A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and device to solve the problem of inaccurate resource usage reported by a network device. The method comprises: a first network device receives resource state information from a second network device, the resource state information comprising LBT-related resource information; the first network device determines the resource usage of the second network device based on the resource state information. In this way, the first network device can determine the resources to be released by the second network device, the resources that may be occupied, etc., so as to convert the resource usage of the second network device to obtain more accurate resource usage, especially for the future estimated resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In current communication mechanisms, such as long term evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR), network devices can interact with each other on resource usage to optimize network mobility parameter configuration.

[0003] The network device 1 can obtain the resource usage of the network device 2 in the following ways: one way is that the network device 1 sends a mobility parameter change request message to the network device 2, and determines the resource usage of the network device 2 after receiving the response message sent by the network device 2. Another way is that the network device 1 sends a resource status request message to the network device 2, and obtains the resource usage of the network device 2 after receiving the resource status update message sent by the network device 2.

[0004] However, due to the introduction of enhanced mobility schemes in new communication protocols, such as listen before talk (LBT) mechanism, the existing resource interaction mechanism cannot accurately reflect the resource usage of the network device, so that the network devices cannot accurately know the resource usage of each other. Further, the network devices are prone to errors when adjusting the mobility parameters according to the resource usage of each other, thereby affecting the effect of mobility loading balance (MLB). SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and device to solve the problem of inaccurate resource usage reported by network devices.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, comprising: a first network device receiving resource status information from a second network device, the resource status information comprising LBT-related resource information; and the first network device determining resource usage of the second network device based on the resource status information.

[0007] In the embodiments of the present application, when the second network device reports the resource state information to the first network device, the second network device can indicate the resource related to LBT, so that the first network device determines the resource possibly occupied by the second network device according to the resource state information reported by the second network device, and thus the resource usage of the second network device can be converted to obtain more accurate resource usage, especially for the future predicted resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated. When the first network device performs mobility load balancing according to the information of the resource to be released by the second network device and the resource possibly occupied by the second network device, the accuracy of load balancing can be improved. For example, the first network device can convert the index values of the wireless resource, the RRC connection number and the number of UEs in active state (which can also be understood as the number of UEs with data transmission) of the second network device according to the resource related to LBT of the second network device, so as to reduce the degree of virtual high of the index values of the wireless resource, the RRC connection number and the number of UEs in active state of the second network device, more accurately understand the resource usage of the second network device, and then the handover threshold of the network device can be reasonably adjusted.

[0008] In a possible design, the resource related to LBT includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the available resource of the second network device, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure condition. In the LBT mechanism, when multiple terminal devices of a cell simultaneously initiate data transmission and perform LBT competition, only a part of the terminal devices succeed in LBT, and the other part of the terminal devices fail in LBT competition and continue to perform LBT competition at subsequent time. This situation can cause a sharp increase in subsequent resource usage, for example, a large number of terminal devices simultaneously compete for resources and perform data transmission with the network as the terminal devices move. The above design indicates the LBT restriction information and the LBT failure information, so that the first network device can more accurately evaluate the future resource usage of the second network device, and thus the first network device can more accurately obtain the load of the second network device, and the accuracy of network load balancing can be improved.

[0009] In a possible design, the LBT restriction information is a comparison relationship between the available resource of the first cell and the available resource of a cell without LBT mechanism, and the first cell is a cell with LBT mechanism in the second network device. In the above design, the first network device can convert the resource of the second network device according to the LBT restriction information, so as to more accurately evaluate the future resource usage of the second network device, and thus the first network device can more accurately obtain the load of the second network device, and the accuracy of network load balancing can be improved.

[0010] In a possible design, the LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of continuous LBT failure at the second network device; or the LBT failure information includes a number of continuous LBT failures at the second network device; or the LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of LBT failure at the second network device; or the LBT failure information includes a number of LBT failures at the second network device. In the foregoing design, the first network device can determine a conversion coefficient according to the LBT failure information, so as to convert the resources of the second network device, and further to more accurately evaluate future resource usage of the second network device.

[0011] In a possible design, the LBT failure information further includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, a channel occupancy average, and a probability of being higher than the channel occupancy average. Through the foregoing design, the first network device can more accurately acquire channel details in LBT failure, which is beneficial to the first network device to further master LBT channel conditions.

[0012] In a possible design, before the first network device receives the resource status information from the second network device, the method further includes: the first network device sends a request message to the second network device, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carrying first information, the first information being used to indicate to measure LBT-related resources of the second network device. In the foregoing design, by taking the LBT-related resources as a type of measured resources, the second network device can measure the LBT-related resources according to the indication of the first network device.

[0013] In a possible design, the LBT-related resource information includes N types of resource information each related to LBT, N being an integer greater than 0, wherein the LBT-related resource information of a first type of resource in the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resource, and LBT failure information of the first type of resource, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resource being used to indicate a degree of influence of LBT on the first type of resource of the second network device, and the LBT failure information being used to indicate LBT failure conditions of the first type of resource of the second network device. In the foregoing implementation manner, by considering the LBT factor for each type of resource, the accuracy of resource measurement reporting can be improved.

[0014] In a possible design, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is a comparison relationship between the available first type of resources of the first cell and the available first type of resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism. With the above design, the first network device can convert the first type of resources of the second network device according to the LBT restriction information, and thus can more accurately evaluate the future use of the first type of resources of the second network device.

[0015] In a possible design, the LBT failure information of the first type of resources is used to indicate a level of persistent LBT failure of the first type of resources of the second network device, or is used to indicate a number or proportion of the first type of resources of the second network device that have persistent LBT failure, or is used to indicate a level of LBT failure of the first type of resources of the second network device, or is used to indicate a number or proportion of the first type of resources of the second network device that have LBT failure. With the above design, the first network device can determine a conversion coefficient of the first type of resources according to the LBT failure information of the first type of resources, and thus can convert the first type of resources of the second network device, and further can more accurately evaluate the future use of the first type of resources of the second network device.

[0016] In a possible design, before the first network device receives the resource status information from the second network device, the method further includes: the first network device sends a request message to the second network device, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure resource use, and the request message carrying second information used to indicate that the second network device measures N types of resources related to LBT. With the above design, the first network device indicates the second network device to consider the LBT factor when measuring the N types of resources, and thus the second network device can measure the N types of resources related to LBT according to the indication of the first network device.

[0017] In a possible design, the N types of resources include at least one of the following: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, RRC connection number, and total available resources.

[0018] In a possible design, the granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, slice granularity, or bandwidth part (BWP) granularity.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a second network device performs resource measurement; and the second network device sends resource status information to a first network device, the resource status information including resource information related to LBT.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, when the second network device reports the resource state information to the first network device, the second network device can indicate the resource related to LBT, so that the first network device determines the resource possibly occupied by the second network device according to the resource state information reported by the second network device, thereby the resource usage of the second network device can be converted to obtain more accurate resource usage, especially the future predicted resource usage can be more accurately estimated. When the first network device performs mobility load balancing according to the information of the resource to be released by the second network device and the resource possibly occupied by the second network device, the accuracy of load balancing can be improved. For example, the first network device can convert the index values of the wireless resource, the RRC connection number and the number of UEs in active state (which can also be understood as the number of UEs with data transmission) of the second network device according to the resource related to LBT of the second network device, thereby the degree of virtual high of the index values of the wireless resource, the RRC connection number and the number of UEs in active state of the second network device can be reduced, the resource usage of the second network device can be more accurately understood, and then the handover threshold of the network device can be reasonably adjusted.

[0021] In a possible design, the resource related to LBT includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the available resource of the second network device, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure condition. In the LBT mechanism, when multiple terminal devices of a cell simultaneously initiate data transmission and perform LBT competition, only a part of the terminal devices succeed in LBT, and the other part of the terminal devices fail in LBT competition and will continue to perform LBT competition at subsequent time. The occurrence of this situation can cause a sharp increase in subsequent resource usage, for example, a large number of terminal devices simultaneously compete for resources and perform data transmission with the network along with the movement of the terminal devices. The above design indicates the LBT restriction information and the LBT failure information, so that the first network device can more accurately evaluate the future resource usage of the second network device, thereby the first network device can more accurately obtain the load of the second network device, and the accuracy of network load balancing can be improved.

[0022] In a possible design, the LBT restriction information is a comparison relationship between the available resource of the first cell and the available resource of a cell without LBT mechanism, and the first cell is a cell with LBT mechanism in the second network device. In the above design, the first network device can convert the resource of the second network device according to the LBT restriction information, thereby the future resource usage of the second network device can be more accurately evaluated, thereby the first network device can more accurately obtain the load of the second network device, and the accuracy of network load balancing can be improved.

[0023] In a possible design, the LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of continuous LBT failure at the second network device; or the LBT failure information includes a number of continuous LBT failures at the second network device; or the LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of LBT failure at the second network device; or the LBT failure information includes a number of LBT failures at the second network device. In the foregoing design, the first network device can determine the conversion factor according to the LBT failure information, so as to convert the resources of the second network device, and further to more accurately evaluate the future resource usage of the second network device.

[0024] In a possible design, the LBT failure information further includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, a channel occupancy average, and a probability of being higher than the channel occupancy average. Through the foregoing design, the first network device can more accurately acquire channel details in the LBT failure, which is beneficial to the first network device to further master the LBT channel situation.

[0025] In a possible design, before the second network device performs resource measurement, the method further includes: the second network device receives a request message from the first network device, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carrying first information, the first information being used to indicate to measure LBT-related resources of the second network device. In the foregoing design, by taking the LBT-related resources as a type of measured resources, the second network device can measure the LBT-related resources according to the indication of the first network device.

[0026] In a possible design, the LBT-related resource information includes N types of resource-related information each related to LBT, N being an integer greater than 0, wherein the LBT-related resource information of a first type of resource in the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resource, and LBT failure information of the first type of resource, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resource being used to indicate a degree of influence of LBT on the first type of resource of the second network device, and the LBT failure information being used to indicate an LBT failure situation of the first type of resource of the second network device. In the foregoing implementation manner, by considering the LBT factor for each type of resource, the accuracy of the resource measurement report can be improved.

[0027] In a possible design, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resource is a comparison relationship between the available first type of resource of the first cell and the available first type of resource of the cell without the LBT mechanism. With the above design, the first network device can convert the first type of resource of the second network device according to the LBT restriction information, and thus can more accurately evaluate the future use of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0028] In a possible design, the LBT failure information of the first type of resource is used to indicate the level of persistent LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device, or is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resource of the second network device that has persistent LBT failure, or is used to indicate the level of LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device, or is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resource of the second network device that has LBT failure. With the above design, the first network device can determine the conversion coefficient of the first type of resource according to the LBT failure information of the first type of resource, and thus can convert the first type of resource of the second network device, and further can more accurately evaluate the future use of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0029] In a possible design, before the second network device performs resource measurement, the method further includes: the second network device receives a request message from the first network device, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carrying second information used to indicate that the second network device measures the LBT-related resources of the N types of resources. With the above design, the first network device indicates the second network device to consider the LBT factor when measuring the N types of resources, and thus the second network device can measure the LBT-related resources of the N types of resources according to the indication of the first network device.

[0030] In a possible design, the N types of resources include at least one of the following: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, RRC connection number, and total available resources.

[0031] In a possible design, the granularity of the resource state information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, slice granularity, or BWP granularity.

[0032] In a possible design, the second network device can further receive LBT information from the terminal device, where the LBT information includes the number of LBT failures in a time period. With the above design, the terminal device reports the number of LBT failures to the second network device, so that the second network device can better determine the LBT failure situation.

[0033] In a possible design, before receiving the LBT information from the terminal device, the method further includes: sending, to the terminal device, a first message, where the first message indicates a number of times of LBT failure within a reporting time period.

[0034] In a possible design, the LBT information further includes at least one of the following: a received signal strength indication, and a channel occupancy average. In this way, the second network device can better master the LBT failure of the terminal device.

[0035] In a possible design, the LBT information is carried in RRC signaling. In this way, the integrity of the LBT information can be guaranteed.

[0036] In a possible design, the LBT information is carried in RRC signaling. In this way, the integrity of the LBT information can be guaranteed.

[0037] In a possible design, before sending the LBT information to the second network device, the method further includes: receiving a first message from the second network device, where the first message indicates a number of times of LBT failure within a reporting time period.

[0038] In a possible design, the first message carries a first indication, and the first indication is in a first state, where the first indication in the first state indicates the number of times of LBT failure within the reporting time period, and the first indication in a second state indicates a continuous LBT failure. In this way, the terminal device can support two LBT reporting mechanisms.

[0039] In a possible design, the LBT information further includes at least one of the following: a received signal strength indication, and a channel occupancy average. In this way, the second network device can better master the LBT failure of the terminal device.

[0040] In a possible design, the LBT information is carried in RRC signaling. In this way, the integrity of the LBT information can be guaranteed.

[0041] In a possible design, when the LBT information is sent to the second network device, the number of times of LBT failure within the time period is less than a threshold. In this way, even if the number of times of LBT failure does not exceed the threshold, the terminal device can report the number of times of LBT failure to the second network device.

[0042] In a possible design, if the number of LBT failures in a time period is greater than or equal to a threshold, a record of the number of LBT failures is kept. With the above design, the terminal device can not clear the number of LBT failures when the number of LBT failures exceeds the threshold, and thus the number of LBT failures can be recorded more accurately.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus can be a communication device, or a chip or chip set in the communication device. The communication device can be a network device or a terminal device. The communication apparatus can include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the processing unit can be a processor, and the transceiver unit can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage unit, which can be a memory. The storage unit can be configured to store instructions. The processing unit can be configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit to perform the corresponding functions of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect. When the communication apparatus is a chip or chip set in the communication device, the processing unit can be a processor, and the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The processing unit can be configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit to perform the corresponding functions of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect. The storage unit can be a storage unit (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.) in the chip or chip set, or a storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.) outside the chip or chip set in the communication device.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, a device is provided. The device can include a processor, a communication interface, and a memory. The communication interface can be configured to transmit information, and / or messages, and / or data between the device and other devices. The memory can be configured to store computer-executable instructions. The processor can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system can include the first network device of any of the embodiments of the first aspect, and the second network device of any of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0046] In a possible design, the communication system can further include the terminal device of any of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium can store instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can be caused to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first, second or third aspect above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process for negotiating mobility parameters between network devices provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of resource usage of network devices provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of another access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 8 A flowchart of a resource status information indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 9 A flowchart of another resource status information indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 10 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following describes terms or background related to the embodiments of the present application:

[0062] 1. MLB

[0063] In existing communication mechanisms, such as LTE and NR, network devices interact resource usage to optimize network mobility parameter configuration.

[0064] The content of the interaction can be transport layer resource, hardware usage, radio load, overall resource situation, etc.

[0065] Taking Xn as an example, there are two processes about MLB in TS 36.423 and TS 38.423. One process is the negotiation of mobility parameters between network devices when the mobility parameters change. As shown in Figure 1 , the process of negotiation of mobility parameters between network devices is as follows:

[0066] S101, network device 1 sends a mobility parameter change request (Mobility Change Request) to network device 2.

[0067] S102, network device 2 sends a mobility parameter change confirmation / failure (Mobility Change Acknowledge / failure) to network device 1.

[0068] The cause of the mobility parameter change can be many, one of which is that after two network devices interact resource usage, one network device instructs the other network device to change the handover trigger threshold (Handover Trigger Change) according to the resource usage of the other network device, such as network device 1 discovers that network device 2 is relatively idle, then sends Mobility Change Request message to instruct network device 2 to adjust the handover trigger threshold, so that more terminal devices can stay in network device 2 instead of switching to network device 1. If network device 2 accepts the request of network device 1, it replies Mobility Change Acknowledge. If not, it replies Mobility Change Failure with reason and adjustment range. Network device 1 can initiate the next request after receiving the adjustment range.

[0069] Another process is the interaction of resource usage between adjacent network devices when resource status reporting is initialized, as shown in Figure 2 , the process of interaction of resource usage between network devices is as follows:

[0070] S201, network device 1 sends a resource status request (Resource Status Request) to network device 2.

[0071] S202, network device 2 sends a resource status response / failure (Resource Status Response / Failure) to network device 1.

[0072] S203, the network device 2 sends a resource status update (Resource Status Update) to the network device 1 after completing the resource measurement.

[0073] If the network device 1 wants to know the resource usage of the network device 2, it can send a resource status request message to instruct the network device 2 to start measuring the start / stop / increase (of some cells) of various resources. If the network device 2 can successfully start measuring all the required resources, it returns a Resource Status Response. If it cannot start measuring one kind of resource, it returns a Resource Status 2 Failure. After measuring the various resources required by the network device 1, the network device 2 sends a measurement report to the network device 1.

[0074] 2, Unlicensed frequency band

[0075] According to the 3GPP protocol TS 38.321, the spectrum of some cells is unlicensed, i.e., not belonging to the operator frequency band. For example, the commonly seen WIFI in life works on unlicensed spectrum.

[0076] Taking NR as an example, the cell working on the unlicensed frequency band can be called a new radio-unlicensed (NR-U) cell.

[0077] In the NR-U cell, each communication device, such as a terminal device or a network device, can use a listen before talk (LBT) (or called listen before transmit) mechanism to compete for the use of the unlicensed frequency band resources.

[0078] Generally, LBT is performed in the granularity of a channel (for example, 20MHz). Before a communication device transmits a signal (for example, a data signal) on a certain channel (for example, denoted as a first channel), it can first detect whether the first channel is idle, for example, whether it detects that a nearby communication device is occupying the first channel to transmit a signal, and this detection process can be called a clear channel assessment (CCA) or a channel access procedure.

[0079] There are at least two types of channel access procedures, denoted as a first type of channel access procedure and a second type of channel access procedure.

[0080] The first type of channel access procedure (may also be referred to as a fixed duration based channel access procedure) can be: fixed duration based energy detection, for a certain bandwidth, for example, 20MHz, if the signal energy received by a communication device (which can be a terminal device or a network device) in a fixed duration is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, it is considered that the channel is idle, so that the communication device can use the idle channel to transmit data; otherwise, it is considered that the channel is busy, so that the communication device does not use the busy channel to transmit data.

[0081] The second type of channel access procedure (may also be referred to as a backoff based channel access procedure) can be: backoff mechanism based energy detection, for a certain bandwidth, a window is defined, which defines the range of the number of detected time slots, the communication device randomly selects a value A from the window (or value range), and after the communication device detects at least A idle energy detection time slots, it is considered that the channel is idle, so that the communication device can use the idle channel to transmit data; otherwise, it is considered that the channel is busy, so that the communication device does not use the busy channel to transmit data. Wherein, the idle energy detection refers to that the signal energy received in a fixed duration is less than or equal to a second preset threshold. Wherein, the first preset threshold and the second preset threshold can be predefined, for example, predefined by a protocol, which is not limited, and there is no limiting relationship between the first preset threshold and the second preset threshold, which can be the same or different.

[0082] When performing the channel access procedure, two results can be obtained: the channel access procedure is completed and the channel access procedure is not completed. Wherein, there are multiple time domain starting positions in the time-frequency resource used for data transmission, and the channel is determined to be idle before any time domain starting position, it can be considered that the channel access procedure is completed; if the channel is determined to be busy before all time domain starting positions, it can be considered that the channel access procedure is not completed.

[0083] NR-U can meet any of the following scenarios:

[0084] Scenario A: carrier aggregation (CA) between NR-U cell and NR cell.

[0085] In this scenario, the NR-U cell is a secondary cell (SCell), the NR cell is a primary cell (PCell), the NR-U cell works in an unlicensed frequency band, and the NR cell works in a licensed frequency band. The NR-U cell can perform uplink transmission and downlink transmission, or can only perform downlink transmission. The core network connected by the NR-U cell is a 5G central network (5G-CN).

[0086] Scenario B: Dual connectivity (DC) between NR-U cell and LTE cell.

[0087] In this scenario, the NR-U cell is as a primary SCG cell (PSCell), the LTE cell is as a PCell, and the LTE cell works in licensed frequency band. The core network connected by the LTE PCell is evolved packet core (EPC), or the LTE PCell can be connected to 5G-CN, and the LTE PCell can be connected to 5G-CN preferentially.

[0088] Scenario C: Independent NR-U cell, and both uplink transmission and downlink transmission of the NR-U cell work in unlicensed frequency band.

[0089] In this scenario, the NR-U cell can work independently, and the core network connected by the NR-U cell is 5G-CN.

[0090] Scenario D: Independent NR-U cell, and uplink transmission of the NR-U cell works in licensed frequency band, and downlink transmission of the NR-U cell works in unlicensed frequency band.

[0091] In this scenario, the core network connected by the NR-U cell is 5G-CN.

[0092] Scenario E: DC between NR-U cell and NR cell.

[0093] In this scenario, the NR-U cell is as a primary SCG cell (PSCell), the NR cell is as a PCell, and the NR cell works in licensed frequency band. The core network connected by the PCell is 5G-CN.

[0094] It should be understood that scenarios A to E are only exemplary and should not constitute any limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0095] 3, Primary cell (PCell): Master cell group (MCG) cell, and works in primary frequency band. The UE and the PCell perform initial connection establishment process or connection reestablishment process.

[0096] 4, Secondary cell (SCell): If the UE is configured with CA function, the SCell is a cell providing additional radio resources in addition to special cell (SC).

[0097] 5, Special cell: The special cell is a primary cell. For dual connectivity operation, the special cell refers to the primary cell of MCG or the primary SCG cell of SCG.

[0098] 6、Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell): For dual connectivity operation, the primary secondary cell refers to the cell that the UE sends random access when performing synchronization reconfiguration.

[0099] 7、Secondary Cell Group (SCG): For a UE configured with dual connectivity, a subset of serving cells containing the PSCell and other secondary cells.

[0100] 8、Serving Cell: For a UE in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, if CA / DC is not configured, there is only one serving cell. If CA / DC is configured, the serving cell includes the special cell and all secondary cells.

[0101] 9、Persistent LBT failure: refers to the number of LBT failures of the terminal device within a measurement period exceeding a threshold value.

[0102] 10、Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI): a measurement value of the terminal device measuring the signal strength in the channel. Optionally, the terminal device can measure the signal strength in the channel at certain time intervals within a measurement period, and report the average value of the RSSI in the measurement period to the network device.

[0103] 11、Channel Occupancy (CO): represents the proportion of RSSI exceeding the threshold value in the measured RSSI within a measurement period. The measurement period can be configured by the network device.

[0104] It should be noted that as technology continues to evolve, the terms of the embodiments of the present application may change, but are still within the scope of the present application.

[0105] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0106] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to Figure 3 the communication system as shown, which can include two network devices and can also include a terminal device, wherein the two network devices can be connected based on Xn, X2, F1, E1, etc. It should be understood that Figure 3 is only an exemplary illustration and does not specifically limit the number of terminal devices and network devices included in the communication system.

[0107] The communication method provided in the application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, can be an internet of things (IoT) system, a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system, an LTE system, can also be a fifth generation (5G) communication system, can also be a hybrid architecture of LTE and 5G, can also be a 5G NR system, and a new communication system in future communication development.

[0108] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the application is an entity for receiving or transmitting signals on the user side. The terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity for a user, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device can also be other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as a wireless terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a user equipment (UE), etc. The terminal device can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket, handheld, built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. For example, the terminal device can also be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. Common terminal devices include, for example, mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palm computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc., but the embodiments of the application are not limited thereto.

[0109] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present application is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side. For example, the network device can be an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in LTE, can also be a new radio controller (NR controller), can be a gNode B (gNB) in a 5G system, can be a centralized unit, can be a new radio base station, can be a radio frequency remote module, can be a micro base station, can be a relay, can be a distributed unit, can be a transmission reception point (TRP) or a transmission point (TP), or any other wireless access device, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The network device can cover one or more cells.

[0110] For example, the access network device can be split into two parts according to the protocol stack function: a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). One access network device can contain one CU and at least one DU, such as Figure 4As shown. The CU is connected with at least one DU, which can be used to manage or control the at least one DU. This structure can separate the protocol layers of the access network equipment in the communication system, in which part of the protocol layer functions are implemented in the CU, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. Taking the gNB as an example, the protocol layers of the gNB include a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical layer. Among them, for example, the CU can be used to implement the functions of the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, and the PDCP layer, and the DU can be used to implement the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the physical layer. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the protocol stack included in the CU and the DU. The CU and the DU can be connected by using an F1 interface, the CU and other access network equipment are connected by using an Xn interface, and the CU and the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) are connected by using an NG interface, as shown in Figure 5 .

[0111] For example, the CU in the embodiments of the present application can be further divided into a control plane (CU-control plane, CU-CP) network element and at least one user plane (CU-user plane, CU-UP) network element. Among them, the CU-CP can be used for control plane management, and the CU-UP can be used for user plane data transmission. The interface between the CU-CP and the CU-UP can be an E1 port. The interface between the CU-CP and the DU can be an F1-C, which is used for transmission of control plane signaling. The interface between the CU-UP and the DU can be an F1-U, which is used for user plane data transmission. The CU-UP and the CU-UP can be connected by an Xn-U port for user plane data transmission. For example, taking the gNB as an example, the structure of the gNB can be as shown in Figure 6 .

[0112] The network equipment related to the embodiments of the present application can be a CU, a DU, a CU-CP, or a CU-UP.

[0113] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0114] Currently, in communication mechanisms such as LTE and NR, network devices can interact with each other on resource usage to optimize network mobility parameter configuration.

[0115] The network device 1 can obtain the resource usage of the network device 2 in the following ways: one way is that the network device 1 sends a mobility parameter change request message to the network device 2, and determines the resource usage of the network device 2 after receiving the response message sent by the network device 2. Another way is that the network device 1 sends a resource status request message to the network device 2, and obtains the resource usage of the network device 2 after receiving the resource status update message sent by the network device 2. However, due to the introduction of enhanced mobility schemes such as LBT mechanism in new communication protocols, the existing resource interaction mechanism cannot accurately reflect the resource usage of the network device, so that the network devices cannot accurately know the resource usage of each other. Further, the network devices are prone to errors when adjusting the mobility parameters according to the resource usage of each other, thereby affecting the effect of MLB.

[0116] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device, which can be a resource status indication method, a resource status acquisition method, a mobility load balancing method, a mobility load balancing parameter indication method, a mobility load balancing parameter acquisition method, and the like, to solve the problem of inaccurate resource usage reported by the network device. The method and the device are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles of the method and the device for solving the problem are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be mutually referred to, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0117] It should be understood that “at least one” in the embodiments of the present application means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. “And / or” describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character “ / ” generally represents an “or” relationship between the front and rear associated objects. “At least one of the following” or the like means any combination of these items, including single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b and c can be single or multiple.

[0118] It should be understood that the terms used in this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms “a”, “said” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0119] In addition, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used in this application to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, the first information can also be referred to as the second information without departing from the scope of the present application, and similarly, the second information can also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word “if” as used herein can be interpreted as “when” or “in response to determining” or “in response to ascertaining”.

[0120] The communication method provided by the present application will be described in detail below in combination with the drawings.

[0121] Embodiment one: the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, as shown in the figure, the method can specifically include: Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the method can specifically include:

[0122] S801, the second network device performs resource measurement to obtain resource state information, and the resource state information includes LBT related resource information.

[0123] For example, the second network device can perform resource measurement in network device granularity, that is, the second network device can perform statistics on each resource of itself, and therefore the granularity of the obtained resource state information is network device granularity. For example, if the second network device is a base station, the granularity of the resource state information is base station granularity. For another example, if the second network device is a CU, the granularity of the resource state information is CU granularity. For another example, if the second network device is a DU, the granularity of the resource state information is DU granularity.

[0124] Alternatively, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a cell granularity, i.e., the second network device can perform statistics on resources of each cell belonging to the second network device, and thus the obtained resource status information is in a cell granularity.

[0125] Alternatively, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a beam or SS / PBCH block (SSB) granularity, i.e., the second network device can perform statistics on resources of each beam (or each SSB) of the second network device, and thus the obtained resource status information is in a beam granularity.

[0126] Alternatively, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a slice granularity, i.e., the second network device can perform statistics on resources of each slice of the second network device, and thus the obtained resource status information is in a slice granularity.

[0127] In addition, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a cell group granularity, i.e., the second network device performs resource measurement for each cell group, wherein a cell group includes at least one cell belonging to the second network device, and the grouping of cell groups of the second network device is not specifically limited here. For example, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a beam group granularity, i.e., the second network device performs resource measurement for each beam group, wherein a beam group includes at least one beam of the second network device, and the grouping of beam groups of the second network device is not specifically limited here. For example, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in a slice group granularity, i.e., the second network device performs resource measurement for each slice group, wherein a slice group includes at least one slice of the second network device, and the grouping of slice groups of the second network device is not specifically limited here.

[0128] Of course, the second network device can also perform resource measurement in other granularities, such as a BWP granularity, and the like, and the granularities that the second network device can use when performing resource measurement are not listed one by one here.

[0129] S802, the second network device sends the resource status information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the resource status information sent by the second network device.

[0130] The second network device can send the resource state information to the first network device through an Xn, X2, F1, E1, or the like. Alternatively, the second network device can also forward the resource state information to the first network device through other devices, for example, the second network device sends the resource state information to a first core network, the first core network forwards the resource state information to a second core network, and the second core network sends the resource state information to the first network device. For example, the second network device is a 5G base station, and the first network device is a 4G base station. The second network device can send the resource state information to a 5GC, the 5GC forwards the resource state information to an EPC, and the EPC forwards the resource state information to the first network device.

[0131] In S803, the first network device determines the resource usage of the second network device based on the resource state information.

[0132] In the embodiments of the present application, when the second network device reports the resource state information to the first network device, the second network device can indicate the LBT-related resources, so that the first network device can determine the resources that are likely to be occupied by the second network device based on the resource state information reported by the second network device, and thus the resource usage of the second network device can be converted to obtain more accurate resource usage, especially for the future predicted resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated. When the first network device performs mobility load balancing based on the information of the resources that are about to be released by the second network device and the resources that are likely to be occupied, the accuracy of the load balancing can be improved. For example, the first network device can convert the index values of the wireless resources, the RRC connection number, and the number of active UEs (which can also be understood as the number of UEs with data transmission) of the second network device based on the LBT-related resources of the second network device, so as to reduce the degree of virtual high of the index values of the wireless resources, the RRC connection number, and the number of active UEs of the second network device, and more accurately understand the resource usage of the second network device, and then the handover threshold of the source network device can be reasonably adjusted.

[0133] In one possible embodiment, the resource measurement performed by the second network device can be triggered by the second network device itself, that is, the second network device actively measures and reports the resource state information.

[0134] In another possible embodiment, before S801, the first network device can send a request message to the second network device, and the request message is used to request the second network device to measure the resource usage. In this embodiment, the resource measurement performed by the second network device is triggered by the request message sent by the first network device.

[0135] In one implementation, the request message sent by the first network device can be single effective, and the second network device performs a report after receiving the request message.

[0136] In another implementation, the request message sent by the first network device can be valid for multiple times, and the second network device can report periodically after receiving the request message.

[0137] In another implementation, the request message sent by the first network device can be valid for multiple times, and the second network device can report based on certain conditions / events after receiving the request message. For example, the measured resource meets a certain percentage.

[0138] Optionally, after receiving the request message, the second network device can start the related measurement according to the requirements in the request message. If it is found that any resource in the report category cannot be measured, a resource status failure message is sent to the first network device, otherwise, a resource status response message is sent to the first network device. The resource status response message indicates that the measurement is successfully started, but not completed.

[0139] Optionally, the request message can include a measurement ID.

[0140] The request message can also include a report category list, which can be used to indicate which kind of resource needs to be measured and reported, such as air interface resource (Physical Resource Block or Radio resource status), transport layer (Transparent Network Layer, TNL) resource (Transparent Network Layer Capacity), hardware resource (Hardware Capacity Indicator), slice available capacity, number of activated UEs, number of RRC connections, overall available resource (Composite Available Capacity), etc. The report category can be a binary string, and each bit represents a kind of resource. Whether to measure and report the resource corresponding to the bit can be indicated by the value of the bit. For example, if a bit is 1, it means that the resource corresponding to the bit needs to be measured and reported, and if the bit is 0, it means that the resource corresponding to the bit does not need to be measured and reported.

[0141] The air interface resource can be the usage percentage of the guaranteed bit rate (GBR) / non-guaranteed bit rate (Non-GBR) of the uplink and downlink, etc. The transport layer resource can include the TNL provided by the uplink and downlink, the percentage of the TNL available to the uplink and downlink, etc. The total available resource can include the cell capacity level, the available capacity percentage (such as the total cell capacity available percentage, the capacity available percentage of each SSB, etc.). The hardware resource can include the uplink and downlink hardware available capacity, etc. The slice available capacity can include the available capacity of each slice, etc. The RRC connection number can include the RRC connection number, the RRC connection available percentage, etc.

[0142] The request message can also include a cell list (which cell resources need to be measured), an SSB list (which beams under the cell need to be measured), a slice list (which slices under the cell need to be measured), etc.

[0143] The request message can also include a reporting period, for example, the reporting period can be 500 milliseconds, so that the second network device can report once every 500 milliseconds. Optionally, if the request message does not carry the reporting period, the second network device can report once.

[0144] The request message can carry LBT indication information, which is used to instruct the second network device to measure and report resources related to LBT. The second network device can count the resources related to LBT after receiving the request message. Correspondingly, the resource status information includes resource information related to LBT (such as LBT restriction information, LBT failure information, etc.). For example, as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9 .

[0145] In an implementation manner, the request message can carry first information for instructing to measure resources related to LBT. For example, the request message can include the first information in the reporting category, that is, the resources related to LBT are regarded as a kind of measured resources. For example, the reporting category can include a bit, which is used to indicate whether to measure and report the resources related to LBT. Whether to measure and report the resources related to LBT can be indicated by the value of the bit, for example, if the bit takes the value 1, it means that the resources related to LBT need to be measured and reported, and 0 means that the resources related to LBT do not need to be measured and reported.

[0146] In an example, the resource information related to LBT can include LBT restriction information of the second network device, which is used to indicate the LBT impact on the available resources of the second network device.

[0147] Optionally, the LBT restriction information can be a comparison relationship between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism, the first cell being a cell of the second network device with LBT mechanism. In an example, the LBT restriction information can be a gap between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism. For example, the LBT restriction information can be N%, where N is a number greater than 0 and not greater than 100, indicating that the available resources of the first cell is N% of the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism. For example, the LBT restriction information can be 80%, indicating that the available resources of the first cell is 80% of the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism. For another example, the LBT restriction information can be n / m, where n and m are positive integers, and n is less than m, indicating that the available resources of the first cell is n / m of the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism. For example, the LBT restriction information can be 2 / 3, indicating that the available resources of the first cell is 2 / 3 of the available resources of the cell without LBT mechanism.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the second network device can determine the LBT restriction information according to the historical information.

[0149] Because the resources of the cell with LBT mechanism (e.g., NR-U cell) need to be competed by LBT, the offered and available resources are less than those of the cell without LBT mechanism (e.g., NR cell), in the above manner, the second network device can convert the offered resources and notify the first network device of the conversion result, so that the first network device can obtain more accurate resource usage, especially for the future predicted resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated. For example, the first network device can convert the index values of the second network device, such as wireless resources, RRC connection number and UE number, according to the conversion result, so as to reduce the degree of virtual high of the index values of the second network device, and then the handover threshold of the source network device can be reasonably adjusted.

[0150] It should be noted that the "available resources" in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as all available resources of the network device, i.e., the offered resources, or can be understood as the resources of the network device not occupied by the terminal device, i.e., the available resources. It can be understood that the "available resources" can also be referred to as "available resources".

[0151] In another example, the LBT-related resource information can include LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT failure information being used to indicate LBT failure.

[0152] Optionally, the LBT failure information can be used to indicate a level of persistent LBT failure occurring at the second network device. For example, the second network device can determine the level of persistent LBT failure according to the number of times of persistent LBT failure. In one implementation, the level of persistent LBT failure can include three levels, i.e., light, medium and heavy, each level corresponding to a range of number of times, and the second network device can determine the corresponding level according to the range of number of times of persistent LBT failure and notify the first network device of the level, and the first network device can convert the resource of the second network device according to the level.

[0153] In the above manner, the second network device can notify the first network device of the level of persistent LBT failure, so that the first network device can convert the resource of the second network device, thereby obtaining more accurate resource usage, especially more accurate estimation of future predicted resource usage. For example, the first network device can convert the wireless resource, RRC connection number and UE number of the second network device according to the level of persistent LBT failure, thereby reducing the degree of overestimation of the wireless resource, RRC connection number and UE number of the second network device, and further adjusting the handover threshold of the source network device.

[0154] The LBT failure information can also be used to indicate the number of times of persistent LBT failure occurring at the second network device. In the above manner, the first network device can determine the level of persistent LBT failure according to the number of times of persistent LBT failure, thereby converting the resource of the second network device, and further obtaining more accurate resource usage, especially more accurate estimation of future predicted resource usage.

[0155] The LBT failure information can also be used to indicate the level of LBT failure occurring at the second network device. For example, the second network device can determine the level of LBT failure according to the number of times of LBT failure. In one implementation, the level of LBT failure can include three levels, i.e., light, medium and heavy, each level corresponding to a range of number of times, and the second network device can determine the corresponding level according to the range of number of times of LBT failure and notify the first network device of the level, and the first network device can convert the resource of the second network device according to the level.

[0156] The second network device in the above manner can inform the first network device of the level of LBT failure, so that the first network device can convert the resources of the second network device, thereby obtaining more accurate resource usage, especially for future predicted resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated. For example, the first network device can convert the wireless resources, RRC connection number and UE number of the second network device according to the LBT failure level, thereby reducing the degree of overestimation of the wireless resources, RRC connection number and UE number of the second network device, and further adjusting the switching threshold of the source network device.

[0157] The LBT failure information can also be used to indicate the number of LBT failures of the second network device. Through the above manner, the first network device can determine the LBT failure level according to the number of LBT failures, thereby converting the resources of the second network device, and further obtaining more accurate resource usage, especially for future predicted resource usage, which can be more accurately estimated.

[0158] In addition, the LBT failure information can also include at least one of the following information: RSSI measured by the second network device, RSSI measured by the terminal device accessing the second network device, CO average value, probability higher than the CO average value.

[0159] In another example, the LBT-related resource information can also include LBT limit information of the second network device and LBT failure information of the second network device.

[0160] In one example, assuming that the first network device indicates in the report category of the request message that the second network device measures and reports wireless usage, RRC connection number and LBT-related resources, the resource status information sent by the second network device to the first network device can be as shown in Table 1.

[0161] Table 1

[0162] Wireless usage RRC connection number LBT related resource >LBT limit information >LBT failure information

[0163] Among them, the wireless usage, RRC connection number and LBT-related resources are in parallel structure, and the LBT limit information and the LBT failure information are the next level subdirectory of the LBT-related resources.

[0164] In another implementation, the request message can carry second information for indicating that the second network device measures N categories of resources each with LBT related resources, where N is an integer greater than 0. For example, the second information can indicate that the second network device considers LBT factors when measuring N categories of resources, where the N categories of resources can be the resources indicated by the report category in the request message. Optionally, the second information can be implicit or explicit, which is not limited herein.

[0165] After receiving the request message, the second network device can determine the number of LBT related resources in each category of resources. Correspondingly, the LBT related resource information can include N categories of resource each with LBT related resource information. N is an integer greater than 0, where the LBT related resource information of the first category of resources in the N categories of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first category of resources, LBT failure information of the first category of resources, the LBT restriction information of the first category of resources is used to indicate the degree of the first category of resources of the second network device affected by LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure of the first category of resources of the second network device.

[0166] For example, the LBT restriction information of the first category of resources can be a comparison relationship between the first category of resources that can be provided by the first cell and the first category of resources that can be provided by the cell without LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with LBT mechanism in the second network device. In a possible implementation, the second network device can determine the LBT restriction information of the first category of resources according to historical information.

[0167] It should be noted that the "first category of resources that can be provided" in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as the first category of resources that can be provided by the network device, i.e., the offered first category of resources, or the first category of resources that are not occupied by the terminal device, i.e., the available first category of resources. It can be understood that the "first category of resources that can be provided" can also be referred to as "available first category of resources".

[0168] The LBT failure information of the first category of resources can be used to indicate the level of continuous LBT failure of the first category of resources of the second network device.

[0169] The LBT failure information can be used to indicate the number or proportion of the first category of resources with continuous LBT failure in the second network device;

[0170] The LBT failure information can be used to indicate the level of LBT failure of the first category of resources of the second network device.

[0171] The LBT failure information can be used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources in which the second network device fails in LBT.

[0172] Optionally, the air interface resource, the transport layer resource, the total available resource, the hardware resource, the slice available capacity, the number of activated UEs, the number of RRC connections, and the like can be respectively taken as a type of resource. Alternatively, multiple measurement parameters can be taken as a type of resource, for example, the air interface resource and the transport layer resource are taken as a type of resource, and for another example, the number of RRC connections, the hardware resource, and the total available resource are taken as a type of resource, and the like.

[0173] In an example, it is assumed that the first network device indicates the second network device to measure and report the radio usage and the number of RRC connections in the report category of the request message, and carries the second information indicating that the LBT factor is considered, and the resource status information sent by the second network device to the first network device can be as shown in Table 2.

[0174] Table 2

[0175] Wireless usage >IE included in current protocol >LBT related resource >>LBT limit information >>LBT failure information RRC connection number >IE included in current protocol >LBT related resource >>LBT limit information >>LBT failure information

[0176] Among them, the radio usage and the number of RRC connections are in a parallel relationship, the LBT related resource and the information element included in the current protocol are in a parallel relationship, and the LBT restriction information and the LBT failure information are a lower level subdirectory of the LBT related resource.

[0177] Because the network device with the LBT mechanism has different usage on many resources than the network device without the LBT mechanism. In the above implementation manner, by considering the LBT factor for each type of resource, the accuracy of the resource measurement report can be improved.

[0178] If the network device receives a large number of continuous LBT failure indications in a short time, it may be that many terminal devices send data at the same time, and due to the close distance between the terminal devices, the terminal devices cannot compete for resources. According to the existing mechanism, the terminal devices that fail in the competition will perform LBT again after a period of time, and if a part of the terminal devices move to other positions, the interference between the terminal devices is reduced, and some terminal devices can succeed in LBT and access the network device. In the embodiment of the application, the sending side network device indicates the LBT related information, so that the receiving side network device can more accurately evaluate the future resource usage of the sending side network device, so that the receiving side network device can more accurately obtain the load of the sending side network device, and thus the accuracy of network load balancing can be improved.

[0179] Embodiment two: the embodiment of the application also provides a communication method, as shown in Figure 10 The method can specifically include:

[0180] S1101, the terminal device records each LBT failure.

[0181] S1102, the terminal device sends LBT information to the second network device, the LBT information being used to indicate the number of LBT failures. In response, the second network device receives the LBT information.

[0182] In an implementation, the terminal device can report the number of LBT failures in a time period to the second network device. In this implementation, the LBT information can include the number of LBT failures.

[0183] For example, the time period can be indicated by the second network device or be defined by a protocol. In an implementation, the time period can be a measurement period of continuous LBT failures.

[0184] The number of LBT failures when the terminal device reports the number of LBT failures in the time period can exceed a threshold value or can not exceed the threshold value, which is not limited here.

[0185] In an embodiment, if the number of LBT failures in the time period is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal device can keep the record of the number of LBT failures. That is, if the number of LBT failures in the time period is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal device can not clear the record of the number of LBT failures.

[0186] Optionally, the LBT information further includes channel information, such as RSSI and CO average value, at each LBT failure. In this way, the second network device can better understand the LBT failure of the terminal device.

[0187] In an implementation, the terminal device can send the LBT information at the indication of the second network device.

[0188] For example, the second network device sends a first message to the terminal device, the first message indicating reporting the number of LBT failures. Correspondingly, the LBT information sent by the terminal device to the second network device includes the number of LBT failures.

[0189] For example, the first message can carry a first indication, and the first indication is in a first state, where the first indication in the first state indicates reporting the number of LBT failures, and the first indication in a second state indicates reporting continuous LBT failures.

[0190] Correspondingly, if the first indication is in the second state, the terminal device can report continuous LBT failures to the second network device.

[0191] The first message can also implicitly indicate reporting the number of LBT failures.

[0192] In some embodiments, the terminal device can report the LBT information to the second network device through RRC signaling. In this way, the integrity of the LBT information can be ensured.

[0193] Optionally, the terminal device can report the continuous LBT failure to the second network device through MAC CE signaling to indicate that the second network device has experienced the continuous LBT failure.

[0194] The terminal device can also report the number of continuous LBT failures to the second network through RRC signaling.

[0195] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can also send an LBT failure indication to the second network device when the LBT failure occurs, and the LBT failure indication is used to indicate that the LBT failure has occurred. In this implementation, the LBT information can include the LBT failure indication.

[0196] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device reports the specific number of LBT failures and the channel details when the failures occur, which is beneficial for the network device to further master the LBT channel situation, so as to more effectively adjust the resource scheduling.

[0197] It should be understood that the method described in Embodiment One and the method described in Embodiment Two can be implemented as an independent scheme respectively, or can be combined as a scheme.

[0198] When the method described in Embodiment One and the method described in Embodiment Two are combined as a scheme, various network elements in the network can be more in line with reality when doing load balancing, so that better communication services can be provided for the terminal device.

[0199] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus. The structure of the apparatus can be as shown in Figure 11 The apparatus includes a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202.

[0200] In a specific implementation, the apparatus can be specifically used to implement Figure 7~Figure 9 the method performed by the first network device in the embodiments, and the apparatus can be the first network device itself, or a chip or chip set or a part of the chip or chip set in the first network device for performing the related method functions. The transceiver unit 1201 is configured to receive resource state information from the second network device, and the resource state information includes LBT-related resource information; and the processing unit 1202 is configured to determine the resource usage of the second network device based on the resource state information.

[0201] The LBT-related resource information includes at least one of the following: LBT restriction information of the second network device, and LBT failure information of the second network device. The LBT restriction information is used to indicate that the available resources of the second network device are affected by LBT. The LBT failure information is used to indicate LBT failure.

[0202] The LBT restriction information is a comparison relationship between available resources of the first cell and available resources of a cell without an LBT mechanism. The first cell is a cell of the second network device with an LBT mechanism.

[0203] The LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of continuous LBT failure of the second network device.

[0204] Alternatively, the LBT failure information includes a number of continuous LBT failures of the second network device.

[0205] The LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of LBT failure of the second network device.

[0206] Alternatively, the LBT failure information includes a number of LBT failures of the second network device.

[0207] The LBT failure information further includes at least one of the following: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, a channel occupancy average, and a probability of being higher than the channel occupancy average.

[0208] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to send a request message to the second network device before receiving the resource state information from the second network device. The request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage. The request message carries first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the second network device is to measure LBT-related resources.

[0209] The LBT-related resource information includes N types of resource information related to LBT, where N is an integer greater than 0. The LBT-related resource information of a first type of resource in the N types of resources includes at least one of the following: LBT restriction information of the first type of resource, and LBT failure information of the first type of resource. The LBT restriction information of the first type of resource is used to indicate a degree of LBT impact on the first type of resource of the second network device. The LBT failure information is used to indicate LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0210] The LBT restriction information of the first type of resource is a comparison relationship between available first type of resources of the first cell and available first type of resources of a cell without an LBT mechanism.

[0211] For example, the LBT failure information of the first type of resource is used to indicate a level of continuous LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0212] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate a number or a proportion of the first type of resource of the second network device that has continuous LBT failure.

[0213] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate a level of LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0214] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate a number or a proportion of the first type of resource of the second network device that has LBT failure.

[0215] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to: before receiving the resource status information from the second network device, send a request message to the second network device, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carrying second information, the second information being used to indicate that the second network device measures N types of resources each related to LBT.

[0216] For example, the N types of resources include at least one of the following: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, RRC connection number, and total available resources.

[0217] Optionally, the granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, or slice granularity.

[0218] In another specific implementation, the apparatus can be specifically used to implement Figure 7~Figure 10 In the embodiment, the apparatus can be the second network device itself, or a chip or chip set or a part of the chip or chip set in the second network device for executing the related method functions. The processing unit 1202 is configured to perform resource measurement, and the transceiver 1201 is configured to send resource status information to the first network device, the resource status information including LBT-related resource information.

[0219] For example, the LBT-related resource information includes at least one of the following: LBT limitation information of the second network device, and LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT limitation information being used to indicate LBT impact on available resources of the second network device, and the LBT failure information being used to indicate LBT failure.

[0220] The LBT restriction information is, for example, a comparison relationship between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with the LBT mechanism in the second network device.

[0221] The LBT failure information is, for example, used to indicate the level of the continuous LBT failure of the second network device.

[0222] Alternatively, the LBT failure information includes the number of times of the continuous LBT failure of the second network device.

[0223] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the level of the LBT failure of the second network device.

[0224] Alternatively, the LBT failure information includes the number of times of the LBT failure of the second network device.

[0225] The LBT failure information further includes, for example, at least one of the following information: the received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, the received signal strength indication measured by the terminal device accessing the second network device, the channel occupancy average, and the probability higher than the channel occupancy average.

[0226] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to receive a request message from the first network device before the processing unit 1202 performs the resource measurement, and the request message is used to request the second network device to measure the resource usage, and the request message carries first information, and the first information is used to indicate the measurement of the LBT-related resource of the second network device.

[0227] The LBT-related resource information includes, for example, the LBT-related resource information of N types of resources, N is an integer greater than 0, wherein the LBT-related resource information of the first type of resource in the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: the LBT restriction information of the first type of resource, and the LBT failure information of the first type of resource, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resource is used to indicate the degree of influence of the first type of resource of the second network device affected by the LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0228] The LBT restriction information of the first type of resource is, for example, a comparison relationship between the available first type of resource of the first cell and the available first type of resource of the cell without the LBT mechanism.

[0229] The LBT failure information of the first type of resource is, for example, used to indicate the level of the continuous LBT failure of the first type of resource of the second network device.

[0230] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources under the second network device that have sustained LBT failures.

[0231] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the level of LBT failures of the first type of resources of the second network device.

[0232] Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources under the second network device that have sustained LBT failures.

[0233] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to receive a request message from the first network device before the processing unit 1202 performs the resource measurement, the request message being used to request the second network device to measure the resource usage, and the request message carrying second information used to indicate that the second network device measures the N types of resources each related to the LBT.

[0234] Optionally, the N types of resources include at least one of the following: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, RRC connection number, and total available resources.

[0235] Optionally, the resource status information has a granularity of a cell, a network device, a beam, or a slice.

[0236] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to receive LBT information from the terminal device, the LBT information including the number of LBT failures in a time period.

[0237] Optionally, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to send a first message to the terminal device before receiving the LBT information from the terminal device, the first message indicating the number of LBT failures in a reporting time period.

[0238] Optionally, the LBT information further includes at least one of the following: received signal strength indication and channel occupancy average value.

[0239] Optionally, the LBT information is carried in RRC signaling.

[0240] In another specific implementation, the apparatus can be specifically used to implement Figure 8~Figure 10 The method performed by the terminal device in the embodiments can be performed by the terminal device itself, or by a chip or chip set or a part of the chip or chip set in the terminal device for performing the related method functions. The processing unit 1202 is configured to record each LBT failure, and the transceiver 1201 is configured to send LBT information to the second network device, the LBT information including the number of LBT failures in a time period.

[0241] The transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to receive a first message from the second network device before sending the LBT information to the second network device, the first message indicating the number of LBT failures in the reporting time period.

[0242] The first message carries a first indication, the first indication being a first state, wherein the first indication being the first state indicates the number of LBT failures in the reporting time period, and the first indication being a second state indicates a continuous LBT failure in the reporting time period.

[0243] Optionally, the LBT information further includes at least one of the following information: received signal strength indication, channel occupancy average value.

[0244] Optionally, when sending the LBT information to the second network device, the transceiver unit 1201 is configured to send the LBT information to the second network device through radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0245] Optionally, when sending the LBT information to the second network device, the number of LBT failures in the time period is less than a threshold value.

[0246] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to, if the number of LBT failures in the time period is greater than or equal to the threshold value, keep a record of the number of LBT failures.

[0247] The division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division mode can be adopted. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processor, or can be physically separated, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware, or in the form of software functional unit. It can be understood that the functions or implementation of each unit in the embodiments of the present application can be further referred to the related description of the method embodiments.

[0248] In one possible mode, the communication device can be as shown in Figure 12 The communication device can be a communication device or a chip in a communication device, wherein the communication device can be a network device or a terminal device. The communication device can include a processor 1301, a communication interface 1302, and a memory 1303. The processing unit 1202 can be the processor 1301. The transceiver unit 1201 can be the communication interface 1302.

[0249] The processor 1301 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing unit, or the like. The communication interface 1302 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, a transceiver chip, or the like. The communication device further includes a memory 1303 for storing programs executed by the processor 1302. The memory 1303 can be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1303 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0250] The processor 1301 is configured to execute the program codes stored in the memory 1303, and specifically configured to execute the actions of the processing unit 1202 described above, which will not be repeated herein.

[0251] The communication interface 1302 is configured to execute the actions of the transceiver unit 1201 described above, which will not be repeated herein.

[0252] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1302, the processor 1301, and the memory 1303 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 12 the memory 1303, the processor 1301, and the communication interface 1302 are connected through a bus 1304, and the bus is represented by a thick line in Figure 12 the embodiments of the present application. The connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, or the like. For convenience of representation, Figure 12 only one thick line is used to represent the bus in the embodiments of the present application, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0253] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required for execution by the processor, which contains programs required for execution by the processor.

[0254] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present application can be devised for a variety of other systems which are currently developed or later developed. Therefore, the present application is intended to cover all such modifications and variations of this application that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is intended that each element of claim 1 is implemented independently of each other element. None of the elements of claim 1, singly or in combination, is intended to be a means-plus-function clause with respect to any of the claims. None of the elements of claim 1, singly or in combination, is intended to be a signal bearing medium.

[0255] The present application is described in reference to the flowchart and / or block diagrams of the method, apparatus (system) and computer program product according to this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0256] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0257] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more functions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0258] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first network device receives resource status information from a second network device, the resource status information including resource information related to listen-before-speak (LBT), the LBT-related resource information including LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT failure information being used to indicate an LBT failure, and the LBT failure information including a number of consecutive LBT failures occurring on the second network device; The first network device determines resource usage of the second network device based on the resource status information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The LBT-related resource information also includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, where the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the resources available to the second network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The LBT restriction information is a comparison between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with the LBT mechanism in the second network device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The LBT failure information also includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, an average channel occupancy value, and a probability of being higher than an average channel occupancy value.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein Before the first network device receives the resource status information from the second network device, the method further includes: The first network device sends a request message to the second network device, where the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage. The request message carries first information, where the first information is used to indicate the measurement of LBT-related resources of the second network device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The resource information related to LBT includes: resource information related to LBT of each of N types of resources, where N is an integer greater than 0, wherein the resource information related to LBT of the first type of resources among the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resources, LBT failure information of the first type of resources, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is used to indicate the extent to which the first type of resources of the second network device are affected by LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure status of the first type of resources of the second network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is a comparison between the first type of resources that can be provided by the first cell and the first type of resources that can be provided by a cell without an LBT mechanism.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources that have sustained LBT failures under the second network device.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein Before the first network device receives the resource status information from the second network device, the method further includes: The first network device sends a request message to the second network device, where the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage. The request message carries second information, where the second information is used to instruct the second network device to measure each of the N types of resources related to LBT.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein The N types of resources include at least one of the following resources: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, number of radio resource control RRC connections, and overall available resources.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, or slice granularity.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second network device performs resource measurement; The second network device sends resource status information to the first network device, and the resource status information includes resource information related to listen-before-speak (LBT). The LBT-related resource information includes LBT failure information of the second network device, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure situation. The LBT failure information includes the number of continuous LBT failures occurring under the second network device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The LBT-related resource information also includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, where the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the resources available to the second network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The LBT restriction information is a comparison between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with the LBT mechanism in the second network device.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The LBT failure information also includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, an average channel occupancy value, and a probability of being higher than an average channel occupancy value.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein Before the second network device performs resource measurement, the method further includes: The second network device receives a request message from the first network device, where the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage. The request message carries first information, where the first information is used to indicate the measurement of LBT-related resources of the second network device.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein The resource information related to LBT includes: resource information related to LBT of each of N types of resources, where N is an integer greater than 0, wherein the resource information related to LBT of the first type of resources among the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resources, LBT failure information of the first type of resources, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is used to indicate the extent to which the first type of resources of the second network device are affected by LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure status of the first type of resources of the second network device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is a comparison between the first type of resources that can be provided by the first cell and the first type of resources that can be provided by a cell without an LBT mechanism.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein Alternatively, the LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources that have sustained LBT failures under the second network device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein: Before the second network device performs resource measurement, the method further includes: The second network device receives a request message from the first network device, where the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage. The request message carries second information, where the second information is used to instruct the second network device to measure each of the N types of resources related to LBT.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein The N types of resources include at least one of the following resources: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, number of radio resource control RRC connections, and overall available resources.

22. The method according to claim 12, wherein The granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, or slice granularity.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein: The method further comprises: LBT information is received from a terminal device, where the LBT information includes the number of LBT failures within a time period.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein Before receiving the LBT information from the terminal device, the method further includes: A first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message indicates the number of LBT failures reported within the time period.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein: The LBT information also includes at least one of the following information: received signal strength indication, channel occupancy average value.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein: The LBT information is carried in the radio resource control RRC signaling.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to receive resource status information from a second network device, the resource status information including resource information related to listen-before-speak (LBT), the LBT-related resource information including LBT failure information of the second network device, the LBT failure information being used to indicate an LBT failure, and the LBT failure information including a number of consecutive LBT failures occurring on the second network device; A processing unit is configured to determine resource usage of the second network device based on the resource status information.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein The LBT-related resource information also includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, where the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the resources available to the second network device.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein The LBT restriction information is a comparison between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with the LBT mechanism in the second network device.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein The LBT failure information also includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, an average channel occupancy value, and a probability of being higher than an average channel occupancy value.

31. The device according to claim 27, wherein The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before receiving resource status information from the second network device, a request message is sent to the second network device, wherein the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carries first information, which is used to indicate the measurement of LBT-related resources of the second network device.

32. The device according to claim 27, wherein The resource information related to LBT includes: resource information related to LBT of each of N types of resources, where N is an integer greater than 0, wherein the resource information related to LBT of the first type of resources among the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resources, LBT failure information of the first type of resources, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is used to indicate the extent to which the first type of resources of the second network device are affected by LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure status of the first type of resources of the second network device.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein The LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is a comparison between the first type of resources that can be provided by the first cell and the first type of resources that can be provided by a cell without an LBT mechanism.

34. The device according to claim 32, wherein The LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources that have sustained LBT failures under the second network device.

35. The device according to claim 32, wherein The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before receiving resource status information from the second network device, a request message is sent to the second network device, wherein the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carries second information, and the second information is used to instruct the second network device to measure each of the N types of resources related to LBT.

36. The device according to claim 32, wherein The N types of resources include at least one of the following resources: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, number of radio resource control RRC connections, and overall available resources.

37. The device according to any one of claims 27 to 36, characterized in that The granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, or slice granularity.

38. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a processing unit for performing resource measurement; A transceiver unit is used to send resource status information to the first network device, where the resource status information includes resource information related to listen-before-speak (LBT), and the LBT-related resource information includes LBT failure information of the second network device. The LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure situation, and the LBT failure information includes the number of continuous LBT failures that occur under the second network device.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein The resource information related to LBT includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the second network device, and the LBT restriction information is used to indicate the LBT impact on the resources available to the second network device.

40. The device according to claim 39, wherein The LBT restriction information is a comparison between the available resources of the first cell and the available resources of the cell without the LBT mechanism, and the first cell is the cell with the LBT mechanism in the second network device.

41. The device according to claim 38, wherein The LBT failure information also includes at least one of the following information: a received signal strength indication measured by the second network device, a received signal strength indication measured by a terminal device accessing the second network device, an average channel occupancy value, and a probability of being higher than an average channel occupancy value.

42. The device according to claim 38, wherein The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before the processing unit performs resource measurement, it receives a request message from the first network device, wherein the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carries first information, which is used to indicate the measurement of LBT-related resources of the second network device.

43. The device according to claim 38, wherein The resource information related to LBT includes: resource information related to LBT of each of N types of resources, where N is an integer greater than 0, wherein the resource information related to LBT of the first type of resources among the N types of resources includes at least one of the following information: LBT restriction information of the first type of resources, LBT failure information of the first type of resources, the LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is used to indicate the extent to which the first type of resources of the second network device are affected by LBT, and the LBT failure information is used to indicate the LBT failure status of the first type of resources of the second network device.

44. The device according to claim 43, wherein The LBT restriction information of the first type of resources is a comparison between the first type of resources that can be provided by the first cell and the first type of resources that can be provided by a cell without an LBT mechanism.

45. The device according to claim 43, wherein The LBT failure information is used to indicate the number or proportion of the first type of resources that have sustained LBT failures under the second network device.

46. ​​The device according to claim 43, wherein The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before the processing unit performs resource measurement, it receives a request message from the first network device, wherein the request message is used to request the second network device to measure resource usage, and the request message carries second information, and the second information is used to instruct the second network device to measure each of the N types of resources related to LBT.

47. The device according to claim 43, wherein The N types of resources include at least one of the following resources: air interface resources, transport layer resources, hardware resources, slice available capacity, number of activated terminal devices, number of radio resource control RRC connections, and overall available resources.

48. The device according to claim 38, wherein The granularity of the resource status information is cell granularity, network device granularity, beam granularity, or slice granularity.

49. The device according to any one of claims 38 to 48, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further configured to: LBT information is received from a terminal device, where the LBT information includes the number of LBT failures within a time period.

50. The device according to claim 49, wherein The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before receiving LBT information from the terminal device, a first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message indicates the number of LBT failures that occur within the time period to be reported.

51. The device according to claim 49, wherein The LBT information also includes at least one of the following information: received signal strength indication, channel occupancy average value.

52. The device according to claim 49, wherein The LBT information is carried in the radio resource control RRC signaling.

53. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device includes a transceiver, a processor and a memory; the memory stores program instructions; when the program instructions are executed, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 12 to 26.

54. A chip, characterized in that The chip is coupled to a memory in an electronic device so that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 26.

55. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed on a device, the device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

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