CN113412647A

CN113412647A - Access control method and device

Info

Publication number: CN113412647A
Application number: CN201980091193.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 韩磊; 张志勇
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-18
Filing date: 2019-09-18
Publication date: 2021-09-17
Also published as: WO2021051326A1

Abstract

The application provides an access control method and device, which are used for improving the success rate of UE accessing a 5G cell. The access control method provided by the application comprises the following steps: in the process of cell selection on the frequency point of LTE, first, a cell search is performed on a frequency point where an LTE cell supporting endec is located. And if the first frequency point can reside, residing in the first frequency point. The frequency point of the LTE cell supporting ENDC is set to have higher cell selection priority, so that the probability that the terminal resides in the LTE cell supporting ENDC is improved, the terminal is enabled to access the 5G cell through the LTE cell supporting ENDC, the success rate of the terminal accessing the 5G cell is improved, and user experience is improved.

Description

Access control method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to an access control method and apparatus.

Background

As the fourth generation mobile communication (4G) enters the commercial scale phase, the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) facing the future has become a global research and development hotspot. Currently, 3GPP defines two schemes for a 5G New Radio (NR) network, which are an independent network (SA) and a non-independent Network (NSA). For a UE supporting NSA mode, when the UE is in the coverage area of a 5G cell, the UE needs to first camp on a 4G cell supporting NSA mode, and then through an addition process of EN-DC, the 4G cell supporting NSA mode instructs the UE to access the 5G cell by sending RRC connection configuration information to the UE. For the UE supporting the SA mode, when the UE is in the coverage area of the 5G cell, the UE may access the 5G cell through a procedure of cell selection, or camp on the 4G cell supporting the SA mode, and initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell according to reselection information broadcast by the 4G cell to the 5G cell, so as to access the 5G cell.

The UE accesses more advanced mobile communication networks and, in general, the user experience is better. According to different requirements of an operator, in an actual network deployment of 5G, the operator may use NSA to perform full-network 5G coverage, or SA to perform full-network 5G coverage, or NSA or SA or a mixed NSA/SA networking to perform 5G hotspot coverage. However, no matter which scheme is adopted by the operator to perform 5G coverage, the situation that the 5G coverage is incomplete or the network optimization is not in place exists, so that the UE cannot access the 5G cell, use the 5G service, and reduce the user experience.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides an access control method and device, which are used for improving the success rate of UE accessing a 5G cell.

The solutions provided by the present application are exemplarily presented below by different aspects, and it should be understood that the implementations and advantages of the following aspects may be mutually referenced.

A first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an access control method, which may be applied to a terminal supporting dual connectivity technology ENDC in a 5G networking mode, so as to control a cell accessed by the terminal. The terminal may perform cell selection in some cases, for example, the terminal may perform cell selection when the terminal is powered on, or returns to an RRC idle state from a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state, or re-enters a serving cell. The cell selection generally occurs after PLMN selection in order for the terminal to select a cell satisfying the camping condition for camping as soon as possible. The terminal generally supports cell selection on frequency points of various network systems, and the access control method provided by the application mainly relates to a process of cell selection on a frequency point (or called a 4G frequency point) of LTE (long term evolution). It can be understood that, with the popularization of 5G, in order to improve user experience, a frequency point of 5G generally has a higher priority, and a terminal may perform cell selection on the frequency point of 5G in advance, so as to preferentially camp on a cell on the frequency point of 5G (for short, camp on the frequency point of 5G), and may perform cell selection on a frequency point of LTE if a frequency point of 5G that can camp is not searched. It should be noted that the meaning of "frequency point" and "carrier frequency" in the embodiment of the present application is the same.

The cell selection generally includes initial cell selection and cell selection using stored information or referred to as history information, and in this embodiment, "performing cell selection on a frequency point of LTE" may refer to scanning a frequency band of LTE according to its own capability, and performing initial cell selection on a frequency point of LTE, or may refer to performing cell selection using a frequency point of LTE that is already stored by a terminal. The terminal selects a cell on a certain frequency point generally means that the cell with the best channel quality is searched on the frequency point, if the cell meets the residence condition, the cell is resided on the cell, and if the cell does not meet the residence condition, the cell selection is continued on other frequency points. In the embodiment of the application, a cell meeting the residence condition exists on a certain frequency point, and the frequency point can be considered to reside, and the cell on the frequency point can be considered to reside.

The dual connectivity means that the UE can maintain a connection state with multiple systems or multiple carriers to improve user experience. The 3GPP defines a Dual Connectivity technique in the 5G networking mode as endec (E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity). In the networking mode, a 5G cell or NR cell cannot provide an end-to-end service independently, but needs to provide a service by relying on a 4G cell or LTE cell, and the networking mode is referred to as NSA (Non-standard Architecture) networking.

In the method provided by the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in the process of cell selection on a frequency point of LTE, a terminal first performs cell search on a frequency point where an LTE cell supporting endec is located. And if the first frequency point can reside, residing in the first frequency point.

An operator generally improves a large number of LTE frequency points where a terminal resides, and can set a higher cell selection priority for some of the frequency points, so that in the process of cell selection of the terminal on the LTE frequency points, cell search is performed on the frequency points with the higher cell selection priority first, so as to preferentially reside on such frequency points. In the access control method provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, performing cell search on a frequency point where an LTE cell supporting endec is located means that a higher cell selection priority is set for a frequency point where an LTE cell supporting endec is located, so that the frequency point where the LTE cell supporting endec is located is searched before a frequency point where the higher cell selection priority is not set. It should be noted that, in the frequency points of LTE, in addition to the frequency point where the higher cell selection priority is not set and the frequency point where the LTE cell supporting endec is located, the frequency points may also include a frequency point where the higher cell selection priority is set according to another standard.

In the access control method provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the frequency point at which the LTE cell supporting the endec is located is set to have a higher cell selection priority, which is beneficial to improving the probability that the terminal resides in the LTE cell supporting the endec, so that the terminal accesses the 5G cell through the LTE cell supporting the endec, thereby being beneficial to improving the success rate of accessing the terminal into the 5G cell, and improving user experience.

Based on the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after the terminal accesses the 5G cell through the resident LTE cell, the frequency point or frequency band where the LTE cell is located may be stored in a storage medium, the stored frequency point is referred to as a history frequency point, and the stored frequency band is referred to as a history frequency band, and in a process of cell selection by the terminal on the LTE frequency point, cell search may be performed on the history frequency point or a frequency point in the history frequency band first.

Based on the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first frequency point may be an anchor frequency point for 5G dependent NSA networking, or an anchor frequency band corresponding to 5G NSA networking.

Based on the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is recorded in a bid issued by an operator.

Based on the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is pushed by a manufacturer of the terminal.

Based on the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first possible implementation manner to the fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the first frequency point can not reside, performing cell search at other frequency points, and because the first frequency point refers to a frequency point of a cell supporting ENDC, the other frequency points refer to frequency points of cells not supporting ENDC, and for convenience of description, the other frequency points are referred to as second frequency points. And if the second frequency point can reside, residing in the second frequency point.

Based on the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, even if the terminal detects that the received signal strength of the second frequency point is higher than the received signal strength of the first frequency point, the terminal still searches for a cell on the first frequency point.

Based on the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in the process of residing at the second frequency point, cell search may be performed in an idle state, and if a cell supporting a 5G networking mode is searched, cell reselection may be initiated to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode, and by adding a reselection trigger condition to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode on the basis of an existing reselection trigger condition, it is beneficial to help a terminal to access the cell supporting the 5G networking mode through cell reselection, so that a success rate of accessing the terminal to the 5G cell is improved, and user experience is improved.

Based on the seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in an eighth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, for a terminal that employs Discontinuous Reception (DRX), when there is no data transmission, power consumption may be reduced by turning off a receiving circuit thereof, so as to improve a service time of a battery thereof. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure DRX cycles, each DRX cycle including an active period and a dormant period. In the activation period of the DRX, a terminal wakes up and monitors paging messages of a resident cell according to the calculated paging time, and evaluates triggering conditions of cell reselection; and after the activation period task is completed, the terminal enters a DRX sleep period and does not receive the data of the downlink channel so as to reduce the power consumption. In order not to affect the tasks that the terminal needs to complete in the existing active period, the terminal may perform cell search after completing the active period tasks and before the next DRX active period arrives, that is, during the DRX sleep period.

Based on the seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a ninth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in the process of residing at the second frequency point, cell search may be performed in an idle state, and if a cell supporting a 5G networking mode with a channel quality better than a channel quality threshold is searched, cell reselection is initiated to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode. By comparing the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode in the reselection triggering condition with a channel quality threshold.

Based on any one of the seventh to ninth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a tenth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the performing cell search may include: carrying out cell search on the frequency point of 5G; and the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

Based on any one of the seventh to ninth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in an eleventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the performing cell search includes: carrying out cell search on frequency points of LTE; and the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.

Based on the eleventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a twelfth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the system information (e.g., SIB2) broadcasted by the LTE cell supporting endec carries an information element indicating that endec is supported.

Based on the eleventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a twelfth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the unique identifier of the ENDC-capable LTE cell is stored in a storage medium of a terminal, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell by camping on the ENDC-capable LTE cell.

A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an access control method, where if a terminal resides in an LTE cell that does not support a 5G networking mode, the terminal may perform cell search in an idle state, and if a cell that supports the 5G networking mode is searched, may initiate cell reselection to the searched cell that supports the 5G networking mode, and by adding a reselection trigger condition to the cell that supports the 5G networking mode on the basis of an existing reselection trigger condition, it is beneficial to help the terminal to access the cell that supports the 5G networking mode through cell reselection, improve a success rate of the terminal accessing the 5G cell, and improve user experience.

Based on the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, for a terminal that uses Discontinuous Reception (DRX), when there is no data transmission, power consumption may be reduced by turning off a receiving circuit of the terminal, so as to improve a service time of a battery of the terminal. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure DRX cycles, each DRX cycle including an active period and a dormant period. In the activation period of the DRX, a terminal wakes up and monitors paging messages of a resident cell according to the calculated paging time, and evaluates triggering conditions of cell reselection; and after the activation period task is completed, the terminal enters a DRX sleep period and does not receive the data of the downlink channel so as to reduce the power consumption. In order not to affect the tasks that the terminal needs to complete in the existing active period, the terminal may perform cell search after completing the active period tasks and before the next DRX active period arrives, that is, during the DRX sleep period.

Based on the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, in the process of residing at the second frequency point, cell search may be performed in an idle state, and if a cell supporting a 5G networking mode with a channel quality better than a channel quality threshold is searched, cell reselection is initiated to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode. By comparing the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode in the reselection triggering condition with a channel quality threshold.

Based on the second aspect of the present application or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, the performing cell search may specifically include: carrying out cell search on the frequency point of 5G; the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

Based on the second aspect of the present application or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, the performing cell search may specifically include: carrying out cell search on frequency points of LTE; the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.

Based on the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, the system information broadcasted by the LTE cell supporting endec carries an information element for indicating that endec is supported.

Based on the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the second aspect of the present application, the unique identifier of the LTE cell supporting endec is stored in a storage medium of a terminal, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell by camping on the LTE cell supporting endec.

A third aspect of the present application provides an access control apparatus, including: the receiving and sending module is used for firstly carrying out cell search at a first frequency point in the process of carrying out cell selection on a frequency point of LTE (Long term evolution), wherein the cell of the first frequency point supports the ENDC (dual connectivity technology) under a 5G networking mode of a 5 th generation mobile communication technology; and the processing module is used for residing in the first frequency point if the first frequency point can reside.

Based on the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the first frequency point is a historical frequency point that has been stored by the terminal or corresponds to a stored historical frequency band, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell through an LTE cell that resides on the historical frequency point or the historical frequency band.

Based on the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the first frequency point is an anchor point frequency point of a 5G non-independent NSA networking, or an anchor point frequency band corresponding to the 5G NSA networking.

Based on the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is recorded in a bid issued by an operator.

Based on the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is pushed by a manufacturer of the terminal.

Based on the third aspect or any one possible implementation manner of the first to fourth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to, if the first frequency point may not reside, perform cell search at a second frequency point, where a cell of the second frequency point does not support endec; the processing module is further configured to camp on the second frequency point if the second frequency point can camp on.

Based on the fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the received signal strength of the second frequency point detected by the terminal is higher than the received signal strength of the first frequency point.

Based on the fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to perform cell search in an idle state while residing in the second frequency point; the processing module is further configured to initiate cell reselection to a cell supporting the 5G networking mode if the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched.

Based on the seventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in an eighth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search in a sleep period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

Based on the seventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a ninth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is better than the channel quality threshold.

Based on any one of the seventh to ninth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a tenth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of 5G; the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

Based on any one of the seventh to ninth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in an eleventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of LTE; the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.

Based on the eleventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a twelfth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the system information broadcasted by the LTE cell supporting endec carries an information element indicating that endec is supported.

Based on the eleventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a thirteenth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the unique identifier of the ENDC-capable LTE cell is stored in a storage medium of a terminal, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell by camping on the ENDC-capable LTE cell.

A fourth aspect of the present embodiment provides an access control apparatus, including a transceiver module and a processing module, where the transceiver module is configured to, if the access control apparatus resides in an LTE cell that does not support a 5G networking mode, perform cell search in an idle state; the processing module is used for initiating cell reselection to the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode if the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched, and is beneficial to helping a terminal to access the cell supporting the 5G networking mode through cell reselection by increasing reselection triggering conditions to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode on the basis of the existing reselection triggering conditions, so that the success rate of the terminal accessing the 5G cell is improved, and the user experience is improved.

Based on the fourth aspect of the present application, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search in a sleep period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

Based on the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is better than the channel quality threshold.

Based on the fourth aspect of the present application or the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of 5G;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

Based on the fourth aspect of the present application or the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of LTE;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.

Based on the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the system information broadcasted by the LTE cell supporting endec carries an information element for indicating that endec is supported.

Based on the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the unique identifier of the LTE cell supporting endec is stored in a storage medium of the terminal, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell by camping on the LTE cell supporting endec.

The access control apparatus provided in the third aspect and the fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present application may be a computer device, or may be a chip in the computer device. A third aspect of embodiments of the present application has functions of implementing the embodiments of the first aspect described above, and a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present application has functions of implementing the embodiments of the second aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In one possible design, when the access control device is a computer device, the processing module in the access control device may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module may be, for example, a transceiver, which may include radio frequency circuitry.

Optionally, the access control device may further comprise a memory. The memory is configured to store computer instructions, the processing module is connected to the memory, and the processing module executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, so as to enable the access control apparatus to execute any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect or the first aspect, or to enable the access control apparatus to execute any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect or the second aspect.

In another possible design, when the access control device is a chip in a computer device, the chip includes: a processing module, which may be, for example, a processor, and a transceiver module, which may be, for example, an input/output interface, pins, or circuitry on the chip, etc. The processing module may execute computer instructions stored by the memory to cause the chip of the computer device to execute any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect or the first aspect, or to cause the access control apparatus to execute any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect.

Optionally, the memory is a storage unit in the chip, such as a register, a cache, and the like, and the memory may also be a memory located outside the chip in a computer device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the like.

The processor mentioned in any of the above may be a general Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling any one of the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned possible implementations of the first aspect, or executing a program of any one of the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned possible implementations of the second aspect by the access control apparatus.

The computer device mentioned above may be a terminal device, and common terminal devices include, for example: the smart home system comprises a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a wearable device (such as a smart watch), a smart home device (such as a smart sound or a smart television or a smart screen), an in-vehicle smart device, an unmanned device, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, a mixed reality device, an artificial intelligence device and the like.

A fifth aspect of the present application provides a computer device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor, when executing computer instructions stored by the memory, performing a method as in the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, or performing a method as in the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

A sixth aspect of the present application provides a chip product to perform a method as in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, or to perform a method as in the second aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

A seventh aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method as in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, or to perform a method as in the second aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

An eighth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method as in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, or to perform a method as in the second aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

Since each device provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used to execute the method of the corresponding embodiment, the technical effects obtained by the embodiments of the present application can refer to the corresponding method embodiment, and are not described herein again.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a 5G networking mode corresponding to option 3;

fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a 5G networking mode corresponding to option 2;

fig. 1C is a schematic view of a scenario in which a UE cannot access a 5G cell;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a state transition of a UE through cell selection and cell reselection;

fig. 3A is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cell selection method for a UE supporting an NSA mode according to the present application;

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating a refinement of step 303 of FIG. 3A;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the cell selection method of the present application;

fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a cell selection method for a UE supporting an SA mode according to the present application;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a cell reselection method in the prior art;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cell reselection method for a UE supporting an NSA mode according to the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cell reselection method for a UE supporting an NSA mode according to the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cell reselection method for a UE supporting SA mode according to the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an access control device according to the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a computer device according to the present application.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, some terms in the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

A terminal, also called User Equipment (UE), commonly referred to as UE, for example: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart sound or a smart television), an in-vehicle smart device, an unmanned device, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, a mixed reality device, an artificial intelligence device, and so on.

With the advent of the Fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G), in the initial stage of 5G application, a 5G base station or a New Radio (NR) base station starts to be used in cooperation with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station which is already in large quantity around the base station, most probably in a hot spot flower arrangement manner, and uses a 5G service in hot spots and large flow areas first. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) defines a networking architecture for a 5G new air interface networking, option 3 series, in which a UE accesses through LTE and uses 5G air interface resources through a dual connectivity technology. The dual connectivity means that the UE can maintain a connection state with multiple systems or multiple carriers to improve user experience. The 3GPP defines a Dual Connectivity technique in the 5G networking mode as endec (E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity). In the networking mode, a 5G cell or NR cell cannot provide an end-to-end service independently, but needs to provide a service by relying on a 4G cell or LTE cell, and the networking mode is referred to as NSA (Non-standard Architecture) networking.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a 5G networking mode corresponding to option 3, where both the 4G base station and the 5G base station are connected to a 4G core network, the 4G base station always serves as a master base station (i.e., MeNB), and the 5G base station serves as a slave base station (i.e., SeNB). And the control plane S1-C is terminated at the 4G base station, and the control plane information between the 4G base station and the 5G base station is interacted through an Xx-C interface. Under different networking modes corresponding to different options, the user plane has different user plane protocol architectures, and the data plane radio bearer can be independently served by the master base station or the slave base station, or can be simultaneously served by the master base station and the slave base station.

For a UE supporting NSA mode, when the UE is in the coverage area of a 5G cell, the UE needs to first camp on a 4G cell supporting 5G connection addition, and then through an addition process of EN-DC, the camping 4G cell sends RRC connection configuration information to the UE to instruct the UE to access the 5G cell to acquire 5G service. In the embodiment of the present application, a 4G cell supporting an add 5G connection is referred to as a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode. In the new standard of 3GPP, a Type2 System Information Block (SIB 2) broadcasted to the LTE cell is added with an Information element for indicating whether the current LTE cell supports EN-DC, which is as follows:

PLMN-Info-r15::＝SEQUENCE{

upperLayerIndication-r15，ENUMERATED{true}，OPTIONAL，--Need OR

}。

for the 5G New Radio (NR) networking, the 3GPP also defines a networking architecture, for example, option 2, and the networking mode adopted is a stand alone networking (SA). NSA anchors the NR control plane to the existing 4G core network, while SA deploys the NR user and control planes independently to the 5G. The SA and NSA described in the embodiments of the present application both refer to networking modes for NR. Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a 5G networking mode corresponding to option 2, and referring to fig. 1B, in the 5G networking mode corresponding to option 2, an end-to-end network of 5G needs to be deployed independently, a 5G base station and a 5G core network are newly established, and the 5G base station and the 5G core network are interconnected, so that the UE uses 5G service without accessing a 4G cell first.

For a UE supporting the SA mode, when the UE is within the coverage area of a 5G cell, the UE may access the 5G cell by:

accessing a 5G cell through a cell selection process; or residing in a 4G cell supporting reselection to a 5G cell, and initiating cell reselection to the 5G cell according to reselection information broadcast by the 4G cell to the 5G cell, so as to access the 5G cell.

In the embodiment of the present application, a 4G cell supporting reselection to a 5G cell is referred to as a 4G cell supporting the SA mode. The System Information related to cell reselection broadcasted by the 4G cell supporting the SA mode includes a 24 th Type System Information Block (SIB 24, System Information Block Type 24), the SIB24 carries reselection Information reselected from the 4G cell to the 5G cell, and based on the reselection Information carried by the UE according to the SIB24, the UE may initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell.

The UE accesses more advanced mobile communication networks and, in general, the user experience is better. According to different requirements of an operator, in an actual network deployment of 5G, the operator may use NSA to perform full-network 5G coverage, or SA to perform full-network 5G coverage, or NSA or SA or a mixed NSA/SA networking to perform 5G hotspot coverage. However, no matter which scheme is adopted by the operator to perform 5G coverage, the situation that the 5G coverage is incomplete or the network optimization is not in place exists, so that the UE cannot access the 5G cell, use the 5G service, and reduce the user experience. The network optimization is not in place, which mainly means that although 5G coverage exists in a certain area, due to the problem of network configuration, a UE cannot access a 5G cell, so that a 5G service cannot be acquired, and user experience is affected.

Fig. 1C shows two intersecting circular areas (area a and area B) on the ground, the area where area a and area B intersect is area C, the area in area a that does not intersect area B is area a, and the area in area B that does not intersect area a is area B. Assuming that area a is covered by both 4G cell 1 and 4G cell 2, and area B is covered by 5G cell 3, 4G cell 2 does not support either NSA or SA mode. In the following, a scenario of 5G coverage using NSA and a scenario of 5G coverage using SA are taken as examples, and a case where a UE cannot access a 5G cell due to a network configuration problem is analyzed.

Scenario 1, UE, 4G cell 1 and 5G cell 3 support NSA mode, UE in area a:

1.1) assuming that the UE resides in the 4G cell 1 and the UE is located in the area c, since the 4G cell 1 supports the NSA mode, the UE can access the 5G cell 3 through the addition process of EN-DC to obtain a 5G service;

1.2) assuming that the UE resides in the 4G cell 2 and the UE is located in the area c, since the 4G cell 2 does not support the NSA mode, the UE cannot access the 5G cell 3 and thus cannot obtain the 5G service.

Comparing 1.1) and 1.2), it can be known that although there is 5G coverage in the area c where the UE is located, if the 4G cell where the UE resides does not support the NSA mode, the UE will not access the 5G cell. Therefore, for a UE supporting NSA mode, the key to being able to obtain 5G services while in area c is: when the UE selects one cell from the 4G cell 1 and the 4G cell 2 to camp on in the area a, the 4G cell 1 supporting the NSA mode should be selected to camp on.

Scenario 2, UE, 4G cell 1 and 5G cell 3 support SA mode, UE moves from area a to area c:

2.1) assuming that the UE resides in the 4G cell 1 in the area a, since the 4G cell 1 supports the SA mode, when the UE enters the area c, the UE may initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell 3 according to reselection information broadcast by the 4G cell 1 to the 5G cell, access the 5G cell 3, and obtain a 5G service;

2.2) assuming that the UE resides in the 4G cell 2 in the area a, since the 4G cell 2 does not support the SA mode, the UE cannot acquire reselection information to the 5G cell, and the UE cannot initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell 3, and further cannot acquire the 5G service.

As can be seen from a comparison between 2.1) and 2.2), although the UE moves from the area a to the area c with 5G coverage, if the 4G cell where the UE resides in the area a does not support the SA mode, the UE cannot initiate reselection to the 5G cell in the area c. Therefore, for a UE supporting SA mode, the key to being able to obtain 5G services while it is in area c is: when the UE selects one cell from the 4G cell 1 and the 4G cell 2 to camp on in the area a, the 4G cell 1 supporting the SA mode should be selected to camp on.

By combining the analysis of the two scenarios, for the UE supporting the 5G networking mode (for example, supporting the NSA mode, or supporting the SA mode, or supporting both the SA mode and the NSA mode), when the UE selects one of the plurality of 4G cells to camp on, the UE should camp on the 4G cell supporting the corresponding 5G networking mode as much as possible, so as to improve the success rate of the UE subsequently accessing the 5G cell.

There are generally several typical ways for a UE to select a cell for camping: cell selection, Cell reselection, Cell handover, redirection (Redirect), Cell Change instruction (Cell Change Order), and the like. It can be seen that, in the embodiment of the present application, the manner of selecting a cell for camping includes, but is not limited to, cell selection. The cell switching, the redirection and the cell change indication need to be completed under the leading and scheduling of a network side, and the cell selection and the cell reselection are relatively autonomous execution processes of the UE.

In the 3GPP standard, a procedure of state transition of a UE through cell selection and cell reselection is defined, and fig. 2 is a flowchart of state transition of a UE through cell selection and cell reselection.

Firstly, a process of cell selection is described: referring to fig. 2, after the UE selects a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the UE may search for a suitable cell by performing initial cell selection or performing cell selection using a priori information. The a priori information generally refers to UE stored information related to cell selection, such as carrier frequency, and may also include some cell parameter information. The prior information may be factory preset information in the UE, or resident cell information in a cell selection process stored in the UE. If the UE stores the prior information, the UE generally preferentially uses the prior information to perform cell selection. The prior information generally includes a plurality of carrier frequencies, and the UE searches for a suitable cell on the stored plurality of carrier frequencies in sequence according to a certain search order. If the UE cannot find a suitable cell on each of the stored carrier frequencies, the UE may initiate initial cell selection. The initial cell selection means that the UE does not store prior information, and the UE needs to scan a supported frequency band according to its own capability so as to find a suitable cell for camping.

In the existing cell selection process, the sequence in which each carrier frequency in the prior information is stored in the UE is generally used as the search sequence, and the later the stored carrier frequency is, the earlier the sequence in the search sequence is; alternatively, the UE may measure the RSSI (received signal strength indication) of each stored carrier frequency, and take the magnitude order of the RSSI as the search order, and the carrier frequency with the larger RSSI is earlier in the search order. In addition, in the existing cell selection process, once the UE searches for a suitable cell, the UE selects the cell to camp on.

As can be seen, in the existing cell selection method, there is no mechanism for the UE to preferentially select a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode or the SA mode from among a plurality of 4G cells as a suitable cell for camping on.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application aims to enable the UE supporting the 5G networking mode to preferentially camp on the 4G cell supporting the 5G networking mode when the UE selects one of the 4G cells for camping so as to improve the success rate of the UE subsequently accessing the 5G cell, and enables the UE to access the 5G cell and use 5G service under the condition that the signal quality of the 5G cell is not very poor, so that the user experience is improved.

One design idea of the technical scheme of the application is as follows: designing a cell selection method, for UE supporting NSA mode, making the UE preferentially stay in a 4G cell supporting NSA mode; for a UE supporting the SA mode, the UE is preferentially resided in a 4G cell supporting the SA mode. The cell selection method provided by the present application is described below.

Fig. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a cell selection method applied to a UE supporting an NSA mode, where the UE can use a 5G service only through a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode, and referring to fig. 3A, an embodiment of the cell selection method of the present application may include the following steps:

301. reading the stored plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

when the UE is started, or returns to an idle state from an RRC (radio resource control) connection state, or re-enters a service area, if the UE stores prior information, the UE can select a cell by using the prior information, the cell selection generally occurs after PLMN (public land Mobile network) selection, and a cell meeting a residence condition is selected to reside as soon as possible. After the UE selects a PLMN, a priori information under the PLMN may be read, where the a priori information includes a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies. The prior information may be preset in the UE when the UE leaves the factory, or may be information of a cell that resides in a cell selection process that is previously stored.

302. Determining a target carrier frequency indicated by a carrier frequency record from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies, wherein the carrier frequency record is used for indicating the carrier frequency in which a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode is located;

the UE may store a carrier frequency record indicating the carrier frequency in which the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode is located. In one possible implementation, the UE may store a plurality of carrier frequency records, each carrier frequency record corresponding to one PLMN, and after selecting a PLMN, the UE may read the carrier frequency record corresponding to the PLMN.

After reading the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies, the UE may determine a target carrier frequency indicated by the carrier frequency record from the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies, where the target carrier frequency may be one or two or more than two.

By way of example, assuming that the a priori information stored by the UE includes 5 carrier frequencies, i.e., carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, carrier frequency C, carrier frequency D, and carrier frequency E, and the carrier frequency record includes three carrier frequencies, i.e., carrier frequency D, carrier frequency E, and carrier frequency F, which are carrier frequencies in which 4G cells supporting the NSA mode are located, then of the 5 carrier frequencies in the a priori information, the carrier frequency record indicates the target carrier frequency as carrier frequency D and carrier frequency E, or the target carrier frequency may be understood as a common carrier frequency in the a priori information and carrier frequency record.

303. Searching suitable cells on a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies according to a target searching sequence for residing;

in the target search sequence adopted in the embodiment of the present application, the order of the target carrier frequency precedes other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies, and the order of the other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies is not limited. Continuing with the example in step 302, the order in the target search order is, in order from first to last: carrier frequency D, carrier frequency E, carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, and carrier frequency C.

In one possible implementation, the order of the other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies may be consistent with the order in which the other carrier frequencies are stored in the UE, and for carrier frequencies other than the target carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies, the later the carrier frequencies are stored, the earlier the carrier frequencies are in the target search order.

Alternatively, in a possible implementation manner, the UE may measure the RSSI of each of the plurality of carrier frequencies, the precedence order of other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies may be consistent with the magnitude order of the carrier frequencies, and for other carrier frequencies other than the target carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies, the carrier frequency with the higher RSSI is in the higher order in the target search order.

Illustratively, referring to fig. 3B, step 303 may specifically include the following steps:

3031. selecting one 4G carrier frequency from the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies as a current carrier frequency according to a searching sequence, wherein the target carrier frequency is prior to other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies in the searching sequence;

3032. detecting information of a current cell on a current carrier frequency;

the UE may search for a cell on a current carrier frequency, referred to as a current cell, to obtain synchronization channel information of the current cell, such as an identifier (for example) of the current cell and a primary scrambling code, and perform slot synchronization and frame synchronization. After that, the UE may obtain information on a broadcast channel of the current cell, referred to as broadcast information, according to the obtained synchronization channel information, and measure the channel quality of the current cell. For example, the channel quality of the current cell may be one or more of a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP), and a Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ).

The UE acquiring the broadcast information of the current cell generally includes the following procedures:

a) acquiring a Master Information Block (MIB);

the MIB, which includes reference and scheduling information for most SIBs in the current cell, is periodically transmitted on a broadcast channel and its scheduling is static.

b) Acquiring System Information Blocks (SIBs);

after reading the MIB, the UE may detect SIBs required for cell selection according to scheduling Information in the MIB, including a System Information Block Type1 (SIB 1), and obtain cell selection parameters, such as a Tracking Area (TA) where a current cell is located, a PLMN of the current cell, an identifier of the current cell, and a minimum reception level of the current cell.

3033. Judging whether the current cell meets the residence condition or not according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing a step 3034, and if not, executing a step 3035;

illustratively, the residency conditions may generally include:

1) the PLMN indicated in the SIB1 broadcasted by the current cell is one of the following: selected or registered or Equivalent PLMNs, which information is provided by the NAS layer;

2) the current cell is not a forbidden cell;

3) the TA (indicated in SIB 1) where the current cell is located has at least one non-forbidden roaming TA;

4) the channel quality of the current cell meets the cell selection S criterion;

specifically, the UE may calculate an S value according to the cell selection parameter in the SIB1 and the capability of the UE itself, determine whether the channel quality of the current cell meets the requirement of the S value, and if so, determine that the channel quality of the current cell meets the cell selection S criterion; if not, judging that the channel quality of the current cell does not meet the cell selection S criterion.

Generally, if the current cell satisfies the above-mentioned each camping condition, the UE may determine that the current cell satisfies the camping condition; if the current cell does not satisfy any of the above-mentioned camping conditions, the UE may determine that the current cell does not satisfy the camping conditions.

3034. Judging the current cell as a suitable cell;

if the UE determines that the current cell is a suitable cell, the UE may camp in the current cell, enter a camping state, or enter an idle state, perform location registration, initiate a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request according to a service requirement, and transition to an RRC connection state.

3035. Judging whether the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies, if so, executing a step 3036, otherwise, executing a step 3031;

3036. determining that a suitable cell is not found using the stored plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

if it is determined that a suitable cell is not found on the stored 4G carrier frequencies, referring to fig. 2, the UE may perform initial cell selection and continue to search for a suitable cell by scanning a plurality of frequency bands supported by the UE according to its own capability.

In the embodiment of the present application, as in the prior art, when the current cell searched by the UE on the selected current carrier frequency satisfies the camping condition, the UE determines that the current cell is a suitable cell and camps on the current cell; different from the prior art, after reading a plurality of carrier frequencies, the UE finds out a target carrier frequency where a 4G cell supporting an NSA mode is located, and adjusts a search sequence, so that the target carrier frequency is selected as a current carrier frequency before other carrier frequencies, and if the UE can search for a 4G cell satisfying a camping condition on the target carrier frequency, the UE camps on the 4G cell.

The following takes the NSA deployment scenario of fig. 1C as an example, and specifically introduces differences between the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3 and the prior art.

Assuming that the 4G cell 1 corresponds to the carrier frequency D, the 4G cell 2 corresponds to the carrier frequency C, both the 4G cell 1 and the 4G cell 2 satisfy the UE camping condition, both the carrier frequency C and the carrier frequency D are recorded in the prior information, and the RSSI of the carrier frequency C is higher than that of the carrier frequency D.

1) If the UE preferentially selects the carrier frequency C as the current carrier frequency according to the existing cell selection process, the 4G cell 2 is preferentially searched, and the UE resides in the 4G cell 2 based on the 4G cell 2 meeting the residence condition. Since 4G cell 2 does not support the NSA mode, the UE cannot access 5G cell C when the UE enters area C.

2) If it is assumed that the carrier frequency record stored by the UE is used to indicate that the carrier frequency D is the carrier frequency in which the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode is located according to the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, the UE preferentially selects the carrier frequency D as the current carrier frequency, preferentially searches for the 4G cell 1, and based on that the 4G cell 1 meets the camping condition, the UE camps in the 4G cell 1. Since 4G cell 1 supports NSA mode, when the UE enters area c, the UE can access 5G cell 3 via 4G cell 1 to obtain 5G service.

The following provides a supplementary description of the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3A and 3B.

1) In step 303, if the RSSI of the target carrier frequency is too small, it indicates that a cell cannot be searched on the target carrier frequency, and if the target carrier frequency is still selected preferentially, the target carrier frequency cannot be used to camp on the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode, and the efficiency of cell selection is also reduced. In order to improve efficiency of cell selection as much as possible on the premise of preferentially camping on a 4G cell supporting an NSA mode, in one possible implementation manner, the UE may set an RSSI threshold, after the UE selects a target carrier frequency, may measure an RSSI at the target carrier frequency, and determine whether the measured RSSI is higher than the RSSI threshold, if the RSSI at the target carrier frequency is higher than the RSSI threshold, search for a suitable cell on a plurality of carrier frequencies according to a target search sequence provided in the embodiment of the present application; if the RSSI of the target carrier frequency is not higher than the RSSI threshold, the current carrier frequency is not selected according to the search order provided by the embodiment of the present application, for example, one carrier frequency may be selected from a plurality of carrier frequencies according to the existing search order as the current carrier frequency.

Illustratively, step 3031 may specifically include the following steps:

1. respectively measuring RSSI energy of a plurality of carrier frequencies;

2. setting a searching sequence of a plurality of carrier frequencies according to the RSSI energy;

suppose that the order in the search order is, from first to last: carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, carrier frequency C, carrier frequency D, and carrier frequency E, where carrier frequencies D and E are target carrier frequencies.

3. If the target carrier frequency is not prior to other carrier frequencies in the search sequence, judging whether the RSSI of the target carrier frequency is higher than the RSSI threshold value, if so, executing a step 3034, and if not, executing a step 3035;

4. adjusting the search order;

5. the search order is not adjusted;

if the RSSI of the carrier frequency D is higher than the RSSI threshold and the RSSI of the carrier frequency E is lower than the RSSI threshold, the search sequence is adjusted, and the sequence in the adjusted search sequence sequentially comprises: carrier frequency D, carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, carrier frequency C, and carrier frequency E.

2) In the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3B, the UE may perform step 3031 multiple times, and the UE performs step 3031 as explained below.

In the cell selection process, the UE needs to sequentially search for a suitable cell on multiple carrier frequencies (i.e., perform cell search and determine a camping condition for the searched cell). The UE selects one carrier frequency from the plurality of carrier frequencies as a current carrier frequency according to the search sequence, which may be understood as that, in a cell selection process, if the UE performs step 3031 for the first time, the UE may select a first carrier frequency in the search sequence as the current carrier frequency; if the UE does not perform step 3031 for the first time, the UE may select the next carrier frequency in the search sequence as the current carrier frequency, so as to perform cell search and determine the camping condition for multiple carrier frequencies one by one.

As an example, continuing to assume that the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies includes carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, carrier frequency C, carrier frequency D, and carrier frequency E, the order in the search sequence is, in order from first to last: carrier frequency D, carrier frequency a, carrier frequency B, carrier frequency C, and carrier frequency E, a specific process for selecting a current carrier frequency from a plurality of carrier frequencies by the UE according to a search sequence is described as follows: in the process of the same cell selection, when the UE executes step 303 for the first time, the UE selects a carrier frequency D as a current carrier frequency; when the UE executes step 303 for the second time, the UE selects carrier frequency a after carrier frequency D from the plurality of carrier frequencies according to the search order as the current carrier frequency; when the UE performs step 303 for the third time, the UE selects carrier frequency B subsequent to carrier frequency a from the plurality of carrier frequencies in the search order as the current carrier frequency.

3) After step 3036, the UE may perform initial cell selection and scan multiple supported frequency bands according to its own capability. In a possible implementation manner, the existing procedure of initial cell selection may be improved with reference to the foregoing scheme, for example, the UE may store a carrier frequency band record, where the carrier frequency band record is used to indicate a carrier frequency band in which a 4G cell supporting an NSA mode is located, and when the UE performs initial cell selection, the UE may select a target carrier frequency band indicated by the carrier frequency band record from a plurality of supported carrier frequency bands, and preferentially search for a suitable cell on the target carrier frequency band for camping.

4) Introduction to the carrier frequency record in step 302:

in a possible implementation manner, when adding the information of the camped 4G cell in the nonvolatile storage medium according to the prior art, the UE may add the carrier frequency record based on that the camped 4G cell supports the NSA mode, so as to indicate that the carrier frequency corresponding to the 4G cell in the current PLMN is the carrier frequency in which the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode is located. In a possible implementation manner, the UE may further add a carrier frequency band record to indicate that the carrier frequency band corresponding to the carrier frequency is the carrier frequency band in which the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode is located.

In one possible implementation, the UE may generate the carrier frequency record according to information provided by the operator or collected by the manufacturer (for example, according to a label issued by the operator), or generate the carrier frequency band record, or generate the carrier frequency record and the carrier frequency band record.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cell selection method, which is still applied to a UE supporting an NSA mode, and referring to fig. 4, another embodiment of the cell selection method of the present application may include the following steps:

401. reading the stored plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

402. determining a target carrier frequency indicated by the carrier frequency record from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

403. selecting one 4G carrier frequency from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies according to a target searching sequence as a current carrier frequency;

the target carrier frequency is prior to other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies in the target search order;

steps 401 to 403 can be understood by referring to

steps

301, 302 and 3031, respectively, and are not described herein again.

In a possible implementation manner, step 402 may not be executed, and one 4G carrier frequency is selected from the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies as the current carrier frequency in step 403 according to the existing search order (for example, the storage order of the carrier frequencies or the strength order of the RSSI).

404. Detecting information of a current cell on a current carrier frequency;

405. judging whether the current cell meets the residence condition or not according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing step 406, and if not, executing step 409;

the difference is that in the prior art, once the UE determines that the current cell meets the residence condition, the UE directly determines that the current cell is suitable for the cell to reside; in the embodiment of the present invention, after determining that the current cell satisfies the camping condition, the UE does not directly determine that the current cell is a suitable cell, but performs step 406.

406. Judging whether the current cell supports the NSA mode or not according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing step 407, and if not, executing step 408;

in one possible implementation, the UE may store a cell record indicating 4G cells that support NSA mode, e.g., the cell record may include an identification of 4G cells that support NSA mode. For example, the Identity of the 4G cell may include a cell Identity (CellIdentity) and a PLMN Identity List (PLMN-Identity List) of the 4G cell obtained by SIB1, and then the information of the current cell obtained by the UE in step 404 may include the Identity of the current cell, such as CellIdentity and PLMN-Identity List obtained in SIB1 of the current cell, and the UE may determine whether the current cell supports the NSA mode according to the stored cell record and the Identity of the current cell.

In a new standard, the 3GPP adds an information element to SIB2 to indicate whether the current cell supports EN-DC, and in a possible implementation, the information of the current cell acquired in step 404 may include SIB2 broadcasted by the current cell, and the UE may determine whether the current cell supports NSA mode according to SIB 2.

Or, in a possible implementation manner, the two previous implementation manners may be combined to determine whether the current cell supports the NSA mode, for example, in step 404, the UE may obtain the SIB1 broadcasted by the current cell to obtain the identifier of the current cell, the UE may determine whether the identifier of the current cell matches the stored cell record, if yes, it is determined that the current cell supports the NSA mode, and if not, the UE continues to obtain the SIB2 of the current cell, and determines whether the current cell supports the NSA mode according to the SIB 2.

The above implementation manner of determining whether the current cell supports the NSA mode is merely an example, and in practical application, the UE may also determine whether the current cell supports the NSA mode by using other manners.

407. Judging the current cell as a suitable cell;

if the UE determines that the current cell is a suitable cell, the UE may select to camp in the current cell.

408. Adding the information of the current cell into the candidate cell record;

the information of the current cell includes a carrier frequency in which the current cell is located, and may further include an identifier of the current cell, and the like.

409. Judging whether the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies according to the searching sequence, if not, executing step 403, and if so, executing step 410;

based on determining that the current cell does not support the NSA mode, step 408 and step 409 may be executed, but the sequence of step 408 and step 409 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

410. Selecting a cell by using the candidate cell record;

for example, a suitable cell may be searched on a carrier frequency in the candidate cell record, once a cell satisfying a residence condition is searched, the UE may select the cell as the suitable cell to reside, and if a cell satisfying the residence condition is not searched, the UE may continue to perform initial cell selection, and the specific process may be understood by referring to the existing method of performing cell selection using prior information.

Based on the fact that the current cell meets the residence condition but does not support the NSA mode, the UE adds the information of the current cell into the candidate cell record, and when the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies, the UE utilizes the candidate cell record to select the cell, so that the cell selection duration is shortened, and the user experience is improved. It should be noted that, in a possible implementation manner, step 408 and step 410 may not be executed in this embodiment, if it is determined in step 406 that the current cell does not support the NSA mode, the UE may execute step 409, and in step 409, if the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the multiple carrier frequencies, the UE may perform cell selection by using the stored multiple carrier frequencies according to an existing method.

In a possible implementation manner, based on that the current cell satisfies the camping condition but does not support the NSA mode, and the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the multiple carrier frequencies, the UE may directly select the current cell as a suitable cell for camping, without performing cell search and determining the camping condition, which is beneficial to further shortening the time length for cell selection and improving user experience.

The difference between the embodiment of the application and the prior art is mainly as follows:

in the prior art, the UE selects one 4G carrier frequency from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies in sequence as a current carrier frequency, and once a current cell searched on the current carrier frequency meets a camping condition, the UE immediately determines that the current cell is a suitable cell for camping; in the embodiment of the present application, even if the current cell searched on the current carrier frequency satisfies the camping condition, if the current cell does not support the NSA mode, the UE may continue to select the next carrier frequency from the multiple carrier frequencies as the current carrier frequency, and when a cell satisfying the camping condition and supporting the NSA mode is found, the UE determines that the cell is suitable for camping on the cell, which is beneficial to causing the UE to preferentially camp on the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode.

The following takes the NSA deployment scenario of fig. 1C as an example, and specifically introduces differences between the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4 and the prior art.

2) Regardless of the adjustment of the carrier frequency order in

steps

402 and 403, if the UE preferentially selects the carrier frequency C as the current carrier frequency according to the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, then preferentially searches for the 4G cell 2, although the 4G cell 2 satisfies the camping condition, because the 4G cell 2 does not support the NSA mode, the UE does not immediately select the 4G cell 2 as the suitable cell for camping on, but continues to search for the cell on the carrier frequency D, so as to search for the 4G cell 1, and if it is determined that the 4G cell 1 satisfies the camping condition and supports the NSA mode, the UE selects the 4G cell 1 as the suitable cell for camping on. Since 4G cell 1 supports NSA mode, when the UE enters area c, the UE can access 5G cell 3 via 4G cell 1 to obtain 5G service.

The embodiment corresponding to fig. 4 is described in addition below.

1) After step 410, if no suitable cell is found by using the candidate cell record, the UE may perform initial cell selection and scan a plurality of supported frequency bands according to its own capability. In a possible implementation manner, the existing procedure of initial cell selection may be improved with reference to the foregoing scheme, for example, the UE may store a carrier frequency band record, where the carrier frequency band record is used to indicate a carrier frequency band in which a 4G cell supporting an NSA mode is located, and when the UE performs initial cell selection, the UE may select a target carrier frequency band indicated by the carrier frequency band record from a plurality of supported frequency bands, and preferentially search for the target carrier frequency band.

2) Reference is made to the cell record mentioned in the implementation of step 406:

in one possible implementation, based on the camped 4G cell supporting the NSA mode, the UE may store information of the current cell, which is referred to as a cell record, and the cell record may include an identification of the current PLMN, the current carrier frequency, and the current cell to indicate that the cell corresponding to the identification at the current PLMN and the current carrier frequency supports the NSA mode.

In order to save storage resources, in one possible implementation, the UE may delete part of the cell records according to an aging policy, for example, delete the cell records stored for a time longer than a certain time.

3) In a possible implementation manner, step 406 may be executed before step 405, where in step 406, if it is determined that the current cell does not support the NSA mode, step 409 is executed, and if the current cell supports the NSA mode, step 405 is executed; in step 405, if the current cell satisfies the camping condition, step 407 is executed, and if the current cell does not satisfy the camping condition, step 409 is executed. It can be seen that, in this implementation, step 408 does not need to be executed, and in step 410, the UE performs cell selection using the prior information, which is not favorable for controlling the cell selection duration because the UE cannot perform cell selection using the candidate cell record, but needs to perform cell selection using all the prior information.

The cell selection method performed for the UE supporting the SA mode can be understood with reference to the corresponding embodiments of fig. 3A, 3B and 4. For example, fig. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a cell selection method, which is applied to a UE supporting an SA mode, where the UE needs to reselect to a 5G cell through a 4G cell supporting the SA mode during cell reselection, and uses a 5G service, and referring to fig. 5, another embodiment of the cell selection method of the present application may include the following steps:

501. reading the stored plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

502. determining a target carrier frequency indicated by a carrier frequency record from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies, wherein the carrier frequency record is used for indicating the carrier frequency of a 4G cell supporting the SA mode;

503. selecting one 4G carrier frequency from the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies as a current carrier frequency according to a searching sequence, wherein the target carrier frequency is prior to other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies in the searching sequence;

504. detecting information of a current cell on a current carrier frequency;

505. judging whether the current cell meets the residence condition according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing step 506, and if not, executing step 509;

506. judging whether the current cell supports the SA mode or not according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing a step 507, and if not, executing a step 508;

507. judging the current cell as a suitable cell;

508. adding the information of the current cell into the candidate cell record;

509. judging whether the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies according to the searching sequence, if not, executing a step 503, and if so, executing a step 510;

510. selecting a cell by using the candidate cell record;

the corresponding embodiment of fig. 5 is similar to the corresponding embodiment of fig. 4 in design, and the difference is mainly caused by the difference between the SA mode and the NSA mode, for example, the carrier frequency selected in step 502 records the carrier frequency used for indicating the location of the 4G cell supporting the SA mode, but not the carrier frequency used for indicating the location of the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode; for example, in step 506, the UE determines whether the current cell supports the SA mode according to the information of the current cell, instead of determining whether the current cell supports the NSA mode. Parts and beneficial effects other than the above differences in step 501 to step 510 can be understood by referring to the corresponding description of the embodiment in fig. 4, and are not described herein again.

The following introduces a method for the UE to determine whether the current cell supports the SA mode according to the information of the current cell in step 506:

in one possible implementation, the UE may store a cell record indicating information of 4G cells supporting the SA mode, and the information of 4G cells may include an identification of the 4G cells. For example, the identifier of the 4G cell may include a cell Identity (CellIdentity) and a PLMN Identity List (PLMN-Identity List) of the 4G cell obtained by the SIB1, the information of the current cell acquired in step 504 may include the identifier of the current cell, and the UE may determine whether the current cell supports the SA mode according to the stored cell record and the identifier of the current cell.

Or, in a possible implementation manner, the UE may obtain system information of the current cell, and determine whether the current cell supports the SA mode according to the system information. The SIB1 generally carries scheduling information for other system information blocks, and if the current cell supports reselection to a 5G cell, the SIB1 carries scheduling information for the SIB24, so the UE may acquire the SIB1 of the current cell, and if the SIB1 includes scheduling information for the SIB24, it may be determined that the current cell supports the SA mode, and conversely, if the SIB1 does not include scheduling information for the SIB24, it may be determined that the current cell does not support the SA mode.

Secondly, the following describes the process of cell reselection:

continuing with fig. 2, the UE may monitor the signal quality of the camped cell and the neighboring cell in the idle state to select a cell that provides better service. Cell reselection is a standard defined behavior in a mobile communication network, and referring to fig. 6, the existing cell reselection procedure generally includes the following steps:

601. in an idle state, acquiring reselection information broadcasted by a resident first cell, and measuring the signal quality of the first cell and each adjacent cell of the first cell;

602. judging whether a target neighbor cell meeting the triggering condition of cell reselection exists in each neighbor cell according to the reselection information and the measured signal quality, if so, executing a step 603, and if not, executing a step 604;

603. initiating cell reselection to a target neighbor cell;

604. and continuing to reside in the first cell.

The triggering conditions for existing cell reselection mainly include: 1. signal quality of the camped cell; 2. the quality or energy of the neighborhood; 3. reselection priorities of the neighboring cell and the current cell; 4. reselection parameters, such as thresholds for signal quality.

As can be seen from the above conventional cell reselection method, in the conventional cell reselection process, there is no mechanism for enabling the UE to preferentially initiate cell reselection to the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode or the SA mode.

Another design idea of the technical scheme of the application is as follows: designing a cell reselection method, for UE supporting NSA mode, when the UE resides in a 4G cell which does not support NSA mode, increasing a triggering condition for initiating cell reselection to the 4G cell supporting NSA mode, and increasing the probability that the UE resides in the 4G cell supporting NSA mode, thereby improving the success rate of accessing the UE to a 5G cell; for the UE supporting the SA mode, when the UE resides in the 4G cell which does not support the SA mode, the triggering condition for initiating cell reselection to the 4G cell supporting the SA mode is increased, the probability that the UE resides in the 4G cell supporting the SA mode is increased, and therefore the success rate of accessing the UE to the 5G cell is improved. The cell selection method provided by the present application is described below.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cell reselection method, applied to a UE supporting an NSA mode, where the UE can use a 5G service only through a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode, and referring to fig. 7, an embodiment of the cell reselection method according to the present application may include the following steps:

701. in an idle state, based on that a resident first 4G cell does not support an NSA mode, cell search is carried out;

702. judging whether the searched second 4G cell supports the NSA mode, if so, executing step 703, and if not, executing step 704;

the method for the UE to determine whether the first cell and the second 4G cell support the NSA mode may refer to corresponding descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, for example, the relevant description in step 406, which is not described herein again.

703. Initiating cell reselection to a second 4G cell;

704. other operations are performed.

The following takes the NSA deployment scenario of fig. 1C as an example, and specifically introduces differences between the embodiment corresponding to fig. 7 and the prior art.

It is assumed that a UE supporting the NSA mode camps on the 4G cell 2 in the area a and the signal quality of the 4G cell 2 detected by the UE is better than that of the 4G cell 1.

1) If the 4G cell 1 does not satisfy the existing triggering condition for cell reselection according to the existing cell reselection process, the UE will not initiate cell reselection to the 4G cell 1 and continue to reside in the 4G cell 2, and when the UE enters the area c, it will be difficult to access the 5G cell 3 supporting the NSA mode or the SA mode;

2) if according to the embodiment corresponding to fig. 7, although the 4G cell 1 does not satisfy the existing trigger condition for cell reselection, since the 4G cell 1 supports the NSA mode, the UE may still initiate cell reselection to the 4G cell 1, and since the 4G cell 1 supports the NSA mode, when the UE enters the area c, the UE may access the 5G cell 3 via the 4G cell 1 to obtain a 5G service.

The embodiment corresponding to fig. 7 is described in addition below.

1) For a UE using Discontinuous Reception (DRX), when there is no data transmission, the power consumption can be reduced by turning off its receiving circuit, so as to improve the service time of its battery. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure DRX cycles, each DRX cycle including an active period and a dormant period. In the activation period of DRX, UE wakes up and monitors the paging message of a first 4G cell according to the calculated paging time generally, and evaluates the triggering condition of cell reselection; after the activation period task is completed, the UE enters a DRX dormant period and does not receive data of a downlink channel so as to reduce power consumption. In a possible implementation manner, in order not to affect the task that the UE needs to complete in the existing active period, the UE may perform the cell reselection method provided in the embodiment of the present application after completing the task of the active period and before the next DRX active period arrives, or it is understood that the UE may perform the cell reselection method provided in this embodiment in the DRX dormant period in the existing DRX cycle.

2) In order to avoid power consumption loss of the UE in the idle state due to frequent execution of the embodiment procedure corresponding to fig. 7, in a possible implementation manner, when the cell where the UE resides is not changed, the embodiment procedure corresponding to fig. 7 may be executed only once. Or, in a possible implementation manner, a timer mechanism may be designed, the duration of the timer may be fixed, or may be gradually extended, for example, after step 705, the timer may be started, the interval duration T is required to start the flow of the embodiment corresponding to fig. 7 again, if cell reselection is not initiated, the timer is started again, the duration of the timer is extended, for example, increased to 2T, and so on.

3) For this reason, in a possible implementation manner, before step 703, in this embodiment of the present application, the UE sets a signal quality threshold, measures the signal quality of the second 4G cell, and based on that the signal quality of the second 4G cell is better than the signal quality threshold and the second 4G cell supports the NSA mode, the UE may initiate cell reselection to the second 4G cell.

4) In a possible implementation manner, in step 701, the UE may perform cell search according to the neighboring cell information broadcasted by the first 4G cell, or in a possible implementation manner, the UE may perform cell search according to pre-stored prior information.

The UE may detect the information of the second 4G cell according to the stored prior information, and another embodiment of the cell reselection method of the present application is described below by taking, as an example, the second 4G cell may be a 4G cell on a 4G carrier frequency in the prior information stored by the UE.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cell reselection method, applied to a UE supporting an NSA mode, where the UE can use a 5G service only through a 4G cell supporting the NSA mode, and referring to fig. 8, another embodiment of the cell reselection method of the present application may include the following steps:

801. in an idle state, reading a plurality of stored 4G carrier frequencies based on that a resident first 4G cell does not support an NSA mode;

802. determining a target carrier frequency indicated by the carrier frequency record from a plurality of 4G carrier frequencies;

the carrier frequency record is used for indicating the carrier frequency of the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode;

803. selecting one 4G carrier frequency from the plurality of 4G carrier frequencies as a current carrier frequency according to a searching sequence, wherein the target carrier frequency is prior to other carrier frequencies in the plurality of carrier frequencies in the searching sequence;

804. detecting information of a current cell on a current carrier frequency;

805. judging whether the signal quality of the current cell is better than a signal quality threshold value or not according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing a step 806, and if not, executing a step 808;

806. judging whether the current cell supports the NSA mode according to the information of the current cell, if so, executing a step 807, and if not, executing a step 808;

807. initiating cell reselection to a current cell;

808. judging whether the current carrier frequency is the last carrier frequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies, if so, executing step 809, otherwise, executing step 803;

809. performing other operations;

the information of the current cell acquired by the UE in step 804 is mainly used to perform step 805 and step 806, and the UE may perform step 804 according to the information required in step 805 and step 806.

For the description of each step in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 8, reference may be made to the description of the relevant step in the foregoing method embodiment, and details are not repeated here.

The method for the UE supporting the NSA mode to access the 4G cell supporting the NSA mode through cell reselection is described in the foregoing through the embodiments corresponding to fig. 7 and 8, and for the UE supporting the SA mode, the UE supporting the SA mode may access the 4G cell supporting the SA mode through cell reselection by a method similar to the embodiments corresponding to fig. 7 or 8, and a person skilled in the art can conceive of how to enable the UE supporting the SA mode to access the 4G cell supporting the SA mode through cell reselection by using the embodiments corresponding to fig. 7 and 8, and details are not repeated herein.

In order to improve the success rate of accessing the 5G cell by the user, the 5G cell is accessed under the condition that the signal quality of the 5G cell is not very poor, and another design idea of the technical scheme of the application is as follows: designing another cell reselection method, and for the UE supporting the SA mode, when the UE resides in a 4G cell which does not support the SA mode, providing a method for the UE to initiate cell reselection to a 5G cell which supports the SA mode, so as to improve the success rate of accessing the 5G cell by the UE. Another embodiment of the cell reselection method provided in the present application is described below.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cell reselection method, applied to a UE supporting an SA mode, and referring to fig. 9, another embodiment of the cell reselection method of the present application may include the following steps:

901. in an idle state, detecting information of a 5G cell based on that a resident 4G cell does not support an SA mode;

in an idle state, based on that a resident 4G cell does not support an SA mode, a UE supporting the SA mode may select a 5G frequency point, search for a 5G cell on the 5G frequency point, and detect information of the 5G cell, for example, channel quality of the 5G cell.

The method for the UE to determine whether the camped 4G cell supports the SA mode may refer to corresponding descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, for example, the related description of step 506, which is not described herein again.

902. Judging whether the 5G cell meets a preset cell reselection triggering condition or not according to the information of the 5G cell, if so, executing step 903, and if not, executing step 904;

since the currently camped 4G cell does not support the SA mode, a trigger condition for cell reselection to the 5G cell is not configured in the system message broadcasted by the UE, in this embodiment of the present application, the UE may customize the trigger condition for initiating cell reselection to the 5G cell, and for example, the trigger condition may include a channel quality threshold of the 5G cell.

903. Initiating reselection to the 5G cell;

904. other operations are performed.

The following takes the SA deployment scenario of fig. 1C as an example, and specifically introduces differences between the embodiment corresponding to fig. 9 and the prior art.

Assuming that the UE supporting the SA mode resides in the 4G cell 2 in the area a, the UE moves to the area c, and the channel quality of the 5G cell 3 detected by the UE in the area c is high.

1) If the 4G cell 2 does not support the SA mode according to the existing cell reselection procedure, the broadcast information does not include reselection information to the 5G cell, for example, does not include SIB24, and the UE cannot initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell 3 in the area c, so that the 5G service cannot be obtained;

2) if the embodiment corresponding to fig. 9 is adopted, although the 4G cell 2 does not support the SA mode, the broadcast information does not include reselection information to the 5G cell, the UE may search the 5G cell 3 after determining that the resident 4G cell does not support the SA mode, and if the channel quality of the 5G cell 3 is better than the channel quality threshold preset by the UE, the UE may initiate cell reselection to the 5G cell 3, access the 5G cell 3, and obtain a 5G service.

The embodiment corresponding to fig. 9 is described in addition below.

1) The UE wakes up and monitors the paging message of the 4G cell according to the calculated paging time, evaluates the trigger condition for cell reselection, and then enters a sleep state to save power. In a possible implementation manner, in order not to affect the UE to monitor the paging message broadcasted by the 4G cell, the UE may execute the method in the embodiment in the paging gap, for example, after the existing evaluation of the triggering condition for cell reselection is completed and no neighboring cell meeting the triggering condition is found, execute the process in the embodiment of the present application. The UE may enter a sleep state in step 904.

2) In order to avoid power consumption loss of the UE in the idle state due to frequent execution of the embodiment procedure corresponding to fig. 9, in a possible implementation manner, when the cell where the UE resides is not changed, the embodiment procedure corresponding to fig. 9 may be executed only once. Or, in a possible implementation manner, a timer mechanism may be designed, and the duration of the timer may be fixed or may be gradually extended, for example, after step 905, the timer may be started, the interval duration T is required to restart the flow in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 9, if cell reselection is not initiated, the timer is started again, and the duration of the timer is extended, for example, increased to 2T, and so on.

It should be understood that the specific examples in the embodiments of the present application are for the purpose of promoting a better understanding of the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

It should be understood that, in the various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

It is understood that the UE or a chip in the UE includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module for performing the above functions. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the functions described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

From the perspective of functional modules, those skilled in the art may perform functional module division on the UE or a chip in the UE according to the above method embodiments, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one functional module. The integrated functional module can be realized in a form of hardware or a form of a software functional unit.

For example, in the case where the functional units are divided in an integrated manner, fig. 10 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an access control apparatus. As shown in fig. 10, the access control apparatus 1000 may include: a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002.

In an embodiment of the access control device 1000, the transceiver module 1001 is configured to perform cell search at a first frequency point in a process of performing cell selection on a frequency point of LTE, where the cell of the first frequency point supports dual connectivity technology endec in a 5G networking mode of 5 th generation mobile communication technology; a processing module 1002, configured to reside in the first frequency point if the first frequency point can reside.

In a possible implementation manner, the first frequency point is a historical frequency point stored by the terminal or a frequency band corresponding to the stored historical frequency point, and the terminal accesses the 5G cell through an LTE cell residing on the historical frequency point or the historical frequency band.

In a possible implementation manner, the first frequency point is an anchor point frequency point of a 5G non-independent NSA networking, or an anchor point frequency band corresponding to the 5G NSA networking.

In a possible implementation manner, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is recorded in a standard issued by an operator.

In a possible implementation manner, the anchor point frequency point or the anchor point frequency band is pushed by a manufacturer of the terminal.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 1001 is further configured to, if the first frequency point may not reside, perform cell search at a second frequency point, where a cell of the second frequency point does not support the endec; the processing module 1002 is further configured to camp on the second frequency point if the second frequency point can camp on.

In a possible implementation manner, the received signal strength of the second frequency point detected by the terminal is higher than the received signal strength of the first frequency point.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 1001 is further configured to perform cell search in an idle state while residing in the second frequency point; the processing module 1002 is further configured to initiate cell reselection to a cell supporting a 5G networking mode if the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to perform cell search in a sleep period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

In one possible implementation, the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is better than a channel quality threshold.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of 5G; the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of LTE; the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.

In one possible implementation manner, the system information broadcasted by the LTE cell supporting the endec carries an information element for indicating that the endec is supported.

In one possible implementation, the unique identity of the ENDC enabled LTE cell is stored in a storage medium of the terminal, and the terminal has ever accessed the 5G cell by camping on the ENDC enabled LTE cell.

In another embodiment of the access control apparatus 1000, the transceiver module 1001 is configured to, if the LTE cell does not support the 5G networking mode, perform cell search in an idle state; the processing module 1002 is configured to, if a cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched, initiate cell reselection to the searched cell supporting the 5G networking mode, and increase a reselection trigger condition to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode on the basis of an existing reselection trigger condition, so as to help a terminal access the cell supporting the 5G networking mode through cell reselection, improve a success rate of accessing the terminal to the 5G cell, and improve user experience.

In a possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect of the present application, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency point of 5G; the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.

In an example, the access control apparatus 1000 may be a computer device, and specifically may be a terminal device, and the processing module in the access control apparatus 1000 may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module may be, for example, a transceiver, and the transceiver may include a radio frequency circuit. Optionally, the access control device 1000 may further include a memory. The memory is used for storing computer instructions, the processing module is connected with the memory, and the processing module executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the access control device 1000 executes the method of the above embodiment. A processor in the computer device may perform baseband processing and radio frequency processing on the signals, and a transceiver, such as an antenna, may perform receiving and transmitting of the signals.

Referring to fig. 11, which is a schematic diagram of a computer device 1100 provided in the present application, the access control apparatus 1000 may be the computer device 1100 shown in fig. 11. The computer device may include: processor Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 1110, memory 1120, input unit 1130, display unit 1140, sensors 1150, audio circuitry 1160, wireless fidelity (WiFi) module 1170, processor 1180, and power supply 1190.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer device architecture illustrated in FIG. 11 is not intended to be limiting of computer devices and may include more or less components than those illustrated, or combinations of certain components, or different arrangements of components.

The various components of the computer device 1100 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11:

the RF circuit 1110 may be used for receiving and transmitting signals during information transmission and reception or during a call, and in particular, receives downlink information of a network device and then processes the downlink information to the processor 1180; in addition, the data for designing uplink is sent to the network side equipment.

In general, RF circuit 1110 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), a duplexer, and the like.

In addition, the RF circuitry 1110 may also communicate with networks and other devices via wireless communications.

The wireless communication may use any communication standard or protocol, including but not limited to global system for mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), email, Short Message Service (SMS), etc.

The memory 1120 may be used to store software programs and modules, and the processor 1180 may execute various functional applications and data processing of the computer device by operating the software programs and modules stored in the memory 1120.

The memory 1120 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, an application program required for at least one function; the storage data area may store data created according to use of the computer device, and the like. Further, the memory 1120 may include high speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid state storage device.

The input unit 1130 may be used to receive input numeric or character information and generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the computer apparatus.

Specifically, the input unit 1130 may include a touch panel 1131 and other input devices 1132. Touch panel 1131, also referred to as a touch screen, can collect touch operations of a user on or near the touch panel 1131 (for example, operations of the user on or near touch panel 1131 by using any suitable object or accessory such as a finger or a stylus pen), and drive corresponding connection devices according to a preset program. The input unit 1130 may include other input devices 1132 in addition to the touch panel 1131. In particular, other input devices 1132 may include, but are not limited to, one or more of a physical keyboard, function keys (e.g., volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, a joystick, and the like.

The display unit 1140 may be used to display information input by a user or information provided to a user and various menus of a computer device. The display unit 1140 may include a display panel 1141, and optionally, the display panel 1141 may be configured in the form of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like. Further, the touch panel 1131 can cover the display panel 1141, and when the touch panel 1131 detects a touch operation on or near the touch panel, the touch panel is transmitted to the processor 1180 to determine the type of the touch event, and then the processor 1180 provides a corresponding visual output on the display panel 1141 according to the type of the touch event. Although in fig. 11, touch panel 1131 and display panel 1141 are shown as two separate components to implement input and output functions of a computer device, in some embodiments, touch panel 1131 and display panel 1141 may be integrated to implement input and output functions of a computer device.

The computer device may also include at least one sensor 1150, such as a light sensor, motion sensor, and other sensors. Specifically, the light sensor may include an ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display panel 1141 according to the brightness of ambient light, and a proximity sensor that turns off the display panel 1141 and/or the backlight when the computer device is moved to the ear. As one type of motion sensor, an accelerometer sensor can detect the magnitude of acceleration in each direction (generally three axes), detect the magnitude and direction of gravity when stationary, and can be used for applications (such as horizontal and vertical screen switching, related games, magnetometer attitude calibration) for recognizing the attitude of a computer device, and related functions (such as pedometer and tapping) for vibration recognition; as for other sensors such as a gyroscope, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, and an infrared sensor, which can be configured on the computer device, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The speaker 1161 and microphone 1162 may provide an audio interface between a user and a computer device. The audio circuit 1160 may transmit the electrical signal converted from the received audio data to the speaker 1161, and convert the electrical signal into a sound signal for output by the speaker 1161; on the other hand, the microphone 1162 converts the collected sound signals into electrical signals, which are received by the audio circuit 1160 and converted into audio data, which are then processed by the audio data output processor 1180, and then passed through the RF circuit 1110 to be transmitted to another device, for example, or output to the memory 1120 for further processing.

WiFi belongs to short-range wireless transmission technology, and the computer device can help the user send and receive e-mail, browse web page and access streaming media, etc. through the WiFi module 1170, which provides wireless broadband internet access for the user. Although fig. 11 shows the WiFi module 1170, it is understood that it does not belong to the essential constitution of the computer device, and may be omitted entirely as needed within the scope not changing the essence of the invention.

The processor 1180 is a control center of the computer device, connects various parts of the whole computer device by using various interfaces and lines, and performs various functions of the computer device and processes data by running or executing software programs and/or modules stored in the memory 1120 and calling data stored in the memory 1120, thereby monitoring the computer device as a whole. The processor 1180 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and an NP, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in this application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in this application may be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor. Although only one processor is shown in the figure, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of processors or a processor may comprise a plurality of processing units. Specifically, the processor 1180 may be a single-core processor, or may be a multi-core or many-core processor. The processor 1180 may be an ARM architecture processor. Optionally, the processor 1180 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operating systems, user interfaces, application programs, and the like, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communications. It will be appreciated that the modem processor described above may not be integrated within processor 1180.

The computer device further includes a power supply 1190 (e.g., a battery) for providing power to the various components, and preferably, the power supply 1190 is logically coupled to the processor 1180 via a power management system such that the power management system may perform the functions of managing charging, discharging, and power consumption.

Although not shown, the computer device may further include a camera, a bluetooth module, etc., which will not be described herein.

The computer device provided by the embodiment of the application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a wearable device (such as a smart watch), a smart home device (such as a smart sound or a smart television), an in-vehicle smart device, an unmanned device, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, a mixed reality device, an artificial intelligence device and the like.

In one example, the access control apparatus 1000 may be a chip in a computer device, and the chip includes a processing module 1002 and a transceiver module 1001. The transceiver module 1001 may be implemented by a transceiver and the processing module 1002 may be implemented by a processor. The transceiver module 1001 may be, for example, an input/output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing module 1002 can execute computer-executable instructions stored by the memory unit. The memory is a storage unit in the chip, such as a register, a cache, and the like, and the storage unit may also be a storage unit located outside the chip in the computer device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the like.

When the hardware implementation is used, the functions of one of the modules may be respectively completed by a plurality of processing chips, or the functions of a plurality of the modules may be completed by one chip. In practical applications, for reasons of cost, performance, technology, etc., one chip is generally used to implement functions of a plurality of modules, and the chip type may be a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or a chip with similar functions.

The above-described embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof, and when implemented using software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product.

The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the application to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that is integrated with one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application and in the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and are merely descriptive of the various embodiments of the application and how objects of the same nature can be distinguished. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the embodiments of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

In the embodiments of the present application, various illustrations are made for the sake of an understanding of aspects. However, these examples are merely examples and are not meant to be the best mode of carrying out the present application.

The technical solutions provided by the present application are introduced in detail, and the present application applies specific examples to explain the principles and embodiments of the present application, and the descriptions of the above examples are only used to help understand the method and the core ideas of the present application; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

An access control method, comprising:

in the process of cell selection on a frequency point of LTE (Long term evolution), cell search is firstly carried out on a first frequency point, and the cell of the first frequency point supports a dual connectivity technology ENDC in a 5G networking mode of a 5 th generation mobile communication technology;

and if the first frequency point can reside, residing in the first frequency point.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first frequency point is a historical frequency point stored by a terminal or corresponds to a stored historical frequency band, and wherein the terminal accesses a 5G cell through an LTE cell residing on the historical frequency point or the historical frequency band.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first frequency point is an anchor frequency point for 5G non-independent NSA networking or an anchor frequency band corresponding to 5G NSA networking.
The method of claim 3, wherein the anchor frequency point or the anchor frequency band is recorded in a standard issued by an operator.
The method of claim 3, wherein the anchor frequency point or the anchor frequency band is pushed by a manufacturer of the terminal.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

if the first frequency point can not reside, performing cell search at a second frequency point, wherein the cell of the second frequency point does not support ENDC;

and if the second frequency point can reside, residing in the second frequency point.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the received signal strength of the second frequency point detected by the terminal is higher than the received signal strength of the first frequency point.
The method of claim 6, wherein the camping on the second frequency point comprises:

in an idle state, carrying out cell search;

and if the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched, initiating cell reselection to the cell supporting the 5G networking mode.
The method of claim 8, wherein the performing the cell search comprises:

the cell search is performed during a sleep period of the discontinuous reception cycle.
The method of claim 8, wherein the channel quality of the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is better than a channel quality threshold.
The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said performing cell search comprises:

carrying out cell search on the frequency point of 5G;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.
The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said performing cell search comprises:

carrying out cell search on frequency points of LTE;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.
The method of claim 12, wherein system information broadcast by the ENDC capable LTE cell carries an information element indicating ENDC support.
The method of claim 12, wherein the unique identity of the ENDC capable LTE cell is stored in a storage medium of a terminal, and wherein the terminal has accessed a 5G cell by camping on the ENDC capable LTE cell.
An access control device, comprising:

the receiving and sending module is used for firstly carrying out cell search at a first frequency point in the process of carrying out cell selection on a frequency point of LTE (Long term evolution), wherein the cell of the first frequency point supports the ENDC (dual connectivity technology) under a 5G networking mode of a 5 th generation mobile communication technology;

and the processing module is used for residing in the first frequency point if the first frequency point can reside.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first frequency point is a historical frequency point stored by a terminal or corresponds to a stored historical frequency band, and wherein the terminal has accessed a 5G cell via an LTE cell residing on the historical frequency point or the historical frequency band.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first frequency point is an anchor frequency point for 5G non-independent NSA networking or an anchor frequency band corresponding to 5G NSA networking.
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the anchor frequency point or the anchor frequency band is recorded in a label issued by an operator.
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the anchor frequency point or the anchor frequency band is pushed by a manufacturer of the terminal.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the transceiver module is further configured to, if the first frequency point may not reside, perform cell search at a second frequency point, where a cell of the second frequency point does not support endec;

the processing module is further configured to camp on the second frequency point if the second frequency point can camp on.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the received signal strength of the second frequency point detected by the terminal is higher than the received signal strength of the first frequency point.
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the transceiver module is further configured to perform cell search in an idle state while camped on the second frequency point;

the processing module is further configured to initiate cell reselection to a cell supporting the 5G networking mode if the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is searched.
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transceiver module is configured to perform cell search during a sleep period of a discontinuous reception cycle.
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the channel quality of the cell supporting 5G networking mode is better than a channel quality threshold.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on a frequency of 5G;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is a 5G cell.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the transceiver module is specifically configured to perform cell search on frequency points of LTE;

the cell supporting the 5G networking mode is an LTE cell supporting ENDC.
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein system information broadcast by the ENDC capable LTE cell carries an information element indicating ENDC support.
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the unique identity of the ENDC capable LTE cell is stored in a storage medium of a terminal, and wherein the terminal has accessed a 5G cell by camping on the ENDC capable LTE cell.
A computer device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor when executing computer instructions stored by the memory performing the method of any of claims 1 to 14.
A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 14.
A computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.