Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and a communication device. The method provided by the present application comprises: a first network unit receiving first resource state information from a second network unit, the first resource state information comprising current resource state information of a network slice of at least one cell; and the first network unit sends predicted resource state information to the second network unit, the predicted resource state information being determined according to the first resource state information and a first model, and the predicted resource state information comprising predicted future resource state information of the network slice of the at least one cell. Therefore, the future resource state information of the network slice of the at least one cell can be obtained through accurate reasoning. And the second network unit can reasonably allocate resources to the network slice of the at least one cell based on the predicted resource state information.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the 5G communication system, service types are divided into three scenarios according to the characteristics of network requirements, namely enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC). For the 5G communication system, in order to achieve the goal of digitalization of the entire industry, the services of different industries must not only meet the guaranteed service level agreement (SLA), but also meet the requirements of independent operation and security isolation. Traditional networks based on QoS cannot operate independently and isolate security according to different business requirements, and cannot actually provide efficient SLA guarantees for all services. Therefore, the concept of network slicing is proposed. Network slicing enables operators to build multiple end-to-end, virtual, isolated, and customized dedicated logical networks on a physical network, realizing multiple uses of one network to meet the different requirements of customers in different industries for network capabilities.

[0003] At present, the minimum control granularity of access network equipment for network slice resource management is the network slice group. A network slice group can include one or more network slices, and a network slice can only be configured into one network slice group. Resource management is divided into three categories according to the resource allocation method: quality of service (QoS) scheduling, resource block (RB) resource reservation, and carrier isolation. Among them, the resource allocation granularity based on RB resource reservation is the network slice group. The two resource allocation granularities based on QoS scheduling and carrier isolation are a single network slice.

[0004] However, how access network equipment allocates resources to network slices to achieve reasonable resource allocation is a question worth considering. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for a first network unit to send predicted resource status information to a second network unit. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. This is conducive to accurately inferring the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. It is conducive to the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources to the network slice of the at least one cell based on the predicted resource status information.

[0006] The first aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a first network unit; the first network unit can be a network unit in an access network device, or a component in the access network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes:

[0007] The first network unit receives first resource status information from the second network unit, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell; the first network unit sends predicted resource status information to the second network unit, where the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0008] It can be seen that the first network unit sends predicted resource status information to the second network unit, and the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. This enables accurate reasoning to obtain the predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second network unit to obtain the predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources and wireless resource management for the network slice of the at least one cell.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of radio resource control (RRC) connections, the predicted number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported when all terminal devices using the network slice transmit, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information includes slice-level predicted resource status information and session-level predicted resource status information. This helps the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources for network slices, place network slices to meet expected needs, and / or manage wireless resources.

[0010] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance. It can be seen that the first resource status information includes the current resource status information at the slice level and the current resource status information at the session level. This is conducive to the first network unit to accurately infer the predicted resource status information through the first model based on the first resource status information. This helps the second network unit to reasonably allocate the resources of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information, place the network slice to meet the expected demand, and / or wireless resource management.

[0011] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in at least one cell and the second network unit, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second network unit, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second network unit, the number of receiving antennas included in the second network unit, or the power margin of the second network unit.

[0012] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, after the first network unit sends the predicted resource status information to the second network unit, the method further includes: the first network unit receives updated first resource status information from the second network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, the second network unit adjusts the resource allocation and wireless resource management of the network slice. The first resource status information is also updated, and the second network unit can send the updated first resource status information to the first network unit.

[0013] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, before the first network unit receives the first resource status information from the second network unit, the method further includes: the first network unit sends a resource status request to the second network unit, the resource status request is used to request the first resource status information; the first network unit receives the first resource status information from the second network unit, including: the first network unit receives a resource status response from the second network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information. In this implementation, the first resource status information can be carried in the resource status response. Thereby, the second network unit provides the first resource status information to the first network unit. There is no need to redefine a new message to carry the first resource status information. The practicality of the solution is improved.

[0014] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first network unit receives the first resource status information from the second network unit, including: the first network unit receives a resource status update from the second network unit, and the resource status update includes the first resource status information. In this implementation, the resource status update carries the first resource status information. Thus, the second network unit provides the first resource status information to the first network unit. There is no need to redefine a new message to carry the first resource status information. The practicality of the solution is improved.

[0015] The second aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second network unit; the second network unit can be a network unit in an access network device, or a component in the access network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes:

[0016] The second network unit sends first resource status information to the first network unit, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The second network unit receives predicted resource status information from the first network unit, where the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0017] It can be seen that the second network unit receives the predicted resource status information from the first network unit, the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. Thus, the predicted resource status information is obtained by accurate reasoning of the first model. It is convenient for the second network unit to obtain the predicted resource status information. It is beneficial for the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources and wireless resource management for the network slice of the at least one cell.

[0018] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information includes slice-level predicted resource status information and session-level predicted resource status information. This helps the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources for network slices, place network slices to meet expected needs, and / or manage wireless resources.

[0019] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance. It can be seen that the first resource status information includes the current resource status information at the slice level and the current resource status information at the session level. This is conducive to the first network unit to accurately infer the predicted resource status information through the first model based on the first resource status information. This helps the second network unit to reasonably allocate the resources of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information, place the network slice to meet the expected demand, and / or wireless resource management.

[0020] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in at least one cell and the second network unit, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second network unit, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second network unit, the number of receiving antennas included in the second network unit, or the power margin of the second network unit.

[0021] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second network unit determines a resource reservation strategy and a wireless resource management strategy for a network slice of at least one cell according to the predicted resource status information; the second network unit executes the resource reservation strategy and the wireless resource management strategy, thereby realizing reasonable allocation of network slice resources and wireless resource management by the second network device.

[0022] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, after the second network unit executes the resource reservation strategy and the wireless resource management strategy, the method further includes: the second network unit sends updated first resource status information to the first network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, the second network unit adjusts the resource allocation and wireless resource management of the network slice. The first resource status information is also updated, and the second network unit can send the updated first resource status information to the first network unit.

[0023] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second network unit receives a resource status request from the first network unit, the resource status request is used to request the first resource status information; the second network unit sends the first resource status information to the first network unit, including: the second network unit sends a resource status response to the first network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information. In this implementation, the first resource status information can be carried in the resource status response. Thereby, the second network unit provides the first resource status information to the first network unit. There is no need to redefine a new message to carry the first resource status information. The practicality of the solution is improved.

[0024] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network unit sends the first resource status information to the first network unit, including: the second network unit sends a resource status update to the first network unit, and the resource status update includes the first resource status information. In this way, the second network unit provides the first resource status information to the first network unit. There is no need to redefine a new message to carry the first resource status information. The practicality of the solution is improved.

[0025] The third aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a first access network device; the first access network device can be a component in the first access network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device. The method includes:

[0026] The first access network device determines first resource status information, the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; the first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model, the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0027] In the above technical solution, the first access network device obtains predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model inference. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. Thereby, the first access network device can accurately infer the predicted resource status information. It is convenient for the first access network device or the second access network device to obtain the predicted resource status information, and perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information.

[0028] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information includes slice-level predicted resource status information and session-level predicted resource status information. This helps the first access network device or the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice. Realize reasonable allocation of resources. Thereby achieving goals such as load balancing.

[0029] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance. It can be seen that the first resource status information includes the current resource status information at the slice level and the current resource status information at the session level. This is conducive to the first access network device to obtain the predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information through the first model accurate reasoning. This helps the first access network device or the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice. Realize reasonable allocation of resources. This achieves goals such as load balancing.

[0030] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power margin of the first access network device.

[0031] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the second access network device, or the power margin of the second access network device.

[0032] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device; the method also includes: the first access network device sends predicted resource status information to the second access network device. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information can be the future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the first access network device. The first access network device (i.e., this station) obtains the first resource status information of this station. The first access network device (i.e., this station) sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device (i.e., the neighboring station). Thereby, the second access network device obtains the predicted resource status information of the first access network device. It is convenient for the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information. Reasonable allocation of resources is achieved. Thereby, goals such as load balancing are achieved.

[0033] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, before the first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device, the method further includes: the first access network device receives a first request from the second access network device, the first request being used to request the predicted resource status information of the future network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, the second access network device may request the predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second access network device to obtain the predicted resource status information.

[0034] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first request also includes the predicted amount requested for feedback by the second access network device. In this implementation, the first request may also include the requested predicted amount. Thus, the first access network device feeds back the corresponding predicted amount to the second access network device. Thus, it helps the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and wireless resource management of the network slice.

[0035] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted amount includes the slice-level predicted amount and the session-level predicted amount. This helps the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice. Realize reasonable allocation of resources. Thereby achieving goals such as load balancing.

[0036] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: executing a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision between the first access network device and the second access network device, the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision is determined according to the predicted resource state information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device, the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device. Thus, the mobility management and load balancing of the first access network device and the second access network device are achieved.

[0037] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, after the first access network device and the second access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision, the method further includes: the first access network device updates the first resource status information, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, after the first access network device and the second access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision. The first resource status information is updated, and the first access network device can determine the updated first resource status information. Thereby achieving reasonable allocation of network slice resources.

[0038] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device determines decision-making auxiliary information according to the predicted resource state information, and the decision-making auxiliary information is used to assist the second access network device in determining the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision; the first access network device sends the decision-making auxiliary information to the second access network device. Thus, the second access network device obtains the decision-making auxiliary information. This is conducive to the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice based on the decision-making auxiliary information. Realize reasonable allocation of resources. Thus, load balancing and other goals are achieved.

[0039] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the decision-making auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold. This facilitates the second access network device to reschedule the terminal device based on the access probability of each network slice to achieve mobility management.

[0040] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: executing a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision between the first access network device and the second access network device, the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is determined by the second access network device according to the decision auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device. Thus, the mobility management and load balancing of the first access network device and the second access network device are achieved.

[0041] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, after the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is executed between the first access network device and the second access network device, the method further includes: the first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, after the first access network device and the second access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision. The first resource status information is updated, and the first access network device receives the updated first resource status information from the second access network device. Thereby, reasonable allocation of network slice resources is achieved.

[0042] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation method, before the first access network device sends decision-making assistance information to the second access network device, the method also includes: the first access network device receives a second request from the second access network device, and the second request is used to request decision-making assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision.

[0043] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the second request includes the decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device, so as to facilitate the second access network device to reasonably allocate network slice resources and reasonably manage mobility based on the decision assistance information.

[0044] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the decision-making auxiliary amount includes at least one of the following: access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold. This facilitates the second access network device to reschedule the terminal device based on the access probability of each network slice to achieve mobility management.

[0045] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, at least one cell is a cell covered by a second access network device, and the first access network device determines the first resource status information, including: the first access network device receives the first resource status information from the second access network device. In this implementation, the first resource status information is the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device. That is, the first access network device (i.e., this station) obtains the first resource status information of the second access network device (i.e., the neighboring station). Thereby, the first access network device (i.e., this station) determines the predicted resource status information of the neighboring station based on the first resource status information.

[0046] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device determines a second switching decision or a second dual connection decision according to the predicted resource state information, the second switching decision includes switching the third terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device, and the third terminal device is a terminal device served by the first access network device. The second dual connection decision includes using the second access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the fourth terminal device, establishing a connection with the fourth terminal device, and the fourth terminal device is a terminal device served by the first access network device; the second switching decision or the second dual connection decision is executed between the first access network device and the second access network device. Thus, mobility management is realized and reasonable allocation of network slice resources is achieved.

[0047] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, at least one cell is a cell covered by a second access network device, and the method further includes: the first access network device sends predicted resource status information to the second access network device. Thus, the second access network device (i.e., the neighboring station) obtains the predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second access network device to perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information. This realizes reasonable allocation of resources. Thus, load balancing and other goals are achieved.

[0048] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, a second switching decision or a second dual connection decision is executed between the first access network device and the second access network device. The first resource status information changes, that is, the resource status of the network slice changes. The second access network device can send the updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Thereby, reasonable allocation of resources is achieved.

[0049] Based on the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device receives the second resource status information from the core network device, the second resource status information includes the future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell predicted by the core network device; the first access network device determines the predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information, the second resource status information and the first model, including: the first access network device inputs the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model. In this implementation, the first access network device can further determine the predicted resource status information in combination with the second resource status information provided by the core network device. Thereby, the first access network device can more accurately infer the predicted resource status information.

[0050] A fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second access network device; the second access network device can be a component in the second access network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access network device. The method includes:

[0051] The second access network device receives predicted resource status information from the first access network device, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0052] It can be seen from the above scheme that the second access network device can receive predicted resource status information. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. Thus, accurate reasoning is achieved to obtain the predicted resource status information. Thus, it is convenient for the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information.

[0053] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, before the second access network device receives the predicted resource status information from the first access network device, the method further includes: the second access network device sends a first request to the first access network device, the first request being used to request the predicted resource status information of the future network slice of at least one cell. Thus, the second access network device obtains the predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second access network device to perform reasonable resource allocation and wireless resource management.

[0054] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first request also includes a predicted amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device, thereby enabling the first access network device to feed back the corresponding predicted amount to the second access network device, thereby facilitating the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and wireless resource management of the network slice.

[0055] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of the at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted amount includes the slice-level predicted amount and the session-level predicted amount. This helps the second access network device to reasonably perform resource reservation and / or mobility management of the network slice. Realize reasonable allocation of resources. Thereby achieving goals such as load balancing.

[0056] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second access network device determines a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the predicted resource state information; and the second access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision, thereby achieving the goals of mobility management, load balancing, etc. between the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0057] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: after the second access network device executes the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision with the first access network device, the method further includes: the second access network device sends updated first resource status information to the first access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, after the first access network device executes the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision with the second access network device. The first resource status information is updated, and the second access network device can send the updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Thereby, reasonable allocation of network slice resources is achieved.

[0058] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, before the second access network device receives the predicted resource status information from the first access network device, the method further includes: the second access network device sends the first resource status information to the first access network device. In this implementation, the second access network device can provide the first access network device with the first resource status information. This facilitates the first access network device to accurately derive the predicted resource status information through the first resource status information.

[0059] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance. It can be seen that the first resource status information includes the current resource status information at the slice level and the current resource status information at the session level. This facilitates the first access network device to obtain the predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information through the first model for accurate reasoning. The second access network device is enabled to obtain the predicted resource status information, and to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information.

[0060] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power margin of the first access network device.

[0061] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the second access network device, or the power margin of the second access network device.

[0062] Based on the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information includes slice-level predicted resource status information and session-level predicted resource status information. This makes it easier for the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information.

[0063] A fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second access network device; the second access network device can be a component in the second access network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access network device. The method includes:

[0064] The second access network device receives decision-making assistance information from the first access network device, where the decision-making assistance information is determined based on predicted resource status information, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0065] It can be seen from the above technical solution that the second access network device receives decision-making assistance information. The decision-making assistance information is determined based on the predicted resource status information, and the predicted resource status information includes the predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model, and the first resource status information includes the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. Thereby, accurate reasoning is achieved to obtain the predicted resource status information. The decision-making assistance information is determined based on the predicted resource status information, so as to facilitate the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the decision-making assistance information.

[0066] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second access network device determines a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the decision auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device, the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device; the second access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision. Thus, the mobility management and load balancing of the first access network device and the second access network device are achieved.

[0067] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, after the second access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision, the method further includes: the second access network device sends updated first resource status information to the first access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. In this implementation, the second access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision. The first resource status information changes, that is, the resource status of the network slice changes. The second access network device can send the updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Thereby, reasonable allocation of resources is achieved.

[0068] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before the second access network device receives the decision-making assistance information from the first access network device, the method further includes: the second access network device sends a second request to the first access network device, and the second request is used to request decision-making assistance information used to assist the second access network device in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision. This facilitates the second access network device to reasonably allocate network slice resources and reasonably manage mobility based on the decision-making assistance information.

[0069] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second request also includes a decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device.

[0070] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the decision-making auxiliary amount includes at least one of the following: access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold. This facilitates the second access network device to reschedule the terminal device based on the access probability of each network slice to achieve mobility management.

[0071] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance. It can be seen that the predicted resource status information includes slice-level predicted resource status information and session-level predicted resource status information. This facilitates the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice.

[0072] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power margin of the first access network device.

[0073] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the second access network device, or the power margin of the second access network device.

[0074] Based on the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of wireless resource control RRC connections, the predicted number of protocol data unit PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported when all terminal devices using the network slice transmit, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. It can be seen that the first resource status information includes the current resource status information at the slice level and the current resource status information at the session level. This facilitates the first access network device to accurately infer the predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information through the first model.

[0075] A sixth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0076] The transceiver module is used to receive first resource status information from the second network unit, the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell; and send predicted resource status information to the second network unit, the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0077] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0078] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0079] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in at least one cell and the second network unit, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second network unit, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second network unit, the number of receiving antennas included in the second network unit, or the power margin of the second network unit.

[0080] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: receive updated first resource status information from the second network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0081] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send a resource status request to the second network unit, the resource status request is used to request the first resource status information; the transceiver module is specifically used to: receive a resource status response from the second network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information.

[0082] Based on the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically used to: receive a resource status update from a second network unit, where the resource status update includes first resource status information.

[0083] A seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0084] The transceiver module is used to send first resource status information to the first network unit, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell; and receive predicted resource status information from the first network unit, where the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0085] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0086] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0087] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in at least one cell and the communication device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the communication device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the communication device, the number of receiving antennas included in the communication device, or the power margin of the communication device.

[0088] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a processing module; the processing module is used to determine the resource reservation strategy and wireless resource management strategy of the network slice of at least one cell based on the predicted resource status information; and execute the resource reservation strategy and the wireless resource management strategy.

[0089] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0090] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: receive a resource status request from the first network unit, the resource status request is used to request first resource status information; the transceiver module is specifically used to: send a resource status response to the first network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information.

[0091] Based on the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically used to: send a resource status update to the first network unit, where the resource status update includes first resource status information.

[0092] An eighth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0093] A processing module is used to determine first resource status information, the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by a communication device or a second access network device; determine predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and a first model, the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0094] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0095] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0096] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the communication device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the communication device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the communication device, the number of receiving antennas included in the communication device, or the power margin of the communication device.

[0097] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the second access network device, or the power margin of the second access network device.

[0098] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, at least one cell is a cell covered by the communication device; the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to send predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

[0099] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to receive a first request from a second access network device, and the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0100] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first request further includes a predicted amount that the second access network device requests to feedback. In this implementation, the first request may further include the predicted amount requested.

[0101] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data amount of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data amount of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0102] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the processing module is also used to: execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision with a second access network device, the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision is determined based on predicted resource status information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to a communication device, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device, the first dual connection decision includes using the communication device as a secondary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

[0103] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the processing module is also used to: update the first resource status information, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0104] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the processing module is also used to: determine decision-making assistance information based on the predicted resource status information, and the decision-making assistance information is used to assist the second access network device in determining the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision; the transceiver module is also used to: send decision-making assistance information to the second access network device.

[0105] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the decision-making auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein, the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0106] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the processing module is also used to: execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision with a second access network device, the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is determined by the second access network device based on decision-making auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the communication device, the first dual connection decision includes using the communication device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

[0107] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to receive updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0108] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: receive a second request from a second access network device, the second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision.

[0109] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second request includes a decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device.

[0110] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the decision-making auxiliary quantity includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, the slice information of the first type of network slice, or the slice information of the second type of network slice; wherein, the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0111] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, at least one cell is a cell covered by a second access network device, and the processing module is specifically used to: receive first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0112] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the processing module is also used to: determine a second switching decision or a second dual connection decision based on the predicted resource status information, the second switching decision includes switching the third terminal device from the communication device to the second access network device, and the third terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device; the second dual connection decision includes using the second access network device as a secondary access network device of the fourth terminal device, establishing a connection with the fourth terminal device, and the fourth terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device; and executing the second switching decision or the second dual connection decision between the second access network device.

[0113] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, at least one cell is a cell covered by the second access network device; the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to send predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

[0114] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to receive updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0115] Based on the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to receive second resource status information from a core network device, and the second resource status information includes future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell predicted by the core network device; the processing module is specifically used to: input the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model.

[0116] A ninth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0117] The transceiver module is used to receive predicted resource status information from the first access network device, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the communication device; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0118] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send a first request to a first access network device, and the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0119] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first request also includes a predicted amount that the communication device requests feedback.

[0120] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data amount of each network slice of the at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data amount of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0121] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication device also includes a processing module; the processing module is used to determine a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision based on the predicted resource status information; and execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision between the first access network device.

[0122] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0123] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is also used to: send first resource status information to the first access network device.

[0124] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0125] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power margin of the first access network device.

[0126] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the communication device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the communication device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the communication device, the number of receiving antennas included in the communication device, or the power margin of the communication device.

[0127] Based on the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of coordinated PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0128] A tenth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0129] A transceiver module is used to receive decision-making auxiliary information from a first access network device, where the decision-making auxiliary information is determined based on predicted resource status information, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or communication apparatus; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0130] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a processing module; the processing module is used to determine a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the decision auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the communication device to the first access network device, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device, the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device; and executing the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision between the first access network device and the first access network device. Thereby achieving the goals of mobility management, load balancing, etc. between the first access network device and the communication device.

[0131] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0132] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the transceiver module is also used to: send a second request to the first access network device, and the second request is used to request decision-making assistance information used to assist the communication device in determining a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision.

[0133] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second request also includes a decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the communication device.

[0134] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the decision-making auxiliary quantity includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, the slice information of the first type of network slice, or the slice information of the second type of network slice; wherein, the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0135] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0136] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power margin of the first access network device.

[0137] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the communication device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the communication device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the communication device, the number of receiving antennas included in the communication device, or the power margin of the communication device.

[0138] Based on the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0139] In an eleventh aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising: a processor and a memory. The memory stores a computer program or a computer instruction, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program or the computer instruction stored in the memory, so that the processor implements any one of the implementation methods in any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0140] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the processor is used to control the transceiver to send and receive signals.

[0141] The twelfth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects. The processor comprises one or more.

[0142] In a thirteenth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, which is connected to a memory and is used to call a program stored in the memory to execute the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects above. The memory may be located inside the communication device or outside the communication device. And the processor includes one or more.

[0143] In one implementation, the communication device of any one of the sixth to tenth aspects above may be a chip or a chip system.

[0144] A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer instructions, characterized in that when it is run on a computer, it enables the computer to execute any implementation method of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0145] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes any one of the implementation methods in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0146] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip device, comprising a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instruction in a memory so that the processor executes any one of the implementation methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects above.

[0147] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0148] A seventeenth aspect of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a first network unit and a second network unit; the first network unit is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect, and the second network unit is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect; or,

[0149] The communication system includes a first access network device and a second access network device, the first access network device is used to execute the method shown in the third aspect, and the second access network device is used to execute the method shown in the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0150] Through the above technical solution, it can be known that the first network unit receives the first resource status information from the second network unit. The first resource status information includes the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. Then, the first network unit sends the predicted resource status information to the second network unit. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes the predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell. This is conducive to accurate reasoning to obtain the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. It is convenient for the second network unit to obtain the predicted resource status information. It is conducive to the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources to the network slice of the at least one cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0151] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0152] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0153] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0154] Figure 3B This is another schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0155] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0156] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0157] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0158] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of the present application;

[0159] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0160] Fig. 9 This is another schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0161] Fig.10 This is another structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0162] Fig.11 This is another structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0163] Fig.12 A structural diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0164] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which is used for a first network unit to send predicted resource status information to a second network unit. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. This is conducive to accurately inferring the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. It is conducive to the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources to the network slice of the at least one cell based on the predicted resource status information.

[0165] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0166] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this application mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0167] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c. Among them, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0168] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a terminal device 101, an access network device 102, an access network device 103 and a core network device 104.

[0169] The access network device 102 can support the access and communication of the terminal device 101 .

[0170] Optionally, the core network device 104 is used for access control, registration management, service management, mobility management, etc. of the terminal device 101 accessing the network. For example, the core network device is an access and mobility management function (AMF). Alternatively, the core network device may also be a management data analytics function (MDAF) in network management (operations administration and maintenance, OAM), or other data analysis modules in network servitization, or a network data analytics function (NWDAF).

[0171] Above Figure 1 Only one example of a communication system is shown. In practical applications, the communication system includes at least one access network device. Optionally, the communication system also includes at least one terminal device and at least one core network device.

[0172] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to cellular communication systems related to the third generation partnership project (3GPP). For example, the fourth generation (4G) communication system, the fifth generation (5G) communication system, and the communication system after the fifth generation communication system. For example, the sixth generation communication system. For example, the fourth generation communication system may include a long term evolution (LTE) communication system. The fifth generation communication system may include a new radio (NR) communication system. The technical solution of the present application can also be applied to wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, communication systems that support the integration of multiple wireless technologies, device-to-device (D2D) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, or satellite communication systems, etc. The wireless communication systems involved in this application also include but are not limited to: narrowband Internet of Things system (NB-IoT), global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access system (WCDMA), code division multiple access 2000 system (CDMA2000), or time division-synchronization code division multiple access system (TD-SCDMA).

[0173] The terminal equipment and access network equipment involved in this application are introduced below.

[0174] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), customer premise equipment (CPE), etc. Terminal equipment is a device that includes wireless communication functions (providing voice / data connectivity to users). For example, handheld devices with wireless connection functions, vehicle-mounted devices, machine type communication (MTC) terminals, etc. At present, terminal equipment can include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. For example, the wireless terminal in unmanned driving can be a drone, helicopter, or airplane. For example, the wireless terminal in the Internet of Vehicles can be a vehicle-mounted device, vehicle equipment, vehicle-mounted module, vehicle, or ship. The wireless terminal in industrial control can be a camera, robot, or robotic arm. The wireless terminal in a smart home can be a TV, air conditioner, sweeper, speaker, or set-top box.

[0175] It should be noted that the terminal device may be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, module or control unit in the device or apparatus shown above, and this application does not limit this specifically.

[0176] Access network equipment is a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network equipment can also be called access network (RAN) entity, access node, network node, or communication device.

[0177] Specifically, the access network device may be an access network device of a cellular system related to the third generation partnership project (3GPP). For example, a fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication system, or a 5G mobile communication system. The access network device may also be an access network device in an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN). Alternatively, the access network device may also be an access network device in a communication system obtained by integrating two or more of the above communication systems.

[0178] Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, macro base station, micro base station, wireless relay node, donor node, wireless controller in CRAN scenario, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP) or transmission and receiving point (TRP). Access network equipment can also be access network equipment in 5G mobile communication system. For example, the next generation NodeB (gNB) in the new radio (NR) system, TRP, TP, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system. Alternatively, the access network device may also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point. For example, a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be separately configured or may be included in the same network element. For example, a BBU. The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit. For example, in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Alternatively, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an on-board device. For example, in V2X technology, the network device may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0179] It should be noted that in different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU may also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) or an open CU, DU may also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) may also be called an open centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP) or an open CU-CP, a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) may also be called an open centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP) or an open CU-UP, and RU may also be called an open radio unit (O-RU), which is not limited in this application. Any of the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU in this application may be implemented together by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0180] Optionally, for network elements in the ORAN system, each network element may implement the protocol layer functions shown in Table 1 below.

[0181] Table 1

[0182]

[0183]

[0184] It should be noted that the access network device may be one or more network elements shown in Table 1 above, and this application does not make any specific limitation.

[0185] It should be noted that the above Table 1 is only an example. In practical applications, the protocol layer functions supported by each network element are not limited. For example, each network element may support more protocol layer functions, or the protocol layer functions supported by each network element may be specifically configured in combination with actual conditions. This application does not make any specific limitations.

[0186] The following describes the architecture of the CU and DU of the access network device. The access network device includes at least one CU and at least one DU. Optionally, the access network device also includes at least one RU.

[0187] The following is an introduction using an access network device including a CU and a DU as an example. The CU has some functions of the core network, and the CU may include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. The CU and the DU may be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers above (for example, the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer). The DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (for example, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer). For another example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below (for example, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.).

[0188] When the CU includes a CU-CP and a CU-UP, the CU-CP is used to implement the control plane function of the CU, and the CU-UP is used to implement the user plane function of the CU. For example, when the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, the RRC layer, and the SDAP layer, the CU-CP is used to implement the control plane function of the RRC layer and the PDCP layer, and the CU-UP is used to implement the user plane function of the SDAP layer and the PDCP layer.

[0189] CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network for implementing control plane functions. Network elements in the core network for implementing control plane functions can be access and mobility function network elements, such as AMF in 5G mobile communication systems. AMF is responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as location update of terminal devices, registration network of terminal devices, switching of terminal devices, etc. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network for implementing user plane functions. Network elements in the core network for implementing user plane functions, such as user plane function (UPF) in 5G mobile communication systems, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0190] The above configuration of CU and DU is only an example, and the functions of CU and DU can also be configured as needed. For example, the CU or DU can be configured to have the functions of more protocol layers, or the CU or DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements. For example, by delay, the functions that need to meet the smaller delay requirements for processing time are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirements are set in the CU.

[0191] DU and RU can cooperate to jointly implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in a variety of ways according to the design. For example, DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and RU is configured to implement mid-RF functions. For another example, DU is configured to implement high-level functions in the PHY layer, and RU is configured to implement low-level functions in the PHY layer or to implement the low-level functions and RF functions. The high-level functions in the physical layer may include a part of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-level functions in the physical layer may include another part of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the mid-RF side.

[0192] It should be noted that the access network device can be the device or apparatus shown above, or it can be a component (for example, a chip), module, or unit in the device or apparatus shown above, and this application does not limit it specifically.

[0193] The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access network equipment including CU and DU. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access network device of the embodiment of the present application. Taking the access network device as gNB as an example, please refer to Figure 2 In the 5G communication system, gNBs are connected to each other through the Xn interface, and gNBs are connected to the 5th generation mobile communication technology core (5GC) through the NG interface. Figure 2 As shown, gNB1 and gNB2 are connected via the Xn interface. gNB1 is connected to 5GC via NG interface 1, and gNB2 is connected to 5GC via NG interface 2.

[0194] gNB can include CU and DU. That is, the functions of the base station are divided, and some functions of the base station are deployed in one gNB-CU, and the remaining functions are deployed in the gNB-DU. Multiple gNB-DUs share one gNB-CU, which can save costs and facilitate network expansion. For example, Figure 2 As shown, gNB1 includes gNB-CU1, gNB-DU1 and gNB-DU2. gNB-CU1 is connected to gNB-DU1 through F1 interface 1 and to gNB-DU2 through F1 interface 2. The structure of gNB2 is similar to that of gNB1 and will not be described here one by one.

[0195] Above Figure 2 This is just an example. One gNB-CU can be connected to one or more gNB-DUs, which is not limited in this application.

[0196] The division of gNB-CU and gNB-DU can be divided according to the protocol stack. For example, the RRC, SDAP and PDCP layer protocol stacks are deployed in the gNB-CU. The radio link control (RLC) layer, MAC layer and PHY layer protocol stacks are deployed in the gNB-DU. The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected via the F1 interface. The above examples are only for the purpose of introducing gNB-CU and gNB-DU. The protocol stacks deployed by gNB-CU and gNB-DU are not limited in this application.

[0197] In this application, in the following access network equipment adopting the CU and DU structure, gNB-CU is referred to as CU and gNB-DU is referred to as DU.

[0198] It should be noted that CU and DU are a way of implementing the division of access network equipment into network units. The functions contained in CU and DU can be divided according to evolution or demand. This application does not limit the functions contained in CU and DU. This application does not limit the names corresponding to CU and DU.

[0199] In the present application, the access network device can be divided into a first network unit and a second network unit. The first network unit and the second network unit can be divided into CU and DU according to the division method described above. This application does not limit the functions respectively included in the CU and DU, and the functions can be divided in combination with actual functional requirements. The names corresponding to the CU and DU are also not limited. That is, the first network unit and the second network unit can also have other names, which are not limited in this application. In one possible implementation, the first network unit can be the CU shown above, and the second network unit can be the DU shown above. In another possible implementation, the first network unit can be the DU shown above, and the second network unit can be the CU shown above. The following text mainly introduces the technical solution of the present application by taking the example that the first network unit can be the CU shown above and the second network unit can be the DU shown above as an example.

[0200] At present, the minimum control granularity of access network equipment for network slice resource management is the network slice group. A network slice group can include one or more network slices, and a network slice can only be configured into one network slice group. Resource management is divided into three categories according to the resource allocation method, based on QoS scheduling, based on RB resource reservation, and based on carrier isolation. Among them, the resource allocation granularity based on RB resource reservation is the network slice group. The two resource allocation granularities based on QoS scheduling and based on carrier isolation are a single network slice. However, how the access network equipment allocates resources to the network slice to achieve reasonable allocation of resources is a problem worthy of consideration. The present application provides a corresponding technical solution, please refer to the relevant introduction of the embodiments below for details.

[0201] The technical solution of the present application is introduced below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0202] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication method of the present application. Figure 3A , methods include:

[0203] 301. A second network unit sends first resource status information to a first network unit. Correspondingly, the first network unit receives the first resource status information from the second network unit.

[0204] The first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The first network unit and the second network unit are two network units in the access network device. For example, the first network unit is a CU and the second network unit is a DU. The at least one cell is a cell covered by the access network device.

[0205] Optionally, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the network slice for transmission, the current data volume (volume) of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, the maximum bit rate currently supported when each terminal device uses the PDU session, the total maximum bit rate currently supported when all terminal devices use the PDU session, or the current user performance. Among them, the current user performance of each network slice includes at least one of the following: the throughput, packet delay, or packet loss rate of each user or all users of each network slice. It can be seen from this that the first network unit and the second network unit can exchange slice-level resource status information and session-level resource status information. This is conducive to the first network unit to accurately infer the predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information.

[0206] Optionally, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second network unit, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second network unit, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second network unit, the number of receiving antennas included in the second network unit, or the power margin of the second network unit. Optionally, the signal quality includes at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). The channel information includes at least one of the following: precoding matrix indication (PMI), channel quality indicator (CQI), or rank indicator (RI). The power margin of the second network unit is the power that the second network unit can provide for sending signals under the constraint of total power. In this implementation, the first network unit may be a CU and the second network unit may be a DU.

[0207] The following introduces two possible implementations of the carrier carried by the first resource status information in the above step 301. This application is still applicable to other implementations, and this application does not make any specific limitations.

[0208] The following describes implementation method 1 in combination with step 301a to step 301b. Optionally, Figure 3B As shown, Figure 3B Step 301a in can be performed before step 301.

[0209] 301a. The first network unit sends a resource status request to the second network unit. Correspondingly, the second network unit receives the resource status request from the first network unit.

[0210] The resource status request is used to request the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0211] Optionally, the above step 301 specifically includes the above Figure 3B Step 301b is shown.

[0212] 301b. The second network unit sends a resource status response to the first network unit. The resource status response includes the first resource status information. Correspondingly, the first network unit receives the resource status response from the second network unit.

[0213] It can be seen from this that the second network element can send the first resource status information to the first network element via a resource status response.

[0214] The following describes implementation method 2 in combination with step 301c to step 301e. Optionally, Figure 3B As shown, Figure 3B Steps 301c to 301d in the process may be performed before step 301.

[0215] 301c. The first network unit sends a resource status request to the second network unit. Correspondingly, the second network unit receives the resource status request from the first network unit.

[0216] 301d. The second network element sends a resource status response to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the resource status response from the second network element.

[0217] Optionally, the above step 301 specifically includes the above Figure 3B Step 301e is shown.

[0218] 301e. The second network unit sends a first resource status update to the first network unit. The first resource status update includes first resource status information. Correspondingly, the first network unit receives the first resource status update from the second network unit.

[0219] It can be seen from this that the second network device can send the first resource status information to the first network unit through the first resource status update.

[0220] For example, a signaling format for updating the first resource status is shown below. This application is still applicable to other signaling formats, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0221] >>per cell-No.of Active UEs,RRC Connections

[0222] >>per slice-PRB usage,Capacity Value

[0223] >>per slice-UE performance(per-UE / all-UE Throughput / Pkt Delay,Loss)

[0224] >>per slice-volume (UL / DL, request contains time-interval / stamp)

[0225] >>per slice-No.of PDU sessions, No.of Active UEs, No.of RRC Conn.

[0226] >>per slice–UE Slice Max Bit Rate(per-UE / all-UE MBR,per-MBR UE num)

[0227] >>per session–volume,PRB usage,UE Slice Max Bit Rate,UE perf

[0228] It can be seen that per cell-No.of Active UEs indicates the current number of active users in each cell. percell-RRC Connections indicates the current number of RRC connections in each cell. per slice-PRB usage indicates the current physical resource block usage of each network slice. per slice-Capacity Value indicates the current capacity value of each network slice. per slice-UE performance indicates the current user performance of each terminal device in each network slice, or the current user performance of all terminal devices in each network slice. per slice-volume indicates the current data volume of each network slice. per slice-No.of PDU sessions indicates the current number of PDU sessions in each network slice. per slice-No.of Active UEs indicates the current number of active users in each network slice. per slice-No.ofRRC Conn indicates the current number of RRC connections in each network slice. per slice–UE Slice Max Bit Rate indicates the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when transmitting using the network slice, or the total maximum bit rate supported by the network slice when all network slices using the terminal device are transmitting. per session–volume indicates the current data volume of each PDU session. per session–UE Slice Max Bit Rate indicates the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device using the PDU session, or the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all sessions using the PDU. per session–UE per indicates the current user performance of each PDU session.

[0229] 302. The first network unit sends predicted resource status information to the second network unit. Correspondingly, the second network unit receives the predicted resource status information from the first network unit.

[0230] The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0231] In a possible implementation, the first network unit inputs the first resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model. Optionally, the first model is an AI model. For example, the first model is a neural network. It can be seen that the first network unit can obtain the predicted resource status information through AI model reasoning.

[0232] In another possible implementation, other AI nodes may determine the predicted resource state information based on the first resource state information and the first model. The first network unit obtains the predicted resource state information from other AI nodes. Optionally, the other AI node may be a third-party AI node or an AI node in the core network.

[0233] Optionally, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0234] It should be noted that the various predicted quantities included in the above-mentioned predicted resource status information may be instantaneous predicted quantities, or average predicted quantities, or maximum predicted quantities, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0235] Optional, Figure 3A The illustrated embodiment further includes step 303 to step 304. Step 303 to step 304 may be performed after step 302.

[0236] 303. The second network unit determines a resource reservation strategy and a wireless resource management strategy for a network slice of at least one cell based on the predicted resource status information.

[0237] The resource reservation strategy includes adjusting the resource allocation of the network slice of the at least one cell. The wireless resource strategy includes at least one of the following: the second network unit allocates corresponding wireless resources to the new user, or adjusts the wireless resources occupied by the existing user. For example, the second network unit allocates corresponding wireless resources to the new user in combination with at least one of the system load, interference situation, and user priority.

[0238] Optionally, the wireless resources include at least one of the following: codeword, frequency, power, time slot, or spatial angle.

[0239] 304. The second network unit executes a resource reservation strategy and a radio resource management strategy.

[0240] The second network unit adjusts the resource allocation and wireless resource management of the network slice. This is conducive to improving resource utilization, improving the QoS index of the network and the quality of experience (QoE) index of the user. Among them, improving resource utilization can also be understood as improving system capacity. The QoS index of the network and the QoE index of the user are generally reflected in the service quality, access success rate, call drop rate and switching success rate.

[0241] Optional, Figure 3A The illustrated embodiment further includes step 305. Step 305 may be performed after step 304.

[0242] 305. The second network unit sends updated first resource status information to the first network unit. Correspondingly, the first network unit receives updated first resource status information from the second network unit.

[0243] The updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0244] It can be seen that the second network unit adjusts the resource allocation and wireless resource management of the network slice. The first resource status information is also updated, thereby achieving reasonable allocation of network slice resources and wireless resource management.

[0245] Optionally, the updated first resource status information is carried in the second resource status update.

[0246] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network unit receives first resource status information from a second network unit. The first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. Then, the first network unit sends predicted resource status information to the second network unit. The predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. This facilitates accurate reasoning to obtain future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. It is convenient for the second network unit to obtain the predicted resource status information. It is beneficial for the second network unit to reasonably allocate resources and wireless resource management for the network slice of the at least one cell.

[0247] The present application also provides another embodiment. Figure 3A The embodiment shown is similar to the embodiment shown in the figure, except that: the above steps 301 to 302 can also be replaced by: the second network unit determines the predicted resource state information according to the first resource state information and the first model. That is, the second network unit predicts the resource state information by inferring the first model. There is no need to infer the predicted resource state information through the first network unit. The other steps of this embodiment are the same as Figure 3A The other steps of the illustrated embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0248] The present application also provides another embodiment, in which the first access network device determines first resource status information. The first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device. Then, the first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0249] It can be seen that the first resource status information may be the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the first access network device, and therefore the predicted resource status information is the predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the first access network device. Alternatively, the first resource status information may be the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device, and therefore the predicted resource status information is the predicted future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device. The following introduces some application scenarios of the predicted resource status information in conjunction with specific embodiments, and please refer to the following text for details. Figures 4 to 7 Related introduction of the illustrated embodiment.

[0250] Figure 4 This is another embodiment schematic diagram of the communication method of the present application embodiment. Figure 4 , methods include:

[0251] 401. A first access network device determines first resource status information.

[0252] The first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device.

[0253] Optionally, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session included in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0254] Optionally, the first resource status information also includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the first access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the first access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the first access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the first access network device, or the power headroom of the first access network device. Optionally, the signal quality includes at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR. The channel information includes at least one of the following: PMI, CQI, or RI. The power headroom of the first access network device is the power that the first access network device can provide for sending signals under the constraint of total power.

[0255] Regarding the first resource status information and the aforementioned Figure 3A The first resource status information in the embodiment shown is similar, and can be specifically referred to in the aforementioned Figure 3A Related introduction to the first resource status information in the illustrated embodiment.

[0256] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, the first access network device may be a CU, and the DU sends the first resource status information to the CU. Accordingly, the step 401 specifically includes: the CU receives the first resource status information from the DU.

[0257] 402. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the first model.

[0258] Specifically, the first access network device inputs the first resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model. That is, the first access network device inputs the first resource status information into the first model as an input parameter of the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model.

[0259] Optionally, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0260] Regarding the predicted resource status information and the aforementioned Figure 3A The predicted resource status information in the embodiment shown is similar, and can be found in the aforementioned Figure 3A Related introduction to the predicted resource status information in the illustrated embodiment.

[0261] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the first access network device may be a CU. The step 402 specifically includes: the CU determines the predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the first model.

[0262] Optional, Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 402a. Step 402a may be performed before step 402.

[0263] 402a. The second access network device sends a first request to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first request from the second access network device.

[0264] The first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0265] Optionally, the first request also includes the predicted amount requested for feedback by the second access network device. For example, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data amount of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data amount of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage. For more information about the predicted amount, please refer to the aforementioned Figure 3ARelated introduction to the predicted resource status information in the illustrated embodiment.

[0266] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 402a and step 401. Step 402a may be executed first, and then step 401; or, step 401 may be executed first, and then step 402a; or, step 401 and step 402a may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, which is not limited in this application.

[0267] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The above step 402a specifically includes: the DU of the second access network device sends a first request to the CU of the first access network device. Correspondingly, the CU of the first access network device receives the first request from the DU of the second access network device.

[0268] Optional, Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 401a. Step 401a may be performed before step 402.

[0269] 401a. The core network device sends the second resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second resource status information from the core network device.

[0270] The second resource status information includes the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell predicted by the core network device. The second resource status information includes the slice-level resource status information predicted by the core network device. Optionally, the second resource status information also includes the session-level resource status information of each network slice predicted by the core network device. For the content included in the second resource status information, please refer to the relevant introduction of the content included in the predicted resource status information.

[0271] Optionally, the core network device may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF) or MDAF in a network management device (operations administration and maintenance, OAM) or other data analysis functions under the core network service.

[0272] Optionally, the above step 402 specifically includes: the first access network device determines the predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information, the second resource status information and the first model. Specifically, the first access network device inputs the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model.

[0273] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 401a and step 401. Step 401 may be executed first, and then step 401a; or, step 401a may be executed first, and then step 401; or, step 401 and step 401a may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, which is not limited in this application.

[0274] Optional, if Figure 4 The embodiment shown also includes step 402a, and there is no fixed execution order between step 401a and steps 401 to 402a. Step 401a may be executed first, and then steps 401 to 402a; or, steps 401 to 402a may be executed first, and then step 401a; or, step 401a and steps 401 to 402a may be executed simultaneously according to the situation, and the specific application does not limit it.

[0275] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the above step 401a specifically includes: the core network device sends the second resource status information to the CU.

[0276] 403. The first access network device sends predicted resource status information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the predicted resource status information from the first access network device.

[0277] Optionally, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0278] It should be noted that the various predicted quantities included in the above-mentioned predicted resource status information may be instantaneous predicted quantities, or average predicted quantities, or maximum predicted quantities, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0279] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. In the above step 403, the CU in the first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the DU in the second access network device.

[0280] Optional, Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment further includes steps 404 and 405. Steps 404 and 405 may be performed after step 403.

[0281] 404. The second access network device determines a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision according to the predicted resource status information.

[0282] The first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device. The first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device. Specifically, the second access network device can switch the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device through an existing switching process.

[0283] The first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device and establishing a connection with the second terminal device. The second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device. Specifically, the second access network device can use the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device through an existing dual connection process.

[0284] Optionally, the second access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the above step 404 specifically includes: the DU in the second access network device determines the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision according to the predicted resource status information.

[0285] 405. The second access network device and the first access network device execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision.

[0286] The second access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision including: the second access network device and the first access network device can switch the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device through the existing switching process.

[0287] The second access network device and the first access network device execute the first dual connection decision, including: the second access network device and the first access network device use the first access network device as the auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device through the existing dual connection process.

[0288] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The DU in the second access network device and the DU in the first access network device execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision.

[0289] Optional, Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 406. Step 406 may be performed after step 405.

[0290] 406. The first access network device updates the first resource status information.

[0291] The updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0292] It can be seen that the first access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision. The first resource status information is also updated. For example, the current resource status of the network slice of the at least one cell changes, and the wireless resource status, available capacity value, and / or number of active users of each cell in the at least one cell changes.

[0293] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the above step 406 specifically includes: the CU in the first access network device updates the first resource status information.

[0294] In an embodiment of the present application, a first access network device determines first resource status information. The first resource status information includes the current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell covered by the first access network device. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device. It can be seen that the first access network device can accurately infer the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. It is convenient for the second access network device to obtain the predicted resource status information, and perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information.

[0295] Figure 5 This is another embodiment diagram of the communication method of the present application. Figure 5 , methods include:

[0296] 501. A first access network device determines first resource status information.

[0297] 502. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the first model.

[0298] Step 501 to step 502 are the same as the above Figure 4 Steps 401 to 402 in the embodiment shown are similar, and specific details can be found in the aforementioned Figure 4 The related introduction from step 401 to step 402 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0299] 503. The first access network device determines decision-making auxiliary information according to the predicted resource status information.

[0300] The decision assistance information is used to assist the second access network device in determining the first switching decision and / or the first dual connectivity decision.

[0301] Optionally, the decision-making auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice. The first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0302] Optionally, the slice information of the first type of network slice includes an identifier of the first type of network slice. The slice information of the second type of network slice includes an identifier of the second type of network slice.

[0303] For example, the first threshold is 80% or 90%. The second threshold is 30% or 40%. For example, the capacity of the first type of network slice is large in the future, and the first access network device may determine that the access probability of the first type of network slice is high. The first access network device may indicate the first type of network slice to the second access network device.

[0304] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the first access network device may be a CU. The step 503 specifically includes the CU determining decision-making auxiliary information according to the predicted resource status information.

[0305] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 502a. Step 502a may be performed before step 502.

[0306] 502a. The second access network device sends a second request to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second request from the second access network device.

[0307] The second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connectivity decision.

[0308] Optionally, the second request also includes a decision assistance amount requested for feedback by the second access network device. For example, the decision assistance amount includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of the at least one cell, the slice information of the first type of network slice, or the slice information of the second type of network slice.

[0309] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 502a and steps 501 to 502. Step 502a may be executed first, and then steps 501 to 502; or, steps 501 to 502 may be executed first, and then step 502a; or, step 502a and steps 501 to 502 may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, and the present application does not make any specific limitation.

[0310] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The above step 502a specifically includes: the DU of the second access network device sends a second request to the CU of the first access network device. Correspondingly, the CU of the first access network device receives the second request from the DU of the second access network device.

[0311] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 501a. Step 501a may be performed before step 502.

[0312] 501a. The core network device sends the second resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second resource status information from the core network device.

[0313] The second resource status information includes future resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell predicted by the core network device.

[0314] Optionally, the core network device may be NWDAF or MDAF in OAM or other network data analysis and processing modules in network service.

[0315] Optionally, the above step 503 specifically includes: the first access network device determines the decision-making auxiliary information according to the first resource status information and the second resource status information. Specifically, the first access network device inputs the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model.

[0316] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 501a and steps 501 to 502. Step 501a may be executed first, and then steps 501 to 502; or, steps 501 to 502 may be executed first, and then step 501a; or, step 501a and steps 501 to 502 may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, which is not limited in this application. Figure 5 The embodiment shown also includes step 502a, and there is no fixed execution order between step 501a and step 502a. Step 501a can be executed first, and then step 502a; or, step 502a can be executed first, and then step 501a; or, step 501a and step 502a can be executed simultaneously according to the situation, which is not limited in this application.

[0317] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the above step 501a specifically includes: the core network device sends the second resource status information to the CU.

[0318] 504. The first access network device sends decision-making assistance information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the decision-making assistance information from the first access network device.

[0319] For decision-making auxiliary information, please refer to the above-mentioned introduction, which will not be repeated here.

[0320] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The above step 504 specifically includes: the CU of the first access network device sends decision-making assistance information to the DU of the second access network device. Correspondingly, the DU of the second access network device receives the decision-making assistance information from the DU of the first access network device.

[0321] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment further includes steps 505 to 506. Steps 505 to 506 may be performed after step 504.

[0322] 505. The second access network device determines a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision according to the decision assistance information.

[0323] 506. The second access network device and the first access network device execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision.

[0324] Steps 505 to 506 are the same as those described above. Figure 4 Steps 404 to 405 in the embodiment shown are similar, and can be found in the aforementioned Figure 4 The related introduction of step 404 to step 405 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0325] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 507. Step 507 may be performed after step 506.

[0326] 507. The second access network device sends updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0327] Step 507 and the above Figure 4 Step 406 in the embodiment shown is similar, and can be found in the above Figure 4 The relevant introduction of step 406 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0328] In an embodiment of the present application, a first access network device determines first resource status information. The first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell covered by the first access network device. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell. The first access network device determines decision-making assistance information based on the predicted resource status information, and the decision-making assistance information is used to assist the second access network device in determining a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision. The first access network device sends decision-making assistance information to the second access network device. It can be seen that the first access network device can obtain the predicted resource status information through precise reasoning of the first model. Then, the first access network device determines decision-making assistance information based on the predicted resource status information, and sends the decision-making assistance information to the second access network device. This facilitates the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management (for example, mobility management) of the network slice based on the decision-making assistance information.

[0329] Figure 6 This is another embodiment diagram of the communication method of the present application. Figure 6 , methods include:

[0330] 601. A second access network device sends first resource status information to a first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0331] The first resource status information is the current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device.

[0332] Optionally, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: signal quality of a reference signal transmitted between at least one terminal device in the at least one cell and the second access network device, channel information between the at least one terminal device and the second access network device, the number of transmitting antennas included in the second access network device, the number of receiving antennas included in the second access network device, or the power headroom of the second access network device. Optionally, the signal quality includes at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR. The channel information includes at least one of the following: PMI, CQI, or RI. The power headroom of the second access network device is the power that the second access network device can provide for sending signals under the constraint of total power.

[0333] For information about the first resource status, please refer to the previous Figure 4 The relevant introduction of step 401 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0334] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The DU of the second access network device sends the first resource status information to the CU of the first access network device. Correspondingly, the CU of the first access network device receives the first resource status information from the DU of the second access network device.

[0335] 602. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the first model.

[0336] Step 602 is similar to the above Figure 4 Step 402 in the embodiment shown is similar, and can be referred to in detail in the foregoing Figure 4 The relevant introduction of step 402 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0337] Optional, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 601a. ​​Step 601a may be performed before step 602.

[0338] 601a. ​​The core network device sends the second resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second resource status information from the core network device.

[0339] Optionally, the above step 602 specifically includes: the first access network device determines the predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the second resource status information.

[0340] Step 601a is the same as the above Figure 4 Step 401a in the embodiment shown is similar, and details can be found in the aforementioned Figure 4 The relevant introduction of step 401a in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0341] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 601 and step 601a. ​​Step 601 may be executed first, and then step 601a; or, step 601a may be executed first, and then step 601; or, step 601 and step 601a may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, which is not limited in this application.

[0342] Optional, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 603 to step 604. Step 603 to step 604 may be performed after step 602.

[0343] 603. The first access network device determines a second switching decision and / or a second dual connectivity decision according to the predicted resource status information.

[0344] The second switching decision includes switching the third terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device. The third terminal device is a terminal device served by the first access network device. Specifically, the first access network device switches the third terminal device to the second access network device through an existing switching process.

[0345] The second dual connection decision includes using the second access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the fourth terminal device and establishing a connection with the fourth terminal device. The fourth terminal device is a terminal device served by the first access network device. Specifically, the first access network device can use the second access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the fourth terminal device through an existing dual connection process.

[0346] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the CU in the first access network device sends predicted resource status information to the DU in the first access network device. The above step 603 specifically includes: the DU in the first access network device determines the second switching decision and / or the second dual connection decision according to the predicted resource status information.

[0347] 604. The second access network device and the first access network device execute a second switching decision and / or a second dual connectivity decision.

[0348] The second access network device and the first access network device execute the second switching decision including: the second access network device and the first access network device can switch the third terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device through the existing switching process.

[0349] The second access network device and the first access network device execute the second dual connection decision including: the second access network device and the first access network device use the second access network device as the auxiliary access network device of the fourth terminal device through the existing dual connection process.

[0350] Optionally, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU. The DU in the second access network device and the DU in the first access network device perform a second switching decision and / or a second dual connectivity decision.

[0351] Optional, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 605. Step 605 may be performed after step 604.

[0352] 605. The second access network device sends updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0353] The updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0354] It can be seen that the second access network device and the first access network device execute a second switching decision and / or a second dual connection decision. The first resource status information is also updated. For example, the current resource status of the network slice of the at least one cell changes, and the wireless resource status, available capacity value, and / or number of active users of each cell in the at least one cell changes.

[0355] In an embodiment of the present application, a first access network device receives first resource status information from a second access network device. The first resource status information includes the current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. Then, the first access network device determines a second switching decision and / or a second dual connection decision based on the predicted resource status information, and executes the second switching decision and / or the second dual connection decision with the second access network device. It can be seen that the first access network device can accurately infer the future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. Thereby, the first access network device can perform resource reservation and wireless resource management of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information. Thereby, reasonable allocation of network slice resources and wireless resource management are achieved.

[0356] Figure 7 This is another embodiment diagram of the communication method of the present application. Figure 7 , methods include:

[0357] 701. A second access network device sends first resource status information to a first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0358] 702. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information and the first model.

[0359] Step 701 to step 702 are the same as the above Figure 6 Steps 601 to 602 in the embodiment shown are similar, and specific reference may be made to the aforementioned Figure 6 The related introduction from step 601 to step 602 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0360] Optional, Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 701a. Step 701a may be performed before step 702.

[0361] 701a. The core network device sends the second resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second resource status information from the core network device.

[0362] Step 701a is the same as the above Figure 6 Step 601a in the embodiment shown is similar, and details can be found in the aforementioned Figure 6 The relevant introduction of step 601a in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0363] Optionally, the above step 702 specifically includes: the first access network device determines the predicted resource state information according to the first resource state information, the second resource state information and the first model. Specifically, the first access network device inputs the first resource state information and the second resource state information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource state information output by the first model.

[0364] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between step 701a and step 701. Step 701 may be executed first, and then step 701a; or, step 701a may be executed first, and then step 701; or, step 701 and step 701a may be executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, which is not limited in this application.

[0365] 703. The first access network device sends predicted resource status information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the predicted resource status information from the first access network device.

[0366] Step 703 and the aforementioned Figure 4 Step 403 in the embodiment shown is similar, and details can be found in the aforementioned Figure 4 The relevant introduction of step 403 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0367] Optional, Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment further includes step 704 and step 705 , and step 704 and step 705 may be performed after step 703 .

[0368] 704. The second access network device determines a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision according to the predicted resource status information.

[0369] 705. The second access network device and the first access network device execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision.

[0370] Steps 704 to 705 are the same as those described above. Figure 4 Steps 404 to 405 in the embodiment shown are similar, and specific details can be found in the aforementioned FIG. Figure 4 The related introduction of step 404 to step 405 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0371] Optional, Figure 7The illustrated embodiment further includes step 706. Step 706 may be performed after step 705.

[0372] 706. The second access network device sends the updated first resource status information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the updated first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0373] The updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0374] It can be seen that the first access network device and the first access network device execute the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision. The first resource status information is also updated. For example, the current resource status of the network slice of the at least one cell changes, and the wireless resource status, available capacity value, and / or number of active users of each cell in the at least one cell changes.

[0375] In an embodiment of the present application, a first access network device receives first resource status information from a second access network device. The first resource status information includes the current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell covered by the second access network device. The first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model. The predicted resource status information includes future resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell. Then, the first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device. This facilitates the second access network device to perform resource reservation and wireless resource management of the network slice based on the predicted resource status information. This achieves reasonable allocation of network slice resources and wireless resource management.

[0376] The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below.

[0377] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 , the communication device 800 can be used to perform Figure 3A and Figure 3B For details of the process performed by the first network unit or the second network unit in the illustrated embodiment, please refer to the relevant introduction in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0378] The communication device 800 includes a transceiver module 801. Optionally, the communication device 800 also includes a processing module 802.

[0379] The processing module 802 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 801 can realize the corresponding communication function. The transceiver module 801 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0380] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 802 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0381] In a possible implementation, the communication device 800 may be used to perform the actions performed by the first network unit in the above method embodiment. The communication device 800 may be the first network unit or a component that can be configured in the first network unit. The processing module 802 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the first network unit side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 801 is used to perform the reception-related operations on the first network unit side in the above method embodiment.

[0382] In another possible implementation, the communication device 800 may be used to perform the actions performed by the second network unit in the above method embodiment. The communication device 800 may be a second network unit or a component that can be configured in the first network unit. The processing module 802 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the second network unit side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 801 is used to perform the reception-related operations on the second network unit side in the above method embodiment.

[0383] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0384] It should be noted that the communication device 800 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 800 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it may depend on whether the above solution executed by the communication device 800 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0385] Optionally, the communication device 800 is used to perform the above Figure 3A and Figure 3B The actions performed by the first network unit or the second network unit in the embodiment shown. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The relevant introduction in the illustrated embodiment will not be expanded in detail here.

[0386] For example, the communication device 800 is used to perform the above Figure 3A and Figure 3B The communication device 800 is used to perform the following scheme:

[0387] The transceiver module 801 is used to receive first resource status information from the second network unit, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell; and send predicted resource status information to the second network unit, where the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0388] In one possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0389] In another possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice of at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0390] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 801 is also used to: receive updated first resource status information from the second network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0391] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 801 is also used to: send a resource status request to the second network unit, the resource status request is used to request the first resource status information; the transceiver module 801 is specifically used to: receive a resource status response from the second network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information.

[0392] In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 801 is specifically configured to: receive a resource status update from the second network unit, where the resource status update includes the first resource status information.

[0393] For another example, the communication device 800 is used to perform the above Figure 3A and Figure 3B The communication device 800 is used to perform the following scheme:

[0394] The transceiver module 801 is used to send first resource status information to the first network unit, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell; and receive predicted resource status information from the first network unit, where the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0395] In one possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0396] In another possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0397] In another possible implementation, the processing module 802 is used to determine the resource reservation strategy and wireless resource management strategy of the network slice of at least one cell based on the predicted resource status information; and execute the resource reservation strategy and the wireless resource management strategy.

[0398] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 801 is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first network unit, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0399] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 801 is also used to: receive a resource status request from the first network unit, the resource status request is used to request first resource status information; the transceiver module 801 is specifically used to: send a resource status response to the first network unit, the resource status response includes the first resource status information.

[0400] In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 801 is specifically configured to: send a resource status update to the first network unit, where the resource status update includes first resource status information.

[0401] It should be understood that the specific process of each module executing the above corresponding process has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0402] The processing module 802 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver module 801 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver module 801 can also be called a communication module or a communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0403] Fig. 9 This is another structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 , the communication device 900 can be used to perform Figures 4 to 7 For details of the process executed by the first access network device in the illustrated embodiment, please refer to the relevant introduction in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0404] The communication device 900 includes a processing module 901. Optionally, the communication device 900 also includes a transceiver module 902.

[0405] The processing module 901 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 902 can realize the corresponding communication function. The transceiver module 902 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0406] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 901 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0407] The communication device 900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first access network device in the above method embodiment. The communication device 900 can be a first access network device or a component that can be configured in the first access network device. The processing module 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the first access network device side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 902 is used to perform the reception-related operations on the first access network device side in the above method embodiment.

[0408] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0409] It should be noted that the communication device 900 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it may depend on whether the above solution executed by the communication device 900 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0410] Optionally, the communication device 900 is used to perform the above Figures 4 to 7 The actions performed by the first access network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. Figures 4 to 7 The relevant introduction in the illustrated embodiment will not be expanded in detail here.

[0411] For example, the communication device 900 is used to perform the above Figures 4 to 7 The actions performed by the first access network device in the embodiment shown. The communication device 900 is used to perform the following scheme:

[0412] Processing module 901 is used to determine first resource status information, where the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by the communication device 900 or the second access network device; determine predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0413] In one possible implementation, the predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0414] In another possible implementation, the first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell in at least one cell, the current number of RRC connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of PDU sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

[0415] In another possible implementation, at least one cell is a cell covered by the communication apparatus 900; the transceiver module 902 is configured to send predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

[0416] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive a first request from a second access network device, where the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0417] In another possible implementation, the first request also includes a predicted quantity requested to be fed back by the second access network device.

[0418] In another possible implementation, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data amount of each network slice of at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the predicted number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data amount of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0419] In another possible implementation, the processing module 901 is also used to: execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision with a second access network device, the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision is determined based on the predicted resource status information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the communication device 900, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device, the first dual connection decision includes using the communication device 900 as a secondary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

[0420] In another possible implementation, the processing module 901 is also used to: update the first resource status information, and the updated first resource status information includes the updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

[0421] In another possible implementation, the processing module 901 is also used to: determine decision-making assistance information based on the predicted resource status information, and the decision-making assistance information is used to assist the second access network device in determining the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision; the transceiver module 902 is also used to: send decision-making assistance information to the second access network device.

[0422] In another possible implementation, the decision-making auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0423] In another possible implementation, the processing module 901 is also used to: execute a first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision with a second access network device, the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is determined by the second access network device based on decision-making auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the communication device 900, the first dual connection decision includes using the communication device 900 as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

[0424] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive updated first resource status information from the second access network device, where the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0425] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 902 is further used to: receive a second request from the second access network device, where the second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision.

[0426] In another possible implementation manner, the second request includes a decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device.

[0427] In another possible implementation, the decision-making assistance quantity includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0428] In another possible implementation manner, at least one cell is a cell covered by the second access network device, and the processing module 901 is specifically configured to: receive first resource status information from the second access network device.

[0429] In another possible implementation, the processing module 901 is also used to: determine a second switching decision or a second dual connection decision based on the predicted resource status information, the second switching decision includes switching the third terminal device from the communication device 900 to the second access network device, and the third terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device 900; the second dual connection decision includes using the second access network device as a secondary access network device of the fourth terminal device, establishing a connection with the fourth terminal device, and the fourth terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device 900; and executing the second switching decision or the second dual connection decision between the second access network device.

[0430] In another possible implementation, at least one cell is a cell covered by the second access network device; the transceiver module 902 is used to send the predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

[0431] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive updated first resource status information from the second access network device, where the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0432] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive second resource status information from the core network device, where the second resource status information includes future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell predicted by the core network device; the processing module 901 is specifically used to: input the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain the predicted resource status information output by the first model.

[0433] It should be understood that the specific process of each module executing the above corresponding process has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0434] The processing module 901 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver module 902 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver module 902 can also be called a communication module or a communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0435] Fig.10 This is another structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 , the communication device 1000 can be used to perform Figures 4 to 7 For details of the process executed by the second access network device in the illustrated embodiment, please refer to the relevant introduction in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0436] The communication device 1000 includes a transceiver module 1001. Optionally, the communication device 1000 also includes a processing module 1002.

[0437] The processing module 1002 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 1001 can realize the corresponding communication function. The transceiver module 1001 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0438] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1002 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0439] The communication device 1000 can be used to perform the actions performed by the second access network device in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1000 can be a second access network device or a component that can be configured in the second access network device. The processing module 1002 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the second access network device side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 1001 is used to perform the reception-related operations on the second access network device side in the above method embodiment.

[0440] Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0441] It should be noted that the communication device 1000 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1000 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it may depend on whether the above solution executed by the communication device 1000 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0442] Optionally, the communication device 1000 is used to perform the above Figures 4 to 7 The actions performed by the second access network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. Figures 4 to 7The relevant introduction in the illustrated embodiment will not be expanded in detail here.

[0443] For example, the communication device 1000 is used to perform the above Figures 4 to 7 The actions performed by the second access network device in the embodiment shown. The communication device 1000 is used to perform the following scheme:

[0444] The transceiver module 1001 is used to receive predicted resource status information from the first access network device, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the communication device 1000; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0445] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1001 is also used to: send a first request to a first access network device, where the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0446] In another possible implementation, the first request also includes a predicted quantity that the communication device 1000 requests to feedback.

[0447] In another possible implementation, the predicted amount includes at least one of the following: the predicted data amount of each network slice of the at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of RRC connections, the number of PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data amount of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

[0448] In another possible implementation, the processing module 1002 is configured to determine a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the predicted resource status information; and execute the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision with the first access network device.

[0449] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1001 is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first access network device, where the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0450] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1001 is further configured to: send first resource status information to the first access network device.

[0451] For another example, the communication device 1000 is further configured to execute the following solution:

[0452] The transceiver module 1001 is used to receive decision-making auxiliary information from the first access network device, where the decision-making auxiliary information is determined based on predicted resource status information, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the communication device 1000; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0453] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1002 is used to determine a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision based on decision-making auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the communication device 1000 to the first access network device, the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device 1000, the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device, establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the communication device 1000; and executing the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision between the first access network device and the first access network device.

[0454] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1001 is also used to: send updated first resource status information to the first access network device, where the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

[0455] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1001 is further used to: send a second request to the first access network device, where the second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the communication device 1000 in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connection decision.

[0456] In another possible implementation, the second request also includes a decision assistance amount that the communication device 1000 requests to feedback.

[0457] In another possible implementation, the decision-making assistance quantity includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of at least one cell, slice information of a first type of network slice, or slice information of a second type of network slice; wherein the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0458] It should be understood that the specific process of each module executing the above corresponding process has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0459] The processing module 1002 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver module 1001 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver module 1001 can also be called a communication module or a communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0460] The present application embodiment also provides a communication device 1100. Fig.11 The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110, the processor 1110 is coupled to a memory 1120, the memory 1120 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 1110 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1120, so that the method in the above method embodiment is executed. The communication device 1100 is used to implement the operations performed by the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0461] Optionally, the communication device 1100 includes one or more processors 1110.

[0462] Optional, such as Fig.11 As shown, the communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1120 .

[0463] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may include one or more memories 1120 .

[0464] Optionally, the memory 1120 may be integrated with the processor 1110 or provided separately.

[0465] Optional, such as Fig.11 As shown, the communication device 1100 may further include a transceiver 1130, and the transceiver 1130 is used for receiving and / or sending signals. For example, the processor 1110 is used to control the transceiver 1130 to receive and / or send signals.

[0466] The present application also provides a communication device 1200, which can be a network device or a chip. The communication device 1200 can be used to perform the above Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figures 4 to 7 The operations performed by the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0467] When the communication device 1200 is a network device, for example, it is a base station. Fig.12 A simplified schematic diagram of a base station structure is shown. The base station includes a part 1210, a part 1220 and a part 1230.

[0468] Part 1210 is mainly used for baseband processing, base station control, etc.; Part 1210 is usually the control center of the base station, which can usually be called a processor, and is used to control the base station to execute the processing operations on the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device side in the above method embodiment.

[0469] Part 1220 is mainly used to store computer program code and data.

[0470] Part 1230 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals; Part 1230 can generally be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver. The transceiver module of Part 1230 can also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver, etc. It includes an antenna 1233 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in Part 1230 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, Part 1230 includes a receiver 1232 and a transmitter 1231. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiving module, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitter can be referred to as a transmitting module, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0471] Part 1210 and part 1220 may include one or more single boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute the program in the memory to realize the baseband processing function and the control of the base station. If there are multiple single boards, each single board can be interconnected to enhance the processing capability. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards may share one or more processors, or multiple single boards may share one or more memories, or multiple single boards may share one or more processors at the same time.

[0472] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module of part 1230 is used to execute Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the embodiment shown, the first network unit or the second network unit performs a process related to sending and receiving. The processor in part 1210 is used to Figure 3A and Figure 3B The illustrated embodiment is a process related to the processing performed by the first network unit or the second network unit.

[0473] For another example, in one implementation, the transceiver module in part 1230 is used to execute Figures 4 to 7 In the embodiment shown, the first access network device or the second access network device performs a process related to sending and receiving. The processor in part 1210 is used to Figures 4 to 7 The illustrated embodiment is a process related to processing performed by the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0474] It should be understood that Fig.12 This is only an example and not a limitation. The network device including the processor, memory and transceiver may not rely on Figures 8 to 10 The structure shown.

[0475] When the communication device 1200 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory and a processor. Among them, the transceiver can be an input-output circuit or a communication interface; the processor is a processor integrated on the chip, or a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiment, the sending operation of the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0476] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions are stored for implementing the method executed by the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0477] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0478] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method performed by the first network unit, the second network unit, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0479] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes a first network unit and a second network unit. The first network unit is used to execute the above Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first network unit performs some or all operations, and the second network unit is used to perform the above Figure 3A and Figure 3B Partial or complete operation of the second network element in the illustrated embodiment.

[0480] The embodiment of the present application also provides another communication system, which includes a first access network device and a second access network device. The first access network device is used to execute the above Figures 4 to 7 In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first access network device performs some or all operations, and the second access network device is used to perform the above Figures 4 to 7 Partial or complete operation of the second access network device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0481] The present application also provides a chip device, including a processor, configured to call a computer program or computer instruction stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figures 4 to 7 The illustrated embodiments provide methods.

[0482] In a possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the above Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figures 4 to 7 In the receiving operation of any one of the embodiments shown in the embodiment, the output of the chip device corresponds to the above Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figures 4 to 7 The sending operation in any of the embodiments shown.

[0483] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0484] Optionally, the chip device further comprises a memory, in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0485] The processor mentioned in any of the above places can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more processors for controlling the above Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figures 4 to 7 An integrated circuit that executes the program of the method provided in any of the embodiments shown. The memory mentioned in any of the above places can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0486] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0487] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0488] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0489] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0490] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of the present application or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0491] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. 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 make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. 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: The first access network device determines first resource status information, where the first resource status information includes resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, where the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; The first access network device determines predicted resource status information based on the first resource status information and the first model, and the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of the at least one cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The predicted resource status information includes at least one of the following: the predicted data volume of each network slice of the at least one cell, the predicted physical resource block usage, the predicted capacity value, the predicted number of active users, the predicted number of wireless resource control RRC connections, the predicted number of protocol data unit PDU sessions, the predicted maximum bit rate supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the predicted total maximum bit rate supported by all terminal devices using the network slice for transmission, the predicted data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, or the predicted physical resource block usage.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first resource status information includes at least one of the following: the current number of active users in each cell of the at least one cell, the current number of radio resource control (RRC) connections, the current capacity value of each network slice in the at least one cell, the current physical resource block usage, the current user performance, the current data volume, the current number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, the current number of active users, the current number of RRC connections, the maximum bit rate currently supported by each terminal device when using the network slice for transmission, the total maximum bit rate currently supported by all terminal devices when using the network slice for transmission, the current data volume of each PDU session contained in the network slice, the current physical resource block usage, or the current user performance.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device; the method further includes: The first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that Before the first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device, the method further includes: The first access network device receives a first request from the second access network device, where the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of a network slice of the at least one cell.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first request also includes a predicted amount that the second access network device requests feedback.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first switching decision and / or a first dual connection decision is executed between the first access network device and the second access network device, wherein the first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision is determined based on the predicted resource status information, wherein the first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, and the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as a secondary access network device of the second terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device, wherein the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that After performing a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision between the first access network device and the second access network device, the method further includes: The first access network device updates the first resource status information, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of the network slice of at least one cell.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first access network device determines decision-making assistance information according to the predicted resource status information, where the decision-making assistance information is used to assist the second access network device in determining a first switching decision and / or a first dual connectivity decision; The first access network device sends the decision-making auxiliary information to the second access network device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The decision-making auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the access probability of each network slice of the at least one cell, slice information of the first type of network slice, or slice information of the second type of network slice; wherein, the first type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second type of network slice is a network slice whose access probability is less than or equal to a second threshold.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first switching decision and / or the first dual connection decision is executed between the first access network device and the second access network device. The first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is determined by the second access network device according to the decision auxiliary information. The first switching decision includes switching the first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device. The first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that After performing the first switching decision or the first dual connectivity decision between the first access network device and the second access network device, the method further includes: The first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that Before the first access network device sends the decision assistance information to the second access network device, the method further includes: The first access network device receives a second request from the second access network device, where the second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connectivity decision.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second request includes the decision assistance amount requested to be fed back by the second access network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one cell is a cell covered by the second access network device, and the first access network device determines the first resource status information, including: The first access network device receives the first resource status information from the second access network device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first access network device determines a second switching decision or a second dual connection decision according to the predicted resource state information, the second switching decision includes switching a third terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device, the second dual connection decision includes using the second access network device as a secondary access network device of a fourth terminal device, and establishing a connection with the fourth terminal device, the fourth terminal device being a terminal device served by the first access network device; The second switching decision or the second dual connectivity decision is performed between the first access network device and the second access network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one cell is a cell covered by the second access network device, and the method further includes: The first access network device sends the predicted resource status information to the second access network device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first access network device receives updated first resource status information from the second access network device, and the updated first resource status information includes updated current resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first access network device receives second resource status information from a core network device, where the second resource status information includes future resource status information of a network slice of the at least one cell predicted by the core network device; The first access network device determines predicted resource status information according to the first resource status information, the second resource status information and the first model, including: The first access network device inputs the first resource status information and the second resource status information into the first model to obtain predicted resource status information output by the first model.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second access network device receives predicted resource status information from the first access network device, wherein the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; the predicted resource status information is determined based on the first resource status information and a first model, and the first resource status information includes resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that Before the second access network device receives the predicted resource status information from the first access network device, the method further includes: The second access network device sends a first request to the first access network device, where the first request is used to request future predicted resource status information of the network slice of the at least one cell.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second access network device determines a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the predicted resource state information; The first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is performed between the second access network device and the first access network device.

23. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second access network device receives decision-making assistance information from the first access network device, where the decision-making assistance information is determined based on predicted resource status information, where the predicted resource status information includes predicted future resource status information of a network slice of at least one cell, and the at least one cell is a cell covered by the first access network device or the second access network device; the predicted resource status information is determined based on first resource status information and a first model, where the first resource status information includes current resource status information of a network slice of the at least one cell.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second access network device determines a first switching decision or a first dual connection decision according to the decision auxiliary information, the first switching decision includes switching a first terminal device from the second access network device to the first access network device, the terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device, and the first dual connection decision includes using the first access network device as an auxiliary access network device of the second terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device, the second terminal device is a terminal device served by the second access network device; The first switching decision or the first dual connection decision is performed between the second access network device and the first access network device.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that Before the second access network device receives the decision assistance information from the first access network device, the method further includes: The second access network device sends a second request to the first access network device, where the second request is used to request decision assistance information for assisting the second access network device in determining the first switching decision or the first dual connectivity decision.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processing module, and the processing module is used to perform the processing operation of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a transceiver module; the transceiver module is used to perform the transceiver operation of the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 22; or, the transceiver module is used to perform the transceiver operation of the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 25.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is used to execute a computer program or computer instructions in a memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

29. The communication device according to claim 28, characterized in that The communication device further comprises the memory, which is used to store the computer program or computer instructions.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: A computer program is stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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