A communication method and a communication device

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device. The method comprises: receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for requesting multicast broadcast service capability; determining first capability information according to the first indication information, wherein the first capability information comprises the multicast broadcast service capability, and the multicast broadcast service capability is the capability of receiving multicast broadcast service while performing unicast operation; and then sending the first capability information. According to the scheme, the terminal device reports the multicast broadcast service capability according to the indication of the network device, which can effectively reduce unnecessary reporting of capability information by the terminal device and increase the flexibility of network device control. The network device can adjust the configuration of unicast operation according to the multicast broadcast service capability reported by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can receive multicast broadcast service while performing unicast operation, without exceeding the capability limit of the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, unicast refers to communication between a single sender and a single receiver over a network. Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) is a point-to-multipoint service that delivers data from a data source to multiple users within a specific range, providing services to a large number of users with the same needs simultaneously using relatively few network resources, thus reducing network resource consumption. Examples include live streaming and scheduled program broadcasts. In some situations, terminal devices need to be able to receive multicast services while performing unicast operations. However, there is no single solution that allows a terminal device to simultaneously perform unicast operations and receive multicast services. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that supports receiving broadcast and multicast services while performing unicast operations.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to request multicast broadcast service capability; determining first capability information based on the first indication information, the first capability information including the multicast broadcast service capability, the multicast broadcast service capability being the capability to receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operations; and sending the first capability information.

[0005] Performing unicast operation by a terminal device means that the terminal device is able to receive and / or send data in a unicast manner. Alternatively, performing unicast operation can be understood as communication between the terminal device and network devices via unicast. The terminal device can also receive multicast and broadcast services while performing unicast operation.

[0006] Multicast / broadcast service capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations. In other words, multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to simultaneously receive both multicast / broadcast and unicast services. Unicast and multicast / broadcast services can share the baseband capabilities of the terminal device.

[0007] In this embodiment, the terminal device reports its multicast / broadcast service capabilities according to the instructions of the network device, avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information by the terminal device. The network device can configure unicast resources based on the multicast / broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device, thereby enabling the terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations, without exceeding the baseband capacity of the terminal device.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the multicast / broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast / broadcast service from the second network device while the first network device performs the unicast operation. The first and second network devices may respectively employ NR access technology and LTE access technology, or both may employ NR access technology, or both may employ LTE access technology. In this embodiment, the first and second network devices may be network devices in communication systems with different access technologies, thereby providing compatibility for communication between different systems.

[0009] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while the first network device performs the unicast operation. Therefore, embodiments of this application can be applied to receiving the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while performing the unicast operation with the first network device.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the terminal device may further receive capability query information, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device. The capability query information includes first indication information. The capability query information may include a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal device. The first information element may include the first indication information.

[0011] This application embodiment, by setting the first indication information in the capability query information, can request multicast broadcast service capabilities during the capability query process of the terminal device, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0012] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability can be requested by jointly using the first instruction information and the capability query information, and the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the first instruction information and the capability query information.

[0013] In this embodiment, the multicast service capability is requested by combining the first indication information and the capability query information. The type of multicast service capability can be indicated by the existing fields in the capability query information, thereby making the request for multicast service capability clearer. Multicast service capabilities that are not requested can be left unreported, thus avoiding the reporting of unnecessary information.

[0014] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, when the capability query information includes a first field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the first indication information and the first field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination.

[0015] When the capability query information includes the second field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined according to the first indication information and the second field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

[0016] When the capability query information includes a third field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined according to the first indication information and the third field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and frequency band combinations that are not related to the multicast broadcast service in the EN-DC frequency band combination are ignored.

[0017] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first field, the second field, and the third field are used to request the capabilities of different types of terminal devices, respectively. During the capability reporting process of the terminal device, the terminal device reports the feature set combination applicable to NE-DC based on the first field, the terminal device reports the feature set combination applicable to NR-DC based on the second field, and the terminal device omits reporting the frequency band combination and feature set combination applicable only to EN-DC based on the third field.

[0018] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the existing fields in the first instruction information and capability query information, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0019] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the terminal device can determine the type of multicast service capability based on the first instruction information.

[0020] When the first indication information includes a fourth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the fourth field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to a frequency band combination, and the frequency band combination is related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0021] When the first indication information includes a fifth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the fifth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination.

[0022] When the first indication information includes a sixth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the sixth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination.

[0023] When the first indication information includes a seventh field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the seventh field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

[0024] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information. By using different fields of the device in the first indication information, the terminal device can determine the corresponding type of multicast broadcast service capability and send it to the network device, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0025] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability includes at least one of the following:

[0026] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation;

[0027] The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service;

[0028] The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service.

[0029] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell;

[0030] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

[0031] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the multicast service capability corresponds to a frequency band combination, which includes at least one of the following: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, or CA frequency band combination.

[0032] The aforementioned frequency band combinations can be referred to as different types of frequency band combinations. For a single type of frequency band combination, taking the EN-DC frequency band combination as an example, it can include multiple frequency band combinations. Some of these multiple frequency band combinations may be related to multicast services, and the multicast service capabilities corresponding to each frequency band combination may also differ.

[0033] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first capability information sent by the terminal device may further include frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate the frequency band combination for receiving multicast broadcast services when performing unicast operations.

[0034] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. Alternatively, the frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

[0035] In this embodiment of the application, the second indication information can indicate the correspondence between frequency band combination and multicast service capability, thereby avoiding repeated reporting of frequency band combination.

[0036] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first capability information sent by the terminal device may further include first indication information. The purpose of the terminal device sending the first indication information is to notify the first network device that it has received an indication requesting multicast / broadcast service capabilities. Furthermore, the multicast / broadcast service capabilities included in the first capability information sent by the terminal device at this time are the multicast / broadcast service capabilities requested by the first network device through the first indication information. Essentially, the first indication information serves as an identifier in the first capability information.

[0037] Secondly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first network device sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to request multicast / broadcast service capability. Multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing a unicast operation; and receiving first capability information, the first capability information including multicast / broadcast service capability.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first network device can indicate the requested multicast / broadcast service capability to the terminal device. The terminal device sends first capability information according to the first indication, which can avoid unnecessary capability information reporting. The first network device can configure unicast resources according to the multicast / broadcast service capability reported by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations without exceeding the baseband capability of the terminal device.

[0039] Unicast operation by a terminal device refers to the terminal device's ability to send and receive data or communication via unicast. Alternatively, unicast operation can be understood as unicast communication between the terminal device and network devices. The terminal device can also receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operation.

[0040] Multicast / broadcast service capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations. In other words, multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to simultaneously receive both multicast / broadcast and unicast services. Unicast and multicast / broadcast services can share the baseband capabilities of the terminal device.

[0041] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device instructs the terminal device to report multicast broadcast service capabilities, and the first network device can configure unicast resources according to the multicast broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device while the first network device performs the unicast operation. The first network device and the second network device may be network devices in an NR system and network devices in an LTE system, respectively. Alternatively, both the first network device and the second network device may be network devices in an NR system, or both may be network devices in an LTE system.

[0043] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device and the second network device can be network devices in different communication systems, thereby providing compatibility for communication between different systems.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while the first network device performs the unicast operation. Therefore, embodiments of this application can be applied to receiving the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while performing the unicast operation with the first network device.

[0045] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first network device may further send capability query information, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device, and the capability query information includes the first indication information. The capability query information includes a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal device, and the first information element includes the first indication information.

[0046] This application embodiment, by setting the first indication information in the capability query information, can request multicast broadcast service capabilities during the capability query process of the terminal device, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0047] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the first network device may use the first indication information and the capability query information to jointly request the multicast broadcast service capability, and the terminal device may determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the capability query information.

[0048] In this embodiment, the multicast service capability is requested by combining the first indication information and the capability query information. The type of multicast service capability can be indicated by the existing fields in the capability query information, thereby making the request for multicast service capability clearer. Multicast service capabilities that are not requested can be left unreported, thus avoiding the reporting of unnecessary information.

[0049] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, when the capability query information includes a first field, the first indication information and the first field are used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NE-DC band combination.

[0050] When the capability query information includes a second field, the first indication information and the second field are used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC frequency band combination;

[0051] When the capability query information includes a third field, the first indication information and the third field are used to request the multicast service capability corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination. The first indication information and the third field are used to indicate that frequency band combinations in the EN-DC frequency band combination that are not related to multicast service should be ignored.

[0052] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the first, second, and third fields are used to request the capabilities of different types of terminal devices, respectively. During the capability query process of the terminal device, the first field is used to request the reporting of feature set combinations applicable to NE-DC, the second field is used to request the reporting of feature set combinations applicable to NR-DC, and the third field is used to instruct the terminal device to omit reporting frequency band combinations and feature set combinations applicable only to EN-DC.

[0053] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device can request different types of multicast and broadcast service capabilities through existing fields in the first indication information and capability query information, which can avoid the terminal device reporting unnecessary capability information and increase the processing complexity of the network device.

[0054] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the first network device may indicate the type of multicast service capability to be requested through the first indication information.

[0055] When the first indication information includes a fourth field, the fourth field is used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast broadcast service; or

[0056] When the first indication information includes a fifth field, the fifth field is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination; or

[0057] When the first indication information includes a sixth field, the sixth field is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination; or

[0058] When the first indication information includes a seventh field, the seventh field is used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC band combination.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device can indicate the type of multicast service capability requested by the first indication information, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0060] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability in this application embodiment includes at least one of the following:

[0061] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation;

[0062] The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service;

[0063] The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service.

[0064] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell;

[0065] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

[0066] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the multicast service capability corresponds to a frequency band combination. The frequency band combination includes at least one of the following: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, or CA frequency band combination.

[0067] The aforementioned frequency band combinations can be referred to as different types of frequency band combinations. For a single type of frequency band combination, taking the EN-DC frequency band combination as an example, it can include multiple frequency band combinations. Some of these multiple frequency band combinations may be related to multicast services, and the multicast service capabilities corresponding to each frequency band combination may also differ.

[0068] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the first capability information received by the first network device may further include frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate the frequency band combination of receiving multicast and broadcast services when performing unicast operations.

[0069] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. Alternatively, the frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

[0070] In this embodiment of the application, the second indication information can indicate the correspondence between frequency band combination information and multicast broadcast service capabilities, thereby avoiding the repeated reporting of frequency band combination information.

[0071] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the first capability information received by the first network device may further include first indication information. The function of the first indication information is to notify the first network device that it has received an indication requesting multicast / broadcast service capabilities, and that the multicast / broadcast service capabilities included in the first capability information sent by the terminal device at this time are the multicast / broadcast service capabilities requested by the first network device through the first indication information. Essentially, the first indication information serves as an identifier in the first capability information.

[0072] A third aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a transceiver module for receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to request multicast / broadcast service capability; and a processing module for determining first capability information based on the first indication information, the first capability information including the multicast / broadcast service capability. The multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations. The transceiver module is also used to transmit the first capability information.

[0073] The communication device in this application embodiment can be a terminal device. Performing unicast operation means that the terminal device is able to receive and send unicast signals. Alternatively, performing unicast operation can be understood as unicast communication between the terminal device and the network device. The terminal device can also receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operation.

[0074] Multicast / broadcast service capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations. In other words, multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to simultaneously receive both multicast / broadcast and unicast services. Unicast and multicast / broadcast services can share the baseband capabilities of the terminal device.

[0075] In this embodiment, the terminal device reports its multicast / broadcast service capabilities according to the instructions of the network device, avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information by the terminal device. The network device can configure unicast resources based on the multicast / broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device, thereby enabling the terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations, without exceeding the baseband capacity of the terminal device.

[0076] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability can be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device while the first network device performs the unicast operation. The first network device and the second network device can be network devices in the NR system and the LTE system, respectively. The first network device and the second network device can both be network devices in the NR system, or both the first network device and the second network device can both be network devices in the LTE system.

[0077] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device and the second network device can be network devices in different communication systems, so that the communication device can communicate with network devices in different systems at the same time.

[0078] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while performing the unicast operation with the first network device. Therefore, the communication apparatus provided in this application embodiment can be adapted to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while performing the unicast operation with the first network device.

[0079] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the transceiver module can also be used to receive capability query information, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device. The capability query information includes first indication information. The capability query information includes a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal device. The first information element includes the first indication information.

[0080] This embodiment of the application, by setting the first indication information in the capability query information, allows the terminal device to request multicast / broadcast service capabilities during the capability query process, saving signaling overhead. In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the first indication information and the capability query information can be used together to request multicast / broadcast service capabilities, and the processing module of the communication device is used to determine the multicast / broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information and the capability query information.

[0081] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can jointly request multicast broadcast service capabilities through first indication information and capability query information. The type of multicast broadcast service capability is indicated by existing fields in the capability query information, thereby making the request for multicast broadcast service capabilities clearer. Unrequested multicast broadcast service capabilities can be left unreported, thereby avoiding unnecessary information reporting.

[0082] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, when the capability query information includes a first field, the processing module of the communication device is used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability according to the first indication information and the first field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination.

[0083] When the capability query information includes the second field, the processing module of the communication device is used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the second field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

[0084] When the capability query information includes a third field, the processing module of the communication device is used to determine the multicast service capability based on the first indication information and the third field. The multicast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and frequency band combinations that are not related to the multicast service are ignored in the EN-DC frequency band combination.

[0085] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the first, second, and third fields are used to request the capabilities of different types of terminal devices, respectively. During the capability reporting process of the terminal device, the terminal device reports the feature set combination applicable to NE-DC based on the first field, the terminal device reports the feature set combination applicable to NR-DC based on the second field, and the terminal device omits reporting the frequency band combination and feature set combination applicable only to EN-DC based on the third field.

[0086] In this embodiment of the application, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the existing fields in the first indication information and capability query information, so as to avoid unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0087] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine the type of multicast service capability based on the first instruction information.

[0088] When the first indication information includes a fourth field, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the fourth field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to a frequency band combination, and the frequency band combination is related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0089] When the first indication information includes a fifth field, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the fifth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination;

[0090] When the first indication information includes a sixth field, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the sixth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination;

[0091] When the first indication information includes a seventh field, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine the multicast broadcast service capability based on the seventh field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

[0092] In this embodiment of the application, the processing module of the terminal device can be used to determine different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information. By using different fields of the device in the first indication information, the terminal device can determine the corresponding type of multicast broadcast service capability and send it to the network device, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0093] In yet another possible implementation of the third aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability includes at least one of the following:

[0094] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation;

[0095] The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service;

[0096] The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service.

[0097] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell;

[0098] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

[0099] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, multicast service capabilities correspond to frequency band combinations. Frequency band combinations include: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, or CA frequency band combination.

[0100] The aforementioned frequency band combinations can be referred to as different types of frequency band combinations. For a single type of frequency band combination, taking the EN-DC frequency band combination as an example, it can include multiple frequency band combinations. Some of these multiple frequency band combinations may be related to multicast services, and the multicast service capabilities corresponding to each frequency band combination may also differ.

[0101] The first capability information sent by the transceiver module of the terminal device may also include frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate that when performing unicast operation, the frequency band combination of multicast broadcast service is also received.

[0102] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. Alternatively, the frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

[0103] The second indication information can indicate the correspondence between frequency band combination information and multicast broadcast service capabilities, thereby avoiding the duplicate reporting of frequency band combination information.

[0104] In another possible implementation of the third aspect, the first capability information sent by the transceiver module of the communication device may further include first indication information. The function of the first indication information is to notify the first network device that it has received an indication requesting multicast / broadcast service capabilities, and the multicast / broadcast service capabilities included in the first capability information sent by the terminal device at this time are the multicast / broadcast service capabilities requested by the first network device through the first indication information. Essentially, the first indication information serves as an identifier in the first capability information.

[0105] A fourth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processing module for determining first indication information; a transceiver module for sending the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to request multicast broadcast service capability. Multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operations. The transceiver module is used to receive first capability information, wherein the first capability information includes the multicast broadcast service capability. The communication device in this embodiment may be a first network device.

[0106] Unicast operation by a terminal device refers to the terminal device's ability to send and receive data or communication via unicast. Alternatively, unicast operation can be understood as unicast communication between the terminal device and network devices. The terminal device can also receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operation.

[0107] Multicast / broadcast service capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations. In other words, multicast / broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to simultaneously receive both multicast / broadcast and unicast services. Unicast and multicast / broadcast services can share the baseband capabilities of the terminal device.

[0108] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can be a first network device. The first network device instructs the terminal device to report multicast broadcast service capabilities, and the first network device can configure unicast resources according to the multicast broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device.

[0109] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability can be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device while the first network device performs the unicast operation. The first network device and the second network device can be network devices in an NR system and an LTE system, respectively; they can both be network devices in an NR system, or both can be network devices in an LTE system. In this embodiment, the first network device and the second network device can be network devices in different communication systems.

[0110] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability may be the ability to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while the first network device performs the unicast operation. Therefore, embodiments of this application can be applied to receiving the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode while performing the unicast operation with the first network device.

[0111] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module of the first network device can also be used to send capability query information. This capability query information is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device, and it includes the first indication information. The capability query information includes a first information cell, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal device; this first information cell includes the first indication information.

[0112] This application embodiment, by setting the first indication information in the capability query information, can request multicast broadcast service capabilities during the capability query process of the terminal device, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0113] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first instruction information and the capability query information can be used to jointly request multicast broadcast service capabilities, and the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information and the capability query information.

[0114] In this embodiment, the multicast service capability is requested by combining the first indication information and the capability query information. The type of multicast service capability can be indicated by the existing fields in the capability query information, thereby making the request for multicast service capability clearer. Multicast service capabilities that are not requested can be left unreported, thus avoiding the reporting of unnecessary information.

[0115] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, when the capability query information includes a first field, a first indication information and a first field used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NE-DC band combination;

[0116] When the capability query information includes a second field, the first indication information and the second field are used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC frequency band combination;

[0117] When the capability query information includes a third field, the first indication information and the third field are used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and the first indication information and the third field are used to indicate ignoring frequency band combinations in the EN-DC frequency band combination that are not related to multicast broadcast services.

[0118] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first, second, and third fields are used to request the capabilities of different types of terminal devices, respectively. During the capability query process of the terminal device, the first field is used to request the reporting of feature set combinations applicable to NE-DC, the second field is used to request the reporting of feature set combinations applicable to NR-DC, and the third field is used to instruct the terminal device to omit reporting frequency band combinations and feature set combinations applicable only to EN-DC.

[0119] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device can request different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities through existing fields in the first indication information and capability query information.

[0120] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first network device may indicate the type of multicast service capability to be requested through the first indication information.

[0121] The first indication information includes a fourth field, which is used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast broadcast service; or

[0122] The first indication information includes a fifth field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination; or

[0123] The first indication information includes a sixth field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination; or

[0124] The first indication information includes a seventh field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NR-DC band combination.

[0125] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device can indicate the type of multicast service capability requested by the first indication information, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0126] In yet another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the multicast broadcast service capability includes at least one of the following:

[0127] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation;

[0128] The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service;

[0129] The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service.

[0130] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell;

[0131] Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

[0132] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, multicast broadcast service capabilities correspond to frequency band combinations. Frequency band combinations include: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, or CA frequency band combination.

[0133] The aforementioned frequency band combinations can be referred to as different types of frequency band combinations. For a single type of frequency band combination, taking the EN-DC frequency band combination as an example, it can include multiple frequency band combinations. Some of these multiple frequency band combinations may be related to multicast services, and the multicast service capabilities corresponding to each frequency band combination may also differ.

[0134] The first capability information may also include frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate the frequency band combination that also receives multicast broadcast services when performing unicast operations.

[0135] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. Alternatively, the frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which indicates that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

[0136] In this embodiment of the application, the second indication information can indicate the correspondence between frequency band combination information and multicast broadcast service capabilities, thereby avoiding the repeated reporting of frequency band combination information.

[0137] In another possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first capability information may further include first indication information. The function of the first indication information is to notify the first network device that it has received an indication requesting multicast / broadcast service capabilities, and the multicast / broadcast service capabilities included in the first capability information sent by the terminal device at this time are the multicast / broadcast service capabilities requested by the first network device through the first indication information. Essentially, the first indication information serves as an identifier in the first capability information.

[0138] A fifth aspect provides a communication apparatus including a transceiver and a processor, the transceiver being configured to execute instructions for receiving and transmitting information, and the processor being configured to perform other steps. Specifically, the communication apparatus is configured to perform a method of any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0139] A sixth aspect provides a communication apparatus including a transceiver and a processor, the transceiver being configured to execute instructions for receiving and sending information, and the processor being configured to perform other steps. Specifically, the communication apparatus is configured to perform a method of any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0140] A seventh aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program being executed by a processor to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0141] The eighth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program being executed by a processor to implement the methods in any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0142] A ninth aspect provides a communication apparatus comprising a memory and a processor, the memory for storing instructions, the processor for executing the instructions stored in the memory, and the execution of the instructions stored in the memory causes the processor to perform a method in any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0143] A tenth aspect provides a communication apparatus comprising a memory and a processor, the memory for storing instructions, the processor for executing the instructions stored in the memory, and the execution of the instructions stored in the memory causes the processor to perform a method in any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0144] The eleventh aspect provides a communication system, including the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect.

[0145] The twelfth aspect provides a computer program product containing instructions for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0146] The thirteenth aspect provides a computer program product containing instructions for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0147] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0148] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of yet another network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0149] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0150] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an optional application scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0151] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in the first embodiment of this application;

[0152] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of yet another communication method provided in the first embodiment of this application;

[0153] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in the second embodiment of this application;

[0154] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in the third embodiment of this application;

[0155] Figure 9 A simplified structural diagram of a terminal device is shown;

[0156] Figure 10 This is another structural schematic diagram of the terminal device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0157] Figure 11 This is another structural schematic diagram of the terminal device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0158] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0159] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0160] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0161] (1) Terminal equipment, including equipment that provides voice to users, equipment that provides data connectivity to users, and equipment that provides both voice and data connectivity to users. For example, it may include a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. It may also be referred to simply as a terminal. The terminal can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN), exchange voice or data with the RAN, or interact with the RAN in voice and data. The terminal can include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal, mobile terminal, device-to-device (D2D) communication terminal, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) terminal, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. It can include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminals, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, and computer-embedded mobile devices, etc. This can include devices such as Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). It also includes limited devices, devices with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. Information sensing devices can include barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and laser scanners.

[0162] As an example and not a limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0163] The various terminals described above, if located in a vehicle, such as placed inside or installed inside a vehicle, can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminals, also known as on-board units (OBUs).

[0164] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the terminal's functions can be a terminal itself, or a circuit capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions. For example, it can be a circuit applied to a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment are described using the example of a terminal as the device for implementing the terminal's functions. Furthermore, the terminal device in this application can also be a terminal device in next-generation communications.

[0165] (2) Network equipment may include radio access network (RAN) equipment, such as base stations (e.g., access points). It can refer to a device in the access network that communicates with terminal equipment via an air interface, or a network device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology as a roadside unit (RSU). The base station can be used to convert received air frames to and from IP packets, acting as a router between the terminal and the rest of the access network, which may include an IP network. The RSU can be a fixed infrastructure entity supporting V2X applications, exchanging messages with other entities supporting V2X applications. The network equipment may also coordinate the management of air interface attributes. For example, network equipment may include evolved base stations (NodeBs, eNBs, or e-NodeBs) in long-term evolution (LTE) systems or long-term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) systems, or may include next-generation node Bs (gNBs) in evolved packet core (EPC), the 5th generation (5G), new radio (NR) systems (also referred to as NR systems), or centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access networks (Cloud RAN) systems. The embodiments of this application are not limited.

[0166] Network equipment may also include core network equipment, such as access and mobility management functions (AMF).

[0167] (3) Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS)

[0168] Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) is a point-to-multipoint service defined in 3GPP Release 6. It enables the simultaneous delivery of a specific type of data service from a data service source to multiple users within a defined area. By using less network resources, it provides services (such as multimedia services) to a large number of users with the same needs simultaneously, thus reducing network resource consumption. MBMS supports both multimedia broadcast and multicast modes. It can broadcast multimedia video information directly to all users or send it to a group of paying subscribers. This allows operators to develop various commercial applications such as multimedia advertising, free and pay TV channels, and MMS mass messaging, enabling operators to launch mobile TV services with lower network deployment costs.

[0169] eMBMS is an enhanced broadcast multicast technology for Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks and is one of the video bearer technologies in the mobile field. Compared with the previous generation MBMS video bearer technology, it allows operators to significantly reduce the cost of providing high-bandwidth content such as video and audio to multiple users simultaneously on the LTE network. Compared with the previous generation MBMS video bearer technology, eMBMS technology can support greater bandwidth, which means it can provide more channels and video content, while the video picture is clearer and smoother, resulting in a better user experience.

[0170] In New Radio (NR), MBMS is also known as multicast / broadcast service (MBS). In the following text, MBMS, eMBMS in LTE, and MBS in NR will be collectively referred to as MBMS. MBMS includes two transmission technologies: Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service Single Frequency Network (MBMSFN) and Single-Cell Point-to-Multipoint (SC-PTM).

[0171] (4) LTE-NR dual connectivity technology

[0172] When evolving from 4G to 5G, the radio access network and the core network are separated. The 5G radio access network (NR), 5G core network (5G Core Network, 5CG), 4G core network (Evolved Packet Core, EPC), and 4G radio access network (LTE) are mixed and matched to form an evolution path with multiple network deployment options.

[0173] In LTE-NR dual connectivity, terminal devices can simultaneously connect to one 4G base station (eNB) and one 5G base station (gNB), obtaining high-speed, low-latency wireless transmission services through tight interoperability between the 4G and 5G networks. In LTE-NR, the base station acting as the control plane anchor is called the Master Node (MN), and the base station playing an auxiliary role is called the Secondary Node (SN). Depending on the type of Master and Secondary Nodes and the core network they connect to, LTE and NR dual connectivity can be implemented in three architectures: E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), and NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (NGEN-DC).

[0174] EN-DC: In the EN-DC architecture, the network topology is as follows: the 4G core network and 4G base station eNB are the master nodes, and the 5G base station gNB is the secondary node. In the EN-DC architecture, the 5G base station, acting as a secondary node, primarily provides the NR control plane and user protocol endpoints for terminal devices.

[0175] NE-DC: In the NE-DC architecture, the networking mode is as follows: 5G core network and 5G base station gNB are the main nodes, and 4G base station eNB are the auxiliary nodes.

[0176] NGEN-DC: In the NGEN-DC architecture, the networking mode is as follows: 5G core network and 4G base station eNB are the main nodes, and 5G base station gNB are the auxiliary nodes.

[0177] (5) NR-NR Dual Connectivity (NR-DC)

[0178] In the NR-DC architecture, both the master node and the slave node are 5G base station gNBs. The master node gNB connects to the 5G base station via the NG interface, and the master node connects to the slave node gNB via the Xn interface. The slave node gNB connects to the 5G base station via the NG-U interface.

[0179] (6): The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC.

[0180] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold are only used to distinguish different thresholds, and do not indicate a difference in the priority or importance of these two thresholds.

[0181] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the network architecture includes CN (Network Address Translation) equipment, RAN (Radio Address Translation) equipment, and terminal equipment. The RAN equipment includes baseband and radio frequency (RF) devices. The baseband device can be implemented by a single node or multiple nodes. The RF device can be implemented independently from the baseband device, integrated into the baseband device, or partially integrated with the baseband device. For example, in an LTE communication system, the RAN equipment (eNB) includes baseband and RF devices. The RF device can be deployed remotely relative to the baseband device; for example, a remote radio unit (RRU) is a remote radio unit deployed relative to the BBU.

[0182] Communication between RAN devices and terminal devices follows a certain protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of protocol layers such as radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical layer. The user plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of protocol layers such as PDCP, RLC, MAC, and physical layer. In one possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may also be included above the PDCP layer.

[0183] RAN equipment can implement protocol layer functions such as RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC by a single node, or by multiple nodes. For example, in one evolution architecture, RAN equipment may include CUs (Control Units) and DUs (Distributed Units), with multiple DUs centrally controlled by a single CU. Figure 1 As shown, 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 are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the RLC layer and MAC layer, are set in the DU.

[0184] This layered protocol division is merely an example; it can also be applied to other protocol layers. For instance, at the RLC layer, functions of the RLC layer and above could be placed in the CU, while functions of lower-level protocol layers could be placed in the DU. Alternatively, it could be done within a specific protocol layer, for example, placing some functions of the RLC layer and functions of higher-level protocol layers in the CU, while placing the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of lower-level protocol layers in the DU. Furthermore, it can be divided in other ways, such as by latency, placing functions whose processing time needs to meet latency requirements in the DU, and functions that do not need to meet that latency requirement in the CU.

[0185] Furthermore, the radio frequency device can be integrated independently, not in the DU, or integrated into the DU, or partially remote and partially integrated into the DU; there are no restrictions on this.

[0186] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of yet another network architecture to which embodiments of this application apply. Relative to... Figure 1 The network architecture shown is Figure 2In addition, the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU can be separated and implemented as different entities, namely the control plane (CP) CU entity (i.e., CU-CP entity) and the user plane (UP) CU entity (i.e., CU-UP entity).

[0187] In the above network architecture, signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal device via the DU, or signaling generated by the terminal device can be sent to the CU via the DU. The DU can directly encapsulate the signaling through the protocol layer and transmit it to the terminal device or CU without parsing it. In the following embodiments, if such signaling transmission between the DU and the terminal device is involved, the DU's sending or receiving of signaling includes this scenario. For example, signaling from the RRC or PDCP layer will eventually be processed into PHY layer signaling and sent to the terminal device, or it may be transformed from received PHY layer signaling. In this architecture, the RRC or PDCP layer signaling can also be considered as being sent by the DU, or being sent by the DU and the radio frequency loader.

[0188] The above Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated network architecture is applicable to various radio access technology (RAT) communication systems, such as LTE communication systems, 5G (or new radio, NR) communication systems, or transitional systems between LTE and 5G communication systems (also known as 4.5G communication systems), and of course, future communication systems. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that with the evolution of communication network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0189] The apparatus in the following embodiments of this application, depending on the functions it performs, can be located in a terminal device or a network device. When the above CU-DU structure is adopted, the network device can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a RAN device including CU nodes and DU nodes.

[0190] The relevant technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0191] I. Terminal Equipment Capability Reporting

[0192] Network devices obtain the capability information of terminal devices through a capability query process. During the capability query process, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, which indicates the capability parameters that the terminal device needs to report. The terminal device then uploads the corresponding capability information according to the indication information.

[0193] Currently, some terminal devices possess multiple radio access technology (RAT) capabilities. Multi-RAT capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to operate simultaneously across multiple RATs. A typical example of multi-RAT capability is the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access and New Radio dual connectivity (E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity, EN-DC). EN-DC is a mode in which LTE and NR work together as a dual connectivity mode, with LTE as the master node. This means a terminal device can simultaneously connect to both LTE and NR network devices, and be provided services by both. Multi-RAT capability is also requested as a capability type when requesting capabilities.

[0194] 1. Terminal device capability structure in NR

[0195] Different terminal devices have different capabilities supported within a single RAT due to differences in hardware or software versions. In order for the network to better provide services to terminal devices, the network needs to know the capabilities of the terminal devices in order to configure appropriate working modes for them.

[0196] The capability architecture of NR's terminal devices includes the following main components:

[0197] Band Combination Lists:

[0198] This is a list of frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, specifying which frequency bands are included in a given combination, such as band1+band2+band3. Of course, even if only one band is supported, it is still reported through this structure.

[0199] Feature Set Combinations:

[0200] Feature Sets Combinations is a collection of multiple Feature Sets Combinations. Each Feature Sets Combination is a matrix of elements containing multiple featuresetIDs. Each featuresetID is associated with a band and points to a set of physical parameters that express the capabilities supported by the terminal device on that band, such as the number of carriers, carrier bandwidth, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capabilities. Ultimately, Feature Sets Combinations represent the band combinations supported by the terminal device and the capabilities supported on those band combinations.

[0201] 2. EN-DC terminal equipment capability structure:

[0202] EN-DC is a mode in which LTE and NR work together as a data center, meaning a terminal device connects to both LTE and NR base stations simultaneously and receives services from both. In this mode, the terminal device's capabilities need to include three parts: NR capabilities, LTE capabilities, and EN-DC capabilities. EN-DC capabilities refer to the combined capabilities of LTE and NR.

[0203] The EN-DC capability of terminal devices is distributed across three capabilities: LTE, Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC), and NR. The network needs to obtain the band combination list from MR-DC, the feature sets from LTE, and the feature sets from NR in order to fully acquire the EN-DC capability.

[0204] Therefore, if a network device wants to operate in EN-DC mode, it needs to request LTE, MR-DC, and NR capabilities from the terminal device. Only after the terminal device reports these three capabilities can the network device combine them to form the terminal device's EN-DC capabilities.

[0205] You can request LTE, EN-DC, and NR capabilities separately through three capability reporting request messages, or you can request them simultaneously in the same capability reporting request message.

[0206] II. Terminal Device Capability Query Process

[0207] Unicast communication occurs between network devices and terminal devices. Therefore, network devices typically use a capability query process to obtain the capabilities of terminal devices so that they can send and receive data via unicast based on those capabilities. During the capability query process, network devices can send capability query information to terminal devices to request their capabilities.

[0208] Capability query information typically includes information elements, which contain multiple fields indicating the capabilities of the requested terminal device. The information element in the capability query information sent by the network device can be a filter function, such as UE-Capability Request Filter Common. The filter function requests the capabilities of filtered terminal devices. The capabilities of the filtered terminal devices refer to those that meet the network device's requirements; therefore, through the filter function, the network device can obtain the capabilities of the terminal devices reported by the terminal devices.

[0209] Taking the UE-Capability Request Filter Common, which uses a cell as the filtering function, as an example, the cell can include multiple fields. Different fields are used to request capabilities for different types of terminal devices. When the cell includes a first field, such as includeNE-DC, the terminal device supporting NE-DC indicates support for NE-DC in the frequency band combination and reports the feature set combination applicable to NE-DC. When the cell includes a second field, such as includeNR-DC, the terminal device supporting NR-DC indicates support for NR-DC in the frequency band combination and reports the feature set combination applicable to NR-DC. When the cell includes a third field, such as omitEN-DC, the terminal device omits reporting frequency band combinations and feature set combinations applicable only to EN-DC.

[0210] Based on the above description of the relevant features, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in general terms below.

[0211] In mobile communication systems, communication between terminal devices and network devices occurs over frequency bands. Different terminal devices may support different frequency bands or combinations thereof, and these bands may have different baseband capabilities. Baseband capabilities may include: carrier bandwidth, number of carriers, number of supported Channel State Indicator (CSI) processes, and number of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) layers. Terminal devices need to report their supported frequency bands or combinations, as well as their baseband capabilities, to the network devices. The network devices then allocate service resources based on the capabilities of the terminal devices.

[0212] In one scenario, a terminal device can support receiving broadcast multicast services while performing unicast operations. In this case, unicast and broadcast multicast services share the terminal device's baseband capabilities. Therefore, it is necessary for the terminal device to report its ability to receive multicast broadcasts while performing unicast operations to the network device, so that the network device can configure multicast broadcast services based on the capability information reported by the terminal device. In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus that can be used to report multicast broadcast service capabilities to support terminal devices receiving broadcast multicast services while performing unicast operations.

[0213] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The following will be combined with... Figure 3 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail. The communication method includes:

[0214] S301: The terminal device receives the first indication information sent by the network device. The first indication information is used to request multicast broadcast service capability.

[0215] The first indication information is used to request multicast / broadcast service capabilities. Network devices can use the first indication information to indicate the multicast / broadcast service capabilities requested from terminal devices. The first indication information can be used together with other fields to request the multicast / broadcast service capabilities that the terminal device needs to report, or the first indication information can be configured with different fields to request the required multicast / broadcast service capabilities from the terminal device individually.

[0216] Network devices can send the first indication information using a single signaling message, or they can set the first indication information in an existing signaling message sent to the terminal device.

[0217] S302: The terminal device determines the first capability information according to the first instruction information. The first capability information includes multicast broadcast service capability, which is the ability of the terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operations.

[0218] Upon receiving the first instruction information, the terminal device can determine the multicast / broadcast service capability requested by the network device based on the first instruction information, and send the determined multicast / broadcast service capability to the network device through the first capability information.

[0219] When the first indication information and other fields jointly request multicast / broadcast service capability, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and other fields. When the first indication information alone requests multicast / broadcast service capability, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based solely on the first indication information.

[0220] S303: The terminal device sends the first capability information to the network device.

[0221] The terminal device sends the determined multicast service capabilities to the network device through first capability information. The terminal device can send the first capability information separately through a single signaling message, or it can set the first capability information in an existing signaling message sent by the terminal device to the network device, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0222] In this embodiment, unicast operation performed by the terminal device means that the terminal device sends and receives data / communicates via unicast. Alternatively, unicast operation can be understood as unicast communication between the terminal device and a network device. The terminal device can also receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operation. The network device communicating with the terminal device via unicast and the network device communicating with the terminal device via multicast / broadcast services can be the same network device or different network devices.

[0223] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an optional application scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the embodiments of this application, the network device that performs unicast communication with the terminal device and the network device that performs multicast broadcast service communication with the terminal device can be different network devices. For example, the terminal device can communicate with both a first network device and a second network device simultaneously. The terminal device and the first network device perform unicast operations and can simultaneously receive multicast broadcast services from the second network device. In this case, the network device that sends the first indication information can be the first network device. The terminal device and the second network device mainly perform downlink communication, that is, the second network device sends multicast broadcast service data to the terminal device. The terminal device and the second network device can also perform uplink communication, and the terminal device can provide feedback to the second network device.

[0224] When the network device communicating with the terminal device via unicast and the network device communicating with the terminal device via multicast are different network devices, the network device communicating via unicast and the network device sending multicast / broadcast services configure resources for unicast and multicast / broadcast services respectively. Since unicast communication and multicast / broadcast communication share the baseband capabilities of the terminal device, if the network device communicating via unicast cannot know the configuration details of the multicast / broadcast service, the resource configuration performed by the first and second network devices may exceed the baseband capabilities of the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device will not support simultaneous operation of unicast communication and multicast / broadcast services.

[0225] In this embodiment, the first network device and the second network device can be network devices in the NR system and the LTE system, respectively. Alternatively, both the first and second network devices can be network devices in the NR system, or both can be network devices in the LTE system. When the first network device is a network device in the NR system and the second network device is a network device in the LTE system, it can serve as an intermediate supplement for migrating LTE multicast / broadcast services to NR multicast / broadcast services, enabling the reception of multicast / broadcast services in the NR system.

[0226] The network device that performs unicast communication with the terminal device and the network device that performs multicast broadcast service communication with the terminal device can also be the same network device.

[0227] The multicast broadcast service capability in this embodiment refers to the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operations. Alternatively, the multicast broadcast service capability can be described as the ability of a terminal device to simultaneously receive both multicast broadcast services and unicast. Furthermore, the multicast broadcast service capability in this embodiment can also refer to the ability of a terminal device and a first network device to receive multicast broadcast services from a second network device while performing unicast operations.

[0228] Alternatively, multicast broadcast service capability can also be the ability to receive multicast broadcast services from a second network device in Receive Only Mode (ROM) while performing unicast operations with a first network device. ROM mode refers to a mode that allows a terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services without accessing and registering with the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) that provides multicast broadcast services.

[0229] In this embodiment, the terminal device receives first indication information sent by the network device. This first indication information specifies the multicast / broadcast service capabilities that the terminal device needs to report. The terminal device determines the required multicast / broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information and sends this information to the network device via first capability information. The network device can then configure unicast based on the multicast / broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device. This ensures that the terminal device can receive multicast / broadcast services while performing unicast operations.

[0230] It should be noted that the above combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 The content described herein is a general description of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and the above content applies to all embodiments described later in this application.

[0231] The possible implementations of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. First, a general introduction will be given to the first, second, and third embodiments of this application.

[0232] In a first embodiment of this application, the network device sends a first indication message to the terminal device requesting multicast / broadcast service capabilities. The first indication message and capability query information can jointly indicate the type of multicast / broadcast service capability requested. The first indication message is used to request multicast / broadcast service capabilities, and the capability query information is used to indicate which one or more frequency band combinations correspond to the requested multicast / broadcast service capability, thus both jointly indicate the type of multicast / broadcast service capability requested. The terminal device determines the different types of multicast / broadcast service capabilities to be sent to the network device based on the first indication message and the capability query information.

[0233] In the second embodiment of this application, the network device sends a first indication message to the terminal device requesting multicast broadcast service capabilities. The first indication message indicates the type of multicast broadcast service capability to be requested. The terminal device determines the different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities to be sent to the network device based on the first indication message. The third embodiment of this application is a special description of the first and second embodiments, where the multicast broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services from the second network device in ROM mode while performing unicast operations with the first network device.

[0234] In the first, second, and third embodiments of this application, the network device that sends the first instruction information can be referred to as the first network device. The first, second, and third embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0235] First Embodiment

[0236] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication method provided in the first embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, it includes:

[0237] S501: The first network device sends capability query information and first instruction information to the terminal device.

[0238] Capability query information is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device. The first indication information and capability query information are used to indicate the type of multicast / broadcast service capability. The multicast / broadcast service capability type refers to the multicast / broadcast service capabilities corresponding to different frequency band combinations; in other words, the multicast / broadcast service capability type is classified according to frequency band combinations. In one example, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the first type of multicast / broadcast service capability, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the second type of multicast / broadcast service capability, and the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the third type of multicast / broadcast service capability.

[0239] Furthermore, multicast broadcast service capability types can also be categorized in other ways, such as based on whether they are related to multicast. That is, the first network device uses a type indicator to inform the terminal device whether it is requesting to report multicast-related capability information. Other categorization methods are not limited here.

[0240] In S501, there are several ways to implement the first network device sending the first indication information to the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the capability query information may include the first indication information, which is sent to the terminal device together with the capability query information. In another possible implementation, the first indication information may be included in a cell of the capability query information, or a new cell may be set in the capability query information, with the first indication information set in the new cell.

[0241] The capability query information in this embodiment may include a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device. Specifically, the first information element may be a filtering function, such as UE-Capability Request FilterCommon. The filtering function is used to request the capabilities of filtered terminal devices. Here, the capabilities of filtered terminal devices refer to the capabilities of terminal devices that meet the requirements of the first network device. In other words, the first network device will use the first information element to instruct the terminal device which terminal device capabilities to report. Correspondingly, the terminal device determines the capabilities of the terminal devices to report based on the first information element, which can be understood as filtering out the reported terminal device capabilities. First indication information may be in the first information element. The first indication information may be a new field in the first information element, and the function of the new field is to indicate the multicast / broadcast service capabilities to be requested.

[0242] The first instruction information and the capability query information can also be sent separately; the first embodiment does not limit this.

[0243] In S501, the first indication information can be indicated by 1 bit.

[0244] In S501, the type of multicast service capability requested can be indicated by the fields in the capability query information and the first indication information.

[0245] When the capability query information includes the first field, the first network device requests the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination through the first indication information and the first field.

[0246] When the capability query information includes the second field, the first network device requests the multicast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC band combination through the first indication information and the second field.

[0247] When the capability query information includes a third field, the first network device requests the multicast service capability corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination through the first indication information and the third field. The first network device instructs the terminal device to ignore frequency band combinations in the EN-DC frequency band combination that are not related to the multicast service through the first indication information and the third field.

[0248] In the first embodiment, the first field can be includeNE-DC, the second field can be includeNR-DC, and the third field can be excludeEN-DC. It should be understood that this is merely exemplary and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0249] S502: The terminal device determines the type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the capability query information and the first indication information.

[0250] In one example, the type of multicast broadcast service capability is classified according to the frequency band combination, and correspondingly, multicast broadcast service capabilities can have a corresponding relationship with frequency band combinations.

[0251] It is understood that "correspondence" means that in different frequency band combinations, some frequency band combinations correspond to multicast broadcasting capabilities while others do not. Furthermore, in the frequency band combinations corresponding to multicast broadcasting capabilities, the multicast broadcasting capabilities corresponding to different frequency band combinations may be the same or different, which is not limited in this invention.

[0252] The frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device may include frequency band combinations related to multicast services, or frequency band combinations unrelated to multicast services. Table 1 is an example of the correspondence between multicast service capabilities and frequency band combinations shown in the first embodiment. As shown in Table 1, the terminal device supports n frequency band combinations: frequency band combination 1 to frequency band combination n, and each frequency band combination includes multiple component carriers (CCs).

[0253] Table 1: Examples of the correspondence between multicast broadcast service capabilities and frequency band combinations

[0254]

[0255] Frequency band combination 1 includes component carriers CC1+CC2, where CC1 corresponds to multicast services and CC2 corresponds to unicast services. Frequency band combination 2 includes component carriers CC1+CC3+CC5, where CC1 corresponds to multicast services and CC3+CC5 corresponds to unicast services. Frequency band combination n includes component carriers CC1+CC2+CC3+CC2 ... n +CC n+1 The component carrier corresponding to unicast is CC. n +CC n+1 .

[0256] Therefore, among frequency band combination 1, frequency band combination 2, and frequency band combination n, the frequency band combinations related to multicast broadcast services are frequency band combination 1 and frequency band combination 2. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to frequency band combination 1 is called capability 1, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to frequency band combination 2 is called capability 2. Capability 1 and capability 2 may be the same or different.

[0257] The frequency band combinations supported by the terminal equipment may include at least one of the following: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, carrier aggregation (CA) frequency band combination, or other multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) frequency band combination. These frequency band combinations can be referred to as different types of frequency band combinations. For a single type of frequency band combination, taking EN-DC frequency band combination as an example, it may include multiple frequency band combinations. The correspondence between each frequency band combination and multicast broadcast service capabilities can be represented as shown in Table 1.

[0258] Among them, EN-DC band combination refers to the band combination supported by the terminal equipment for EN-DC mode, NE-DC band combination refers to the band combination supported by the terminal equipment for NE-DC mode, NR-DC band combination refers to the band combination supported by the terminal equipment for NR-DC mode, and CA band combination refers to the carrier aggregation band combination supported by the terminal equipment.

[0259] For example, when the terminal device supports EN-DC band combination and CA band combination, the two types of band combinations have a corresponding relationship with multicast broadcast services, as shown in Table 1a and Table 1b.

[0260] Table 1a: Examples of the correspondence between multicast broadcast service capabilities and multiple types of frequency band combinations

[0261]

[0262] Table 1b: Examples of the correspondence between multicast broadcast service capabilities and multiple types of frequency band combinations

[0263]

[0264] The process by which the terminal device determines different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information and capability query information will be explained below.

[0265] When the capability query information includes the first field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the first field and the first indication information. The multicast broadcast service capability determined by the terminal device at this time is the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination NE-DC.

[0266] When the capability query information includes the second field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the second field and the first indication information. The multicast broadcast service capability determined by the terminal device at this time is the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination NR-DC.

[0267] When the capability query information includes a third field, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based on the third field and the first indication information. The multicast / broadcast service capability determined by the terminal device at this time is the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination EN-DC. Furthermore, based on the indication of the third field and the first indication information, the terminal device will ignore reporting frequency band combinations that are not related to multicast / broadcast services in the EN-DC combination.

[0268] In other words, the terminal device can determine the first type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the first field, determine the second type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the second field, and determine the third type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the third field.

[0269] Multicast broadcast service capabilities may include at least one of the following:

[0270] Does the terminal device support receiving multicast broadcast information while performing unicast operations?

[0271] The terminal device supports the maximum bandwidth for receiving multicast broadcast services;

[0272] Scaling factor for multicast broadcast services;

[0273] Does the terminal device support receiving multicast broadcast services on the frequency of the secondary cell?

[0274] Does the terminal device support receiving multicast broadcast services on the frequency of the serving cell, where the serving cell is a cell in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group?

[0275] One way to indicate whether multicast / broadcast services are supported during unicast operations is through bit indication. For example, a 1-bit indicator shows support, while a 0-bit indicator shows no support. Another method is through field indication; for instance, the presence of this field in the multicast / broadcast service capability indicates support, while its absence indicates no support.

[0276] Regarding the maximum bandwidth that a terminal device supports for receiving multicast broadcast services, this application embodiment provides several ways to indicate the maximum bandwidth that a terminal device supports for receiving multicast broadcast services. Two possible methods are described below:

[0277] Method 1: Display method indication. For example, the maximum bandwidth of the multicast service is represented by the field mbms-MaxBW, and the value of mbms-MaxBW is indicated by bits. This value can be any positive integer from 2 to 20.

[0278] Method 2: An explicit or implicit option.

[0279] If it is an explicit or implicit choice indicator, that is, the indicator information indicates whether to indicate it explicitly or implicitly, possible implementation methods include:

[0280] (1) Indicate whether to use explicit value or implicit value in the choice method: If implicit value is indicated, the terminal device will use the pre-acquired mbms-MaxBW value according to the implicit value indication. The pre-acquired value can be predefined by the protocol or obtained from the base station in advance.

[0281] (2) The existence of the field for the explicit value is used to determine the value. If the explicit value exists, the first network device determines the mbms-MaxBW value corresponding to the terminal device based on the explicit value. Otherwise, if the field for the explicit value is not configured, the first network device considers the mbms-MaxBW value corresponding to the terminal device to be the default value.

[0282] The scaling factor for multicast services refers to the ratio of one bandwidth unit processed by the first subcarrier interval to one bandwidth unit processed by the default subcarrier interval, which corresponds to the multicast service. The first subcarrier interval can be 0.37kHz, 1.25kHz, 7.5kHz, 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, or 240kHz. The default subcarrier interval can be 0.37kHz, 1.25kHz, 7.5kHz, 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, or 240kHz, or other subcarrier interval values ​​listed above; no limitation is made here. There can be one or more scaling factors. When there are multiple scaling factors, the network device configures corresponding scaling factor values ​​for different first subcarrier interval values. The scaling factor values ​​corresponding to different first subcarrier interval values ​​can be the same or different values.

[0283] The following example illustrates how the network device in this embodiment determines the baseband capability limit of the terminal device based on the multicast / broadcast service capability, thereby avoiding exceeding the terminal device's baseband capability. The terminal device sends multicast / broadcast service information to the network device via first capability information. The network device determines the terminal device's baseband capability based on this information and a predetermined formula, and then determines whether the frequency band combination needs to be adjusted. If it is found that the terminal device's current baseband capability is about to exceed the limit, the number of frequency band combinations can be reduced. Conversely, if the terminal device's current baseband capability has sufficient margin, the number of frequency band combinations can be appropriately increased, but it is ensured that the increase does not exceed the terminal device's baseband capability limit.

[0284] The multicast broadcast service capability includes the maximum bandwidth (mbms-MaxBW) supported for receiving multicast broadcast services and the scaling factor corresponding to multiple first subcarrier intervals, as an example for explanation.

[0285] For example, the first subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, 7.5kHz, 2.5kHz, 1.25kHz, and 0.37kHz. Correspondingly, the scaling factor for these first subcarrier spacings can be mbms-Scalingfactor1dot25(A (15 ), mbms-Scalingfactor0dot25(A (7.5), mbms-Scalingfactor0dot25(A (2.5 ), mbms-Scalingfactor0dot25(A (1.25 ), mbms-Scalingfactor0dot25(A (0.37 ).

[0286] The baseband capability limitation of the terminal device can satisfy the following inequality:

[0287]

[0288] It should be noted that the above inequalities are merely illustrative examples using first subcarrier spacings of 15kHz, 7.5kHz, 2.5kHz, 1.25kHz, and 0.37kHz. When introducing new subcarrier spacings in current or future communication systems, the core idea of ​​these inequalities still applies to represent the baseband capability limitations of the terminal device. Only a corresponding scaling factor needs to be added. For example, when introducing a new subcarrier spacing of xkHz, the corresponding inequality adds a summation term. The newly introduced subcarriers will have xkHz values ​​of 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, and 240kHz.

[0289] The parameters in the inequality are explained below.

[0290] T represents the maximum bandwidth capability of the terminal device, which is the maximum baseband bandwidth that the terminal device can handle. C indicates the number of serving cells configured by the network device for the terminal device to receive signals from. R c This refers to the number of spatial layers that the terminal device can receive in the c-th serving cell based on downlink MIMO-CapabilityDL. Bc is the bandwidth of the c-th serving cell, in MHz. c This indicates that when the subcarrier spacing reaches the corresponding value, I c The value is 1 otherwise. For example, in the above inequality, when the first subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, then... The rest follow the same pattern.

[0291] The left-hand side of the above inequality, the maximum baseband bandwidth T that the terminal device can handle, is the baseband capability limit indicated by the terminal device to the network device. The right-hand side of the inequality represents the actual baseband capability of the terminal device calculated by the network device. The actual baseband capability of the terminal device calculated by the network device must be less than or equal to the maximum baseband bandwidth T reported by the terminal device. To satisfy the constraint of the inequality, the network device can adjust the remaining parameters on the right-hand side of the inequality based on T on the left-hand side and the multicast / broadcast service capability reported by the terminal device on the right-hand side, such as the first subcarrier spacing, thereby satisfying the inequality constraint. T can be indicated by the maximum bandwidth (mbms - MaxBW) that the terminal device supports for receiving multicast / broadcast services. The indication of the maximum bandwidth of the multicast / broadcast service supported by the terminal device in relation to T can include explicit indication or implicit indication.

[0292] For implicit indication, T can be represented as:

[0293]

[0294] Here, the numerator indicates the maximum number of downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) transport block bits that can be received within a transmission time interval (TTI), and the denominator indicates the maximum transport block size (TBS) when using the maximum supported modulation and coding scheme and spatial multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layer 2. Layer 2 refers to the number of spatial layers. Both the numerator and denominator can be obtained through the terminal device category configuration parameter in the network device configuration. Specifically, the numerator and denominator are obtained by looking up a table using the terminal device category indicator. Table 2 shows the downlink physical layer parameter values ​​set by the terminal device category. The first column is the terminal device category, the second column is the maximum number of DL-SCH transport block bits received within a TTI, the third column is the maximum number of soft channel bits, and the fifth column is the maximum number of streams or spatial layers supported during downlink spatial multiplexing.

[0295] Table 2: Downlink Physical Layer Parameter Values ​​for Terminal Device Category Settings

[0296]

[0297]

[0298] If mbms-MaxBW is indicated by display, then:

[0299] T = explicitValue * 40MHz, where explicitValue is the mbms-MaxBW value indicated by the display method.

[0300] The following specific examples illustrate how a terminal device determines different types of multicast / broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information and capability query information:

[0301] First, taking the capability query information, which includes the first field and the multicast broadcast service capability, which includes the maximum bandwidth (mbms-MaxBW) of the multicast broadcast service supported for reception, as an example, we will explain how the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability. The frequency band combinations applicable to NE-DC mode are shown in Table 3.

[0302] Table 3: Examples of frequency band combinations applicable to NE-DC mode and corresponding multicast service capabilities

[0303]

[0304] As shown in Table 3, there are four frequency band combinations applicable to the NE-DC mode. The second column of Table 3 contains the frequency band combination information for the NE-DC combination, such as the component carrier information included in the NE-DC combination. The third column of Table 3 indicates whether the frequency band combination is related to multicast services. The fourth column of Table 3 shows the multicast service capabilities corresponding to the frequency band combination.

[0305] Among them, NE-DC band combination 1, NE-DC band combination 2, and NE-DC band combination 4 are related to multicast broadcast services, and each corresponds to a multicast broadcast service capability. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 1 is mbms-MaxBW1, the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 2 is mbms-MaxBW2, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 4 is mbms-MaxBW4. The terminal equipment can also determine that the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 3 is empty based on the first field and the first indication information.

[0306] In Table 3, mbms-MaxBW refers to the maximum bandwidth that the terminal device supports for receiving multicast broadcast services. Table 3 exemplifies the multicast broadcast service capability as mbms-MaxBW. It is understood that the multicast broadcast service capability includes various aspects; mbms-MaxBW is used here as an example. This does not constitute a limitation on the first embodiment of this application.

[0307] When the capability query information includes the second field, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability using a method similar to that for the first field. Taking a frequency band combination applicable to NR-DC mode, specifically one with four frequency band combinations, as an example: NR-DC frequency band combination 2, NR-DC frequency band combination 3, and NR-DC frequency band combination 4 are related to multicast / broadcast services, and each corresponds to a multicast / broadcast service capability. The multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 2 is mbms-MaxBW2, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 3 is mbms-MaxBW3, and the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 4 is mbms-MaxBW4. The terminal device can also determine that the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 1 is empty based on the second field and the first indication information.

[0308] When the capability query information includes a third field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the third field and the first indication information.

[0309] The multicast service capability determined by the terminal device at this time is the multicast service capability corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination, which is related to the multicast service.

[0310] In other words, the terminal equipment determines the multicast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC band combination, but ignores band combinations in the EN-DC combination that are not related to multicast services.

[0311] There are two ways for terminal devices to determine multicast / broadcast service capabilities based on the third field and the first indication information:

[0312] Method 1: The terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability, which corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination, but the EN-DC frequency band combination does not include frequency band combinations that are not related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0313] In other words, the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination associated with the multicast broadcast service.

[0314] Table 4a illustrates an exemplary correspondence between an EN-DC band combination and a multicast service. As shown in Table 4a, EN-DC band combination 1 and EN-DC band combination 2 are associated with the multicast service. Band combinations in the EN-DC band combination that are not associated with the multicast service are not shown in Table 4a.

[0315] Table 4a: An example of the correspondence between EN-DC band combinations and multicast services

[0316] EN-DC band combination Component carriers corresponding to multicast broadcast services Component carriers corresponding to unicast 1 <![CDATA[CC1]]> <![CDATA[CC2]]> 2 <![CDATA[CC3]]> <![CDATA[CC2+CC5]]>

[0317] For method 1, the terminal device directly determines the multicast broadcast service capabilities that need to be sent to the first network device as the multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to EN-DC band combination 1 and EN-DC band combination 2 in Table 4a.

[0318] Method 2: The terminal equipment determines the multicast broadcast capability information corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and then removes or ignores the multicast broadcast capability information corresponding to the frequency band combination that is not related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0319] Table 4b: Another example of the correspondence between EN-DC band combinations and multicast services

[0320] EN-DC band combination Component carriers corresponding to multicast broadcast services Component carriers corresponding to unicast 1 <![CDATA[CC1]]> <![CDATA[CC2]]> 2 <![CDATA[CC3]]> <![CDATA[CC2+CC5]]> 3 <![CDATA[CC2+CC4+CC5]]> 4 <![CDATA[CC4+CC6+CC7]]>

[0321] For Method 2, in determining multicast service capabilities, the terminal device first determines the information corresponding to all EN-DC frequency band combinations, specifically EN-DC frequency band combinations 1 to EN-DC frequency band combinations 4. Then, it filters out the capability information corresponding to the frequency band combinations related to multicast from EN-DC frequency band combinations 1 to EN-DC frequency band combinations 4. Specifically, the multicast service capabilities corresponding to EN-DC frequency band combinations 1 and EN-DC frequency band combination 2 are placed in the first multicast capability information and reported to the first network device. EN-DC frequency band combinations 3 and EN-DC frequency band combination 4 are ignored from the reporting process.

[0322] The multicast service capabilities ultimately determined by the terminal devices in both Method 1 and Method 2 based on the third field and the first indication information are the same; only the determination process differs. In Method 1, the multicast service capabilities are directly determined to be those corresponding to EN-DC band combinations 1 and EN-DC band combination 2. In Method 2, the terminal device determines the multicast service capabilities to be those corresponding to all EN-DC band combinations, thus ignoring band combinations EN-DC band combination 3 and EN-DC band combination 4 that are unrelated to multicast services.

[0323] In the first embodiment of this application, as an example, the third field can be omitEN-DC.

[0324] By comparing the process of the terminal device determining the multicast service capability based on the first instruction information and the third field in the first embodiment of this application with the process of the terminal device determining the capability of the terminal device based on the third field in the capability query information, the differences between the first embodiment of this application and the first embodiment of this application are further explained.

[0325] During the capability query process of the terminal device, when the capability query information includes a third field, the terminal device will omit the frequency band combination and feature set combination that are only applicable to EN-DC based on the third field. In other words, the frequency band combination and feature set combination that are only applicable to EN-DC mode will be ignored and will not be reported to the first network device.

[0326] In the first embodiment of this application, when the terminal device determines the multicast service capability based on the third field and the first indication information, it will not directly ignore frequency band combinations and feature set combinations that are only applicable to EN-DC mode. The multicast service capability determined by the terminal device includes the multicast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast service in the EN-DC frequency band combination, while the frequency band combination that is not related to the multicast service in the EN-DC frequency band combination will be ignored.

[0327] S503: The terminal device sends first capability information to the first network device. The first capability information includes multicast and broadcast service capabilities.

[0328] Since multicast service capabilities correspond to frequency band combinations, when sending multicast service capabilities to the first network device, frequency band combination information may also be included. This frequency band combination information indicates the frequency band combination that also receives multicast services when performing unicast operations. In one embodiment, the frequency band combination information in the first capability information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. In another embodiment, the frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which indicates that the frequency band combination information corresponding to the multicast service is reported in a first order. The two embodiments are described below:

[0329] Method 1: The first capability information includes multicast broadcast service capabilities and frequency band combination information. Frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination. Taking Table 3 as an example, the terminal device sends the first capability information to the first network device. The first capability information includes the information CC1+CC2 for NE-DC frequency band combination 1, and the multicast broadcast service capability mbms-MaxBW1 corresponding to NE-DC frequency band combination 1. Similarly, the first capability information also includes the information CC2+CC3 for NE-DC frequency band combination 2, and the multicast broadcast service capability mbms-MaxBW2 corresponding to NE-DC frequency band combination 2; and the information CC5+CC6+CC7 for NE-DC frequency band combination 4, and the multicast broadcast service capability mbms-MaxBW4 corresponding to NE-DC frequency band combination 4.

[0330] For Method 1, the first capability information transmitted includes the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination.

[0331] Method 2: Still taking the NE-DC band combination as an example, the terminal device may have already reported the number of NE-DC band combinations, the carrier components included in the band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the band combination to the first network device during the terminal device's capability query process. Therefore, the first capability information does not need to report this information repeatedly, but instead uses indication information to indicate the correspondence between multicast / broadcast service capabilities and band combinations. In this embodiment, the band combination information may include second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast / broadcast service capabilities are sent in a first order. Since multicast / broadcast service capabilities and band combinations are in one-to-one correspondence, it can be understood that the second indication information can also be used to indicate the first order of the band combinations corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service. That is, the order of the band combinations corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service capabilities is used to identify the order of the multicast / broadcast service capabilities. The first order may be preset, or the first order may be indicated by the network device to the terminal device.

[0332] For example, during the capability query process of a terminal device, the terminal device sends frequency band combination information to the first network device in a certain order, where each frequency band combination corresponds to a multicast / broadcast service capability. The terminal device can send multicast / broadcast service capabilities using the first capability information without sending the frequency band combination information. Simultaneously, the first capability information carries second indication information, which indicates that the multicast / broadcast service capabilities sent by the terminal device are in a first order, where the first order refers to the order of the frequency band combinations corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service capabilities. This establishes a correspondence between multicast / broadcast service capabilities and frequency band combinations, avoiding duplicate reporting of frequency band combination information.

[0333] An example illustrating the function of the second instruction in Method Two:

[0334] Example 1: The first order in the second instruction information is preset. The first order can refer to the frequency band combination identifier in ascending or descending order of ID size.

[0335] Taking the ascending order of frequency band combination IDs as an example, if the terminal device supports frequency band combination IDs ID1, ID2, ID3, and ID4, but the frequency band combination IDs ID1 and ID3 are related to multicast services, then the terminal device sends multicast service capability information to the first network device in the order of frequency band combination IDs ID1 and ID3. That is, the terminal device sends the multicast service capability corresponding to frequency band combination ID1, and then sends the multicast service capability corresponding to frequency band combination ID3. Simultaneously, the first capability information may include second indication information, which indicates that the first order of the multicast service capabilities sent by the terminal device is in ascending order of frequency band combination IDs, i.e., frequency band combination ID1 and frequency band combination ID3. Correspondingly, when the network device receives the second indication information, it can know that the received multicast service capabilities correspond to frequency band combination ID1 and frequency band combination ID3, respectively. Therefore, the first order refers to the order of the frequency band combinations corresponding to the multicast service capabilities, and the order of the frequency band combinations is the order of the frequency band combination IDs. In this way, a correspondence can be established between multicast broadcast service capabilities and frequency band combinations, avoiding the repeated transmission of frequency band information corresponding to frequency band combinations ID1 and ID3.

[0336] Example 2: The first order in the second instruction information is network device instructing terminal device.

[0337] If the terminal device supports frequency band combinations ID1, ID2, ID3, ID4, ID5, and ID6, and among these frequency band combinations, those related to multicast / broadcast services are frequency band combinations ID1, ID3, and ID4, then the first network device can instruct the terminal device to report the frequency band combinations related to multicast / broadcast services in the order of ID3, ID1, and ID4 via a single message. Under the instruction of the first network device, the terminal device will report multicast / broadcast service capabilities in the order of frequency band combinations ID3, ID1, and ID4. Simultaneously, the terminal device carries second instruction information in the first capability information. This second instruction information indicates that the order of the multicast / broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device is a first order, which is the order of the frequency band combinations corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service capabilities. In other words, the first order is the same as the order indicated by the first network device through the first message. Correspondingly, when the network device receives the second indication information, it can determine the order of the frequency band combinations (frequency band combinations ID3, ID1, ID4) indicated in the first message corresponding to the received multicast broadcast capabilities. This establishes a correspondence between multicast broadcast service capabilities and frequency band combinations, avoiding the duplicate transmission of frequency band information corresponding to frequency band combinations ID1 and ID3. Furthermore, using the method of network device indication of the first order allows for more flexible reporting of multicast broadcast service capabilities.

[0338] Optionally, the message indicating the first order of reporting for the frequency band combination can be a radio resource control (RRC) message, downlink control information (DCI) or a medium access control element (MAC CE), without limitation.

[0339] The first capability information sent by the terminal device may also include first indication information. In this embodiment, upon receiving the first indication information sent by the first network device, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based on the first indication information, and then sends the multicast / broadcast service capability to the first network device through the first capability information. The first capability information sent by the terminal device may include the first indication information. In this case, the purpose of the terminal device sending the first indication information is to notify the first network device that it has received the instruction to request the multicast / broadcast service capability, and the multicast / broadcast service capability included in the first capability information sent by the terminal device is the multicast / broadcast service capability requested by the first network device through the first indication information. Essentially, the first indication information serves as an identifier in the first capability information.

[0340] During the process of the first network device querying the capabilities of the terminal device, the terminal device will send its capabilities through its terminal capability information. Therefore, the first capability information can also be sent through the terminal capability information. In this way, the terminal device's capabilities and multicast / broadcast service capabilities can be sent simultaneously with just one signaling message.

[0341] In this embodiment, the first network device can indicate the requested multicast / broadcast service capability using first indication information and capability query information, and the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and capability query information. In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine different types of multicast / broadcast service capabilities based on existing fields in the first indication information and capability query information, thus avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information. Figure 6 A flowchart of another communication method provided in the first embodiment of this application includes:

[0342] S500: The terminal device receives a broadcast message sent by the first network device.

[0343] The broadcast message includes the service area identifiers (SAIs) for multicast broadcast services on the current carrier frequency and neighboring cell carrier frequencies. For information related to neighboring cell carrier frequencies, the broadcast message includes: multicast broadcast service information for carriers on the same frequency, such as the SAI identifier; and multicast broadcast service information for carriers on different frequencies, such as the carrier frequency and its corresponding SAI identifier.

[0344] S501: The first network device sends capability query information and first instruction information to the terminal device.

[0345] S502: The terminal device determines the type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the capability query information and the first indication information.

[0346] S503: The terminal device sends first capability information to the first network device. The first capability information includes multicast and broadcast service capabilities.

[0347] S501~S503 and Figure 5 In the implementation method, S501 to S503 are the same. S504: The terminal device sends interest indication information to the first network device.

[0348] The terminal device can send interest indication information to the first network device based on the broadcast information. The interest indication information is used to indicate the multicast broadcast services that the terminal device is receiving or is interested in, or the terminal device can indicate that it will no longer receive or is not interested in multicast broadcast services based on the area identifier.

[0349] The interest indication information includes at least one of the following: multicast broadcast service frequency information of interest to the terminal device; priority indication information of the multicast broadcast service, which is used to indicate the priority of multicast broadcast service and unicast reception; and a list of multicast broadcast services that the terminal device is receiving or is interested in.

[0350] S504 can be performed before or after any of steps S501 to S503.

[0351] S505: The first network device determines the unicast resource configuration.

[0352] The first network device can determine unicast resource configuration based on received multicast broadcast service capabilities or interest indication information, or based on both multicast broadcast service capabilities and interest indication information. Specifically, since the interest indication information indicates whether the terminal device is receiving, has stopped receiving, is interested in, or is not interested in multicast broadcast services, different multicast broadcast services correspond to different multicast broadcast service capabilities for the terminal device. Therefore, the first network device can understand the current status of multicast broadcast services received, stopped receiving, or about to be received by the terminal device based on the interest indication information, and thus configure resources according to the corresponding multicast broadcast service capabilities to avoid exceeding the baseband capabilities of the terminal device. For details on how to configure resources based on multicast broadcast service capabilities to avoid exceeding the baseband capabilities of the terminal device, please refer to the content in S502 of the first embodiment of this application.

[0353] S506: The first network device sends unicast communication resource configuration to the terminal device.

[0354] The first network device sends an RRC message to the terminal device. The RRC message includes the resource configuration for unicast communication.

[0355] Specifically, the RRC message can be an RRC reconfiguration message or an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

[0356] Second Embodiment

[0357] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication method provided in the second embodiment of this application. (In conjunction with...) Figure 7 The second embodiment of this application will be described in detail. The parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment will not be repeated here; only the differences from the first embodiment will be specifically described. For example... Figure 7 As shown, it includes:

[0358] S701: The first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information indicates the type of multicast / broadcast service capability requested by the first network device. Here, the multicast / broadcast service capability type refers to the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to different frequency band combinations; in other words, the multicast / broadcast service capability type is classified according to frequency band combinations. In one example, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the first type of multicast / broadcast service capability, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the second type of multicast / broadcast service capability, and the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination can be referred to as the third type of multicast / broadcast service capability. The multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast / broadcast service can be referred to as the fourth type of multicast / broadcast service capability.

[0359] In S701, there are several ways to implement the first network device sending the first indication information to the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the first network device can send capability query information to the terminal device, which may include the first indication information. The first indication information is sent to the terminal device within the capability query information. In another possible implementation, the first indication information may be included in a cell of the capability query information, or a new cell may be set in the capability query information, with the first indication information set in the new cell.

[0360] The capability query information in this embodiment may include a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device. The first information element can be a filtering function, such as UE-Capability Request Filter Common. The filtering function requests the capabilities of filtered terminal devices. Here, the capabilities of filtered terminal devices refer to the capabilities of terminal devices that meet the requirements of the first network device. In other words, the first network device will use the first information element to instruct the terminal device which terminal device capabilities to report. Correspondingly, the terminal device determines the capabilities of the terminal devices to report based on the first information element, which can be understood as filtering out the reported terminal device capabilities. First indication information may be in the first information element. The first indication information may be a new field in the first information element, and the function of the new field is to indicate the multicast / broadcast service capabilities to be requested.

[0361] The first instruction information and the capability query information can also be sent separately, and the second embodiment does not limit this.

[0362] The first network device can indicate the requested multicast / broadcast service capability through the first indication information, without needing to use it together with capability query information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the type of multicast / broadcast service capability.

[0363] The first indication information may include a fourth field, which is used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0364] Alternatively, the first indication information may include a fifth field, which is used to request multicast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC band combination.

[0365] Alternatively, the first indication information may include a sixth field, which is used to request multicast service capabilities corresponding to the NE-DC band combination.

[0366] Alternatively, the first indication information may include a seventh field, which is used to request multicast service capabilities corresponding to the NR-DC band combination.

[0367] As an example, the fourth field could be, for example, mbmsonly, the fifth field could be, for example, mbmsEN-DC, the sixth field could be, for example, mbmsNE-DC, and the seventh field could be, for example, mbmsNR-DC.

[0368] S702: The terminal device determines the type of multicast broadcast service capability based on the first instruction information.

[0369] When the first indication information includes the fourth field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the fourth field. The multicast broadcast service capability is the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast broadcast service.

[0370] In the second embodiment of this application, when the first indication information includes a fourth field, all multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to frequency band combinations related to multicast broadcast services supported by the terminal device are sent to the first network device, regardless of whether the frequency band combination is applicable to EN-DC mode, NE-DC mode, or NR-DC mode. When the first indication information includes a fifth field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the fifth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination.

[0371] When the first indication information includes the sixth field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the sixth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination.

[0372] When the first indication information includes the seventh field, the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability based on the seventh field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

[0373] In the second embodiment of this application, the multicast broadcast service capability can also have a corresponding relationship with the frequency band combination. The meaning of "correspondence" is the same as in the first embodiment, and the information included in the multicast broadcast service capability can also be the same as in the first embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] The following specific examples illustrate how a terminal device determines different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information:

[0375] First, taking the fourth field in the first indication information as an example, and taking the multicast broadcast service capability including the maximum bandwidth (mbms-MaxBW) of the multicast broadcast service that is supported for reception as an example, we will explain how the terminal device determines the multicast broadcast service capability.

[0376] Table 5 shows examples of frequency band combinations related to multicast services in the second embodiment of this application. The frequency band combination types shown in Table 5 include EN-DC frequency band combinations, NE-DC frequency band combinations, and NR-DC frequency band combinations. EN-DC frequency band combinations include EN-DC frequency band combination 1 and EN-DC frequency band combination 2, where EN-DC frequency band combination 1 corresponds to multicast service capabilities. NE-DC frequency band combinations include NE-DC frequency band combination 3 and NE-DC frequency band combination 4, where both NE-DC frequency band combination 3 and NE-DC frequency band combination 4 correspond to multicast service capabilities. NR-DC frequency band combinations include NR-DC frequency band combination 5 and NR-DC frequency band combination 6, where neither NR-DC frequency band combination 5 nor NR-DC frequency band combination 6 corresponds to multicast service capabilities. When the first indication information includes a fourth field, the terminal device determines the multicast service capability based on the fourth field. The multicast service capability is the multicast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast service. At this time, the multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the frequency band combinations related to the multicast broadcast service determined by the terminal equipment include mbms-MaxBW 1 corresponding to EN-DC frequency band combination 1, mbms-MaxBW 3 corresponding to NE-DC frequency band combination 3, and mbms-MaxBW 4 corresponding to NE-DC frequency band combination 4.

[0377] Table 5: Examples of frequency band combinations related to multicast broadcast services

[0378]

[0379]

[0380] Taking the first instruction information including the fifth field as an example, the process of determining multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information is explained.

[0381] Referring to Table 4b in the first embodiment, when the first indication information includes the fifth field, the multicast / broadcast service capability determined by the terminal device is also the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination EN-DC. Unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to ignore frequency band combinations in the EN-DC combination that are unrelated to multicast / broadcast services.

[0382] In Table 4b, EN-DC band combination 1 and EN-DC band combination 2 are related to multicast services. Therefore, in both the first and second embodiments, the terminal device will send the multicast service capabilities corresponding to EN-DC band combination 1 and EN-DC band combination 2 to the first network device. For EN-DC band combinations 3 and EN-DC band combination 4, which are not related to multicast services, in the first embodiment, the terminal device will ignore them during the determination of multicast service capabilities. In the second embodiment, the terminal device may include EN-DC band combinations 3 and EN-DC band combination 4 during the determination of multicast service capabilities, or it may ignore them. When EN-DC band combinations 3 and EN-DC band combination 4 are included, the multicast service capabilities corresponding to EN-DC band combinations 3 and EN-DC band combination 4 determined by the terminal device are both "empty".

[0383] Taking the first instruction information including the sixth field as an example, the process of determining multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information is explained.

[0384] Referring also to Table 3, the frequency band combinations applicable to the NE-DC mode include four frequency band combinations. The second column of Table 3 contains the frequency band combination information for the NE-DC combination, such as the component carrier information included in the NE-DC frequency band combination. The third column of Table 3 indicates whether the frequency band combination is related to multicast services. The fourth column of Table 3 contains information on the multicast service capabilities corresponding to the frequency band combination.

[0385] Among them, NE-DC band combinations 1, 2, and 4 are related to multicast broadcast services, and each corresponds to a multicast broadcast service capability. Taking the multicast broadcast service capability as the maximum bandwidth (mbms-MaxBW) of the supported multicast broadcast service as an example, the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 1 is mbms-MaxBW1, that of NE-DC band combination 2 is mbms-MaxBW2, and that of NE-DC band combination 4 is mbms-MaxBW4. The terminal device can also determine that the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to NE-DC band combination 3 is empty based on the first indication information.

[0386] Taking the first instruction information including the seventh field as an example, the process of determining multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first instruction information is explained.

[0387] Similar to the first indication information including the sixth field, the terminal device determines the multicast / broadcast service capability based on the seventh field. This multicast / broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination. Taking a frequency band combination applicable to NR-DC mode, assuming there are four frequency band combinations in NR-DC mode, NR-DC frequency band combination 2, NR-DC frequency band combination 3, and NR-DC frequency band combination 4 are related to multicast / broadcast services, and each corresponds to a multicast / broadcast service capability. The multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 2 is mbms-MaxBW2, the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 3 is mbms-MaxBW3, and the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 4 is mbms-MaxBW4. The terminal device can also determine that the multicast / broadcast service capability corresponding to NR-DC frequency band combination 1 is empty based on the seventh field.

[0388] S703: The terminal device sends first capability information to the first network device. The first capability information includes multicast and broadcast service capabilities.

[0389] The specific details of S603 in the second embodiment can be found in S503 in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0390] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine different types of multicast broadcast service capabilities based on the first indication information. By using different fields of the device in the first indication information, the terminal device can determine the corresponding type of multicast broadcast service capability and send it to the first network device, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information.

[0391] Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment may also include the step of: the first network device sending a broadcast message to the terminal device. This step is the same as step S500, and will not be described again here.

[0392] Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment may also include the step of the terminal device sending interest indication information to the first network device. This step is the same as step S504, and will not be described again here.

[0393] Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment may also include the step of: the first network device determining the unicast resource configuration. This step is the same as step S505, and will not be described again here.

[0394] Third Embodiment

[0395] The third embodiment of this application is a special description of the multicast broadcast service capability in the first and second embodiments, which is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services from the second network device in ROM mode when performing unicast operation with the first network device.

[0396] The ability to receive multicast services from a second network device via ROM means that a terminal device is allowed to receive multicast services only from the second network device without needing to access and register with the PLMN that provides the multicast services.

[0397] In the third embodiment of this application, the terminal device can communicate simultaneously with both a first network device and a second network device. The terminal device and the first network device perform unicast operations and can simultaneously receive multicast / broadcast services from the second network device in ROM mode. In this case, the network device sending the first instruction information can be the first network device. The network device communicating unicastly with the terminal device and the network device communicating with the terminal device via multicast / broadcast services can also be the same network device. When a CU-DU structure is adopted, the first network device and the second network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a RAN device including both CU nodes and DU nodes.

[0398] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in the third embodiment of this application, the method including:

[0399] S800: The terminal device receives a broadcast message sent by the first network device.

[0400] The broadcast message includes the Service Area Identities (SAIs) for multicast broadcast services on the current carrier frequency and neighboring cell carrier frequencies. For information related to neighboring cell carrier frequencies, the broadcast message includes: multicast broadcast service information for carriers on the same frequency, such as the SAI identifier; and multicast broadcast service information for carriers on different frequencies, such as the carrier frequency and its corresponding SAI identifier. Additionally, the broadcast message includes indication information, which indicates whether the terminal device is allowed to send interest indication information when using ROM (Receive Only Mode) service.

[0401] S801: The terminal device receives a first indication information sent by the first network device. The first indication information is used to request multicast broadcast service capability. The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services from the second network device in ROM mode when performing unicast operation with the first network device.

[0402] S801 can be the same as step S501 in the first embodiment of this application, or it can be the same as step S701 in the second embodiment of this application.

[0403] S802: The terminal device determines the type of multicast broadcast service capability.

[0404] In step S802 of the third embodiment, the terminal device determines the type of multicast / broadcast service capability in the following way: as in the first embodiment of this application, the multicast / broadcast service capability is determined jointly based on the first indication information and the capability query information. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment of this application, the multicast / broadcast service capability is determined solely based on the first indication information.

[0405] S803: The terminal device sends first capability information to the first network device. The first capability information includes multicast and broadcast service capabilities.

[0406] S803 can be the same as step S503 in the first embodiment of this application, or it can be the same as step S703 in the second embodiment of this application.

[0407] S804: The terminal device sends interest indication information to the first network device.

[0408] Interest indication information includes: information related to receiving multicast broadcast services in ROM mode. This information includes mbms-ROM-Freq, mbms-ROM-SubcarrierSpacing, and mbms-ROM-Bandwidth; where mbms-ROM-Freq indicates the carrier frequency information used by the terminal device in ROM mode, mbms-ROM-SubcarrierSpacing indicates the subcarrier spacing information used by the terminal device in ROM mode, and mbms-ROM-Bandwidth indicates the bandwidth information used by the terminal device in ROM mode.

[0409] S804 can be performed before any of steps S801 to S803, or after any of steps S801 to S803.

[0410] S805: Determine unicast resource configuration.

[0411] The first network device can determine unicast resource configuration based on received multicast broadcast service capabilities or interest indication information, or based on both multicast broadcast service capabilities and interest indication information. Specifically, since the interest indication information indicates whether the terminal device is receiving, has stopped receiving, is interested in, or is not interested in multicast broadcast services, different multicast broadcast services correspond to different multicast broadcast service capabilities for the terminal device. Therefore, the first network device can understand the current status of multicast broadcast services received, stopped receiving, or about to be received by the terminal device based on the interest indication information, and thus configure resources according to the corresponding multicast broadcast service capabilities to avoid exceeding the baseband capabilities of the terminal device. For details on how to configure resources based on multicast broadcast service capabilities to avoid exceeding the baseband capabilities of the terminal device, please refer to the content in S502 of the first embodiment of this application.

[0412] S806: The first network device sends unicast communication resource configuration to the terminal device.

[0413] The first network device sends an RRC message to the terminal device. The RRC message includes the resource configuration for unicast communication.

[0414] Specifically, the RRC message can be an RRC reconfiguration message or an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

[0415] The communication methods of the embodiments of this application have been introduced above. The communication apparatus in various embodiments of this application will be described below. For example, the apparatus can adopt the methods shown in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. The apparatus is based on the same technical concept. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems in similar principles, the implementation of the apparatus and methods can refer to each other, and repeated parts will not be described again.

[0416] This application embodiment also provides a communication device, which includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to request multicast broadcast service capability;

[0417] The processing module is configured to determine first capability information based on the first indication information, wherein the first capability information includes the multicast broadcast service capability;

[0418] The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services while performing unicast operations.

[0419] The transceiver module is also used to send the first capability information.

[0420] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can be a terminal device, and the capabilities of the communication device in this application embodiment can be the capabilities of the terminal device in the method embodiment. The terminal device reports multicast service capabilities according to the instructions of the first network device, avoiding unnecessary reporting of capability information by the terminal device. The first network device can configure unicast resources according to the multicast service capabilities reported by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can receive multicast services while performing unicast operations without exceeding the baseband capability of the terminal device. The communication device provided in this embodiment can also be used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the method embodiment. For details, please refer to the part of the method embodiment regarding the actions performed by the terminal device, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] Figure 9 A simplified schematic diagram of a communication device is shown, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the communication device includes a processor, memory, radio frequency (RF) circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling terminal devices, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The RF circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of communication devices may not have input / output devices.

[0422] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor then converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it. For ease of explanation, Figure 3 Only one memory and processor are shown in the illustration. In actual terminal device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application does not limit this.

[0423] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be considered as the transceiver module of the communication device, and the processor with processing functions can be considered as the processing module of the communication device. Figure 9As shown, the communication device includes a transceiver module 101 and a processing module 102. The transceiver module can also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver device. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, or processing device. Optionally, the device in the transceiver module 101 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving module, and the device in the transceiver module 101 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitting module; that is, the transceiver module 101 includes both a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transceiver module can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver circuit. The receiving module can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. The transmitting module can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter unit, or transmitting circuit.

[0424] It should be understood that the transceiver module 101 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 102 is used to perform other operations on the terminal device in the above method embodiments besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0425] When the communication device is a chip-based device or circuit, the chip device may include a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing module may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0426] The communication device in this embodiment can also be a reference device. Figure 10 The device shown. Figure 10 The device includes a processor 111, a data transmitting processor 112, and a data receiving processor 113. The processing module in the above embodiment may be... Figure 10 The processor 111 in the above embodiment performs the corresponding functions. The transceiver module in the above embodiment can be... Figure 10 The transmitting data processor 112 and / or receiving data processor 113 are included. Although Figure 10 The diagram shows a channel encoder and a channel decoder, but it is understood that these modules are not limiting to this embodiment and are merely illustrative.

[0427] Figure 11This illustrates another form of the embodiment. The processing device 120 includes modules such as a modulation subsystem, a central processing subsystem, and a peripheral subsystem. The communication device in this embodiment can serve as the modulation subsystem. Specifically, the modulation subsystem may include a processor 123 and an interface 124. The processor 123 performs the functions of the aforementioned processing modules, and the interface 124 performs the functions of the aforementioned transceiver modules. As another variation, the modulation subsystem includes a memory 126, a processor 123, and a program stored in the memory 126 and executable on the processor. When the processor 123 executes the program, it implements the method on the terminal device side in the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the memory 126 may be non-volatile or volatile, and its location may be inside the modulation subsystem or within the processing device 120, as long as the memory 126 can be connected to the processor 123.

[0428] This application embodiment also provides a communication device, which includes: a processing module, configured to determine first indication information;

[0429] The transceiver module is used to send the first indication information, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capability;

[0430] The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services while performing a unicast operation.

[0431] The transceiver module is used to receive first capability information, which includes the multicast broadcast service capability.

[0432] The communication device in this application embodiment can be a first network device. The first network device instructs the terminal device to report multicast broadcast service capabilities, and the first network device can configure unicast resources according to the multicast broadcast service capabilities reported by the terminal device.

[0433] The communication device in this embodiment can be as follows: Figure 12As shown, the device 130 includes one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) 1310 and one or more baseband units (BBUs) 1320, also known as digital units (DUs). The RRU 1310 can be called a transceiver module. Optionally, this transceiver module can also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, etc., and may include at least one antenna 1311 and a radio frequency unit 1312. The RRU 1310 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, for example, for sending indication information to terminal devices. The BBU 1310 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station. The RRU 1310 and BBU 1320 can be physically arranged together or physically separated, i.e., a distributed base station.

[0434] The BBU 1320 is the control center of the base station, also known as the processing module. It is primarily used to perform baseband processing functions, such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, and spread spectrum. For example, the BBU (processing module) can be used to control the base station to execute the network device operation procedures described in the above method embodiments, such as generating the aforementioned instruction information.

[0435] In one example, the BBU 1320 can be composed of one or more boards. Multiple boards can collectively support a single access standard wireless access network, or they can each support different access standards wireless access networks (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The BBU 1320 also includes a memory 1321 and a processor 1322. The memory 1321 is used to store necessary instructions and data. The processor 1322 is used to control the base station to perform necessary actions, such as controlling the base station to execute the operation procedures related to the network device in the above method embodiments. The memory 1321 and processor 1322 can serve one or more boards. That is, each board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each board can also have necessary circuitry.

[0436] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first indication information from a first network device, the first indication information being used to request multicast broadcast service capability; First capability information is determined based on the first indication information, and the first capability information includes the multicast broadcast service capability; The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services while performing a unicast operation, including: the multicast broadcast service capability is the ability to receive multicast broadcast services from a second network device while the first network device performs the unicast operation; The first capability information is sent, which is used to configure the first network device to perform unicast operations.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of the first network device to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode when the first network device performs the unicast operation.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Receive capability query information, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device; The capability query information includes the first indication information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The capability query information includes a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal devices; The first information element includes the first indication information.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Determining the first capability information based on the first indication information includes: determining the multicast broadcast service capability based on the first indication information and the capability query information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, Determining the first capability information based on the first indication information includes: When the capability query information includes a first field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined according to the first indication information and the first field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination. When the capability query information includes a second field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined according to the first indication information and the second field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination. When the capability query information includes a third field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the first indication information and the third field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and frequency band combinations that are not related to the multicast broadcast service are ignored in the EN-DC frequency band combination.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Determining the first capability information based on the first indication information includes: When the first indication information includes a fourth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the fourth field. The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to a frequency band combination, and the frequency band combination is related to the multicast broadcast service. When the first indication information includes a fifth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the fifth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the EN-DC frequency band combination. When the first indication information includes a sixth field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the sixth field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NE-DC frequency band combination. When the first indication information includes a seventh field, the multicast broadcast service capability is determined based on the seventh field, and the multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the NR-DC frequency band combination.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability includes at least one of the following: Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation; The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service; The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service. Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell; Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first capability information also includes frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate the frequency band combination that also receives multicast broadcast services when performing unicast operations.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination; or The frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, Sending the first capability information includes: Send terminal capability information, which includes the capabilities of the terminal device; The terminal capability information includes the first capability information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The first capability information includes the first indication information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the frequency band combination.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The frequency band combination includes at least one of the following: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, and CA frequency band combination.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first network device sends a first indication message, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capability; The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of a terminal device to receive multicast broadcast services while performing a unicast operation, including: the multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of the terminal device and the first network device to receive multicast broadcast services from a second network device while performing the unicast operation; The first capability information is received, which includes the multicast broadcast service capability. The first capability information is used to configure the first network device to perform unicast operations.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability is the ability of the terminal device and the first network device to receive the multicast broadcast service from the second network device in ROM mode when performing the unicast operation.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, Send capability query information, which is used to request the capabilities of the terminal device; The capability query information includes the first indication information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The capability query information includes a first information element, which is used to request the capabilities of the filtered terminal devices; The first information element includes the first indication information.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The first indication information and the capability query information are used to indicate the requested multicast broadcast service capability.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, When the capability query information includes a first field, the first indication information and the first field are used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination; When the capability query information includes a second field, the first indication information and the second field are used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the NR-DC band combination; When the capability query information includes a third field, the first indication information and the third field are used to request multicast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination, and the first indication information and the third field are used to indicate ignoring frequency band combinations in the EN-DC frequency band combination that are not related to multicast service.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a fourth field, which is used to request the multicast broadcast service capability corresponding to the frequency band combination related to the multicast broadcast service; or The first indication information includes a fifth field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the EN-DC frequency band combination; or The first indication information includes a sixth field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NE-DC frequency band combination; or The first indication information includes a seventh field, which is used to request multicast broadcast service capabilities corresponding to the NR-DC band combination.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15-21, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability includes at least one of the following: Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service while performing the unicast operation; The maximum bandwidth supported for receiving the multicast broadcast service; The scaling factor of the multicast broadcast service is a scaling factor of one bandwidth unit for processing a first subcarrier interval relative to one bandwidth unit for processing a default subcarrier interval, where the first subcarrier interval corresponds to the multicast broadcast service. Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast broadcast service on the frequency of the secondary cell; Whether it supports receiving information from the multicast service on the frequency of the serving cell, wherein the serving cell is in the primary cell group or the secondary cell group.

23. The method according to any one of claims 15-22, characterized in that, The first capability information also includes frequency band combination information, which is used to indicate the frequency band combination that also receives multicast broadcast services when performing unicast operations.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The frequency band combination information includes at least one of the following: the number of frequency band combinations, the carrier components included in the frequency band combination, and the feature set combination corresponding to the frequency band combination; or, The frequency band combination information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the multicast broadcast service capability is transmitted in a first order.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15-24, characterized in that, The receipt of the first capability information includes: Receive terminal capability information, wherein the terminal capability information includes the capabilities of the terminal device; The terminal capability information includes the first capability information.

26. The method according to any one of claims 15-25, characterized in that, The first capability information includes the first indication information.

27. The method according to any one of claims 15-26, characterized in that, The multicast broadcast service capability corresponds to the frequency band combination.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The frequency band combinations include: EN-DC frequency band combination, NE-DC frequency band combination, NR-DC frequency band combination, MR-DC frequency band combination, or CA frequency band combination.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver and a processor, the transceiver being configured to execute instructions for receiving and sending information, the instructions being executed by the processor causing the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-14, or the instructions being executed by the processor causing the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 15-28.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, characterized in that the program is executed by a processor according to any one of claims 1-28.

31. A computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1-28.

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