Patent Description:
With rapid development of communications technologies, a carrier aggregation (CA) technology is introduced into a standard. A plurality of carriers are aggregated to support higher transmission bandwidth, so that user equipment (UE) performs uplink transmission on at least two carriers. Each carrier corresponds to one cell, including a primary cell (Pcell) and a secondary cell (SCell). Currently, a PCell in CA aggregation is a cell initially accessed by UE, is responsible for radio resource control (RRC) communication with the UE, provides security input, and is determined during connection establishment. In downlink (DL), a carrier corresponding to the PCell is a DL primary component carrier (DL PCC). In uplink (UL), a carrier corresponding to the PCell is a UL primary component carrier (UL PCC). An SCell is added by using an RRC connection reconfiguration message after an RRC connection initial security activation procedure, and is used to provide an additional radio resource. In downlink, a carrier corresponding to the SCell is a DL secondary component carrier (DL SCC), and in uplink, a carrier corresponding to the SCell is a UL secondary component carrier (UL SCC). <CIT> discloses a communication method and apparatus of a terminal in a 5thgeneration (<NUM>) wireless communication system. Document "<NPL>, discusses the impact of small cell access delay in an inter-site CA/DC deployment with focus in UE transition from RRC IDLE/RRCINACTIVE -state to RRC_CONNECTED -state. Document "<NPL>, presents a view on triggers for non-real time reporting for MDT. <CIT> relates to a method and apparatus for performing a radio resource management and a measurement in a wireless communication system. <CIT> relates to a method and apparatus for initial access in wireless communication system.

Currently, a process of adding an SCell for UE is shown in <FIG>. After an RRC connection is first established between a base station and the UE, and after the UE enters an RRC connected mode, a PCell performs a measurement configuration on the UE. The measurement configuration includes a to-be-measured object and a condition for reporting a measurement report. After receiving the measurement configuration, the UE performs a measurement for the SCell. After the measurement is completed, if a measured value satisfies the condition for reporting a measurement report, the UE reports a measurement report to the base station. After receiving the measurement report, the PCell performs SCell addition and activation processes.

It can be learned from the foregoing process of adding the SCell that a time used for two configurations and one measurement is required; however, adding the SCell belongs to an inter-frequency measurement and usually takes a very long time. Therefore, too much RRC connected mode time is occupied from the measurement configuration to sending of the measurement report. Consequently, data transmission efficiency of a communications system is reduced. With development of technologies, a quantity of carriers supported by CA has currently increased to <NUM>, and more secondary cells need to be added for the UE. Consequently, the occupied RRC connected mode time is further increased, and the data transmission efficiency of the communications system is further reduced.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a measurement method, and a device, to avoid occupying an RRC connected mode in a measurement process, and improve data transmission efficiency of a communications system. The present invention is disclosed according to the independent claims. The dependent claims recite advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention corresponds to the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> and <FIG> and the other embodiments are not encompassed by the wording of the claims but are considered as useful for understanding the invention. Based on this, the present disclosure provides a measurement method, applied to a network device and UE in a wireless communications system. A basic principle of the measurement method is as follows: UE measures a to-be-measured object in an RRC idle mode, to prevent the measurement from occupying an RRC connected mode, thereby improving data transmission efficiency of a communications system.

The network device described in the present disclosure is a network side device that provides a communications service for UE in a wireless communications system. In communications systems of different standards, network devices may have different names, but all the network devices may be understood as the network device described in the present disclosure. A type of the network device is also not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a network device in a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) is referred to as a base station (BS), a network device in an LTE system is referred to as an evolved NodeB (eNB), a network device in a new radio (NR) system is referred to as a next generation NodeB (gNB), or the like. Examples are not listed one by one herein. All network side devices that provide communications services for UE in a wireless communications system may be understood as the network device described in the present disclosure.

The UE described in the present disclosure is a mobile communications device used by a user. The UE may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ebook, a mobile television, a wearable device, a personal computer (PC), or the like. In communications systems of different standards, terminals may have different names, but all the terminals may be understood as the UE described in the present disclosure. A type of the UE is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The measurement method provided in the present disclosure is applied to a wireless communications system architecture shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the wireless communications system architecture includes at least one network device <NUM> and at least one UE <NUM> that communicates with the network device <NUM>.

It should be noted that <FIG> merely shows an example of a wireless communications network architecture. A quantity of network devices <NUM>, a type of the network device <NUM>, a quantity of UEs <NUM>, a type of the UE <NUM>, and the like that are included in the wireless communications system architecture may all be configured based on an actual requirement, and are not specifically limited in <FIG>.

It should be further noted that, in <FIG>, the network device <NUM> is shown as a base station, and the UE <NUM> is shown as a mobile phone. This is merely an example for description, and does not constitute a limitation.

The wireless communications system architecture shown in <FIG> may be an LTE network, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network, or another network. A type of a network to which the solutions of the present disclosure are applied is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the word such as "example" or "for example" is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or a description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be explained as having more advantages than another embodiment or design scheme. Exactly, use of the word "example", "for example", or the like is intended to present a related concept in a specific manner, to facilitate understanding.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings.

According to an aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides UE. <FIG> shows UE <NUM> related to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM> may be the UE <NUM> in the wireless communications system architecture shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a transceiver <NUM>.

All components of the UE <NUM> are described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The memory <NUM> may be a volatile memory, for example, a random access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the foregoing types of memories. The memory <NUM> is configured to store program code and a configuration file that can implement the method in the present disclosure.

The processor <NUM> is a control center of the UE <NUM>, and may be a central processing unit (CPU), may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be configured as one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more microprocessors (DSP) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), that implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> may run or execute a software program and/or a module stored in the memory <NUM>, and invoke data stored in the memory <NUM>, to perform various functions of the UE <NUM>.

The transceiver <NUM> is used for interaction between the UE <NUM> and another unit. For example, the transceiver <NUM> may be a transmit and receive antenna of the UE <NUM>.

Specifically, the processor <NUM> runs or executes the software program and/or the module stored in the memory <NUM>, and invokes the data stored in the memory <NUM>, to perform the following functions:.

receiving, by using the transceiver <NUM>, configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used by the UE to measure a to-be-measured object; and measuring at least one to-be-measured object in an RRC idle mode based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object.

According to another aspect, an example of the present disclosure not being part of the present invention provides a network device. <FIG> shows a network device <NUM> related to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The network device <NUM> may be the network device <NUM> in the wireless communications system architecture shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the network device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a transceiver <NUM>.

All components of the network device <NUM> are described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The memory <NUM> may be a volatile memory, for example, a RAM; or a non-volatile memory, for example, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, or an SSD; or a combination of the foregoing types of memories. The memory <NUM> is configured to store program code and a configuration file that can implement the method in the present disclosure.

The processor <NUM> is a control center of the network device <NUM>, and may be a CPU, may be an ASIC, or may be configured as one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more DSPs or one or more FPGAs, that implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> may run or execute a software program and/or a module stored in the memory <NUM>, and invoke data stored in the memory <NUM>, to perform various functions of the network device <NUM>.

The transceiver <NUM> is used for interaction between the network device <NUM> and another unit. For example, the transceiver <NUM> may be a transmit and receive antenna of the network device <NUM>.

Specifically, the processor <NUM> runs or executes the software program and/or the module stored in the memory <NUM>, and invokes the data stored in the memory <NUM>, to perform the following functions:
sending configuration information by using the transceiver <NUM>, where the configuration information is used by UE to measure a to-be-measured object; and receiving, by using the transceiver <NUM>, a measurement report sent by the UE, where the measurement report is obtained by the UE by measuring at least one to-be-measured object in an idle mode.

According to still another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a measurement method, applied to a process of interaction between UE and a network device in a wireless communications system. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail by describing the process of interaction between the UE and the network device. As shown in <FIG>, the measurement method may include the following steps.

The network device sends configuration information.

The configuration information is used by the UE to measure a to-be-measured object.

Optionally, the configuration information may be only one piece of indication information used by the UE to measure the to-be-measured object when receiving the configuration information. However, specific details such as the to-be-measured object, measurement content, and a measurement scenario are not limited.

Optionally, the configuration information may be used by the UE to measure the to-be-measured object in an RRC idle mode.

Optionally, the configuration information may be information that includes a configuration parameter. The configuration parameter is used to indicate specific details when the UE measures the to-be-measured object.

Different measurement configuration parameters are described in detail below. For the following described configuration parameters, in an actual application, the configuration information may be at least one of the configuration parameters.

First-type configuration parameter: ID information of at least one to-be-measured object.

The at least one to-be-measured object is a measurement target when the UE performs a measurement. Optionally, the to-be-measured object may include: a to-be-measured cell, or a to-be-measured carrier, or a to-be-measured beam, or a to-be-measured pilot. A type of the to-be-measured object is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

ID information of a to-be-measured object is used to uniquely determine the to-be-measured object. ID information of a to-be-measured object is used as a configuration parameter, to indicate a target measurement object when the UE measures a to-be-measured object.

For example, the ID information of the to-be-measured object may include: a physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object, or a conversion ID of a physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object, or a global cell ID of the to-be-measured object, or a conversion ID of a global cell ID of the to-be-measured object, or center frequency information of the to-be-measured object, or frequency information of the to-be-measured object.

Each to-be-measured object has its own dedicated operating frequency band. Therefore, a to-be-measured object can be uniquely determined by using center frequency information of the to-be-measured object. The center frequency information may be a frequency value of a center frequency, or may be a channel number of a center frequency, or the like. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

The physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and the global cell ID of the to-be-measured object are unique IDs allocated to the to-be-measured object from physical layer and global perspectives. A to-be-measured object can be uniquely determined by using a physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and a global cell ID of the to-be-measured object.

The conversion ID of the physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and the conversion ID of the global cell ID of the to-be-measured object are IDs obtained after the physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and the global cell ID of the to-be-measured object are converted by using a mapping relationship. In this way, a to-be-measured object can be uniquely determined by obtaining a physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and a global cell ID of the to-be-measured object by searching the mapping relationship by using a conversion ID of the physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object and a conversion ID of the global cell ID of the to-be-measured object.

It should be noted that the conversion ID may have different names, for example, a report ID or an index ID. Any ID that corresponds, by using the mapping relationship, to an ID that can be used to uniquely determine a to-be-measured object is the conversion ID referred to in the present disclosure.

For example, Table <NUM> shows an example of a mapping relationship between a physical layer cell ID of a to-be-measured object and a conversion ID of the physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object. As shown in Table <NUM>, assuming that a conversion ID of a physical layer cell ID of a to-be-measured object is an ID <NUM>, it may be determined, based on the mapping relationship shown in Table <NUM>, that the physical layer cell ID of the to-be-measured object is an ID <NUM>, and the to-be-measured object can be uniquely determined by using the ID <NUM>.

It should be noted that, Table <NUM> shows the mapping relationship by merely using an example, and does not specifically limit content and a form of the mapping relationship.

It should be noted that the foregoing example is merely an example for describing the ID information of the to-be-measured object, and is not a specific limitation thereto. In an actual application, any information that can be used to uniquely determine a to-be-measured object may be used as the ID information of the to-be-measured object described in the present disclosure.

Specifically, when the configuration information includes the first-type configuration parameter, to be specific, includes the ID information of the at least one to-be-measured object, the configuration information indicates an object when the UE performs a measurement.

Second-type configuration parameter: bandwidth information of the to-be-measured object.

The bandwidth information of the to-be-measured object reflects a quantity of bandwidth resources occupied by the to-be-measured object. When the configuration information includes the second-type configuration parameter, to be specific, includes the bandwidth information of the to-be-measured object, the configuration information indicates a bandwidth range when the UE performs a measurement.

Third-type configuration parameter: information indicating whether the to-be-measured object is a licensed carrier.

The information indicating whether the to-be-measured object is a licensed carrier is used to indicate whether the to-be-measured object is a licensed carrier. When the configuration information includes the third-type configuration parameter, to be specific, includes the information indicating whether the to-be-measured object is a licensed carrier, the configuration information indicates a feature of the to-be-measured object when the UE performs a measurement, to ensure an accurate measurement, and enable the UE to perform the measurement based on a feature of an unlicensed carrier. For example, a time when a secondary component carrier is in a busy mode and a time when the secondary component carrier is in an idle mode are detected in a listen before talk (LBT) manner; or a received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurement manner is performed.

Fourth-type configuration parameter: period information.

The period information reflects a time interval between two measurements. When the configuration information includes the fourth-type configuration parameter, to be specific, includes the period information, the configuration information indicates a period of a measurement performed by the UE.

Optionally, the period information may be a preset fixed period, or may be configured based on a discontinuous reception period. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fifth-type configuration parameter: a UE feature for performing a measurement.

Content of the UE feature for performing a measurement is some features of the UE. The feature may be a performance feature, or may be a service feature, or may be a UE type feature. When the configuration information includes the UE feature for performing a measurement, the configuration information instructs the UE that has the UE feature for performing a measurement to measure the to-be-measured object when receiving the configuration information.

For example, the UE feature for performing a measurement may be that a service to be initiated by the UE is traffic intensive, or may be that a terminal type of the UE is a video mobile phone. In an actual application, the UE feature for performing a measurement may be in one or more aspects. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Sixth-type configuration parameter: a measurement parameter.

The measurement parameter is used to indicate a measured value during a measurement. When the configuration information includes the measurement parameter, and the configuration information instructs the UE to measure the to-be-measured object, the measured value is a measurement parameter in the measurement configuration parameters.

For example, the measurement parameter may include but is not limited to: a reference signal received power (RSRP), or reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or a received signal strength indication (RSSI), or a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). In an actual application, a type of the measurement parameter may alternatively be configured based on an actual requirement. The foregoing example does not specifically limit the type of the measurement parameter.

Seventh-type configuration parameter: a maximum quantity of UEs that need to perform a measurement.

When the configuration information includes the maximum quantity of UEs that need to perform a measurement, the configuration information indicates a quantity of to-be-measured objects when the UEs perform the measurements.

It should be noted that, if the configuration information not only includes ID information of at least one to-be-measured cell that indicates at least one to-be-measured object, but also includes a maximum quantity N of UEs that need perform a measurement. When the UEs perform the measurements, if N is less than a quantity of to-be-measured objects indicated by the ID information of the at least one to-be-measured cell, the UEs select, from the at least one to-be-measured object indicated by the ID information of the at least one to-be-measured cell, N to-be-measured objects for the measurements. A specific selection manner is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Eighth-type configuration parameter: a preset condition.

The preset condition is a preconfigured condition, and if the condition is satisfied, a specific operation can be performed after a measurement is performed.

Optionally, the "specific operation" herein may include but is not limited to: The to-be-measured object is used as a secondary resource, or a measurement result of the to-be-measured object is sent to the network device, or a measurement result of the to-be-measured object is included in a measurement report. Certainly, in an actual application, content of the specific operation may be configured based on an actual requirement. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, optionally, the preset condition may include: a to-be-measured object measurement criterion, or a preset event, or the measurement result is greater than or equal to a preset threshold. Content of the preset condition may be configured based on an actual requirement. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, when the configuration information includes the preset condition, and the preset condition is the measurement result is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, a definition may be as follows: When the measurement result of the to-be-measured object is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the to-be-measured object is added to the measurement report.

For example, the preset event may include an existing defined event A4, or content of the preset event may be configured based on an actual requirement. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Content of an event such as the defined event A4 is not described in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that, certainly, based on an actual requirement, the preset condition may alternatively be configured to be less than or equal to a first preset threshold. Values of the preset threshold and the first preset threshold may be configured based on an actual requirement. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, the to-be-measured object measurement criterion may be: A measured value of Srxlev_Scell of the to-be-measured object is greater than <NUM> and a measured value of Squal_Scell of the to-be-measured object is greater than <NUM>, where <MAT> <MAT>.

Definitions of all the parameters in the condition are shown in the following Table <NUM>.

The service object of the UE is an object of a same type as that of the to-be-measured object. For example, when the to-be-measured object is a to-be-measured cell, the service object of the UE refers to a serving cell of the UE; or when the to-be-measured object is a to-be-measured carrier, the service object of the UE refers to a service carrier of the UE.

It should be noted that the content of the to-be-measured object measurement criterion is merely a possible implementation, and is not a specific limitation on the to-be-measured object measurement criterion. In an actual application, the to-be-measured object measurement criterion may be deformation or conversion of the content of the foregoing example, and some or all of the parameters listed in Table <NUM> are included. Therefore, all to-be-measured object measurement criteria constructed by using a measurement criterion idea shall fall within the protection scope of the solutions of the present disclosure.

For example, the to-be-measured object measurement criterion may alternatively be an S criterion. Content of the S criterion is not described in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

The foregoing described eight types of configuration parameters are merely examples for describing feasible solutions. In an actual application, the configuration information may include at least one of the foregoing eight types of configuration parameters, or the measurement configuration parameter may further include another configuration parameter. Details are not described one by one in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be further noted that, in S501, the network device may send the configuration information through broadcast, to be specific, there is no destination UE; or the network device may send the configuration information to the UE. <FIG> merely shows a manner of sending the configuration information to the UE in S501, and does not specifically limit the manner.

Further, optionally, in S501, the network device may actively send the configuration information, or may send the configuration information based on a request of the UE. A prerequisite for performing S501 is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Optionally, when the configuration information is used by the UE to measure the to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode, if the network device sends the configuration information based on the request of the UE in S501, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, before S501, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S501a and S501b.

The UE sends, to the network device, a request indication indicating that the UE expects to perform a measurement in the idle mode.

The network device receives the request indication indicating that the UE expects to perform a measurement in the idle mode.

For example, when the UE is capable of performing a measurement in the RRC idle mode, to reduce a latency in an RRC connected mode, the UE may select to perform a measurement in the RRC idle mode. In this case, the UE sends the request indication to a service object on which the UE camps, and a network device of the service object performs S501.

Specifically, in S501, a specific implementation in which the network device sends the configuration information may include but is not limited to the following two implementations:
Implementation <NUM>: The network device sends a system broadcast message including the configuration information.

In Implementation <NUM>, the network device sends the configuration information through broadcast, and the UE in the RRC idle mode receives the configuration information.

Implementation <NUM>: The network device sends an RRC connection release message including the configuration information.

In Implementation <NUM>, the network device sends the configuration information by using the RRC connection release message, and the UE in the RRC connected mode receives the configuration information.

The UE receives the configuration information sent by the network device.

It should be noted that, the configuration information received by the UE in S502 is the configuration information sent by the network device in S501, and is already described in detail in S501, and details are not described herein again.

Corresponding to the implementation in which the network device sends the configuration information in S501, in S502, the receiving, by the UE, the configuration information may also include the following two implementations.

Implementation A: The UE receives the system broadcast message that is sent by the network device and that includes the configuration information.

Implementation B: The UE receives the RRC connection release message that is sent by the network device and that includes the configuration information.

The UE measures at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object.

Optionally, in S503, when the UE measures the to-be-measured object, the at least one to-be-measured object measured by the UE may be indicated by using ID information of the at least one to-be-measured object that is included in the configuration information, or may be determined by the UE. For example, the UE may determine that the at least one to-be-measured object is a to-be-measured object that serves the UE in a preset time period. Alternatively, the UE may determine that the at least one to-be-measured object is a to-be-measured object that currently serves the UE. A manner of determining the at least one to-be-measured object is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. A process of determining the at least one to-be-measured object and content of the determined at least one to-be-measured object are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure either.

For example, when the to-be-measured object is a to-be-measured cell, the to-be-measured cell may be a neighboring cell co-site with a serving cell of the UE, or the to-be-measured cell may be a cell that serves the UE within preset duration.

It should be noted that in S503, the UE measures the to-be-measured object based on a configuration parameter. The configuration parameter may be included in the configuration information received in S502, or may be predefined and stored in the UE. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific content of the configuration parameter is already described in detail in S501, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, S503 may be specifically implemented as: The UE measures a measurement parameter for the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode based on the configuration information. The measurement result of the to-be-measured object is a measured value of the measurement parameter. As a configuration parameter, the measurement parameter may be included in the configuration information received in S502, or may be predefined and stored in the UE.

For example, the measurement parameter may be an RSRP, RSRQ, an RSSI, or an SINR, and the measurement result is a value of an RSRP, RSRQ, an RSSI, or an SINR that is specifically measured.

Optionally, in S503, depending on different functions of the configuration information, implementations of S503 are also different. Specifically, the following two cases may be included:.

Case <NUM>: The UE is instructed, by using a notification of the network device or a preconfigured rule instead of using the configuration information, to measure the to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode.

In Case <NUM>, the UE measures the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode based on the notification of the network device or the preconfigured rule, and the configuration information. The notification of the network device or the preconfigured rule is used to instruct the UE to measure the to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode.

The notification of the network device may be a notification specially used to instruct the UE to measure the to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode. A sending moment and content of the notification are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

The preconfigured rule may be a protocol executed by the UE, and the protocol stipulates that the UE measures the to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode when receiving the configuration information. Certainly, the preconfigured rule may alternatively be a configuration rule in another form, for example, a rule that is defined by a manufacturer of the UE and that is executed by the UE. Content and a form of the preconfigured rule are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Optionally, S503 of measuring, by the UE, the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode may be directly performed after S502 without considering factors such as quality of service of the service object of the UE.

Optionally, S503 of measuring, by the UE, the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode may be performed based on Condition <NUM> after S502. Condition <NUM> may be a UE feature for performing a measurement. The UE feature for performing a measurement may be a performance feature of the UE, or may be information about a bearer that needs to be established by the UE. This is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

For example, Condition <NUM> may be that the UE has the UE feature for performing a measurement, for example, whether the UE supports carrier aggregation. If the UE cannot support carrier aggregation, the UE does not perform the measurement in S503.

Alternatively, Condition <NUM> may be that the information about the bearer that needs to be established by the UE indicates that a service to be initiated by the UE is traffic intensive. For example, the bearer that needs to be established by the UE is a video service, to be specific, the bearer required by the UE needs a relatively large throughput to ensure a service requirement, and the UE performs the measurement in S503.

Further, when S503 of measuring, by the UE, the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode may be performed based on Condition <NUM> after S502, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, before S503, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S503a.

The UE determines whether the UE has the UE feature for performing a measurement, by determining whether the UE supports carrier aggregation.

The UE feature for performing a measurement may be a preset rule, or may be included in the configuration information. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Content of the UE feature for performing a measurement is already described in detail in S501, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, if it is determined in S503a that the UE has the UE feature for performing a measurement, S503 is performed. If it is determined in S503a that the UE does not have the UE feature for performing a measurement, the received configuration information is discarded.

It should be noted that, based on an actual requirement, if it is determined in S503a that the UE does not have the UE feature for performing a measurement, another operation may further be performed. This is not specifically limited herein.

For example, it is assumed that the UE feature for performing a measurement is that the UE is a video mobile phone. When a mobile phone without a video function receives the configuration information in S502, the mobile phone performs S503a and determines that the mobile phone is not a video mobile phone, and does not measure the to-be-measured object.

It should be noted that a process of measuring the to-be-measured object by the UE in S503 is the same as an existing measurement process, so that the process of measuring the to-be-measured object by the UE in S503 is not described in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure. Any measurement performed on the to-be-measured object by the UE in the RRC idle mode shall fall within the protection scope of the solutions of the present disclosure.

According to the measurement solution provided in the present disclosure, the UE performs the measurement in the RRC idle mode, to avoid occupying the RRC connected mode in the measurement process, improve data transmission efficiency in the RRC connected mode, and further improve data transmission efficiency of a communications system.

Further, after the measurement in step S503, there may be a plurality of applications for the measurement result. For example, the measurement report may be sent, or quality of service is determined. Optionally, the measurement result may be directly applied after S503 is performed. Certainly, an execution condition may alternatively be set for an application of the measurement result. After S503, when the execution condition is satisfied, the measurement result is applied. The execution condition may be a mode of the UE, a state of the network device, a state of a network, or the like. Specific content of the execution condition is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, when the application of the measurement result is sending a measurement report to the network device, an execution condition of the application may be set to that the UE enters an RRC connection establishment process or enters the RRC connected mode. Certainly, different execution conditions may be preset for different applications of the measurement result, and details are not described herein.

In a possible implementation, if an execution condition is set for an application of the measurement result, after S503, it is first determined whether the execution condition is satisfied, and if the execution condition is satisfied, the measurement result is applied. If the execution condition is not satisfied, the process of measuring, by the UE, the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object in S503 is performed again. In a process of performing S503 for a plurality of times, for a same to-be-measured object, a latest measurement result is recorded, to ensure timeliness of the measurement result.

Further, optionally, a feasible application of the measurement result is that the UE sends a measurement report to the network device, to feed back a response to the configuration information sent by the network device in S501. Therefore, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, after S503, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S504 and S505.

The UE sends a measurement report to the network device.

The measurement report includes report content of some or all of the at least one to-be-measured object. Report content of a to-be-measured object may include ID information of the to-be-measured object, or ID information and a measurement result of the to-be-measured object.

It should be noted that the ID information of the to-be-measured object is already described in detail in S501, and details are not described herein again.

Specifically, in S504, the UE needs to obtain the measurement report, and then sends the measurement report to the network device. If the measurement in S503 is the first measurement, the measurement report is generated based on content of the measurement report and a measurement report of the at least one to-be-measured object that is obtained through the measurement in S503. If the measurement in S503 is not the first measurement, an existing measurement report is updated based on content of the measurement report and a latest measurement report of the at least one to-be-measured object that is obtained through the measurement in S503.

The updating an existing measurement report may include: adding content to the measurement report, or deleting partial content from the measurement report, or replacing partial content in the measurement report. Content of a stored and updated measurement report is obtained based on a measurement result of a latest measurement.

Optionally, the content in the measurement report may be configured based on an actual requirement, and may specifically include but is not limited to the following two implementations.

In a first implementation, the measurement report includes report content of a to-be-measured object that is in the at least one to-be-measured object and whose measurement result satisfies a preset condition.

Optionally, in the first implementation, the measurement report may include ID information of the to-be-measured object that is in the at least one to-be-measured object and whose measurement result satisfies the preset condition.

For example, corresponding to the first implementation, in S504, the UE needs to first generate the measurement report, and then sends the measurement report to the network device. When the content of the measurement report is the first implementation, to be specific, the measurement report includes the report content of the to-be-measured object whose measurement result satisfies the preset condition, after S503, the UE first compares each measurement result of the at least one measured to-be-measured object with the preset condition, and then generates the measurement report or updates the measurement report.

In this example, the generating the measurement report is storing the report content of the to-be-measured object whose measurement result satisfies the preset condition as the measurement report.

In this example, the updating the measurement report ensures that the measurement report includes report content of a to-be-measured object whose measurement result satisfies the preset condition after a latest measurement. Specific implementations may include the following three cases:.

Second implementation: The measurement report includes report content of the at least one to-be-measured object measured by the UE.

For example, corresponding to the second implementation, in S504, the UE needs to first generate the measurement report, and then sends the measurement report to the network device. When the content of the measurement report is the second implementation, to be specific, the measurement report includes the report content of the at least one to-be-measured object measured by the UE in S503, after S503, the UE needs to generate the measurement report or update the measurement report.

In this example, the generating the measurement report is storing the report content of the at least one to-be-measured object measured by the UE in S503 as the measurement report.

In this example, the updating the measurement report ensures that the measurement report includes the report content of the at least one to-be-measured object measured by the UE in S503 after a latest measurement. Specific implementations may include the following two cases:.

Further, based on the first implementation or the second implementation, the measurement report includes report content of to-be-measured objects arranged in descending order of measurement results, to be specific, the report content is sorted and stored in the measurement report.

Further, when the UE sends the measurement report to the network device in S504, a mode of the UE may not be limited, and may be configured based on an actual requirement.

For example, in S504, the UE may send the measurement report after entering the RRC connected mode, or in an RRC connection establishment process. Certainly, the UE may alternatively perform S504 in another mode in which communication with the network device is supported.

Specifically, when the UE sends the measurement report to the network device in S504, a dedicated message may be configured for sending the measurement report, or an existing communication message between the UE and the network device may be used to carry the measurement report for sending. A form of sending the measurement report is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. A message for sending the measurement report and a location of the measurement report in the message may be pre-specified and known by both the UE and the network device.

Optionally, in S504, the UE may send the measurement report to the network device in the RRC connected mode by using RRC signaling or an MAC CE. Alternatively, in the RRC connection establishment process, the UE sends the measurement report to the network device by using an Msg3 message or an Msg5 message.

Further, optionally, if the UE is only configured to send the measurement report to the network device when the UE enters the RRC connection establishment process or the RRC connected mode, after S503 and before S504, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S504a.

The UE queries an RRC mode of the UE.

The RRC mode may include the RRC idle mode, the RRC connection establishment process, and the RRC connected mode.

It should be noted that a process of querying the RRC mode of the UE in S504a is not described in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure. In an actual application, the UE may perform S504a by querying information such as a status indication bit of the UE or a specific flag bit. Certainly, S504a may be performed in another manner. This is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

Specifically, based on the RRC mode of the UE that is queried by the UE in S504, the UE selects to re-perform S503 or S504. If it is queried in S504a that the UE enters the RRC connection establishment process or the RRC connected mode, S504 is performed. If it is queried in S504a that the UE is in the RRC idle mode, S503 is re-performed. When S503 is performed for a plurality of times, a latest measurement result is recorded for a same to-be-measured object, and the measurement report is obtained based on the latest measurement result.

The network device receives the measurement report sent by the UE.

The measurement report is obtained by the UE by measuring the at least one to-be-measured object in the RRC idle mode. The measurement report received in S505 is the measurement report sent in S504. The content of the measurement report is already described in detail in S504, and details are not described herein again.

As described in S504, when the UE sends the measurement report to the network device in S504, a dedicated message may be configured for sending the measurement report, or an existing communication message between the UE and the network device may be used to carry the measurement report for sending. A form of sending the measurement report is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. A message for sending the measurement report and a location of the measurement report in the message may be pre-specified and known by both the UE and the network device. Therefore, in S505, the network device accurately receives, based on the preconfigured message for sending the measurement report by the UE and the location of the measurement report in the message, the measurement report sent by the UE.

Optionally, in S505, the network device may receive, in the RRC signaling or the MAC CE, the measurement report sent by the UE in the RRC connected mode. Alternatively, the network device may receive, in the Msg3 or Msg5 message, the measurement report sent by the UE in the RRC connection establishment process.

Further, optionally, in S504, the UE may actively send the measurement report to the network device, or may send the measurement report to the network device based on a request of the network device. When the UE sends the measurement report to the network device based on the request of the network device in S504, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, before S504, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S504b and S504c.

The network device sends, to the UE, a request message used to request the UE to send the measurement report.

The RRC mode of the UE when the network device sends the request message in S504b may be configured based on an actual requirement. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The request message sent by the network device in S504b may be separately sent, or may be sent together with an existing message. This is also not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, the network device sends the configuration information in S501 and the request message in S504b together, to be specific, combines S501 and S504b into one step for execution.

For example, the network device adds the request message in S504b to an uplink (UL) information request message for sending.

The UE receives the request message that is sent by the network device and that is used to request the UE to send the measurement report.

Based on S504b and S504c, S504 is specifically implemented as: After receiving the request message, the UE sends the measurement report to the network device.

It should be noted that, in an actual application, S504a and S504b may be performed at the same time, or may be performed in sequence. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> merely show an execution sequence of S504a and S504b, and does not constitute a specific limitation.

Further, the network device may perform a related configuration on the UE based on the measurement report, for example, adding a secondary resource. Optionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, after S505, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may further include S506.

The network device selects, based on the measurement report, at least one to-be-measured object and adds the at least one to-be-measured object as a secondary resource of the UE.

In S506, the network device selects, based on the measurement report, the to-be-measured object and adds the to-be-measured object as the secondary resource of the UE. An adding rule may be preset, and the to-be-measured object is added based on the adding rule. A specific adding process is not described in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, the adding rule may be that the first several to-be-measured objects in descending order of measurement results are selected and added as secondary resources of the UE. Certainly, the adding rule may be configured based on an actual requirement, and the example herein does not constitute a specific limitation.

The secondary resource is a concept relative to a primary resource. The secondary resource may include: a secondary cell, or a secondary carrier, or a secondary beam, or a secondary pilot.

The foregoing has mainly described the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure from perspectives of working processes of the UE and the network device. It may be understood that, to implement the foregoing functions, the UE and the network device include a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module for implementing each function. Persons skilled in the art should easily be aware that, in combination with the examples of units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the present disclosure may be implemented by using hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in the present disclosure. Whether a function is performed by using hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on particular applications and design constraints of the technical solutions. Persons skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE and the network device may be divided into functional modules based on the foregoing method examples. For example, each functional module may be obtained through division for each corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional module. It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, module division is an example, and is merely a logical function division. In an actual implementation, another division manner may be used.

When the functional modules corresponding to the functions are obtained through division, <FIG> is a possible schematic structural diagram of the UE in the foregoing embodiments. UE <NUM> may include a receiving unit <NUM> and a measurement unit <NUM>. The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing processes S502 and S504c in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>. The measurement unit <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing the process S503 in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>. All related content of the steps in the foregoing method embodiment may be cited for describing functions of corresponding functional modules, and details are not described herein again.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may further include a determining unit <NUM>. The determining unit <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing the process S503a in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may further include a sending unit <NUM>. The sending unit <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing the process S504 in <FIG> and <FIG>.

When an integrated unit is used, <FIG> is a possible schematic structural diagram of the UE in the foregoing embodiments. UE <NUM> may include a processing module <NUM> and a communications module <NUM>. The processing module <NUM> is configured to control and manage an action of the UE <NUM>. For example, the processing module <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing the processes S503, S503a, and S504a in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>; the communications module <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in communicating with another network entity; and the processing module <NUM> is configured to support the UE <NUM> in performing the processes S502, S504c, and S504 in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG> by using the communications module <NUM>. The UE <NUM> may further include a storage module <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the UE <NUM>.

The processing module <NUM> may be the processor <NUM> in the physical structure of the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The processing module <NUM> may be a processor or a controller, for example, may be a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processing module <NUM> may implement or execute various examples of logical blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to content disclosed in the present disclosure. Alternatively, the processing module901 may be a combination of processors implementing a computing function, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. The communications module <NUM> may be the transceiver <NUM> in the physical structure of the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The communications module <NUM> may be a communications port, or may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communications interface, or the like. The storage module <NUM> may be the memory <NUM> in the physical structure of the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

When the processing module <NUM> is a processor, the communications module <NUM> is a transceiver, and the storage module <NUM> is a memory, the UE <NUM> in <FIG> in this embodiment of the present disclosure may be the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the UE <NUM> or the UE <NUM> provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to implement the method according to the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of description, only parts related to this embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. For undisclosed specific technical details, refer to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

When each functional module is obtained through division for each corresponding function, <FIG> is a possible schematic structural diagram of the network device in the foregoing embodiments. The network device <NUM> may include a sending unit <NUM> and a receiving unit <NUM>. The sending unit <NUM> is configured to support the network device <NUM> in performing the processes S501 and S504b in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>. The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to support the network device <NUM> in performing the processes S501b and S505 in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>. All related content of the steps in the foregoing method embodiments may be cited for describing functions of corresponding functional modules, and details are not described herein again.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the network device <NUM> may further include a processing unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to support the network device <NUM> in performing the process S506 in <FIG> and <FIG>.

When an integrated unit is used, <FIG> is a possible schematic structural diagram of the network device in the foregoing embodiments. A network device <NUM> may include a processing module <NUM> and a communications module <NUM>. The processing module <NUM> is configured to perform control management on an action of the network device <NUM>. The communications module <NUM> is configured to support the network device <NUM> in communicating with another network entity. For example, the processing module <NUM> is configured to support, by using the communications module <NUM>, the network device <NUM> in performing the processes S501b, S501, S504b, and S505 in <FIG> or <FIG> and <FIG>. The processing module <NUM> is configured to support the network device <NUM> in performing the process S506 in <FIG> and <FIG>. The network device <NUM> may further include a storage module <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the network device <NUM>.

The processing module <NUM> may be the processor <NUM> in the physical structure of the network device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The processing module <NUM> may be a processor or a controller, for example, may be a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processing module <NUM> may implement or execute various examples of logical blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to content disclosed in the present disclosure. Alternatively, the processor module <NUM> may be a combination of processors implementing a computing function, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. The communications module <NUM> may be the transceiver <NUM> in the physical structure of the network device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The communications module <NUM> may be a communications port, or may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communications interface, or the like. The storage module <NUM> may be the memory <NUM> in the physical structure of the network device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

When the processing module <NUM> is a processor, the communications module <NUM> is a transceiver, and the storage module <NUM> is a memory, the network device <NUM> in <FIG> in the example of the present disclosure may be the network device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the network device <NUM> or the network device <NUM> provided in the examples of the present disclosure may be configured to implement the method implemented according to the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of description, only parts related to this embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. For specific technical details that are not disclosed, refer to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to still another aspect, an example of the present disclosure not being part of the present invention provides a measurement system, including the UE according to any one of the foregoing embodiments.

According to yet another aspect, an example of the present disclosure not being part of the present invention provides a measurement system, including the UE according to any one of the foregoing embodiments and the network device according to any one of the foregoing examples.

Method or algorithm steps described in combination with the content disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by a processor by executing a software instruction. The software instruction may include a corresponding software module. The software module may be stored in a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium 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 an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a core network interface device. Certainly, the processor and the storage medium may exist in the core network interface device as discrete components.

Persons skilled in the art may clearly understand that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, refer to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

Persons skilled in the art should be aware that in the foregoing one or more examples, functions described in the present disclosure may be implemented by using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When the present disclosure is implemented by using software, the foregoing functions may be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code in the computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium and a communications medium, where the communications medium includes any medium that enables a computer program to be transmitted from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Persons skilled in the art may clearly understand that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, refer to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementations. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic or other forms.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of hardware in addition to a software functional unit.

When the foregoing integrated unit is implemented in a form of a software functional unit, the integrated unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The software functional unit is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) to perform some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claim 1:
A measurement method for inter-frequency measurement for secondary cell addition in a communication system supporting carrier aggregation, comprising:
(S501, S502) receiving, by a user equipment, UE (<NUM>), configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the configuration information is used by the UE (<NUM>) to measure a to-be-measured object; and
(S503a) determining, by the UE (<NUM>), whether the UE (<NUM>) has a UE feature for performing a measurement, by determining, by the UE (<NUM>), whether the UE supports carrier aggregation; and
(503a:Yes) upon determining that the UE (<NUM>) has the UE feature for performing the measurement, measuring, by the UE (<NUM>), at least one to-be-measured object in a radio resource control RRC idle mode based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object;
otherwise, (S503a:No) if the UE (<NUM>) does not support carrier aggregation, the UE (<NUM>) does not perform the measurement and the configuration information is discarded; wherein
after the measuring, by the UE (<NUM>), at least one to-be-measured object in an RRC idle mode based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object, the method comprises:
(S504) sending, by the UE (<NUM>), a measurement report to the network device, wherein the measurement report comprises report content of some or all of the at least one to-be-measured object, and the report content comprises identification ID information and the measurement result;
wherein the configuration information further comprises bandwidth information of the to-be-measured object;
wherein the measurement report comprises report content of to-be-measured objects arranged in descending order of measurement results.