Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and a related device, and relates to the technical field of communication, and the method comprises the following steps: a terminal device sends a positioning demand to a source network device; a terminal device receives first information from a source network device, the first information being used for determining M candidate cells, and the M candidate cells being determined according to a positioning demand. M is an integer greater than 0. And the terminal equipment is switched from a source cell under the source network equipment to a target cell, wherein the target cell is one of the M candidate cells. According to the method provided by the invention, the requirement of the positioning service is considered, and the continuity of the positioning service in the cell switching process can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] In mobile communication systems, cell switching refers to the migration of wireless link connections from a source cell to a target cell by a terminal device under the control of a wireless access network. It is a basic technical means to ensure seamless mobile communication services. However, the service continuity of positioning services during existing cell switching is relatively poor. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and related devices, which take into account the needs of positioning services and can ensure the continuity of positioning services during cell switching.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device, and the method includes:

[0005] Sending a positioning request to a source network device;

[0006] receiving first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0;

[0007] Switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

[0008] In the present application, in the presence of a positioning service scenario, the terminal device reports the positioning requirements so that when performing cell switching, the positioning service requirements can be considered to determine a suitable target cell, which is conducive to ensuring the continuity of the positioning service during the cell switching process.

[0009] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0010] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0011] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0012] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0013] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0014] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0015] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0016] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0017] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0018] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0019] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0020] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0021] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells, or the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells, and the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells.

[0022] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0023] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0024] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0025] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0026] Cell positioning capability.

[0027] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0028] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0029] Optionally, in combination with the first aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells; and the method further includes:

[0030] The M candidate cells are determined from the N candidate cells according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells.

[0031] In the present application, when evaluating the switching execution conditions, the terminal device additionally considers the cell positioning configuration information of the candidate cells to determine M candidate cells, which can improve the continuity of the positioning service.

[0032] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a source network device, and the method includes:

[0033] Receive positioning requirements from terminal devices;

[0034] Sending first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; and M is an integer greater than 0.

[0035] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0036] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0037] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0038] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0039] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0040] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0041] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0042] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0043] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0044] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0045] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0046] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0047] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells;

[0048] The method further comprises:

[0049] The M candidate cells are determined according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0050] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0051] A response message is received from each candidate cell among the N candidate cells, where the response message includes cell positioning configuration information.

[0052] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0053] A request message is sent to K cells, where the request message includes the positioning requirement, where the positioning requirement is used to determine cell positioning configuration information, and the N candidate cells are part or all of the K candidate cells.

[0054] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0055] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0056] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0057] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0058] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0059] Cell positioning capability.

[0060] Optionally, in combination with the second aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0061] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0062] In the present application, the source network device can screen out M candidate cells according to the positioning requirements of the terminal device and send them to the terminal device, thereby improving the continuity of the positioning service in the switching scenario.

[0063] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device (such as a target network device), and the method includes:

[0064] receiving a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement;

[0065] A response message is sent to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell location configuration information of the cell.

[0066] Optionally, in combination with the third aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0067] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0068] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0069] Optionally, in combination with the third aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0070] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0071] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0072] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0073] Cell positioning capability.

[0074] Optionally, in combination with the third aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0075] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0076] In the present application, the request message carries the positioning requirements of the terminal device, so that the network device receiving the request message can determine the appropriate cell positioning configuration information according to the positioning requirements, which is conducive to the subsequent screening of candidate cells to better meet the terminal device's needs for positioning services.

[0077] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0078] A transceiver unit, used to send a positioning request to a source network device;

[0079] The transceiver unit is further used to receive first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0;

[0080] A processing unit is used to switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

[0081] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0082] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0083] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0084] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0085] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0086] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0087] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0088] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0089] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0090] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0091] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0092] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0093] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells, or the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells, and the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells.

[0094] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0095] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0096] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0097] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0098] Cell positioning capability.

[0099] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0100] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0101] Optionally, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells; and the processing unit is further used to:

[0102] The M candidate cells are determined from the N candidate cells according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells.

[0103] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0104] A transceiver unit, used for receiving positioning requirements from a terminal device;

[0105] The transceiver unit is further used to send first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirements; and M is an integer greater than 0.

[0106] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0107] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0108] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0109] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0110] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0111] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0112] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0113] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0114] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0115] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0116] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0117] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0118] In the fifth aspect, optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit, and the actions performed by the above-mentioned transceiver unit may be performed under the control of the processing unit.

[0119] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells; the communication device further includes a processing unit, and the processing unit is used to:

[0120] The M candidate cells are determined according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0121] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used for:

[0122] A response message is received from each candidate cell among the N candidate cells, where the response message includes cell positioning configuration information.

[0123] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used for:

[0124] A request message is sent to K cells, where the request message includes the positioning requirement, where the positioning requirement is used to determine cell positioning configuration information, and the N candidate cells are part or all of the K candidate cells.

[0125] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0126] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0127] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0128] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0129] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0130] Cell positioning capability.

[0131] Optionally, in combination with the fifth aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0132] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0133] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0134] A transceiver unit, configured to receive a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement;

[0135] The transceiver unit is further used to send a response message to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell positioning configuration information of the cell.

[0136] Optionally, in combination with the sixth aspect, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0137] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0138] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0139] Optionally, in combination with the sixth aspect, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0140] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0141] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0142] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0143] Cell positioning capability.

[0144] Optionally, in combination with the sixth aspect, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0145] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0146] In the sixth aspect, optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit, and the actions performed by the transceiver unit may be performed under the control of the processing unit.

[0147] In the seventh aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to cause the chip to execute a method as described in any one of the first aspect above, or to execute a method as described in any one of the second aspect above, or to execute a method as described in any one of the third aspect above.

[0148] In an eighth aspect, a module-module is provided, the module-module comprising a communication interface, a power module, a storage module and a chip, wherein: the module device comprises a communication module, a power module, a storage module and a chip, wherein: the power module is used to provide power to the module device; the storage module is used to store data and instructions; the communication module is used for internal communication of the module device, and / or for the module device to communicate with external devices; the chip is used to execute a method as described in any one of the first aspects above, or, to execute a method as described in any one of the second aspects above, or, to execute a method as described in any one of the third aspects above.

[0149] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a computer program, the computer program comprising program instructions, and the processor being configured to call the program instructions so that the communication device executes a method as described in any one of the first aspect above, or executes a method as described in any one of the second aspect above, or executes a method as described in any one of the third aspect above.

[0150] In the tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When the computer-readable instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes any method of the first aspect, or any method of the second aspect, or any method of the third aspect.

[0151] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program or a computer program product, comprising codes or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any method of the first aspect, or any method of the second aspect, or any method of the third aspect.

[0152] In a twelfth aspect, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the fourth aspect, the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the communication device described in the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0153] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0154] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the CHO process;

[0155] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0156] Figure 4 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0157] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0158] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a module device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0159] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0160] The terms used in the following embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be used as limitations to the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a kind of", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include plural expressions, unless there is a clear contrary indication in its context. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used in the present application is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three kinds of relationships may exist, for example, "A and / or B" may represent: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, wherein A, B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are a kind of "or" relationship.

[0161] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and in the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the term "comprising" and any variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product, or server comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more.

[0162] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture involved in the embodiments of the present application is first introduced below:

[0163] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR) and future communication systems, etc.

[0164] Optionally, the technical solution of the present application is also applicable to different network architectures, including but not limited to relay network architecture, dual-link architecture, Vehicle-to-Everything (vehicle-to-anything communication) architecture, etc.

[0165] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The solution in the present application can be applied to the communication system. The communication system may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device. Figure 1 Take the communication system including 1 network device and 1 terminal device as an example.

[0166] It should be noted that the terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a terminal device that supports simultaneous transmission of multiple antenna panels. Among them, the embodiments of the present application are mainly illustrated by taking the example of a terminal device supporting simultaneous transmission of two antenna panels. Specifically, the terminal device includes a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user. For example, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenario. The terminal device may sometimes also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal, an industrial control terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent or a UE device, etc. The terminal device may also be fixed or mobile. In an embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device may be a terminal device, or may be a device that can support the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a combination of devices and components that can realize the function of the terminal device, and the device may be installed in the terminal device.

[0167] The network device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The network device may also be a module or unit that completes some functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and may also complete the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and may also complete the functions of part or all of the physical layer. For a detailed description of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device may be the network device itself, or a device that can support the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system or a combination device or component that can implement the base station function, and the device may be installed in the network device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0168] First, some nouns involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0169] 1. Conditional handover (CHO) mechanism

[0170] When the quality of the source link is good, the source network device sends the configuration information of CHO to the terminal device. The configuration information of CHO includes the switching execution conditions configured for the terminal device and the configuration information of one or more candidate cells. After receiving the configuration information of CHO, the terminal device first determines whether each candidate cell meets the switching execution conditions, and then selects a candidate cell that meets the switching execution conditions as the target cell, and then initiates a random access process to the network device to which the target cell belongs, wherein after the random access is completed, it switches to the target cell. Because in the CHO mechanism, the terminal device detects that a candidate cell meets the corresponding switching execution conditions, at this time, there is no need to send a measurement report to the source base station, nor does the source base station need to send a switching command. Instead, the terminal device directly decides to switch and quickly switches to the target cell that meets the switching execution conditions, thereby reducing the probability of switching failure due to failed or slow switching command transmission, and improving the switching success rate, especially in areas where the signal changes rapidly.

[0171] That is, CHO means that the network device to which the source cell belongs (referred to as the source network device) sends the handover execution condition of at least one candidate cell to the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the target cell according to the received handover execution condition and tries to access or switch to the target cell, wherein the target cell belongs to at least one candidate cell. For example, see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the CHO process. Figure 2 In the example, the network device is a base station. Figure 2 As shown:

[0172] S1. Measurement Control and Reporting: Specifically, the source base station sends handover measurement control, and the terminal device reports measurement reports (Measurement Control and Reports).

[0173] S2. CHO decision: Specifically, the source base station decides whether to adopt CHO based on the measurement report sent by the terminal device, and if so, selects one or more cells, wherein the maximum number of cells selected is 8.

[0174] S3. The source base station initiates a CHO request (CHO request) to base stations to which one or more cells belong (eg, candidate base station 1 and candidate base station 2).

[0175] S4. Candidate base station 1 and candidate base station 2 respectively perform admission control to determine whether to accept CHO. If accepted, they feedback a CHO response (CHO Request ACKnowledge). If not accepted, they reject. Optionally, a candidate base station does not accept CHO (i.e., rejects), which can be understood as: a candidate base station does not feedback a CHO response or does not feedback any information.

[0176] S5. Candidate base station 1 and candidate base station 2 send CHO responses to the source base station respectively. The CHO responses include configuration information of cells under the candidate base stations that feed back the CHO responses (referred to as candidate cells).

[0177] S6. The source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device, and the RRC reconfiguration message includes the configuration information of the CHO, and the configuration information of the CHO includes the configuration information of the candidate cell and the switching execution condition. Among them, the switching execution condition is configured by the source base station, which specifies the conditions under which the terminal device can perform the switching action. For example, a switching execution condition can be configured for each candidate base station, wherein the switching execution condition may include one or more of the following: event, reference signal type (synchronization signal block (SSB) or channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), signal quality (such as reference signal received power (RSRP) / reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) / reference signal-signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR)). The configuration information of the candidate cell is the configuration information of one or more candidate cells, such as the configuration information of the cell under the candidate base station 1 and the configuration information of the cell under the candidate base station 2.

[0178] S7. The terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration completion (RRCReconfigurationComplete) message to the source base station.

[0179] S7a. The source base station sends an Early Status Transfer message to the candidate base station (eg, candidate base station 1) to forward the downlink data packet in advance.

[0180] S8. After receiving the configuration information of CHO, the terminal device still maintains the connection with the source base station and starts to evaluate the switching execution conditions of one or more candidate cells. If the terminal device detects that a candidate cell (for example, the cell under candidate base station 1) meets the corresponding switching execution conditions, the configuration information of the cell under candidate base station 1 is applied to perform random access to the cell under candidate base station 1 to establish an RRC connection, and at the same time, the connection with the cell under the source base station (ie, the source cell) is removed. If the terminal device successfully accesses the cell under candidate base station 1, the configuration information of the cells under other candidate base stations (for example, candidate base station 2) is deleted. At this point, the CHO switching is completed.

[0181] S8a / b. After the terminal device successfully completes the RRC connection establishment, candidate base station 1 sends a handover success (HO SUCESS) message to the source base station; the source base station then feeds back the last data transmission sequence number to candidate base station 1, that is, sends an SN status transfer (SN Status Transfer) to candidate base station 1.

[0182] S8c. The source base station sends a handover cancel (HO CANCEL) message to other candidate base stations (eg, candidate base station 2) to inform these base stations to release reserved resources and buffered data.

[0183] For the subsequent steps S9-S12, please refer to Chapter 9.2.3.4 of 3GPP protocol 38.300, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] 2. Positioning technology

[0185] Positioning based on mobile communication systems has been discussed in 3GPP since 3G, and a variety of solutions have been formed, such as enhanced cell ID (E-CID), downlink observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA), uplink time difference of arrival (UTDOA) and other positioning technologies based on wireless access networks.

[0186] Currently, when performing cell switching, the needs of positioning services are not considered. That is, when performing cell switching, only the wireless link quality of the target network device is considered, and no optimization is made specifically for positioning services. This may cause the terminal device to switch to a target cell that does not support positioning services, or a target cell that cannot meet the quality of service (QoS) of positioning services, causing the network device to restart the positioning process, reconfigure the positioning reference signal, instruct the corresponding entity to make measurements, etc., resulting in additional positioning delays, signaling overhead and interruption of positioning services.

[0187] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which takes into account the needs of the positioning service during the switching process, which is conducive to ensuring the continuity of the positioning service during the switching process.

[0188] For ease of understanding, the following embodiments of the present application are mainly illustrated by taking CHO as an example. It should be noted that in addition to the CHO scenario, the present application can also be applied to other handover scenarios, such as traditional handover scenarios or enhanced CHO scenarios, and the present application does not limit this.

[0189] The communications, devices, chips and chip modules provided in the embodiments of the present application are further described below in detail.

[0190] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 It is a flow chart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 The execution subject of the method shown can be a terminal device or a network device. The terminal device or the network device can be the terminal device itself or the network device itself, or it can also be a chip in the terminal device or a chip in the network device. For the convenience of description, the following takes the execution subject as an example of a terminal device or a network device to exemplify the method provided in the present application. In addition, the embodiments of the present application are mainly illustrated by taking K=N=3 and M=2 as an example. Figure 3 As shown, it includes the following steps S301 to S305:

[0191] S301: The terminal device sends a positioning request to the source network device. Correspondingly, the source network device receives the positioning request from the terminal device.

[0192] In some feasible implementations, the terminal device may send a positioning requirement to the source network device during the measurement control and reporting process, wherein the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following information: positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal device positioning capability.

[0193] Generally speaking, different services require different positioning accuracy. Positioning accuracy can be identified by a value. The lower the value, the higher the positioning accuracy. Positioning accuracy can range from meters (m) to several kilometers (km). For example, the positioning accuracy requirement for navigation is: 10m-50m. Positioning accuracy can also be identified by area. The smaller the area, the higher the positioning accuracy. For example, the positioning accuracy can be a cell, a tracking area (TA), a public land mobile network (PLMN), or a country. Positioning accuracy can also be measured by positioning accuracy level. The higher the positioning accuracy level, the higher the positioning accuracy requirement, or vice versa. At this time, different positioning accuracy levels can correspond to different positioning accuracy identified by values, or positioning accuracy identified by areas, which is not limited by this application.

[0194] Positioning delay, also known as response time, refers to the response time specified or negotiated by the positioning server when issuing a positioning request, allowing the positioning client to provide feedback. There are three levels of positioning delay: ① no delay, ② low delay and ③ delay tolerance. ① No delay means that the positioning server will immediately feedback any current positioning estimation results, even if the current positioning estimation results cannot meet the positioning accuracy requirements, the positioning server still needs to feedback; ② Low delay means that the positioning server should feedback the current position estimation results with minimal delay, which means that meeting the response time requirements takes precedence over meeting the positioning accuracy requirements. ③ Delay tolerance means that the server can allow the delay in providing positioning estimation results until the current positioning estimation results meet the positioning accuracy requirements, which means that meeting the positioning accuracy requirements takes precedence over the response time requirements. Optionally, positioning delay can also be identified by a series of values ​​that reflect the positioning delay. Generally speaking, different services require different positioning delays, which can range from milliseconds (ms) to seconds (s).

[0195] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, the positioning modes supported by the terminal device, the reference signal quasi-co-site processing capability of the terminal device, support for additional path reporting, support for additional path reporting, etc.

[0196] Exemplarily, the positioning methods supported by the above-mentioned terminal device may include a carrier phase positioning (CPP) method, a reduced capability (RedCap) positioning method, an integrity error identify (integrity error identify) positioning method, etc., which are not limited here.

[0197] Exemplarily, the reference signal processing capability of the above-mentioned terminal device defines the common downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) processing capability of the terminal device, which may specifically include one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum number of frequency layers supported, the terminal device supports parallel processing of LTE PRS and NR PRS, the terminal device does not support parallel processing of LTE PRS and NR PRS, the maximum DL PRS bandwidth supported by the terminal device, the caching capacity of DL PRS, the number of DL PRS symbols that the terminal device can process per T milliseconds, the maximum number of DL PRS resources that the terminal device can process in one time slot, etc. The reference signal processing capability of the terminal device can be provided for each positioning method.

[0198] Exemplarily, the measurement capability of the above-mentioned terminal device may include one or more of the following capabilities: the number of DL RSTDs measured by the terminal device for each pair of TRPs in frequency range 1 (frequency range 1, FR1) or frequency range 2 (frequency range 2, FR2), support for DL ​​PRS reference signal receiving power (reference signal receiving power, RSRP) or reference signal time difference (reference signal time difference, RSTD) measurement in FR1 / FR2, support for DL ​​PRS RSRP or RSTD measurement in FR1 / FR2, the error group (timing error group, TEG) capability of the terminal device, support for inactive PRS measurement capability, and not support for inactive PRS measurement capability.

[0199] Exemplarily, the positioning modes supported by the terminal device may include one or more of the following: independent mode, terminal-based mode and terminal-assisted mode. Among them, the above-mentioned "independent mode" can be understood as the terminal device can independently realize the positioning function without the assistance of the network device (that is, without the auxiliary information sent by the network device). "Terminal-based mode" can be understood as the terminal device performs measurements and calculates the location information by itself with the assistance of the network device (that is, when the network device sends auxiliary information) to realize the positioning function. "Terminal-assisted mode" can be understood as the terminal performs measurements and sends the measurement results to the location management function (LMF), and the LMF calculates the location information.

[0200] S302: The source network device sends a request message to cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3. Correspondingly, cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 receive the request message from the source network device.

[0201] In some feasible implementations, after the source network device receives the positioning requirement from the terminal device, the source network device may carry the positioning requirement in a request message to send to K cells, where K is an integer greater than 0. It is understandable that the K cells may be neighboring cells of the cell under the source network device, where the specific value of K may be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured, or configured by the network device, and is not limited here. For the convenience of description, this application mainly takes K=3 as an example for schematic illustration, that is, the source network device may send a request message to cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3.

[0202] Specifically, in the present application, the source network device sending a request message to cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 can be understood as: the source network device sends a request message to the network device to which cell 1 belongs, the network device to which cell 2 belongs, and the network device to which cell 3 belongs. Among them, the network device to which cell 1 belongs, the network device to which cell 2 belongs and the network device to which cell 3 belongs can be the same network device, for example, cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 are all cells under network device 1. Optionally, the network device to which cell 1 belongs, the network device to which cell 2 belongs and the network device to which cell 3 belongs can also be different network devices, for example, cell 1 is a cell under network device 1, cell 2 is a cell under network device 2, and cell 3 is a cell under network device 3. Optionally, part of cells in cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 can also be cells under the same network device, and the other part of cells can be cells under another network device, for example, cell 1 and cell 2 are cells under network device 1, and cell 3 is a cell under network device 2; for another example, cell 1 and cell 3 are cells under network device 1, and cell 2 is a cell under network device 2, etc., and the present application does not limit this.

[0203] Optionally, in a specific implementation, the request message in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a CHO request, a handover request, etc., which is not limited here.

[0204] It should be noted that step S302 may be an optional step.

[0205] S303 : Cell 1 , cell 2 and cell 3 send response messages to the source network device. Correspondingly, the source network device receives response messages from cell 1 , cell 2 and cell 3 .

[0206] In some feasible implementations, after the network device to which cell 1 belongs, the network device to which cell 2 belongs, and the network device to which cell 3 belongs receive the request message, they can respectively determine whether to feedback a response message according to the information such as the positioning requirement carried in the request message, and if the response message is fed back, the corresponding cell positioning configuration information needs to be determined according to the information such as the positioning requirement carried in the request message, and then the determined cell positioning configuration information is carried in the response message to be fed back to the source network device. Among them, the above-mentioned cell positioning configuration information can be used to determine whether the cell can meet the positioning requirement. In general, the number of cells that feedback the response message is usually less than or equal to the number of cells that receive the request message, that is, the cells that feedback the response message are part or all of the cells that receive the request message, because the cell that receives the request message needs to determine whether to accept CHO, if accepted, then feedback the response message, if not accepted, then reject, here not accepting CHO (i.e., reject), can be understood as: the candidate base station does not feedback the CHO response or does not feedback any information. For the convenience of description, this application mainly takes the example of all the cells that receive the request message as the feedback response message, that is, K=N=3, that is, the network equipment to which cell 1 belongs, the network equipment to which cell 2 belongs, and the network equipment to which cell 3 belongs can respectively send response messages to the source network equipment. For the convenience of description, "the network equipment to which cell 1 belongs, the network equipment to which cell 2 belongs, and the network equipment to which cell 3 belongs send response messages to the source network equipment" will be briefly described as "cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 send response messages to the source network equipment" in the following. Among them, the response message includes the corresponding cell positioning configuration information and other air interface configurations for the terminal device, among which other air interface configurations for the terminal device are similar to the process in the existing CHO, and will not be described in detail here.

[0207] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned cell positioning configuration information may include one or more of the following:

[0208] 1. Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, wherein the carrier resources include one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers (or the number of positioning frequency layers (PFL)), bandwidth, etc.

[0209] 2. Configuration of time-frequency resource sets for transmitting reference signals. Here, the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, the period of the time-frequency resource sets, the repetition factor, the muting mode, etc. Among them, the repetition factor can be understood as an instance for a single DL PRS resource set, or the number of repetitions for each DL PRS resource, etc. The muting mode can include two options, Option 1 stipulates that the transmission and reception point (TRP) follows PRS muting configuration 1, and Option 2 stipulates that the TRP specifically follows PRS muting configuration 2. For a specific understanding of PRS muting configuration 1 and PRS muting mode 2, please refer to the provisions in the existing 3GPP protocol 37.355, which will not be explained in detail here.

[0210] 3. Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals. For example, the time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals may include one or more of a PRS resource identifier, a sequence identifier, a resource element spacing of each symbol in a DL PRS resource, a resource element offset of the first symbol in a DL PRS resource in the frequency domain, a spatial relationship of REs within each symbol of a PRS resource, a starting time slot of a PRS resource relative to a time slot offset of a corresponding DL PRS resource set, etc., which are not limited here.

[0211] 4. Cell positioning capability. Exemplarily, the cell positioning capability includes whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation (i.e., the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, or the cell does not support positioning bandwidth aggregation), wherein when the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the cell positioning capability may further include the bandwidth of the positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell. Optionally, the cell positioning capability may also include whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning (i.e., the cell supports carrier phase positioning, or the cell does not support carrier phase positioning), whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning (i.e., the cell supports reduced capability positioning, or the cell does not support reduced capability positioning), and whether the cell supports integrity error recognition (i.e., the cell supports integrity error recognition, or the cell does not support integrity error recognition), etc. One or more of the following.

[0212] Optionally, the present application may use the cell that feeds back the response message as a candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell may be a candidate cell after switching.

[0213] Optionally, in a specific implementation, the response message in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a CHO response, a switching response, etc., which is not limited here.

[0214] It should be noted that step S303 may be an optional step.

[0215] S304: The source network device sends first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the source network device.

[0216] In some feasible implementations, the source network device may generate and send first information to the terminal device.

[0217] Exemplarily, when step S302 and step S303 are mandatory steps, after the source network device receives the response messages fed back by cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, the source network device can generate first information based on the cell positioning configuration information included in the received response message, and send the first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where M is an integer greater than 0. Generally speaking, the M candidate cells can be determined based on positioning requirements. Among them, the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells. Here, the N candidate cells are N cells that have fed back response messages. The specific value of M can be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured, or configured by the network device, and is not limited here. For the convenience of description, this application mainly takes M=2 as an example for schematic illustration, that is, the M candidate cells are part of the N candidate cells.

[0218] It should be noted that the step of selecting M candidate cells from N candidate cells may be performed by the source network device, or the step of selecting M candidate cells from N candidate cells may also be performed by the terminal device. Different implementations are described below:

[0219] In one implementation, the step of selecting M candidate cells from N candidate cells may be performed by the source network device, and therefore, the first information may include the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells. That is to say, the source network device may select M candidate cells from the N candidate cells according to the positioning requirements and in combination with the cell positioning configuration information carried in the response message fed back by each candidate cell in the N candidate cells, and send the cell positioning configuration information corresponding to the selected M candidate cells as the first information to the terminal device, and then, after the terminal device receives the cell positioning configuration information of the M candidate cells, the M candidate cells may be determined.

[0220] In another implementation, the step of screening M candidate cells from N candidate cells may be performed by a terminal device. Therefore, the first information may directly include the cell positioning configuration information of each of the N candidate cells. Furthermore, after the terminal device receives the cell positioning configuration information of each of the N candidate cells, the terminal device may screen M candidate cells from the N candidate cells based on its own positioning requirements and in combination with the cell positioning configuration information of each of the N candidate cells.

[0221] It is understandable that the M candidate cells screened out from the N candidate cells in the present application may be M cells that meet the positioning requirements. Alternatively, the M candidate cells screened out are M cells that meet the first condition. Alternatively, a part of the M candidate cells screened out meet the positioning requirements, and another part of the cells meet the first condition. Specifically, the cells that meet the positioning requirements may be preferentially selected. If the number of cells that meet the positioning requirements selected is less than M, the cells are screened according to the first condition to meet the total number of cells screened out equal to M. Alternatively, the M candidate cells screened out are M cells that meet both the positioning requirements and the first condition (i.e., the positioning requirements and the first condition are met at the same time).

[0222] Exemplarily, taking N=3 and M=2 as an example, the two candidate cells selected from the three candidate cells may be two cells that meet the positioning requirement. Alternatively, the two selected candidate cells are two cells that meet the first condition. Alternatively, when only one cell is selected according to the positioning requirement, another cell may be selected according to the first condition to meet the total number of cells selected to be two. Alternatively, the two selected candidate cells meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition.

[0223] Understandably, assuming that the positioning requirement includes S information, the S information is one or more of positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal device positioning capability, where S is an integer greater than 0. Based on this, the screening method for screening out the candidate cells that meet the positioning requirement from the N candidate cells may include any of the following methods:

[0224] Screening method 1: When one or some of the N candidate cells meet the conditions corresponding to all of the S information, the candidate cell can be used as the screened candidate cell. For example, if the S information includes positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal device positioning capability, then if one of the N candidate cells meets the conditions corresponding to positioning accuracy, the conditions corresponding to positioning delay, and the conditions corresponding to terminal device positioning capability, the candidate cell is the screened candidate cell.

[0225] Screening method 2: When one or some of the N candidate cells meet the conditions corresponding to some of the S information, the candidate cell is the screened candidate cell. For example, if the S information includes positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability, then if one of the N candidate cells meets the conditions corresponding to the positioning accuracy and the conditions corresponding to the positioning delay, the candidate cell is the screened candidate cell.

[0226] Here, the above-mentioned "part of the information in the S information" specifically refers to which one or which information in the S information may be predefined by the protocol, or may be preconfigured, or may be configured by the network device, etc., and is not limited here. For example, part of the information in the S information may be positioning accuracy. Or, part of the information in the S information may be positioning delay. Or, part of the information in the S information may be the positioning capability of the terminal device. Or, part of the information in the S information may be a combination of any two of the positioning accuracy, positioning delay and positioning capability of the terminal device, for example, part of the information in the S information may be positioning accuracy and positioning delay, or, part of the information in the S information may be positioning accuracy and positioning capability of the terminal device, or, part of the information in the S information may be positioning delay and positioning capability of the terminal device. Optionally, "part of the information in the S information" may also be a threshold, such as 80%, that is, when one or some candidate cells at least meet the conditions corresponding to 80% of the information in the S information, the candidate cell may be used as the screened candidate cell, and optionally, there is no restriction on which information the 80% information is.

[0227] The following explains the conditions corresponding to different information in the positioning requirements:

[0228] The condition corresponding to the positioning accuracy is: the positioning accuracy that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the positioning accuracy in the positioning requirement. For example, when the positioning accuracy is identified by a value, the condition corresponding to the positioning accuracy is: the positioning accuracy that the candidate cell is expected to provide is less than or equal to the positioning accuracy in the positioning requirement.

[0229] The condition corresponding to the positioning delay is: the positioning delay that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the positioning delay in the positioning requirement. For example, when the positioning delay is identified by a value, the condition corresponding to the positioning delay is: the positioning delay that the candidate cell is expected to provide is less than or equal to the positioning delay in the positioning requirement.

[0230] The condition corresponding to the terminal device positioning capability is: the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the terminal device positioning capability.

[0231] Optionally, the “positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the positioning capability of the terminal device” described above refers to any of the following situations:

[0232] Case 1: The positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets all the positioning capabilities of the terminal device.

[0233] Case 2: The positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets part of the positioning capability of the terminal device.

[0234] Among them, the terminal device positioning capability includes one or more of the positioning method supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, the positioning mode supported by the terminal device, the reference signal quasi-co-location processing capability of the terminal device, support for additional path reporting, support for additional path reporting, etc., and there is no restriction here. Optionally, "part of the capabilities in the terminal device positioning capability" specifically refers to which one or more capabilities in the terminal device positioning capability can be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured, or configured by the network device, etc., and there is no restriction here. Optionally, "part of the capabilities in the terminal device positioning capability" can also be a threshold, such as 80%, that is, the candidate cell meets 80% of the capabilities in the terminal device positioning capability. Optionally, there is no restriction on which capabilities the 80% capabilities specifically refer to.

[0235] The following is an explanation of the meaning of the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide to meet the various capabilities of the terminal device. For the convenience of description below, "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the positioning method supported by the terminal device" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the positioning method supported by the terminal device", "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device", "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the measurement capability of the terminal device" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the measurement capability of the terminal device", "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the positioning mode supported by the terminal device" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the positioning mode supported by the terminal device", "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the reference signal quasi-co-location processing capability of the terminal device" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the reference signal quasi-co-location processing capability of the terminal device", "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the support for additional path reporting" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the support for additional path reporting", and "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide meets the non-support for additional path reporting" is simply described as "the candidate cell meets the non-support for additional path reporting.

[0236] It can be understood that “the candidate cell satisfies the positioning method supported by the terminal device” means that the positioning method supported by the terminal device belongs to the positioning method that the candidate cell is expected to provide.

[0237] “The candidate cell meets the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device” means that the reference signal processing capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device.

[0238] “The candidate cell meets the measurement capability of the terminal device” means that the measurement capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the measurement capability of the terminal device.

[0239] “The candidate cell satisfies the positioning mode supported by the terminal device” means that the positioning mode supported by the terminal device belongs to the positioning mode that the candidate cell is expected to provide.

[0240] “The candidate cell meets the reference signal quasi co-location processing capability of the terminal device” means: the reference signal quasi co-location processing capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the reference signal quasi co-location processing capability of the terminal device.

[0241] “Candidate cells meet the requirements for supporting additional path reporting” means that the candidate cells support additional path reporting.

[0242] “Candidate cells do not support additional path reporting” means: the candidate cells do not support additional path reporting.

[0243] It is understandable that the positioning methods supported by the terminal device may include one or more of the CPP method, the RedCap positioning method, the integrity error identification positioning method, etc. Therefore, the "positioning method supported by the terminal device belongs to the positioning method that the candidate cell is expected to provide" described above may include any of the following situations:

[0244] Case (1): All positioning methods among the positioning methods supported by the terminal device belong to the positioning methods that the candidate cell is expected to provide.

[0245] Case (2): Some of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device belong to the positioning methods that the candidate cell is expected to provide. Here, "some of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device" specifically refers to which one or more positioning methods supported by the terminal device may be predefined by the protocol, or may be preconfigured, or may be configured by the network device, etc., and is not limited here. Optionally, "some of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device" may also be a threshold, such as 80%, that is, 80% of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device belong to the positioning methods that the candidate cell is expected to provide. Optionally, there is no limitation on which positioning methods the 80% of positioning methods specifically refer to.

[0246] Similarly, since the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device may include one or more of the maximum number of frequency layers supported, the terminal device supports parallel processing of LTE PRS and NR PRS, the terminal device does not support parallel processing of LTE PRS and NR PRS, the maximum DL PRS bandwidth supported by the terminal device, the caching capacity of DL PRS, the number of DL PRS symbols that the terminal device can process per T milliseconds, the maximum number of DL PRS resources that the terminal device can process in one time slot, etc., therefore, for the understanding of the above description of "the reference signal processing capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device", please refer to the above description of "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the positioning capability of the terminal device", which will not be repeated here.

[0247] Similarly, since the measurement capability of the terminal device may include one or more of the number of DL RSTDs measured by the terminal device for each pair of TRPs on FR1 or FR2, support for DL ​​PRS RSRP or RSTD measurement on FR1 / FR2, support for DL ​​PRSRSRP or RSTD measurement on FR1 / FR2, TEG capability of the terminal device, support for inactive PRS measurement capability, support for inactive PRS measurement capability, etc., therefore, for the understanding of the aforementioned description of "the measurement capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the measurement capability of the terminal device", please refer to the aforementioned description of "the positioning capability that the candidate cell is expected to provide is greater than or equal to the positioning capability of the terminal device", which will not be repeated here.

[0248] Similarly, since the positioning modes supported by the terminal device may include independent modes, one or more of the terminal modes and terminal assisted modes, for the understanding of the above description "the positioning mode supported by the terminal device belongs to the positioning mode that the candidate cell is expected to provide", please refer to the above description of "the positioning method supported by the terminal device belongs to the positioning method that the candidate cell is expected to provide", which will not be repeated here.

[0249] It is understandable that the first condition involved in the present application can be determined according to the positioning requirements. Exemplarily, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: ① The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold. ② The number of carriers reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to the second threshold. ③ The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to the third threshold. ④ The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold. Among them, the setting of the first threshold, the second threshold, the third threshold or the fourth threshold is related to the positioning requirements. For example, if the positioning accuracy requirement in the positioning requirement is high, the value of the first threshold, the second threshold, the third threshold or the fourth threshold needs to be set higher to ensure that there is sufficient bandwidth and time-frequency domain resources to send the positioning reference signal, so as to provide high-precision positioning.

[0250] Optionally, in a specific implementation, the first information in the embodiment of the present application can be carried in an RRC reconfiguration message, etc., which is not limited here.

[0251] S305. The terminal device switches from the source cell under the source network device to the target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

[0252] In some feasible implementations, after the terminal device determines M candidate cells, a cell can be determined from the M candidate cells as the target cell according to the switching execution condition. Furthermore, the terminal device can switch from the source cell under the source network device to the target cell. The specific switching execution condition specifies the conditions under which the terminal device can perform the switching action. For example, a switching execution condition can be configured for each candidate target base station, where the switching execution condition may include one or more of the following: event, reference signal type (such as SSB or CSI-RS), signal quality (such as RSRP / RSRQ / RS-SINR).

[0253] In the present application, in the presence of a positioning service scenario, the terminal device reports the positioning requirements so that when performing a cell switch (such as CHO), the positioning service requirements can be considered to determine a suitable target cell, which is conducive to ensuring the continuity of the positioning service during the cell switching process.

[0254] Optionally, in addition to the scenario of positioning services, the present application can also be applied to other scenarios. For example, when multiple services coexist and cell selection or reselection / switching occurs, the priority of the service can be predefined by protocol or configured by network, such as multicast and broadcast service (MBS), slicing, artificial intelligence (AI), positioning. When switching cells, the target cell that meets the service needs of high-priority services is selected for switching based on the service priority.

[0255] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 401 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) having terminal device functions. In one implementation, the communication device may include a processing unit 402 and a transceiver unit 401. Among them:

[0256] The transceiver unit 401 is used to send a positioning request to a source network device;

[0257] The transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0;

[0258] The processing unit 402 is configured to switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

[0259] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0260] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0261] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0262] Optionally, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0263] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0264] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0265] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0266] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0267] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0268] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0269] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0270] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0271] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells, or the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in N candidate cells, and the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells.

[0272] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0273] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0274] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0275] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0276] Cell positioning capability.

[0277] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0278] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0279] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells; the processing unit 402 is further used to:

[0280] The M candidate cells are determined from the N candidate cells according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells.

[0281] Please also see Figure 4 The communication device may be a network device or a device having network device functions (such as a chip). Specifically, in one implementation, the communication device 400 may include:

[0282] The transceiver unit 401 is used to receive a positioning request from a terminal device;

[0283] The transceiver unit 401 is further used to send first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; and M is an integer greater than 0.

[0284] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0285] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0286] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0287] Optionally, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0288] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0289] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0290] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0291] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0292] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0293] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0294] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0295] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0296] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells; the communication device further includes a processing unit 402, and the processing unit 402 is used to:

[0297] The M candidate cells are determined according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0298] Optionally, the transceiver unit 401 is further used for:

[0299] A response message is received from each candidate cell among the N candidate cells, where the response message includes cell positioning configuration information.

[0300] Optionally, the transceiver unit 401 is further used for:

[0301] A request message is sent to K cells, where the request message includes the positioning requirement, where the positioning requirement is used to determine cell positioning configuration information, and the N candidate cells are part or all of the K candidate cells.

[0302] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0303] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0304] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0305] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0306] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0307] Cell positioning capability.

[0308] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0309] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0310] In another implementation, the communication device 400 may include:

[0311] The transceiver unit 401 is configured to receive a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement;

[0312] The transceiver unit 401 is further configured to send a response message to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell location configuration information of the cell.

[0313] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0314] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0315] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0316] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0317] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0318] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0319] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0320] Cell positioning capability.

[0321] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0322] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0323] The present application also provides a chip, which can execute the relevant steps of the terminal device in the above method embodiment. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, and the processor is configured to enable the chip to perform the following operations:

[0324] Sending a positioning request to a source network device;

[0325] receiving first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0;

[0326] Switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

[0327] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0328] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0329] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0330] Optionally, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0331] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0332] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0333] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0334] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0335] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0336] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0337] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0338] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0339] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells, or the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in N candidate cells, and the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells.

[0340] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0341] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0342] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0343] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0344] Cell positioning capability.

[0345] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0346] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0347] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells; and the method further includes:

[0348] The M candidate cells are determined from the N candidate cells according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells.

[0349] It should be noted that the above-mentioned chip includes at least one processor, at least one first memory and at least one second memory; wherein the aforementioned at least one first memory and the aforementioned at least one processor are interconnected via lines, and instructions are stored in the aforementioned first memory; the aforementioned at least one second memory and the aforementioned at least one processor are interconnected via lines, and the aforementioned second memory stores data that need to be stored in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0350] For each device or product applied to or integrated in the chip, each module contained therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least some of the modules can be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0351] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which can execute relevant steps of the network device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0352] In one implementation, the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, and the processor is configured to enable the chip to perform the following operations:

[0353] Receive positioning requirements from terminal devices;

[0354] Sending first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; and M is an integer greater than 0.

[0355] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0356] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0357] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0358] Optionally, the M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or,

[0359] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or,

[0360] Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or,

[0361] The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition;

[0362] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0363] The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0364] The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0365] The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0366] The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0367] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells;

[0368] The method further comprises:

[0369] The M candidate cells are determined according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0370] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0371] A response message is received from each candidate cell among the N candidate cells, where the response message includes cell positioning configuration information.

[0372] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0373] A request message is sent to K cells, where the request message includes the positioning requirement, where the positioning requirement is used to determine cell positioning configuration information, and the N candidate cells are part or all of the K candidate cells.

[0374] Optionally, the first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

[0375] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0376] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0377] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0378] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0379] Cell positioning capability.

[0380] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0381] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0382] In another implementation, the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, and the processor is configured to cause the chip to perform the following operations:

[0383] receiving a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement;

[0384] A response message is sent to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell location configuration information of the cell.

[0385] Optionally, the positioning requirement includes one or more of the following:

[0386] Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability;

[0387] The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

[0388] Optionally, the cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0389] Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth;

[0390] A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode;

[0391] Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals;

[0392] Cell positioning capability.

[0393] Optionally, the cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities:

[0394] Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

[0395] It should be noted that the above-mentioned chip includes at least one processor, at least one first memory and at least one second memory; wherein the aforementioned at least one first memory and the aforementioned at least one processor are interconnected via lines, and instructions are stored in the aforementioned first memory; the aforementioned at least one second memory and the aforementioned at least one processor are interconnected via lines, and the aforementioned second memory stores data that need to be stored in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0396] For each device or product applied to or integrated in the chip, each module contained therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least some of the modules can be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0397] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal device or a network device. The communication device 500 may include a memory 501 and a processor 502. Optionally, it also includes a communication interface 503. The memory 501, the processor 502 and the communication interface 503 are connected via one or more communication buses 504. The communication interface 503 is controlled by the processor 502 to send and receive information.

[0398] The memory 501 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 502. A portion of the memory 501 may also include a nonvolatile random access memory.

[0399] The communication interface 503 is used to receive or send data.

[0400] The processor 502 may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, and optionally, the processor 502 may also be any conventional processor, etc. Among them:

[0401] The memory 501 is used to store program instructions.

[0402] The processor 502 is used to call the program instructions stored in the memory 501.

[0403] The processor 502 calls the program instructions stored in the memory 501 to enable the communication device 500 to execute the method executed by the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0404] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 The module device 600 can execute the relevant steps of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment, and the module device 600 includes: a communication module 601, a power module 602, a storage module 603 and a chip module 604.

[0405] Among them, the power module 602 is used to provide power to the chip module; the storage module 603 is used to store data and instructions; the communication module 601 is used for internal communication within the chip module, or for the chip module to communicate with external devices; the chip module 604 is used to execute the method executed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0406] It should be noted that Figure 6 The contents not mentioned in the corresponding embodiments and the specific implementation methods of each step can be found in Figure 3 The method embodiments and the aforementioned contents are not described in detail here.

[0407] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a processor, the method flow of the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0408] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a processor, the method flow of the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0409] Regarding the various modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, or hardware modules / units, or they can be partially software modules / units and partially hardware modules / units. For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated in a chip, the various modules / units included therein can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on the integrated processor inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in a chip module, the various modules / units included therein can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same part of the chip module (such as a chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components, or at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs. It is implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in the terminal equipment, the modules / units contained therein can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (for example, chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components of the terminal equipment, or, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on a processor integrated inside the terminal equipment, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0410] It should be noted that, for the aforementioned method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that the present application is not limited by the described order of actions, because according to the present application, certain operations can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by the present application.

[0411] The descriptions of the various embodiments provided in this application can refer to each other, and the descriptions of the various embodiments have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. For the convenience and simplicity of description, for example, the functions of the various devices and equipment provided in the embodiments of this application and the operations performed can refer to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments of this application, and the various method embodiments and the various device embodiments can also refer to, combine or quote each other.

[0412] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending a positioning request to a source network device; receiving first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0; Switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The positioning requirements include one or more of the following: Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability; The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or, The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or, Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or, The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold; The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold; The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold; The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first information includes the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells, or the first information includes the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells, and the M candidate cells are part or all of the N candidate cells.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following: Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth; A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode; Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals; Cell positioning capability.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells; the method further includes: The M candidate cells are determined from the N candidate cells according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the N candidate cells.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive positioning requirements from terminal devices; Sending first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; and M is an integer greater than 0.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The positioning requirements include one or more of the following: Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability; The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the positioning requirement; or, The M candidate cells are M cells that meet the first condition; or, Some of the M candidate cells meet the positioning requirement, and another part of the cells meet the first condition; or, The M candidate cells are M cells that meet both the positioning requirement and the first condition; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The bandwidth reserved for transmitting the reference signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold; The number of carriers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold; The number of frequency layers reserved for transmitting reference signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold; The number of time-frequency resources reserved for transmitting a reference signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell in the M candidate cells; The method further comprises: The M candidate cells are determined according to the cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: A response message is received from each candidate cell among the N candidate cells, where the response message includes cell positioning configuration information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: A request message is sent to K cells, where the request message includes the positioning requirement, where the positioning requirement is used to determine cell positioning configuration information, and the N candidate cells are part or all of the K candidate cells.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The first information includes cell positioning configuration information of each candidate cell among the N candidate cells.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: The cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following: Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth; A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode; Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals; Cell positioning capability.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

17. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement; A response message is sent to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell location configuration information of the cell.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The positioning requirements include one or more of the following: Positioning accuracy, positioning delay, and terminal equipment positioning capability; The positioning capability of the terminal device includes one or more of the positioning methods supported by the terminal device, the reference signal processing capability of the terminal device, the measurement capability of the terminal device, and the positioning modes supported by the terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The cell positioning configuration information includes one or more of the following: Carrier resources reserved for transmitting reference signals, the carrier resources including one or more of the number of carriers, the number of frequency layers, and bandwidth; A time-frequency resource set configuration for transmitting a reference signal, wherein the time-frequency resource set configuration includes one or more of the number of time-frequency resource sets, a period of the time-frequency resource set, a repetition factor, and a muting mode; Time-frequency resource configuration for transmitting reference signals; Cell positioning capability.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The cell positioning capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: Whether the cell supports positioning bandwidth aggregation, the bandwidth of positioning bandwidth aggregation supported by the cell, whether the cell supports carrier phase positioning, whether the cell supports reduced capability positioning, and whether the cell supports integrity error identification.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A transceiver unit, used to send a positioning request to a source network device; The transceiver unit is further used to receive first information from the source network device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirement; where M is an integer greater than 0; A processing unit is used to switch from a source cell under the source network device to a target cell, where the target cell is one of the M candidate cells.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A transceiver unit, used for receiving positioning requirements from a terminal device; The transceiver unit is further used to send first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M candidate cells, where the M candidate cells are determined according to the positioning requirements; and M is an integer greater than 0.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A transceiver unit, configured to receive a request message from a source network device, wherein the request message includes a positioning requirement; The transceiver unit is further used to send a response message to the source network device, where the response message includes the cell positioning configuration information of the cell.

24. A chip, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to enable the chip to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

25. A module device, characterized in that: The module device includes a communication interface, a power module, a storage module and a chip, wherein: The module device includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module and a chip, wherein: The power module is used to provide electrical energy to the module device; The storage module is used to store data and instructions; The communication module is used for internal communication of the module device and / or for communication between the module device and an external device; The chip is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors, one or more memories, and one or more transceivers; The one or more memories are used to store computer programs, and the one or more processors and one or more transceivers are used to execute the computer programs stored in the one or more memories, so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 16, or the method as described in any one of claims 17 to 20.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions, and when the computer-readable instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

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