring, by the network device, the preset parameter group of the BWP; and instructing, by the network device, to activate the BWP; or configuring, by the network device, the preset parameter group of the BWP and at the same time instructing to activate the BWP.

Same as the embodiment shown in <FIG>, referring to <FIG> is another method for processing link reconfiguration according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing communications system and includes the following steps.

Step <NUM>: Receive, by a terminal device, a preset parameter group from a network device, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

It can be learned that, in this embodiment of this application, the terminal device receives the preset parameter group from the network device, where the preset parameter group is configured for the BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform the corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP. It can be learned that, for different BWPs of the terminal device, the preset parameter group is configured, so that processing operations that need to be performed during transmission on the BWPs are more flexibly configured, thereby improving beam management efficiency related to BWPs and system performance. For example, on the different BWPs, if an RS used to determine link quality is dedicated to only one BWP, after switching to another BWP, the signal can no longer be used to determine whether link quality is excessively low. A similar problem also exists in other steps of a link reconfiguration procedure. Therefore, different signals need to be configured for different BWPs to correspond to the foregoing preset parameter group, thereby improving flexibility of configuring a terminal device to perform transmission on a BWP.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes at least one of the following signals: a CSI-RS and an SS/PBCH block; and the corresponding processing operation is detecting whether link quality is lower than a specified or configured threshold.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes at least one of the following signals: a CSI-RS and an SS/PBCH block; and the corresponding processing operation is selecting a signal that meets a preset condition.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group is used to configure a corresponding PRACH sequence and/or a time-frequency resource.

In a possible example, the preset parameter group includes a CORESET, and the corresponding processing operation is monitoring a PDCCH in the CORESET in a specified window after a PRACH signal is sent on the BWP.

In a possible example, the method further includes:
receiving, by the terminal device, an instruction to activate the BWP from the network device, where the instruction is sent after the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP, or the instruction is sent while the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP.

Same as the embodiments shown in <FIG>, referring to <FIG> is a method for processing link reconfiguration according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing communications system and includes the following steps.

Step <NUM>: The terminal device receives the preset parameter group from the network device, where the preset parameter group is configured for the BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform the corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

Same as the foregoing embodiments, referring to <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. The network device is a first network device. As shown in the figure, the network device includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs, where the one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor, and the programs include instructions used to perform the following steps:
indicating a preset parameter group to a terminal device, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

In a possible example, the programs further include instructions used to perform the following operations: configuring the preset parameter group of the BWP; and instructing to activate the BWP; or configuring the preset parameter group of the BWP and at the same time instructing to activate the BWP.

Same as the foregoing embodiments, referring to <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in the figure, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a communications interface, and one or more programs, where the one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor, and the programs include instructions used to perform the following steps:
receiving a preset parameter group from a network device, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

In a possible example, the programs further include instructions used to perform the following operations: receiving an instruction to activate the BWP from the network device, where the instruction is sent after the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP, or the instruction is sent while the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP.

The solutions of the embodiments of this application are mainly described above from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It may be understood that, to implement the foregoing functions, the terminal device and the network device include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules that perform the functions. A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, this application may be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by computer software driving the hardware depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions.

The embodiments of this application may perform functional unit division on the terminal device and the network device according to the examples of the foregoing methods, for example, may divide each functional unit corresponding to each function, or may integrate two or more functions in one processing unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software program module. It should be noted that, the unit division in the embodiments of this application is schematic, and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementations, there may be other division manners.

In the case of using integrated units, <FIG> is a structural block diagram of possible functional units of the network device related to the foregoing embodiments, where the network device is a first network device. A network device <NUM> includes a processing unit <NUM> and a communications unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to control and manage actions of the network device. For example, the processing unit <NUM> is configured to support step <NUM> in <FIG> that is performed by the network device, step <NUM> in <FIG> and/or other processes of the technology described in this specification. The communications unit <NUM> is configured to support communication between the network device and other devices, for example, the communication between the terminal devices shown in <FIG>. The network device may further include a storage unit <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the network device.

The processing unit <NUM> may be a processor or a controller, the communications unit <NUM> may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a radio frequency (RF) chip, or the like, and the storage unit <NUM> may be a memory.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to indicate a preset parameter group to a terminal device by using the communications unit <NUM>, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

In a possible example, the processing unit <NUM> is further configured to: configure the preset parameter group of the BWP; and instruct to activate the BWP; or configure the preset parameter group of the BWP and at the same time instruct to activate the BWP.

When the processing unit <NUM> is a processor, the communications unit <NUM> is a communications interface, and the storage unit <NUM> is a memory, and the network device related to the embodiments of this application may be the network device shown in <FIG>.

In the case of using integrated units, <FIG> is a structural block diagram of possible functional units of the terminal device related to the foregoing embodiments. A terminal device <NUM> includes a processing unit <NUM> and a communication unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to control and manage actions of the terminal device. For example, the processing unit <NUM> is configured to support step <NUM> in <FIG> that is performed by the terminal device, step <NUM> in <FIG> and/or other processes of the technology described in this specification. The communications unit <NUM> is configured to support communication between the terminal device and other devices, for example, the communication between the network devices shown in <FIG>. The terminal device may further include a storage unit <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the terminal device.

The processing unit <NUM> may be a processor or a controller, for example, may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logical device, discrete gate, transistor logic device, or hardware component or any combination thereof. The processing unit <NUM> may implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules and circuits described with reference to disclosed contents of this application. The processor may further be a combination implementing a computing function, for example, includes one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like. The communications unit <NUM> may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like, and the storage unit <NUM> may be a memory.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to receive a preset parameter group from a network device by using the communications unit <NUM>, where the preset parameter group is configured for a BWP of the terminal device and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device performs transmission on the BWP.

In a possible example, the processing unit <NUM> is further configured to receive an instruction to activate the BWP from the network device by using the communications unit <NUM>, where the instruction is sent after the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP, or the instruction is sent while the network device configures the preset parameter group of the BWP.

When the processing unit <NUM> is a processor, the communications unit <NUM> is a communications interface, and the storage unit <NUM> is a memory, the terminal device related to the embodiments of this application may be the terminal device shown in <FIG>.

An embodiment of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium, storing a computer program used to exchange electronic data, where the computer program enables a computer to perform some or all of the steps described for the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment.

An embodiment of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium, storing a computer program used to exchange electronic data, where the computer program enables a computer to perform some or all of the steps described for the network device in the foregoing method embodiment.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, where the computer program may be executed to enable a computer to perform some or all of the steps described in the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, where the computer program may be executed to enable a computer to perform some or all of the steps described in the network device in the foregoing method embodiment. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by a processor executing a software instruction. The software instruction may include a corresponding software module. The software module may be stored in a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage medium in any other forms well-known in the art. For example, a storage medium is coupled to a processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium or write information into the storage medium. Certainly, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in the ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in an access network device, a target network device, or a core network device. Certainly, the processor and the storage medium may be alternatively stored, as discrete components, in the access network device, the target network device, or the core network device.

Claim 1:
A method for processing link reconfiguration, applicable to Link reconfiguration procedures, comprising:
indicating, by a network device (<NUM>), at least one preset parameter group to a terminal device (<NUM>), wherein each preset parameter group is configured for one bandwidth part, BWP, of the terminal device (<NUM>) and is used to perform a corresponding processing operation when the terminal device (<NUM>) performs transmission on the one BWP, (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the preset parameter group comprises at least one of the following signals: a channel state information-reference signal, CSI-RS, and a synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel, SS/PBCH, block, and the corresponding processing operation is selecting a signal whose quality is higher than a preset threshold, the preset parameter group is used to configure a physical random access channel, PRACH, sequence and/or a time-frequency resource used for performing the corresponding processing operation.