A communication method and a communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can realize the transmission of cell coverage status indication under a centralized unit-distributed unit (CU-DU) separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance. The communication method includes: the distributed unit DU of the first network device determines a first coverage indication; the DU of the first network device sends a first coverage indication and a first identifier to the centralized unit CU of the first network device, and the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, the cell replacement information of the first cell, and the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In the process of network planning and network optimization, coverage capacity optimization (CCO) is an important factor in measuring the performance of the entire network. In the long-term evolution (LTE) system, CCO mainly solves the coverage and capacity of the cell. Among them, the coverage problems that may exist in the cell in the existing network include: weak coverage, over-coverage, cross-area coverage, and unbalanced uplink and downlink cells. For cell coverage optimization, the LTE system supports coverage status indication, that is, a base station can send the coverage status of the cell under the base station to the adjacent base station, so that the adjacent base station can obtain the coverage status of the base station. The adjacent base station can adjust the antenna-related parameters according to the coverage status of the base station obtained.

[0003] Currently, the communication system supports a centralized unit (CU)-distributed unit (DU) separation architecture. In the CU-DU separation architecture, how to indicate the coverage status of a cell is a problem that is not considered in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can realize the transmission of cell coverage status indication under a CU-DU separation architecture, thereby helping to improve network performance.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, including: first, a distributed unit DU of a first network device determines a first coverage indication, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; then, the distributed unit DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication and a first identifier to a centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell. Therefore, the DU of the first network device can determine one or more of the first coverage indications and provide the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device, thereby realizing the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the DU of the first network device receives a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a second cell, a cell planning status indication of the second cell, and cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Here, the second coverage indication is a coverage indication of a neighboring cell. The second cell represents a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0007] That is, the DU of the first network device may obtain the cell coverage indication of the neighboring cell from the CU of the first network device.

[0008] Optionally, the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier is obtained by the CU of the first network device from a neighboring area. For example, the CU of the first network device receives the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier from the CU of the second network device. The second network device is a neighboring station.

[0009] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the DU of the first network device can determine the cell coverage status of the first cell in the first coverage indication, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0010] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell; the communication method further includes: the DU of the first network device receives the third coverage indication and the first identifier from the CU of the first network device, and the third coverage indication includes the cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the DU of the first network device can determine the cell coverage status of the first cell in the first coverage indication and the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and then obtain the cell replacement information of the first cell in the first coverage indication from the CU of the first network device.

[0011] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: first, a centralized unit CU of a first network device receives a first coverage indication and a first identifier from a distributed unit DU of the first network device, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; then, the CU of the first network device manages the first cell using the first coverage indication. Therefore, the CU of the first network device can receive the first coverage indication from the DU of the first network device, thereby realizing the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a second cell, a cell planning status indication of the second cell, and cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Here, the second coverage indication is a coverage indication of a neighboring cell. The second cell represents a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0013] That is, the CU of the first network device may send the cell coverage indication of the neighboring cell to the DU of the first network device.

[0014] Optionally, the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier is obtained by the CU of the first network device from the neighboring area. After obtaining the coverage indication of the neighboring area, the CU of the first network device can adjust antenna-related parameters based on the coverage indication of the neighboring area. For example, the CU of the first network device receives the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier from the CU of the second network device. The second network device is a neighboring station.

[0015] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell in the first coverage indication can all be determined by the DU of the first network device. The CU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication determined by the DU of the first network device.

[0016] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell; the communication method further includes: the CU of the first network device sends a third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device, and the third coverage indication includes the cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the cell coverage status of the first cell in the first coverage indication and the cell planning status indication of the first cell are determined by the DU of the first network device. And the cell replacement information of the first cell in the first coverage indication is determined by the CU of the first network device.

[0017] Optionally, the CU of the first network device may also send the coverage configuration of the first cell (for example, the fourth coverage indication, the fourth coverage indication including: the coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, the cell replacement information of the first cell) to the CU of the second network device, so that the neighboring cell obtains the coverage configuration of the first cell, so as to facilitate the neighboring station to adjust antenna-related parameters, etc.

[0018] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, including: first, a centralized unit CU of a first network device determines a first coverage indication, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; then, the centralized unit CU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication and a first identifier to a distributed unit DU of the first network device, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell. Therefore, the CU of the first network device can determine one or more of the first coverage indications and provide the first coverage indication to the DU of the first network device, thereby realizing the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0019] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the CU of the first network device can determine the cell coverage status of the first cell in the first coverage indication, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the second cell, the cell planning status indication of the second cell, the cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Here, the second coverage indication is a coverage indication of a neighboring cell. The second cell represents a neighboring cell of the first cell. That is, the CU of the first network device can send the cell coverage indication of the neighboring cell to the DU of the first network device.

[0021] Optionally, the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier is obtained by the CU of the first network device from a neighboring cell. After obtaining the coverage indication of the neighboring cell, the CU of the first network device may adjust antenna-related parameters and the like based on the coverage indication of the neighboring cell.

[0022] Optionally, the communication method further includes: the CU of the first network device acquires multiple coverage configurations; the CU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations. That is, the CU of the first network device can select a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication.

[0023] Optionally, the CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the CU of the first network device configures the multiple coverage configurations for the CU of the first network device. In the case where the OAM of the CU and the OAM of the DU are different OAMs, the OAM of the CU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the CU of the first network device. Then, the CU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication.

[0024] Optionally, the CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: the CU of the first network device receives the multiple coverage configurations from the DU of the first network device, and the multiple coverage configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the DU of the first network device. That is to say, in the case where the OAM of the CU and the OAM of the DU are different OAMs, the OAM of the DU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device. Then, the DU of the first network device sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device, and the CU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as a first coverage indication.

[0025] Optionally, the CU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication, including: the CU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication from the DU of the first network device, including, wherein the first coverage indication is determined by the DU of the first network device for the first cell among the multiple coverage configurations, and the multiple coverage configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the DU of the first network device. That is to say, in the case where the OAM of the CU and the OAM of the DU are different OAMs, the OAM of the DU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device. Then, the DU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication, and sends the selected coverage configuration to the CU of the first network device.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: first, a distributed unit DU of a first network device receives a first coverage indication and a first identifier from a centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and a cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; then, the DU of the first network device manages the first cell using the first coverage indication. Therefore, the DU of the first network device can receive the first coverage indication from the CU of the first network device, thereby realizing the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0027] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. Therefore, the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell in the first coverage indication may all be determined by the CU of the first network device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the DU of the first network device receives a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the second cell, the cell planning status indication of the second cell, the cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Here, the second coverage indication is a coverage indication of a neighboring cell. The second cell represents a neighboring cell of the first cell. That is, the DU of the first network device can receive a cell coverage indication of a neighboring cell sent by the CU of the first network device.

[0029] Optionally, the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier is obtained by the CU of the first network device from a neighboring area.

[0030] Optionally, the communication method also includes: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device; the DU of the first network device sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device. That is to say, in the case where the OAM of the CU and the OAM of the DU are different OAMs, the OAM of the DU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device. Then, the DU of the first network device sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device, and the CU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as a first coverage indication.

[0031] Optionally, the communication method also includes: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures the multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device; the DU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication for the first cell based on the multiple coverage configurations; the DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device. That is to say, in the case where the OAM of the CU and the OAM of the DU are different OAMs, the OAM of the DU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device. Then, the DU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication, and sends the selected coverage configuration to the CU of the first network device.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a distributed unit DU and a centralized unit CU;

[0035] In a possible design, the distributed unit DU is used to execute the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect; the centralized unit CU is used to execute the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0036] Alternatively, in another possible design, the centralized unit CU is used to execute the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect; the distributed unit DU is used to execute the fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the fourth aspect. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device also includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0038] In one implementation, the communication device is a DU entity. When the communication device is a DU entity, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0039] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a DU entity. When the communication device is a chip configured in a DU entity, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0040] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0041] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device also includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0042] In one implementation, the communication device is a CU entity. When the communication device is a CU entity, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0043] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in the CU entity. When the communication device is a chip configured in the CU entity, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0044] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0046] In the specific implementation process, the processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation methods of the processor and various circuits.

[0047] In an eleventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory. The processor is used to read instructions stored in the memory, and can receive signals through a receiver and transmit signals through a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0048] Optionally, the number of the processors is one or more, and the number of the memories is one or more.

[0049] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0050] In the specific implementation process, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or can be set on different chips respectively. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0051] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, such as sending indication information, can be a process of outputting indication information from a processor, and receiving capability information can be a process of receiving input capability information from a processor. Specifically, the processed output data can be output to a transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from a receiver. Among them, the transmitter and the receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0052] The device in the above-mentioned eleventh aspect can be a chip, and the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. The memory can be integrated in the processor or can be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0053] In the twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0054] In the thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction) which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0055] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the aforementioned distributed unit DU and / or centralized unit CU. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system using an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application is applied;

[0058] Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application is applied;

[0059] Figure 4 is a schematic interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 is a schematic interaction diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of the network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0065] For example, the features or contents marked with dotted lines in the drawings involved in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as optional operations or optional structures of the embodiments.

[0066] In the embodiments of the present application, "plurality" refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0067] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE centralized unit (CU) - distributed unit (DU) scenario, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), 5G CU-DU scenario, etc.

[0068] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the architecture of the mobile communication system used in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the mobile communication system includes a core network device 110, an access network device 120 and at least one terminal device (such as Figure 1 The terminal device 130 and the terminal device 140 in the figure). The terminal device is connected to the access network device by wireless means, and the access network device is connected to the core network device by wireless or wired means. The core network device and the access network device can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the access network device can be integrated on the same physical device, or the functions of some core network devices and some access network devices can be integrated on one physical device. The terminal device can be fixed in place or movable. Figure 1 This is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of core network devices, wireless access network devices and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system.

[0069] The access network may be an access network that uses different access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access technology (e.g., wireless access technology used in 3G, 4G, or 5G systems) and non-3GPP access technology. 3GPP access technology refers to access technology that complies with 3GPP standards and specifications. An access network that uses 3GPP access technology is called a Radio Access Network (RAN), where the access network equipment in a 5G system is called a next generation Node Base station (gNB). Non-3GPP access technology refers to access technology that does not comply with 3GPP standards and specifications, such as air interface technology represented by access points (APs) in wifi. An access network that implements access network functions based on wireless communication technology may be called a radio access network (RAN). The 5G wireless access network of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) may be called a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN).

[0070] The access network device is an access device that the terminal device accesses to the mobile communication system by wireless means. The access network device may be a radio access network RAN ​​device, a base station NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next-generation base station gNB in ​​a 5G mobile communication system, a transmission point, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit DU, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. In some deployments, the gNB may include a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services to implement the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers. DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services to implement the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer and the physical (PHY) layer. AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing and related functions of active antennas. Since the information of the RRC layer will eventually become the information of the PHY layer, or be converted from the information of the PHY layer, therefore, under this architecture, high-level signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by DU, or, sent by DU+AAU. It can be understood that the network device can be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in the access network, and the CU can also be divided into a network device in the core network (CN), and this application does not limit this.

[0071] Terminal equipment may also be called terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. Terminal equipment may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0072] The access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0073] The embodiments of the present application may be applicable to downlink signal transmission, uplink signal transmission, and device-to-device (D2D) signal transmission. For downlink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a wireless access network device, and the corresponding receiving device is a terminal device. For uplink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is a wireless access network device. For D2D signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is also a terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the transmission direction of the signal.

[0074] The access network device and the terminal device, as well as the terminal device and the terminal device, can communicate through the licensed spectrum (licensed spectrum), can also communicate through the unlicensed spectrum (unlicensed spectrum), or can communicate through the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time. The access network device and the terminal device, as well as the terminal device and the terminal device, can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), can also communicate through the spectrum above 6G, and can also communicate using the spectrum below 6G and the spectrum above 6G at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used between the access network device and the terminal device.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device or a network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also called main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through a process, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be a terminal device or a network device, or a functional module in a terminal device or a network device that can call a program and execute a program.

[0076] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as methods, devices or products using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "product" used in this application covers computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable device, carrier or medium. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks or tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0077] Figure 2 is another communication architecture diagram using the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the core network device 103, for example, the 5th generation core network (5GC) can be connected to a complete access network device 101, such as a gNB, or to an access network device 102 including a centralized unit (CU) 201 and a distributed unit (DU) 202. It can be understood that CU 201 and DU 202 can be physical entities or software or virtualized units (or modules). It can also be understood that CU 201 and DU 202 can be deployed on the same device or on different devices, without limitation.

[0078] CU201 and DU202 can be software-based or virtualized. Radio access network functions that require flexible combination will run in CU201, such as the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Resource Control (RRC) and other high-level functions; while RAN functions that are strongly related to hardware and have high real-time requirements will run in DU202, such as the Radio Link Control Protocol (RLC) layer, physical layer (PHY), Media Access Control (MAC) and other low-level functions.

[0079] CU201 and DU202 are connected via a communication interface. CU201 and the core network device are also connected via a communication interface. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface between CU201 and DU202 can be called an F1 interface. The interface between CU201 and the core network device can be called an N2 interface or an NG interface. Figure 2 As shown, an access network device 102 may include a CU 201 and one or more DUs 202. The CU 201 and the DU 202 are connected using an F1 interface. A DU 202 can only be connected to one CU 201, and a CU 201 can be connected to one or more DUs 202.

[0080] For example, taking the access network device 102 as a gNB, the gNB may include one or more gNB-DUs and a gNB-CU. A gNB-DU is connected to a gNB-CU, and a gNB-CU may be connected to multiple gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU and the gNB-DUs connected to it appear to be one gNB in ​​the eyes of other gNBs and 5GC.

[0081] Figure 3 is Figure 2Based on the architecture, a new architecture is proposed, that is, the CU includes a centralized unit-user plane (CU-UP) 301 and a centralized unit-control plane (CU-CP) 302. Among them, CU-UP301 and CU-CP302 can be on different physical devices. There can be an open interface between CU-UP301 and CU-CP302, which can be called an E1 interface. At the same time, CU-UP301 and CU-CP302 can have their own interfaces with DU. For example, the interface between CU-CP302 and DU can be called F1-C interface, and the interface between CU-UP301 and DU can be called F1-U interface.

[0082] against Figure 3 The architecture may have the following characteristics: an access network device 102 may include a CU-CP302, one or more CU-UP302, and multiple DUs. A DU may be connected to a CU-CP302. A CU-UP301 may only be connected to one CU-CP302. A DU may be connected to multiple CU-UP301s under the control of the same CU-CP302. A CU-UP301 may be connected to multiple DUs under the control of the same CU-CP302.

[0083] For example, taking the access network device 102 as a gNB, a gNB-DU and a gNB-CU-UP are both connected to only one gNB-CU-CP. Under the control of the same gNB-CU-CP, a gNB-DU can be connected to multiple gNB-CU-UPs, and a gNB-CU-UP can be connected to multiple gNB-DUs.

[0084] Understandably, Figures 1 to 3 The communication system in the embodiment is only described as an example and does not limit the protection scope of the embodiment of the present application. The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can also be used in other communication systems.

[0085] In the current network planning or network optimization process, how to transmit the coverage status of a cell in the scenario of CU-DU separation is not considered. The present application provides a communication method that can realize the transmission of cell coverage status indication in a CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0086] Figure 4 Schematic interaction diagram of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. It can be understood that Figure 4Part or all of the information exchanged between the CU and the DU in the protocol may be carried in an existing message, channel, signal or signaling, or may be a newly defined message, channel, signal or signaling, without specific limitation. For example, part or all of the information exchanged between the CU and the DU may be carried in an existing F1 interface message, or may be carried in a newly defined F1 interface message. It can also be understood that the first network device in the following text may be the access network device mentioned above, for example, Figure 1 The access network device 120 in the embodiment of the present invention, or Figure 2 The access network device 101 or the access network device 102, or, Figure 3 The access network equipment in Figure 4 As shown, the method 400 includes:

[0087] S401, a distributed unit DU of a first network device determines a first coverage indication, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0088] That is, the DU of the first network device can determine part or all of the following three types of information (or, the three types of information can be called three sub-information elements (IE)) of the first cell: cell coverage status of the first cell, cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. Each sub-information element is explained below.

[0089] The cell coverage state is used to indicate whether the cell under the DU is in an activated state. For example, "0" indicates that the cell is in an inactive state; other values ​​indicate that the cell is in an activated state, and also indicate the coverage configuration of the cell. Among them, the coverage configuration of the cell belongs to the specific implementation and may not be defined by the standard.

[0090] The cell deployment status indicator is used to indicate the deployment status of the cell under the DU, for example, the indication of the cell coverage status planning used at the next reconfiguration.

[0091] The cell replacement information (cell replacing info) is used to indicate the replacement of the cell identifier of the first cell, and can replace all or part of the coverage of the cell. For example, the cell replacement information includes the global identifier of the cell. It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of replacement cells. In other words, the cell replacement information of the first cell may include relevant information of one or more replacement cells, which is not limited.

[0092] S402, the DU of the first network device sends a first coverage indication and a first identifier to the centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell. Correspondingly, the CU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication and the first identifier from the DU of the first network device.

[0093] The first identifier corresponds to the first coverage indication. The first identifier is identification information of the first cell. For example, the first identifier is a physical cell ID (PCI), a cell global identifier (CGI), etc.

[0094] Here is a unified explanation. In the embodiment of the present application, the identification information of the cell (whether the first cell, the second cell, or the replacement cell) may include a cell global identification. In LTE, the cell global identification can be represented by ECGI, where E is the abbreviation of the evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN). In NR, the cell global identification can be represented by CGI, or it can also be represented by NRCGI. In order to avoid redundancy, the meaning of the cell global identification appearing below will not be repeated.

[0095] In an embodiment of the present application, the DU of the first network device sends part or all of the sub-information elements in the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the CU of the first network device, so as to facilitate the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, thereby helping to improve network performance.

[0096] Optionally, the method 400 also includes: S403, the CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the second cell, the cell planning status indication of the second cell, the cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Correspondingly, the DU of the first network device receives the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier from the CU of the first network device. Wherein, the second coverage indication is the coverage configuration corresponding to the neighboring cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the neighboring cell.

[0097] That is, when the CU of the first network device obtains the coverage configuration of the neighboring area, it can send the coverage configuration of the neighboring area, such as the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier, to the DU of the first network device. Here, the specific description of each sub-information element included in the second coverage indication can refer to the first coverage indication, and for the sake of brevity, it is not repeated here.

[0098] Optionally, the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier may be obtained by the first network device from the second network device. The second network device is a neighboring base station. For example, the CU of the first network device may receive the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier sent by the neighboring base station, and may obtain the coverage status of the neighboring area, thereby adjusting antenna-related parameters based on the coverage status of the neighboring area.

[0099] Optionally, the CU of the first network device may send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message. For example, the existing message may be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message. The second coverage indication and the second identifier are described below in conjunction with Table 1.

[0100] Table 1

[0101]

[0102] In the above Table 1, taking NR as an example, the second coverage indication and the second identifier are described by the contents included in the neighboring cell coverage modification list in Table 1. For example, it can be seen from the third row of Table 1 that the second identifier is CGI, indicating the CGI of the cell to be modified; it can be seen from the fourth to sixth rows of Table 1 that the three sub-information elements included in the second coverage indication are: CellCoverage State, Cell Deployment Status Indicator and Cell Replacing Info. Among them, it can be seen from the seventh and eighth rows of Table 1 that Cell Replacing Info includes information of the replacement cell, for example, the information of the replacement cell includes identification information of the replacement cell, for example, the identification information of the replacement cell can be CGI.

[0103] It can be understood that Table 1 is described by taking NR as an example, but does not limit the embodiments of the present application. In fact, if the LTE system is described, CGI can be replaced by ECGI.

[0104] It can be understood that the above Table 1 is only an illustrative example and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the names of the various information elements in Table 1 may also have other definitions, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present application, the DU of the first network device may determine part or all of the sub-information elements in the first coverage indication. Possible implementations will be described below.

[0106] As a possible implementation, the first coverage indication determined by the DU of the first network device includes the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell. That is, the DU of the first network device can determine the first coverage indication including the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell, and send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the CU of the first network device. For ease of description, the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell are referred to as 3 sub-information elements.

[0107] Optionally, the DU of the first network device may send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the CU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message, wherein the first coverage indication includes the above-mentioned three sub-information elements. For example, the existing message may be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message or a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message. The first coverage indication and the first identifier are described below in conjunction with Table 2.

[0108] Table 2

[0109]

[0110] In the above Table 2, taking NR as an example, the first coverage indication and the first identifier are described by the contents included in the coverage modification list. For example, it can be seen from the third row of Table 2 that the first identifier is CGI, which indicates the CGI of the cell to be modified (for example, the first cell is the cell to be modified); it can be seen from the fourth to sixth rows of Table 2 that the three sub-information elements included in the first coverage indication are: Cell Coverage State, Cell Deployment Status Indicator, and Cell Replacing Info. Among them, it can be seen from the seventh and eighth rows of Table 2 that Cell Replacing Info includes the identification information of the replacement cell, for example, the identification information of the replacement cell can be CGI.

[0111] It can be understood that Table 2 is described by taking NR as an example, but does not limit the embodiments of the present application. In fact, if the LTE system is described, CGI can be replaced by ECGI.

[0112] It can also be understood that the above Table 2 is only an illustrative example and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the names of the various information elements in Table 1 may also have other definitions, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0113] As another possible implementation, the first coverage indication determined by the DU of the first network device includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell. The cell replacement information of the first cell is determined by the CU of the first network device.

[0114] Optionally, the method 400 further includes: the CU of the first network device sends a third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device, wherein the third coverage indication includes cell replacement information of the first cell. Optionally, the cell replacement information of the first cell may include a third identifier, and the third identifier is used to identify a third cell. The third cell is a replacement cell of the first cell.

[0115] That is, the DU of the first network device determines the cell coverage status of the first cell in the above three sub-information elements, as well as the cell planning status indication of the first cell; the CU of the first network device determines the cell replacement information of the first cell in the above three sub-information elements. Here, when the CU of the first network device sends the third coverage indication to the DU of the first network device, it is also necessary to send the first identifier, in order to let the DU know that the content included in the third coverage indication is also related to the first cell, that is, the third coverage indication includes the cell replacement information of the first cell identified by the first identifier.

[0116] That the third cell is a replacement cell of the first cell can be understood through the following example: For example, if the first cell is cell A and the third cell is cell B, then cell A is replaced by cell B.

[0117] It can be understood that the above description is only based on the example that the third cell is a replacement cell of the first cell, and does not limit the protection scope of the embodiment of the present application. In fact, the replacement cell of the first cell may include one or more cells.

[0118] Exemplarily, the CU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication sent by the DU of the first network device, then determines the third coverage indication identifier, and sends the third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device.

[0119] Optionally, the DU of the first network device may send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the CU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message, wherein the first coverage indication includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell. For example, the existing message may be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message or a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATEACKNOWLEDGE message. The first coverage indication and the first identifier are described below in conjunction with Table 3.

[0120] Table 3

[0121]

[0122] In the above Table 3, taking NR as an example, the first coverage indication and the first identifier are described by the contents included in the coverage modification list. For example, it can be seen from the third row of Table 3 that the first identifier is CGI, which indicates the CGI of the cell to be modified (for example, the first cell is the cell to be modified); it can be seen from the fourth and fifth rows of Table 3 that the two sub-information elements included in the first coverage indication are: Cell Coverage State and Cell Deployment Status Indicator. It can be seen that the difference between Table 2 and Table 3 is that Table 3 does not include Cell Replacing Info.

[0123] It can be understood that Table 3 is described by taking NR as an example, but does not limit the embodiment of the present application. In fact, if the LTE system is described, CGI can be replaced by ECGI. It can be understood that the above Table 3 is only an illustrative example and does not limit the embodiment of the present application. In fact, the names of the various information elements in Table 2 can also have other definitions, which are not specifically limited.

[0124] Optionally, the CU of the first network device sends a third coverage indication and a first identifier to the DU of the first network device, including: the CU of the first network device sends the third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message. For example, the existing message may be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DUCONFIGURATION UPDATE message or a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message. The third coverage indication and the first identifier are described below in conjunction with Table 4.

[0125] Table 4

[0126]

[0127] In the above Table 4, taking NR as an example, the third coverage indication and the first identifier are described by the contents included in the coverage modification list. For example, it can be seen from the third row of Table 4 that the first identifier is CGI, indicating the CGI of the cell to be modified (for example, the first cell is the cell to be modified); it can be seen from the fourth to sixth rows of Table 4 that the third coverage indication includes the sub-information element Cell Replacing Info, i.e., cell replacement information. Cell Replacing Info includes identification information of the replacement cell, for example, the identification information of the replacement cell may be CGI.

[0128] It can be seen from the above Table 4 that when the CU of the first network device sends the Cell ReplacingInfo to the DU of the first network device, it can also carry the CGI, that is, the cell global identifier of the cell to be modified.

[0129] It can be understood that Table 4 is described by taking NR as an example, but does not limit the embodiment of the present application. In fact, if the LTE system is described, CGI can be replaced by ECGI. It can also be understood that the above Table 4 is only an illustrative example and does not limit the embodiment of the present application. In fact, the names of the various information elements in Table 3 can also have other definitions, which are not specifically limited.

[0130] It should be understood that the above is only explained by taking the DU of the first network device determining the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the CU of the first network device determining the cell replacement information of the first cell as an example, but it does not limit the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the DU of the first network device can determine any one or two of the following: the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the replacement information of the first cell, and then the CU of the first network device determines other items, which is not limited.

[0131] It can be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, after obtaining the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the replacement information of the first cell, the CU of the first network device can also send it to the neighboring station. For example, for the neighboring station, if the neighboring station is also a CU-DU architecture, the CU of the first network device sends a fourth coverage indication to the CU of the second network device, and the fourth coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, the replacement information of the first cell, and the first identifier. Of course, the CU of the second network device can also send the fourth coverage indication to the DU managed by the CU of the second network device. Optionally, the CU of the second network device can also send a first identifier to the DU of the second network device, and the first identifier corresponds to the fourth coverage indication.

[0132] For example, taking the CU of the first network device as CU1, the CU of the second network device as CU2, and CU2 including DU1 and DU2, CU2 may send the fourth coverage indication to DU1 and DU2.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present application, the DU of the first network device can determine one or more of the first coverage indications and provide the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device, thereby realizing the transmission of the cell coverage status indication under the CU-DU separation architecture, which helps to improve network performance.

[0134] The present application also provides a communication method. In the communication method, the CU of the first network device may determine a first coverage indication, and send the first coverage indication and a first identifier to the DU of the first network device.

[0135] Figure 5 Schematic interaction diagram of a communication method 500 according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. It can be understood that Figure 5 Part or all of the information exchanged between the CU and the DU in the protocol may be carried in an existing message, channel, signal or signaling, or may be a newly defined message, channel, signal or signaling, and there is no specific limitation on this. For example, part or all of the information exchanged between the CU and the DU may be carried in an existing F1 interface message, or may be carried in a newly defined F1 interface message. Figure 5 As shown, the method 500 includes:

[0136] S501, a CU of a first network device determines a first coverage indication, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0137] It should be noted that the relevant description of the first coverage indication can refer to the previous description, and in order to avoid redundancy, it is not repeated here.

[0138] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes: a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell. That is, the contents included in the first coverage indication may all be determined by the CU.

[0139] Optionally, the CU may determine part of the following three types of information (or, the three types of information may be referred to as three sub-information elements (IE)) of the first cell: the cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, the cell replacement information of the first cell, and the rest is determined by the DU. For the specific description determined by the DU, reference may be made to the description in method 400. Optionally, in S502, the CU of the first network device sends a first coverage indication and a first identifier to the DU of the first network device, where the first identifier is used to identify the first cell. Correspondingly, the DU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication and the first identifier from the CU of the first network device.

[0140] It can be understood that the CU of the first network device can also send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message, wherein the first coverage indication includes the above-mentioned three sub-information elements. For example, the existing message can be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message.

[0141] The first coverage indication and the first identifier are described below in conjunction with Table 5.

[0142] Table 5

[0143]

[0144] In the above Table 5, taking NR as an example, the first coverage indication and the first identifier are described by the contents included in the coverage modification list. For example, it can be seen from the third row of Table 5 that the first identifier is CGI, which indicates the CGI of the cell to be modified (for example, the first cell is the cell to be modified); it can be seen from the fourth to sixth rows of Table 5 that the three sub-information elements included in the first coverage indication are: Cell Coverage State, Cell Deployment Status Indicator and Cell Replacing Info. Among them, it can be seen from the seventh and eighth rows of Table 5 that Cell Replacing Info includes the identification information of the replacement cell, for example, the identification information of the replacement cell can be CGI.

[0145] It can be understood that Table 5 is described by taking NR as an example, but does not limit the embodiments of the present application. In fact, if the LTE system is described, CGI can be replaced by ECGI.

[0146] It can also be understood that the above Table 5 is only an illustrative example and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the names of the various information elements in Table 1 may also have other definitions, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0147] Optionally, the method 500 also includes: S503, the CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: the cell coverage status of the second cell, the cell planning status indication of the second cell, the cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell. Correspondingly, the DU of the first network device receives the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier from the CU of the first network device. Among them, the second coverage indication is the coverage configuration corresponding to the neighboring area, and the second identifier is used to identify the neighboring area. Here, the CU of the first network device sends the second coverage indication and / or the second identifier of the neighboring station to the DU of the first network device. Please refer to the description in the previous method 400. In order to avoid redundancy, it will not be repeated here.

[0148] It can be understood that in the method 500, the CU of the first network device can also send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device through an existing interface message or a newly defined message. For example, the existing message can be an existing F1 interface message, including a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message. The second coverage indication and the second identifier can refer to the description in Table 1 above. In order to avoid redundancy, they are not repeated here.

[0149] How the first network device determines the first coverage indication will be described below.

[0150] Optionally, the method 500 further includes: the CU of the first network device acquires multiple coverage configurations; wherein S501 includes: the CU of the first network device determines a first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations.

[0151] Among them, multiple coverage configurations can be replaced by multiple candidate coverage states.

[0152] Optionally, the multiple coverage configurations obtained by the CU may be a candidate coverage configuration list (or a set of candidate coverage configurations), and the candidate coverage configuration list includes multiple coverage configurations, and each coverage configuration includes one or more of the following: cell coverage state, cell deployment status indicator, cell replacing info. Optionally, if the multiple coverage configurations are cell-granular, each coverage configuration may also include cell identification information corresponding to the coverage configuration. For example, if the candidate coverage configuration list obtained by the CU is for different cells, the CU also needs to obtain the cell identification corresponding to each coverage configuration. Optionally, the candidate configuration coverage list obtained by the CU may be a candidate coverage configuration list for one cell. Each cell under the CU has a candidate coverage configuration list. That is, the CU determines a suitable coverage configuration for each cell in the candidate coverage configuration list corresponding to the cell. Alternatively, optionally, the candidate configuration coverage list obtained by the CU may also be a candidate coverage configuration list of a CU, that is, the CU obtains a candidate coverage configuration list, and the CU determines a suitable coverage configuration for each cell in the candidate coverage configuration list.

[0153] After obtaining multiple coverage configurations, the CU of the first network device may select a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell. For example, the coverage configuration selected for the first cell is indicated by a first coverage indication.

[0154] Generally speaking, multiple coverage configurations can be configured by a centralized management system, such as operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) configuration, or by other centralized management nodes. The contents included in each coverage configuration can refer to the previous description. There are different ways to select coverage configurations for cells. For example, OAM can determine a coverage configuration for each cell. Or, for another example, OAM can determine a list of candidate coverage configurations for each cell. Or, for another example, OAM can determine a list of candidate coverage configurations for a network device, and the network device dynamically selects the most appropriate coverage configuration for each cell it serves.

[0155] If the OAM of the CU of the first network device is different from the OAM of the DU of the first network device, the CU of the first network device may determine the first coverage indication in different ways, which will be described below respectively.

[0156] Optionally, the CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the CU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations for the CU of the first network device. That is to say, the OAM of the CU of the first network device can configure multiple coverage configurations for the CU, and then the CU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication. Here, how the CU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations belongs to the specific implementation of the product and is not specifically limited here. For example, the CU of the first network device can select a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell based on the coverage configuration of the neighboring cell relationship.

[0157] Optionally, the CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device; the DU of the first network device sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device. That is to say, the OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations of cells and areas for the DU, and then the DU sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU, and the CU decides to select a suitable coverage configuration from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication. For the situation where multiple coverage configurations correspond to multiple cells one-to-one, the DU needs to send the multiple coverage configurations and the cell identifiers corresponding to each coverage configuration to the CU, and the CU decides to select a suitable coverage configuration from the multiple coverage configurations for the first cell.

[0158] Optionally, the method 500 also includes: the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device; the DU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication for the first cell in the multiple coverage configurations; the DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device. That is, the OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple coverage configurations of the cell for the DU, and then the DU selects a suitable coverage configuration from the multiple coverage configurations, such as the first coverage indication, and finally sends the coverage configuration selected for the first cell to the CU. Here, how the DU of the first network device selects a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell from the multiple coverage configurations belongs to the specific implementation of the product and is not specifically limited here. For example, the DU of the first network device can select a suitable coverage configuration for the first cell based on the coverage configuration of the neighboring cell relationship.

[0159] Therefore, it can be seen from the above implementations that even if the OAM of the CU of the first network device and the OAM of the DU of the first network device are different OAMs, the CU of the first network device can still determine the first coverage indication.

[0160] Optionally, in method 500, the CU of the first network device may also send the determined cell coverage status of the first cell, the cell planning status indication of the first cell, and the cell replacement information of the first cell to the neighboring station. For a specific description, please refer to the above text, which will not be repeated here to avoid redundancy.

[0161] It is understandable that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0162] It should be understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0163] It should be understood that the various schemes of the embodiments of the present application can be used in reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of the various terms appearing in the embodiments can be mutually referenced or explained in the various embodiments, without limitation.

[0164] It should also be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. The various digital numbers or sequence numbers involved in the above-mentioned processes are only for the convenience of description and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0165] Corresponding to the method provided in the above method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides a corresponding device, which includes a module for executing the corresponding embodiment of the above embodiment. The module can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the method embodiment are also applicable to the following device embodiment.

[0166] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 1000 may include a transceiver unit 1100 and a processing unit 1200 .

[0167] In one possible design, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the distributed unit DU in the above method embodiment, for example, it may be a DU entity, or a chip configured in the DU entity.

[0168] Specifically, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the DU in the method 400 according to the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1000 may include a Figure 4 Method 400 or Figure 5 The units of the method performed by the DU in the method 500 are respectively for implementing Figure 4 The corresponding process of the DU in the method 400, or, in order to achieve Figure 5 The corresponding process of DU in method 500.

[0169] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1100 and the processing unit 1200 may be respectively configured to:

[0170] The processing unit 1200 is used to determine a first coverage indication, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0171] The transceiver unit 1100 is configured to send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to a centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.

[0172] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to receive a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell.

[0173] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0174] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell; optionally, the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to receive a third coverage indication from the CU of the first network device and the first identifier, and the third coverage indication includes cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0175] In another implementation, the transceiver unit 1100 and the processing unit 1200 may be respectively configured to:

[0176] The transceiver unit 1100 is used to receive a first coverage indication and a first identifier from a centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.

[0177] The processing unit 1200 is configured to manage the first cell based on the first coverage indication.

[0178] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to receive a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell.

[0179] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is further used to configure multiple coverage configurations for the DU of the first network device; and call the transceiver unit 1100 to send the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device.

[0180] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is also used to configure the multiple coverage configurations; determine the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations; and call the transceiver unit 1100 to send the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device.

[0181] In one possible design, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the centralized unit CU in the above method embodiment, for example, it may be a CU entity, or a chip configured in the CU entity.

[0182] Specifically, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the DU in the method 400 according to the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1000 may include a Figure 4 Method 400 or Figure 5 The units of the method performed by the DU in the method 500 are respectively for implementing Figure 4 The corresponding process of the CU in the method 400, or, in order to implement Figure 5 The corresponding process of CU in method 500.

[0183] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1100 and the processing unit 1200 may be respectively configured to:

[0184] The transceiver unit 1100 is used to receive a first coverage indication and a first identifier from the distributed unit DU of the first network device, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.

[0185] The processing unit 1200 is configured to manage the first cell based on the first coverage indication.

[0186] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell.

[0187] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0188] Optionally, the first coverage indication includes the cell coverage status of the first cell and the cell planning status indication of the first cell; the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to send a third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device, and the third coverage indication includes the cell replacement information of the first cell.

[0189] In another implementation, the transceiver unit 1100 and the processing unit 1200 may be respectively configured to:

[0190] The processing unit 1200 is configured to determine a first coverage indication, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell;

[0191] The transceiver unit 1100 is used to send the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the distributed unit DU of the first network device, where the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.

[0192] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1100 is also used to send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell.

[0193] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is further used to obtain multiple coverage configurations; wherein the processing unit 1200 is used to determine a first coverage indication, including: determining the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations.

[0194] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is used to obtain multiple coverage configurations, including: the processing unit 1200 configures the multiple coverage configurations.

[0195] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is used to obtain multiple overlay configurations, including: the transceiver unit 1100 receives the multiple overlay configurations from the DU of the first network device, and the multiple overlay configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the first network device DU.

[0196] Optionally, the processing unit 1200 is used to determine the first coverage indication, including: calling the transceiver unit 1100 to receive the first coverage indication from the DU of the first network device, including, wherein the first coverage indication is determined by the DU of the first network device for the first cell in the multiple coverage configurations, and the multiple coverage configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the DU of the first network device. It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0197] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0198] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1000 is a base station, the transceiver unit 1100 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to Figure 8 The radio frequency unit 3012 and the antenna 3011 in the base station 3000 shown in FIG. 1 , the processing unit 1100 in the communication device 1000 may be implemented by at least one processor, for example, corresponding to Figure 8 The processor 3022 in the base station 3000 is shown.

[0199] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1000 is a chip configured in a network device, the transceiver unit 1200 in the communication device 1000 can be an input / output interface.

[0200] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit can call the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to implement corresponding operations. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory, for example, corresponding to Figure 8The memory 3201 in the base station 3000.

[0201] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the network device 700 includes a distributed unit DU and a centralized unit CU. The distributed unit DU can execute the above Figure 4 Method 400 or Figure 5 The centralized unit CU may perform the steps of the method 500 performed by the DU. Figure 4 Method 400 or Figure 5 The method 500 includes steps performed by the CU.

[0202] It should be understood that the specific process of the CU or DU executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0203] Optionally, the network device 700 can be Figure 8 The base station 3000 is implemented in.

[0204] Figure 8 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application, for example, a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station 3000. The base station 3000 can be applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 In the system shown, the functions of the second transceiver device or the first transceiver device in the above method embodiment are performed. As shown in the figure, the base station 3000 may include one or more DUs 3010 and one or more CUs 3020. CU 3020 may communicate with NG core (next generation core network, NC). The DU 3010 may include at least one antenna 3011, at least one radio frequency unit 3012, at least one processor 3013 and at least one memory 3014. The DU 3010 part is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, as well as part of baseband processing. CU 3020 may include at least one processor 3022 and at least one memory 3021. CU 3020 and DU 3010 may communicate through an interface, wherein the control plane (CP) interface may be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface may be Fs-U, such as F1-U.

[0205] The CU 3020 part is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the base station, etc. The DU 3010 and CU 3020 can be physically set together or physically separated, that is, a distributed base station. The CU 3020 is the control center of the base station, which can also be called a processing unit, and is mainly used to complete the baseband processing function. For example, the CU 3020 can be used to control the base station to execute the operation process of the access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0206] Specifically, the baseband processing on the CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layer of the wireless network, for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above protocol layers are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP, such as the RLC layer and the MAC layer, are set in the DU. For another example, the CU implements the functions of the RRC layer and the PDCP layer, and the DU implements the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the PHY layer.

[0207] In addition, optionally, the base station 3000 may include one or more radio frequency units (RU), one or more DUs and one or more CUs. The DU may include at least one processor 3013 and at least one memory 3014, the RU may include at least one antenna 3011 and at least one radio frequency unit 3012, and the CU may include at least one processor 3022 and at least one memory 3021.

[0208] In one example, the CU 3020 may be composed of one or more boards, and the multiple boards may jointly support a wireless access network (such as a 5G network) with a single access indication, or may respectively support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 3021 and the processor 3022 may serve one or more boards. In other words, a memory and a processor may be separately set on each board. It may also be that multiple boards share the same memory and processor. In addition, necessary circuits may be set on each board. The DU 3010 may be composed of one or more boards, and the multiple boards may jointly support a wireless access network (such as a 5G network) with a single access indication, or may respectively support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 3014 and the processor 3013 may serve one or more boards. In other words, a memory and a processor may be separately set on each board. It may also be that multiple boards share the same memory and processor. In addition, necessary circuits may also be set on each board.

[0209] It should be understood that Figure 8 The base station 3000 shown can achieve Figure 4 or Figure 5The method embodiment shown involves various processes of DU or CU. The operations and / or functions of each module in the base station 3000 are respectively to implement the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0210] It should be understood that Figure 8 The base station 3000 shown is only a possible architecture of the network device and should not constitute any limitation to the present application. The method provided in the present application can be applied to access network devices of other architectures. For example, access network devices including CU, DU and AAU, etc. The present application does not limit the specific architecture of the network device.

[0211] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program code, when the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer executes Figure 4 or Figure 5 The method on the DU side in the illustrated embodiment.

[0212] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a program code, and when the program code is run on a computer, the computer executes Figure 4 or Figure 5 The method on the CU side in the illustrated embodiment.

[0213] An embodiment of the present application also provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the communication method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0214] The communication devices in the above-mentioned various device embodiments completely correspond to the DU or CU in the method embodiments, and the corresponding modules or units perform the corresponding steps. For example, the communication unit (transceiver) performs the steps of receiving or sending in the method embodiment, and other steps except sending and receiving can be performed by the processing unit (processor). The functions of the specific units can refer to the corresponding method embodiments. Among them, the processor can be one or more.

[0215] Those skilled in the art may also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0216] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit or software instructions in the processor. The above processor can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, and can also be a system chip (system on chip, SoC), a central processor unit (central processor unit, CPU), a network processor (network processor, NP), a digital signal processing circuit (digital signal processor, DSP), a microcontroller (micro controller unit, MCU), a programmable controller (programmable logic device, PLD) or other integrated chips. The disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0217] The technology described in this application can be implemented in various ways. For example, these technologies can be implemented in a combination of hardware, software or hardware. For hardware implementation, the processing unit used to perform these technologies at a communication device (e.g., a base station, a terminal, a network entity, or a chip) can be implemented in one or more general-purpose processors, DSPs, digital signal processing devices, ASICs, programmable logic devices, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, and optionally, the general-purpose processor can also be any traditional processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. The processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration to implement.

[0218] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0219] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can 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 the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, 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 computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0220] It should also be understood that in the present application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that the UE or base station will take corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances. It is not a time limit, and it does not require the UE or base station to make judgments when implementing it, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0221] A person skilled in the art may understand that the various numerical numbers such as first and second involved in the present application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, and also indicate the order of precedence.

[0222] In this application, elements expressed in the singular are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "one and only one", unless otherwise specified. In this application, "at least one" is intended to mean "one or more", and "more than one" is intended to mean "two or more", unless otherwise specified.

[0223] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this article. The term "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A can be singular or plural, and B can be singular or plural.

[0224] The character “ / ” generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0225] In this document, the term "at least one of..." or "at least one of..." means all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" may mean: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, B and C exist at the same time, and A, B, and C exist at the same time, where A may be singular or plural, B may be singular or plural, and C may be singular or plural.

[0226] It should be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined according to A. However, it should also be understood that determining B according to A does not mean determining B only according to A, and B can also be determined according to A and / or other information.

[0227] The corresponding relationships shown in each table in the present application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are only examples and can be configured as other values, which are not limited by the present application. When configuring the corresponding relationship between the information and each parameter, it is not necessarily required to configure all the corresponding relationships illustrated in each table. For example, in the table in the present application, the corresponding relationships shown in some rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate deformation adjustments can be made based on the above table, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables can also use other names that can be understood by the communication device, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that can be understood by the communication device. When implementing the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables or hash tables.

[0228] Here, for unified explanation, the "predefined" in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as definition, pre-definition, storage, pre-storage, pre-negotiation, pre-configuration, solidification, or pre-burning. The configuration in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as notification through RRC signaling, MAC signaling, and physical layer information, where the physical layer information can be transmitted through PDCCH or PDSCH.

[0229] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0230] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0231] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0232] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0233] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0234] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), magnetic disks or optical disks.

[0235] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The distributed unit DU of the first network device determines a first coverage indication, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the first network device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the first network device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication and the first identifier to the centralized unit CU of the first network device, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The communication method further comprises: The DU of the first network device receives a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, where the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: cell coverage status of a second cell, a cell planning status indication of the second cell, and cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell and a cell planning status indication of the first cell; The communication method further comprises: The DU of the first network device receives a third coverage indication and the first identifier from the CU of the first network device, where the third coverage indication includes cell replacement information of the first cell.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The centralized unit CU of the first network device receives a first coverage indication and a first identifier from the distributed unit DU of the first network device, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the first network device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the first network device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The CU of the first network device manages the first cell based on the first coverage indication; The communication method further comprises: The CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, where the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, and cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

6. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell and a cell planning status indication of the first cell; The communication method further comprises: The CU of the first network device sends a third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU of the first network device, where the third coverage indication includes cell replacement information of the first cell.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: A centralized unit CU of a first network device determines a first coverage indication, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the first network device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the first network device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The CU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication and a first identifier to the distributed unit DU of the first network device, where the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The communication method further comprises: The CU of the first network device sends a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU of the first network device, where the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell, where the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The communication method further comprises: The CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations; The CU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication, including: The CU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: The operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the CU of the first network device configures the multiple overlay configurations for the CU of the first network device.

10. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The CU of the first network device obtains multiple coverage configurations, including: The CU of the first network device receives the multiple overlay configurations from the DU of the first network device, and the multiple overlay configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the DU of the first network device.

11. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The CU of the first network device determines a first coverage indication, including: The CU of the first network device receives the first coverage indication from the DU of the first network device, including, wherein the first coverage indication is determined by the DU of the first network device for the first cell among the multiple coverage configurations, and the multiple coverage configurations are configured by the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device for the DU of the first network device.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The distributed unit DU of the first network device receives a first coverage indication and a first identifier from the centralized unit CU of the first network device, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the first network device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the first network device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The DU of the first network device manages the first cell based on the first coverage indication; The communication method further comprises: The DU of the first network device receives a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier from the CU of the first network device, where the second coverage indication includes one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, and the second identifier is used to identify the second cell.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that: The communication method further comprises: The operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures multiple overlay configurations for the DU of the first network device; The DU of the first network device sends the multiple coverage configurations to the CU of the first network device.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The communication method further comprises: The operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU of the first network device configures the multiple overlay configurations for the DU of the first network device; The DU of the first network device determines the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations; The DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indication to the CU of the first network device.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Distributed unit DU and centralized unit CU; The distributed unit DU is used to determine a first coverage indication, wherein the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the communication device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the communication device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The centralized unit CU is used to receive the first coverage indication and the first identifier from the DU, wherein the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The CU is also used to: send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell.

17. The communication device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first coverage indication includes a cell coverage status of the first cell and a cell planning status indication of the first cell; The CU is further used to: send a third coverage indication and the first identifier to the DU, where the third coverage indication includes cell replacement information of the first cell.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Distributed unit DU and centralized unit CU; The CU is used to determine a first coverage indication, where the first coverage indication includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage status of a first cell, a cell planning status indication of the first cell, and cell replacement information of the first cell; The cell coverage status of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell under the DU of the communication device is in an activated state, the cell planning status indication of the first cell is used to indicate the deployment status of the first cell under the DU of the communication device, and the cell replacement information of the first cell is used to indicate the cell identifier of the first cell to be replaced; The DU is used to receive the first coverage indication and the first identifier from the CU, where the first identifier is used to identify the first cell; The CU is also used to: send a second coverage indication and / or a second identifier to the DU, the second coverage indication including one or more of the following: cell coverage status of the second cell, cell planning status indication of the second cell, cell replacement information of the second cell, the second identifier is used to identify the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The CU is also used to obtain multiple coverage configurations; and determine the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that The CU is used to obtain multiple coverage configurations, including: obtaining the multiple coverage configurations from the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the CU.

21. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that: The DU is also used to obtain the multiple coverage configurations from the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU; and send the multiple coverage configurations to the CU.

22. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that The DU is also used for: acquiring the multiple coverage configurations from the operation and maintenance management operating system OAM of the DU; determining the first coverage indication for the first cell according to the multiple coverage configurations; and sending the first coverage indication to the CU.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises means for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to execute computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the apparatus performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

25. A computer storage medium, characterized in that The method comprises a program or an instruction, and when the program or the instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is performed.

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