In MR-DC, a PSCell change does not always require a security key change.
If a security key change is required, this is performed through a synchronous SCG reconfiguration procedure towards the UE involving random access on PSCell and a security key change, during which the MAC entity configured for SCG is reset and RLC configured for SCG is re-established regardless of the bearer type(s) established on SCG. For SN terminated bearers, PDCP is re-established. In all MR-DC options, to perform this procedure within the same SN, the SN Modification procedure as described in
clause 10.3 is used, setting the PDCP Change Indication to indicate that a S-
KgNB (for EN-DC, NGEN-DC and NR-DC) or S-
KeNB (for NE-DC) update is required when the procedure is initiated by the SN or including the SgNB Security Key / SN Security Key when the procedure is initiated by the MN. In all MR-DC options, to perform a PSCell change between different SN nodes, the SN Change procedure as described in
clause 10.5 is used.
If a security key change is not required (only possible in EN-DC, NGEN-DC and NR-DC), this is performed through a synchronous SCG reconfiguration procedure without security key change towards the UE involving random access on PSCell, during which the MAC entity configured for SCG is reset and RLC configured for SCG is re-established regardless of the bearer type(s) established on SCG. For DRBs using RLC AM mode PDCP data recovery applies, and for DRBs using RLC UM no action is performed in PDCP. For SRB3 PDCP may discard all stored SDUs and PDUs. Unless MN terminated SCG or split bearers are configured, this does not require MN involvement. In this case, if location information was requested for the UE, the SN informs the MN about the PSCell change (as part of location information) using the SN initiated SN modification procedure independently from the reconfiguration of the UE. In case of MN terminated SCG or split bearers, the SN initiated SN Modification procedure as described in
clause 10.3 is used, setting the PDCP Change Indication to indicate that a PDCP data recovery is required. If the MN subscribes to PSCell changes to retrieve the SCG UE history information, the SN informs the MN about the SCG UE history information using the SN initiated SN modification procedure when the SCG UE history information changes.
A Conditional PSCell Change (CPC) is defined as a PSCell change that is executed by the UE when execution condition(s) is met. The UE starts evaluating the execution condition(s) upon receiving the CPC configuration, and stops evaluating the execution condition(s) once PSCell change or PCell change is triggered. Intra-SN CPC without MN involvement, inter-SN CPC initiated either by MN or SN are supported.
The following principles apply to CPC:
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The CPC configuration contains the configuration of CPC candidate PSCell(s) and execution condition(s) and may contain the MCG configuration for inter-SN CPC, to be applied when CPC execution is triggered.
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An execution condition may consist of one or two trigger condition(s) (see CondEvent, as defined in TS 38.331 or TS 36.331). Only single RS type and at most two different trigger quantities (e.g. RSRP and RSRQ, RSRP and SINR, etc.) can be used for the evaluation of CPC execution condition of a single candidate PSCell.
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Before any CPC execution condition is satisfied, upon reception of PSCell change command or PCell change command, the UE executes the PSCell change procedure as described in clause 10.3 and 10.5 or the PCell change procedure as described in clause 9.2.3.2 of TS 38.300 or clause 10.1.2.1 of TS 36.300, regardless of any previously received CPC configuration. Upon the successful completion of PSCell change procedure or PCell change procedure, the UE releases all stored CPC configurations.
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While executing CPC, the UE is not required to continue evaluating the execution condition of other candidate PSCell(s) or PCell(s).
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Once the CPC procedure is executed successfully, the UE releases all stored conditional reconfigurations (i.e. for CPC and for CHO, as specified in TS 38.300 or TS 36.300).
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Upon the release of SCG, the UE releases the stored CPC configurations.
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MN can inform SN of the maximum number of conditional reconfigurations the SN is allowed to configure for SN initiated CPC including both intra-SN and inter-SN CPC.
CPC configuration in HO command, in PSCell addition/change command or within any conditional reconfiguration (i.e CPA, CPC or CHO configuration) is not supported.
An SCG LTM is defined as a PSCell cell switch procedure that the network triggers via MAC CE. Only intra-SN SCG LTM without MN involvement is supported.