Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, the communication method comprising: a first network device sending first information to a second network device, the first information indicating an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination being used by a terminal device to report a limited capability; or the first network equipment sends second information to the second network equipment, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum MIMO layer number and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the limited capability, and the maximum MIMO layer number comprises one or more of the uplink maximum MIMO layer number and the downlink maximum MIMO layer number. According to the scheme of the invention, the network equipment can understand the specific content of the temporary capability of the terminal equipment, thereby correctly configuring or scheduling the terminal equipment with limited capability.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a mobile communication system, if the terminal device UE capability is temporarily limited, when the UE enters the connected state, for the UE enabled with the temporary capability restriction mechanism, a UE assistance information (UE assistance information, UAI) message can be sent to the network device to report the specific limited UE capability, so as to indicate that the terminal device capability is updated to a temporary capability. However, through the existing mechanism, the network device cannot understand the specific content of the temporary capability and cannot perform correct configuration or scheduling according to the temporary capability.

[0003] Therefore, how network devices can correctly configure or schedule terminal devices with limited capabilities is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. In different scenarios, by indicating filtering information to a distributed network device DU or a secondary node SN, the filtering information combined with the restricted capabilities reported by the terminal device can enable the network device to understand the specific content of the temporary capabilities of the terminal device, thereby correctly configuring or scheduling the terminal device with restricted capabilities.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The network device can be an access network device, and illustratively, the network device can include a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU, or the network device can be a master node MN and a slave node SN, etc.

[0006] The method includes: a first network device sends first information to a second network device, the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, and the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities; or, the first network device sends second information to the second network device, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, and the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0007] In the present application, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report the restricted capability, which can be understood as the terminal device reporting the restricted capability according to the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination.

[0008] According to the solution of the present application, by indicating filtering information to the distributed network device DU or the auxiliary node SN, the network device can understand the specific content of the temporary capabilities of the terminal device, thereby correctly configuring or scheduling the terminal device with limited capabilities.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to report restricted terminal device capabilities.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to indicate a range of a restricted terminal device capability reported by the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to report an alternative frequency band or an alternative frequency band combination of limited terminal device capabilities.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network device sends third information to the terminal device, the third information indicating that the terminal device allows reporting of restricted capabilities; the first network device receives the restricted capabilities sent by the terminal device, and the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the third information.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first network device is a centralized unit, and the second network device is a distributed unit; or, the first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network device is a centralized unit, the second network device is a distributed unit, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE context modification request UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE context establishment request UECONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network device is a primary node, the second network device is a secondary node, and the first information or the second information is carried in a cell group configuration information CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0019] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The network device can be an access network device, and illustratively, the network device can include a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU, or the network device can be a master node MN and a slave node SN, etc.

[0020] The method includes: a second network device receives first information sent by a first network device, the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, and the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used by a terminal device to report restricted capabilities; or the second network device receives second information sent by the first network device, the second information indicates one or more of a maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and a maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capabilities, and the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of a maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and a maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0021] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0022] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination.

[0024] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device is a centralized unit, and the second network device is a distributed unit; or, the first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first network device is a centralized unit, the second network device is a distributed unit, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0026] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device is a primary node, the second network device is a secondary node, and the first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0027] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a module applied to the terminal device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal device functions.

[0028] The method includes: a terminal device receives third information sent by a first network device, the third information instructing the terminal device to report a restricted capability; and the terminal device sends the restricted capability to the first network device according to the third information.

[0029] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the terminal device is a multi-card terminal device.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first network device sends first information or second information to a second network device, the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capabilities, the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers; the first network device sends third information to the terminal device, the third information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to report restricted capabilities; the terminal device sends restricted capabilities to the first network device, and the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the third information.

[0031] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the terminal device is a multi-card terminal device.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The network device can be an access network device, and illustratively, the network device can include a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU, or the network device can be a master node MN and a slave node SN, etc.

[0033] The method includes: a first network device receives fourth information sent by a second network device, the fourth information indicates a first alternative frequency band and / or a first alternative frequency band combination, and the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination are used by a terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; the first network device determines fifth information based on the fourth information, the fifth information indicates a second alternative frequency band and / or a second alternative frequency band combination, and the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination are used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the first network device and a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; and the first network device sends the fifth information to the terminal device.

[0034] In the present application, the restricted capability corresponding to the second network device can be understood as the restricted capability reported by the terminal device determined by the second network device according to the configuration related to the second network device, or it can be expressed as the restricted capability related to the second network device. The relevant expression can also be understood in this way and will not be repeated in the following text.

[0035] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receives a restricted capability sent by the terminal device, where the restricted capability is determined by the terminal device based on the fifth information.

[0036] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the fourth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more alternative frequency band combinations; the fifth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the fifth information includes one or more alternative frequency band combinations.

[0037] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, before the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device, the method also includes: the first network device sends sixth information to the second network device, the sixth information indicating a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, and the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device.

[0038] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the sixth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more combinations of alternative frequency bands.

[0039] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The network device can be an access network device, and illustratively, the network device can include a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU, or the network device can be a master node MN and a slave node SN, etc.

[0041] The method includes: the second network device determines fourth information, the fourth information indicates a first alternative frequency band and / or a first alternative frequency band combination, the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; the second network device sends the fourth information to the first network device.

[0042] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the fourth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more combinations of alternative frequency bands.

[0043] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, before the second network device determines the fourth information, the method also includes: the second network device receives the sixth information sent by the first network device, the sixth information indicating the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination, the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device according to the restricted capability corresponding to the reported first network device; the second network device determines the fourth information based on the sixth information.

[0044] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the sixth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more combinations of alternative frequency bands.

[0045] In combination with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

[0046] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes: an interface unit, used to send first information to a second network device, the first information indicating an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report restricted capabilities; or an interface unit, used to send second information to the second network device, the second information indicating one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, the maximum number of MIMO layers including one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers;.

[0047] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the interface unit is further used to send third information to the terminal device, where the third information indicates that the terminal device allows reporting of restricted capabilities; and receive the restricted capabilities sent by the terminal device, where the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the third information.

[0048] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more combinations of alternative frequency bands.

[0049] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0050] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the restricted capabilities include at least one of the following: prohibited frequency bands, prohibited frequency band combinations, restricted frequency bands, restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to frequency bands in the restricted frequency band combination, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, and restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to frequency bands in the restricted frequency band combination.

[0051] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0052] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: an interface unit for receiving first information sent by a first network device, the first information indicating an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination being used by the terminal device to report restricted capabilities; or an interface unit for receiving second information sent by the first network device, the second information indicating one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, the maximum number of MIMO layers including one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0054] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more combinations of alternative frequency bands.

[0055] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0056] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the restricted capabilities include at least one of the following: prohibited frequency bands, prohibited frequency band combinations, restricted frequency bands, restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum carrier bandwidths corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum carrier bandwidths corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, and restricted maximum carrier bandwidths corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations.

[0057] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0058] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: an interface unit for receiving third information sent by a first network device, wherein the third information indicates that the terminal device reports restricted capabilities; and the interface unit is also for sending restricted capabilities to the first network device according to the third information.

[0060] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: an interface unit, used to receive fourth information sent by a second network device, the fourth information indicating a first alternative frequency band and / or a first alternative frequency band combination, the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination being used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; a processing unit, used to determine fifth information based on the fourth information, the fifth information indicating a second alternative frequency band and / or a second alternative frequency band combination, the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination being used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the first network device and a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; the interface unit is also used to send the fifth information to the terminal device.

[0061] In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the interface unit is further used to receive restricted capabilities sent by the terminal device, where the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the fifth information.

[0062] In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the fourth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more alternative frequency band combinations; the fifth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the fifth information includes one or more alternative frequency band combinations.

[0063] In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, before receiving the fourth information sent by the second network device, the interface unit is also used to send sixth information to the second network device, where the sixth information indicates a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, and the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device.

[0064] In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the sixth information includes one or more alternative frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more alternative frequency band combinations.

[0065] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes: a processing unit, used to determine fourth information, the fourth information indicating a first alternative frequency band and / or a first alternative frequency band combination, the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination is used by a terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to a second network device; an interface unit, used to send the fourth information to the first network device.

[0066] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in certain implementations of the eleventh aspect, the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0067] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in certain implementations of the eleventh aspect, before determining the fourth information, the interface unit is also used to receive sixth information sent by the first network device, the sixth information indicating a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination being used by the terminal device according to the restricted capabilities corresponding to the reported first network device; the processing unit is also used to determine the fourth information based on the sixth information.

[0068] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in certain implementations of the eleventh aspect, the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0069] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a network device. The device has the function of implementing the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, and fifth aspect and various possible implementation methods. The function can be implemented by hardware, or it can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0070] In one possible design, the device includes: an interface unit, which may be at least one of a transceiver, a receiver, and a transmitter, and the interface unit may include a radio frequency circuit or an antenna. Optionally, the device also includes a processing unit, which may be a processor. Optionally, the device also includes a storage unit, which may be, for example, a memory. When a storage unit is included, the storage unit is used to store programs or instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit, and the processing unit may execute programs, instructions, or instructions derived from other sources stored in the storage unit, so that the device executes the communication methods of the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, and fifth aspect and various possible implementations. In this design, the device may be a network device.

[0071] In another possible design, when the device is a chip, the chip includes: an interface unit and a processing unit, and the interface unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit on the chip. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor. The processing unit may execute instructions so that the chip in the network device executes the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect and fifth aspect and various possible implementation methods. Optionally, the processing unit may execute instructions in a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a storage module in the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. The storage unit may also be located in the communication device but outside the chip, such as 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.

[0072] Among them, the processor mentioned in any of the above places can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the above-mentioned first aspect of the communication method.

[0073] In the thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system), or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The device has the function of implementing the above-mentioned second aspect and various possible implementation methods of the second aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or it can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0074] In one possible design, the device includes: an interface unit, which may be at least one of a transceiver, a receiver, and a transmitter, and the interface unit may include a radio frequency circuit or an antenna. Optionally, the device also includes a processing unit, which may be a processor. Optionally, the device also includes a storage unit, which may be, for example, a memory. When a storage unit is included, the storage unit is used to store programs or instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit, and the processing unit may execute programs, instructions, or instructions derived from other sources stored in the storage unit, so that the device executes the communication method of the third aspect and various possible implementations of the third aspect. In this design, the device may be a terminal device.

[0075] In another possible design, when the device is a chip, the chip includes: an interface unit and a processing unit, and the interface unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit on the chip. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor. The processing unit may execute instructions so that the chip in the network device executes the communication method of the third aspect and various possible implementations of the third aspect. Optionally, the processing unit may execute instructions in a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a storage module in the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. The storage unit may also be located in the communication device but outside the chip, such as 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.

[0076] Among them, the processor mentioned in any of the above places can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the above-mentioned second aspect of the communication method.

[0077] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a terminal device, a first network device and a second network device, the first network device sends first information or second information to the second network device, the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capabilities, the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers; the first network device sends third information to the terminal device, the third information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to report restricted capabilities; the terminal device sends restricted capabilities to the first network device, and the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the third information.

[0078] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device is a multi-card terminal device.

[0079] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising the communication device provided in the sixth aspect, the communication device provided in the seventh aspect, and the communication device provided in the eighth aspect. The communication system can implement the communication method provided in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects and the first to third aspects.

[0080] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising the communication device provided in the ninth aspect, the communication device provided in the tenth aspect, and the communication device provided in the eighth aspect. The communication system can implement the communication method provided in any possible implementation of the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect and the fourth aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0081] In the seventeenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes instructions of the method of any possible implementation of the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects or the first to fifth aspects.

[0082] In the eighteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor, wherein the processor or the processing unit can execute instructions so that the method of any possible implementation method of the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects or the first to fifth aspects is executed.

[0083] Among them, the processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the communication method of the first to fifth aspects mentioned above.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the above executable instructions. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip.

[0087] In a nineteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the product comprising a computer program code, which, when the computer program code is executed, is used to execute instructions of the method of any possible implementation of the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects or the first to fifth aspects.

[0088] In the twentieth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to call and run the instructions from the memory, so that the methods in the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects and possible implementation methods are executed.

[0089] Among them, the chip system may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0090] Specifically, the beneficial effects of other aspects can refer to the beneficial effects described in the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Figure 1 is a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram applicable to embodiments of the present application;

[0092] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a possible communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another possible communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another possible communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 6 It is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0098] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) or new radio (new radio, NR) system, long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD) system, etc. The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6th generation, 6G) mobile communication system. The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to device to device (device to device, D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (vehicle-to-everything, V2X) communication, machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M) communication, machine type communication (machine type communication, MTC), and Internet of things (Internet of things, IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0099] Figure 1 is a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram applicable to embodiments of the present application.

[0100] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (eg Figure 1 110a and 110b in, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as Figure 1 RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment ( Figure 1 The terminal 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or can be the same physical device that integrates the core network logical function and the radio access network logical function.

[0101] RAN 100 may be a cellular system related to the third generation partnership project (3GPP), for example, a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future evolution system (for example, a 6G mobile communication system). RAN 100 may also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, WiFi) system. RAN 100 may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device may be any device with wireless transceiver function. The device 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 homeNode B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP) or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be a gNB in ​​5G, such as NR, system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0103] The RAN node 110, which may also be sometimes referred to as an access network device, a network device, a RAN entity or an access node, constitutes a part of a communication system to help a terminal achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in a communication system may be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are relative, for example, Figure 1The network element 120i may be a helicopter or a drone, which may be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminals 120j that access the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example Figure 1 The network elements 110a and 110b may be understood as communication devices having base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j may be understood as communication devices having terminal functions.

[0104] In one possible scenario, a RAN node may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node may be a macro base station (e.g. Figure 1 110a in), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1 110b in the description), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in the present application may also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The RAN node in the present application may also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be 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 can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0106] 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 the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are described as examples in this application. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0107] CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the protocol layers above (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the radio link control (RLC), MAC layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). For another example, 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 DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below (such as the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.). For a detailed description of each of the above-mentioned protocol layers, reference may be made to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0108] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and can also be divided in other ways, which is not limited by the present application. For example, in one design, the CU or DU can also be divided into partial processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, part of the 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.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or a device that can support the network device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a combination device or component that can realize the function of the network device, and the device can be installed in the network device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0110] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in an evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. For example, the terminal device may be an on-board device, a vehicle-wide device, an on-board module, a vehicle, an on-board unit (OBU), a roadside unit (RSU), a telematics box (T-box), a chip or a system on chip (SOC), etc., and the above chip or SOC may be installed in a vehicle, OBU, RSU or T-box. The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application also includes at least one of a user device, an augmented reality AR / virtual reality VR / extended reality XR device, a wearable device, a smart home appliance terminal, a terminal device and a communication module of the terminal device, a mobile phone and a communication module in a mobile phone, a vehicle and a communication module in a vehicle, an information processing device, a display device, a network device, a base station, a TRP, a customer premise equipment (CPE), a router, a network access device, etc.

[0111] As an example but not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also powerful functions achieved through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and fully or partially independent of smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as devices that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various types of smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a chip, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0113] It should be understood that the above Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram, and other devices not shown may also be included. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of terminal devices and network devices included in the communication system.

[0114] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device or a network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through a process, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an IOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. In addition, the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the present application, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application by running a program having a code of the method provided by the present application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application can be a terminal device or a network device, or a functional module in a terminal device or a network device that can call a program and execute the program.

[0115] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as methods, devices or products using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "product" used in this application covers computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable device, carrier or medium. For example, computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks or tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0116] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction is given to the concepts and technologies involved in the embodiments of the application.

[0117] It should be understood that the related terms and explanations in the following text are common to all embodiments throughout the text, and different embodiments can be used independently or in combination based on certain internal or external connections, and different implementation methods in the embodiments can be used independently or in combination.

[0118] 1. Multi-card scenario

[0119] A multi-card terminal may refer to a terminal that supports at least two user identities at the same time, wherein the user identity may be a user identity card (SIM or USIM card or eSIM). This application does not limit the at least two user identities to the same user identity card. A multi-card terminal may be registered to the same or different networks, such as the same or different access network devices, and / or the same or different core network devices, by using more than or equal to 2 phone cards. It can be understood that the two cards of the multi-card terminal work independently. From the perspective of the network side, one card corresponds to one UE, and the multiple cards in the multi-card terminal are equivalent to multiple UEs from the network side.

[0120] 2. Temporary capability update mechanism

[0121] If the UE capability is temporarily restricted, after the UE enters the connected state through the RRC setup process or the RRC resume process, for the UE enabled with the temporary capability restriction mechanism (i.e., the UAI-based temporary capability update mechanism for multiple cards, also referred to as the UAI-based temporary capability restriction mechanism for multiple cards), the specific restricted UE capability can be reported through the UE auxiliary information UAI message to indicate that the terminal device's capability is updated to a temporary capability. The terminal device can actively indicate that the terminal device's capability is updated to a temporary capability, or passively indicate that the terminal device's capability is updated to a temporary capability.

[0122] The proactive method of indicating the temporary capabilities of the terminal device means that the terminal device informs the network device of the updated temporary capabilities of the terminal device in advance, and the network device configures the relevant parameters to the terminal device according to the temporary capabilities of the terminal device, so that the configuration of the terminal device does not exceed the current capabilities of the terminal device. For the proactive method, the configuration sent by the network device to the terminal device currently or in the future will not exceed the current capabilities of the terminal device.

[0123] The passive (reactive) method of indicating the temporary capabilities of a terminal device means that when the terminal device finds that the current configuration exceeds the current temporary capabilities, the terminal device informs the network device of the updated temporary capabilities of the terminal device, so that the network device reconfigures the relevant parameters for the terminal device according to the current temporary capabilities of the terminal device, so that the configuration of the terminal device does not exceed the current capabilities of the terminal device.

[0124] Among them, for the proactive method, the network device first configures (or instructs) filter information to the terminal device, and the filter information is used to indicate the range of temporary capabilities reported by the terminal device. For example, the list of alternative frequency bands (band, also known as frequency bands) includes one or more bands. The terminal device reports the restricted temporary capabilities of the terminal device according to the filter information, such as restricted frequency bands and / or restricted frequency band combinations (band combination, BC), and restricted MIMO capabilities corresponding to restricted frequency bands or frequency band combinations. Among them, in order to reduce the bit overhead of the temporary capability message, when the terminal device indicates the restricted temporary capability, it is necessary to index into the content in the filtering information, that is, to indicate the corresponding frequency band in the restricted temporary capability through the index of the frequency band in the frequency band list in the filtering information (the order in the frequency band list). For example, the network device sends filtering information to the terminal device including a frequency band list, wherein the content includes {band A, band B, band C, bandD, band E}, and the UE reports the restricted temporary capability of the terminal device to the network device, wherein the restricted BC is {band A+band B+band D}, then the terminal device indicates {1+2+4} to indicate {band A+band B+band D}, and the terminal device may further indicate the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to {1} (indicating band A) and the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to {2} (indicating band B).

[0125] In the CU-DU scenario, the UE sends the UE capability information to the CU, and the CU sends the UE capability information reported by the UE to the DU, which is used by the DU to generate relevant MAC / PHY (such as CellGroupConfig) configurations and for the DU to provide scheduling references to the UE in the future. At the same time, if the terminal device reports a UAI message, the terminal device sends the UAI message to the CU, and the CU sends the UAI message reported by the terminal device (as a container) to the DU, which is used by the DU to generate relevant MAC / PHY (such as CellGroupConfig) configurations and for the DU to provide scheduling references to the terminal device in the future.

[0126] It should be understood that in the above implementation, after the introduction of the temporary capability update mechanism based on UAI, the limited temporary capabilities are included in the UAI and automatically sent by the CU to the DU. Since it is necessary to combine the filtering information of the network device to know the specific limited temporary capabilities reported by the UE, if the UAI is only sent from the CU to the DU through the existing mechanism, the DU does not understand the specific content of the temporary capabilities and cannot be correctly configured or scheduled according to the temporary capabilities. The DU needs to at least understand the maximum number of MIMO layers indicated by the terminal device in the limited temporary capabilities, which is used for the DU to configure or schedule the UE.

[0127] In the NR dual connectivity (DC) scenario, the terminal device can communicate with the access network device through DC or multi-connection technology, and the terminal device can be connected to two access network devices at the same time, the master node (MN) (also known as the main network device) and the secondary node (SN) (also known as the secondary network device). The master node and the secondary node can provide data transmission and reception services for the terminal device at the same time. In this way, the wireless resources of the two access network devices can be used at the same time, thereby increasing the data transmission rate of the terminal device. Among them, there is a signaling interface between the master node and the secondary node, and the master node and the secondary node can negotiate to determine the capabilities of the terminal device through the signaling interface. The master node and the secondary node can configure the terminal device based on the capabilities of the terminal device. Among them, the capability information of the terminal device reported by the terminal device is the total capability information under DC, that is, the total capability information under the master node and the secondary node. Therefore, the master node and the secondary node need to negotiate which part of the capability information of the terminal device they use to avoid configuring more than the capabilities of the terminal device at the same time.

[0128] MN and SN need to negotiate capabilities to correctly configure the terminal device. At the same time, if the terminal device reports a UAI message, MN sends the UAI message to SN, and MN sends the UAI message reported by the terminal device (as a container) to SN. MN and SN can negotiate capabilities based on the limited temporary capabilities of the UE to correctly configure the terminal device.

[0129] It should be understood that in the above implementation, after the introduction of the temporary capability update mechanism based on UAI, the restricted temporary capabilities are included in the UAI and automatically sent from the MN to the SN. Since it is necessary to combine the filtering information of the network device to know what the specific restricted temporary capabilities reported by the terminal device are, if the UAI is only sent from the MN to the SN through the existing mechanism, the SN does not understand the specific content of the temporary capabilities, and cannot perform correct capability negotiation based on the temporary capabilities, and cannot perform correct configuration or scheduling based on the temporary capabilities. The SN needs to understand the frequency bands and / or frequency band combinations indicated by the terminal device in the restricted temporary capabilities for capability negotiation, and needs to at least understand the maximum number of MIMO layers indicated by the terminal device in the restricted temporary capabilities for the SN to configure or schedule the UE.

[0130] It should also be understood that the filtering information of the network device is determined based on the frequency band or frequency point that the network device may configure for the terminal device. In NR DC, the MN does not know the possible configuration of the SN. Therefore, the MN only sets the content of the filtering information based on its own possible configuration, which may not include the possible configuration of the SN, resulting in inappropriate content of the filtering information, and thus the range of restricted temporary capabilities reported by the UE is inappropriate. The network device cannot perform the optimal configuration, thereby losing system performance.

[0131] Based on the above problems, the present application provides a communication method, which sends filtering information to DU or SN in the communication scenario of CU-DU or MN-SN, so that the network device can correctly configure or schedule the terminal device according to the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the reliability and stability of communication.

[0132] In this application, "sending information to...(terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. It can include sending information to the terminal directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from...(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, which can include receiving information from the terminal directly or indirectly. The information may be processed as necessary between the source and destination of the information, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0133] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained:

[0134] First, in this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0135] Second, in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "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 and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Where a, b and c can be single or multiple, respectively.

[0136] Third, in the present application, "first", "second" and various numerical references are used to distinguish for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, different messages are distinguished, rather than used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged where appropriate so as to be able to describe solutions other than the embodiments of the present application.

[0137] Fourth, in this application, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0138] Fifth, in this application, "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as 5G protocol, new radio (NR) protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, which are not limited in this application. "Predefined" may include pre-definition, such as protocol definition. "Preconfiguration" may be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device, and this application does not limit its specific implementation method.

[0139] Sixth, in this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", "data processing", etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving".

[0140] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment provided by the present application can be applied to any communication scenario where a transmitting device and a receiving device communicate, such as the above Figure 1 In the communication system shown.

[0141] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method 200 provided by the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the method 200 includes:

[0142] S210, the first network device sends third information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information sent from the first network device.

[0143] The third information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to report restricted capabilities (also referred to as restricted temporary capabilities).

[0144] In a possible embodiment, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination. The maximum number of MIMO layers includes the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and / or the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0145] In a possible embodiment, the third information indicates filtering information. The filtering information is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities, or the filtering information indicates the range of the terminal device to report restricted capabilities, or the filtering information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination (the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities according to the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination). The terminal device can indicate the restricted capabilities of the terminal device to the network device according to the filtering information. Specifically, the terminal device indicates the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination to the network device according to the filtering information, as well as the restricted maximum MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination, and / or the restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination.

[0146] In a possible embodiment, the third information includes a candidate frequency band list, and the candidate frequency band list includes one or more candidate frequency bands.

[0147] In a possible embodiment, the third information includes a candidate frequency band combination list, and the candidate frequency band combination list includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0148] In a possible embodiment, the first network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device, the RRC reconfiguration message is used to configure the terminal device to allow the UAI message to be sent to the first network device to indicate the limited capability, and the RRC reconfiguration message includes third information. Optionally, the third information is carried in the other configuration otherconfig field in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0149] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a centralized unit CU, or the first network device is a master node MN.

[0150] S220, the terminal device sends a UAI message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the UAI message sent by the terminal device.

[0151] The terminal device determines the limited capability according to the third information, and sends a UAI message to the first network device, where the UAI message includes the limited capability of the terminal device.

[0152] In order to reduce the bit overhead of temporary capability messages, when the terminal device indicates restricted capabilities, it needs to index into the content of the filtering information, i.e., indicate the corresponding frequency band and / or frequency band combination in the restricted capability through the index of the frequency band in the frequency band list in the filtering information (the order in the frequency band list).

[0153] In a possible embodiment, the terminal device indicates the limited capabilities of the terminal device to the first network device according to the filtering information indicated by the third information.

[0154] In a possible embodiment, the third information may or may not indicate filtering information. If the third information does not indicate filtering information, the terminal device indicates the restricted capabilities of the terminal device to the first network device according to the filtering information indicated in the terminal device capability query (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The terminal device capability query message is a message sent by the first network device to the terminal device, which is used for the terminal device to report the terminal device capability information (not the temporary capabilities restricted by the terminal device). The filtering information indicated in the terminal device capability query message includes a list of alternative frequency bands, and the list of alternative frequency bands includes one or more alternative frequency bands.

[0155] Specifically, the restricted frequency bands and / or frequency band combinations, as well as the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency bands and / or frequency band combinations, and / or the restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency bands and / or frequency band combinations are indicated to the first terminal device based on the filtering information, wherein the maximum number of MIMO layers includes the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and / or the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0156] Exemplarily, the first network device sends filtering information including a frequency band list to the terminal device, wherein the content includes {band A, band B, band C, band D, band E}, and the terminal device reports the restricted temporary capability of the terminal device to the network device, wherein the restricted BC is {band A+band B+band D}, then the terminal device reports the restricted capability, and the restricted capability indicates {1+2+4} to represent {band A+band B+band D}, and the terminal device may further indicate the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to {1} (indicating band A) and the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to {2} (indicating band B).

[0157] S230, the first network device sends first information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0158] In a possible embodiment, before step S230, the method further includes: the first network device determines the first information.

[0159] The first information indicates filtering information. The filtering information is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities, or the filtering information indicates the range of the restricted capabilities reported by the terminal device, or the filtering information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination (the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities according to the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination).

[0160] In a possible embodiment, the first information includes a candidate frequency band list, and the candidate frequency band list includes one or more candidate frequency bands.

[0161] In a possible embodiment, the first information includes a candidate frequency band combination list, and the candidate frequency band combination list includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0162] In a possible embodiment, if the third information indicates filtering information, the content of the filtering information indicated by the first information is the same as the content of the filtering information indicated by the third information, that is, the content indicated by the first information is the content of the filtering information indicated by the first network device to the terminal device in S210.

[0163] In a possible embodiment, if the third information does not indicate filtering information, the content of the filtering information indicated by the first information is the same as the content of the filtering information indicated in the terminal device capability query message.

[0164] In a possible embodiment, step S230 further includes the first network device sending a UAI message to the second network device, the content of the UAI message being the content of the UAI message indicated by the terminal device to the first network device in S220, including the restricted capabilities of the terminal device.

[0165] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a centralized unit CU, and the second network device is a distributed unit DU.

[0166] In a possible embodiment, the first information may be carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, or in a downlink RRC transmission message DL RRC MESSAGETRANSFER. For example, an indication field may be added to the UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST or UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, and the indication field includes the first information. Alternatively, an indication field may be added to the CU to DU RRC Information field in the UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST or UECONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, and the indication field includes the first information.

[0167] In order to enable the DU to correctly configure or schedule the terminal device according to the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, the CU indicates the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device to the DU, and also needs to indicate to the DU the filtering information configured by the CU for the terminal device.

[0168] Exemplarily, the network device (such as CU) configures (or indicates) filtering information to the terminal device, the terminal device sends a UAI message to the CU of the network device according to the filtering information to report the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, the CU sends a UAI message to the DU, including the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, and the CU sends the first information to the DU, the first information indicating the filtering information. Thus, the DU can correctly configure or schedule the terminal device.

[0169] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a master node MN, and the second network device is a slave node SN.

[0170] In a possible embodiment, the first information may be carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0171] In order to enable the SN to correctly negotiate capabilities according to the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, and correctly configure or schedule the UE, the MN indicates the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device to the SN, and also needs to indicate to the SN the filtering information configured by the MN for the UE.

[0172] Exemplarily, the network device configures (or instructs) the terminal device to filter information, and the terminal device sends a UAI message to the network device according to the filter information to report the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device. There are two possible ways:

[0173] Mode 1: The terminal device sends a UAI message to the MN, and the MN sends a UAI message to the SN, which includes the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device. At this time, the MN sends first information to the SN, and the first information indicates filtering information.

[0174] Method 2: The terminal device sends UAI messages to the MN and SN respectively, including the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device. In this case, the MN does not need to send the UAI message to the SN.

[0175] Figure 3 300 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method 300 provided by the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the method 300 includes:

[0176] S310: The first network device sends third information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information sent from the first network device.

[0177] The above steps are the same as step S210 in method 200, and can be found in the previous text, so they will not be repeated here.

[0178] S320: The terminal device sends a UAI message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the UAI message sent by the terminal device.

[0179] The above steps are the same as step S220 in method 200, and can be found in the previous text, so they will not be repeated here.

[0180] S330: The first network device sends second information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the second information sent by the first network device.

[0181] In a possible embodiment, before step S330, the method further includes: the first network device determines the second information.

[0182] The first network device determines a configured service cell based on the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination, determines the corresponding restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth based on the configured service cell and the restricted capability, and sends second information, where the second information indicates the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the service cell, wherein the maximum number of MIMO layers includes the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and / or the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0183] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a centralized unit CU, and the second network device is a distributed unit DU.

[0184] In a possible embodiment, the first network device CU determines the configured service cell according to the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination. The service cell may be one or more, and may include a primary cell and / or a secondary cell, for example, a secondary cell needs to be released or can be added. The first network device CU determines the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the configured service cell according to the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination. The first network device CU determines the restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the configured service cell according to the restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination.

[0185] In a possible embodiment, the second information indicates one or more configured service cells, and for each service cell, indicates the corresponding restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth. It should be noted that if the restricted capabilities of the terminal device sent by the terminal device include the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to a certain service cell, and the first network device CU determines that the configured service cell includes the service cell with the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth, then the first network device CU indicates the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the service cell to the second network device DU, otherwise, the configured service cell indicated by the first network device CU to the second network device DU does not have the corresponding restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth (for example, empty), indicating that the maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the service cell is not restricted.

[0186] In a possible embodiment, the second information may be carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message or a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, or the second information may be carried in a DL RRC MESSAGETRANSFER message. For example, an indication field may be added to the UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST or UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, and the indication field includes the second information. Alternatively, an indication field may be added to the CU to DU RRC Information field in the UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST or UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message, and the indication field includes the second information.

[0187] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a master node MN, and the second network device is a slave node SN.

[0188] In a possible embodiment, the first network device MN determines the band selected by the first network device MN (carried in the selectedBandEntriesMNList field) based on the restricted frequency band and / or frequency band combination, and the first network device MN determines the band that can be selected by the second network device SN and the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the band that can be selected by the second network device SN based on the selected band and the restricted or prohibited band reported by the terminal device.

[0189] In a possible embodiment, the second information indicates one or more bands selectable by the second network device SN, and for each band selectable by the second network device SN, indicates the corresponding restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth. It should be noted that if the restricted capabilities of the terminal device sent by the terminal device include the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to a certain band, and the first network device MN determines that the band selectable by the second network device SN includes the service cell with the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or the restricted maximum carrier bandwidth, then the first network device MN indicates to the second network device SN the restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the band selectable by the second network device SN, otherwise, the configured service cell indicated by the first network device MN to the second network device SN does not have the corresponding restricted maximum number of MIMO layers and / or the maximum carrier bandwidth (for example, it is empty), indicating that the maximum number of MIMO layers and / or the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the band selectable by the second network device SN is not restricted.

[0190] Optionally, the second information may be carried in an inter-node CG-ConfigInfo message. For example, an indication field may be newly added to the CG-ConfigInfo message, and the indication field includes the second information.

[0191] According to the solution of the present application, the network device can correctly configure or schedule the terminal device according to the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the reliability and stability of communication.

[0192] Figure 4 400 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the method 400 includes:

[0193] S410: The second network device sends fourth information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the fourth information sent from the second network device.

[0194] In a possible embodiment, before step S410, the method further includes: the first network device determines fourth information.

[0195] The fourth information indicates the first filtering information. The first filtering information is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capability corresponding to the second network device, or the first filtering information indicates the range of the restricted capability corresponding to the second network device reported by the terminal device, or the filtering information indicates the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination (the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination are used by the terminal device to report the restricted capability corresponding to the second network device according to the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination). Exemplarily, the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination are determined by the second network device.

[0196] In a possible embodiment, the fourth information includes a first candidate frequency band list, and the first candidate frequency band list includes one or more candidate frequency bands.

[0197] In a possible embodiment, the fourth information includes a first candidate frequency band combination list, and the first candidate frequency band combination list includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0198] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a master node MN, and the second network device is a slave node SN.

[0199] In a possible embodiment, the fourth information may be carried in a CG-Config message.

[0200] Exemplarily, the second network device SN determines the first candidate frequency band and / or the first candidate frequency band combination (i.e., the fourth information) to be included in the first filtering information according to the current configuration of the first network device MN (e.g., the primary cell PCell configuration) and the possible configuration of the second network device SN. The second network device SN sends the first filtering information determined by the second network device SN to the first network device MN.

[0201] S420: The first network device sends fifth information to the terminal device.

[0202] In a possible embodiment, before step S420, the method further includes: the first network device determines fifth information.

[0203] The first network device determines fifth information according to the fourth information, and the fifth information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to report restricted capabilities (also referred to as restricted temporary capabilities).

[0204] In a possible embodiment, the fifth information indicates second filtering information. The second filtering information is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device and the second network device, or the second filtering information indicates the range of the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device and the second network device reported by the terminal device, or the filtering information indicates the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination (the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities according to the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination).

[0205] In a possible embodiment, the fifth information includes a second candidate frequency band list, and the second candidate frequency band list includes one or more candidate frequency bands.

[0206] In a possible embodiment, the fifth information includes a second candidate frequency band combination list, and the second candidate frequency band combination list includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0207] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a master node MN, and the second network device is a slave node SN.

[0208] In a possible embodiment, the content of the fifth information includes the content of the fourth information, the content of the second filtering information includes the content of the first filtering information, one or more alternative frequency bands in the second alternative frequency band list include one or more alternative frequency bands in the first alternative frequency band list, and one or more alternative frequency band combinations in the second alternative frequency band combination list include one or more alternative frequency band combinations in the first alternative frequency band combination list.

[0209] The first network device MN determines the third filtering information, which is information related to the first network device MN. Exemplarily, the first network device MN determines the third filtering information according to the current configuration of the first network device MN (eg, primary cell PCell configuration) and possible configurations of the first network device MN.

[0210] The first network device MN determines the final second filtering information (i.e., the fifth information) in combination with the first filtering information (i.e., the fourth information) determined by the second network device SN and the third filtering information determined by the first network device MN. Optionally, the content of the second filtering information includes the content of the first filtering information and the third filtering information, and the first network device MN sends the fifth information to the terminal device.

[0211] S430: The terminal device sends the restricted capability to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the restricted capability sent by the terminal device.

[0212] The terminal device determines the restricted capability according to the fifth information, and sends a UAI message to the first network device, where the UAI message indicates the restricted capability.

[0213] In a possible embodiment, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination. The maximum number of MIMO layers includes the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and / or the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0214] Optionally, in other possible embodiments, the method 400 may further include the following steps:

[0215] S411, the first network device sends sixth information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the sixth information sent by the first network device.

[0216] In a possible embodiment, before step S411, the method further includes: the first network device determines sixth information.

[0217] The sixth information indicates the third filtering information. The third filtering information is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device, or the third filtering information indicates the range of the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device reported by the terminal device, or the filtering information indicates the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination (the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device according to the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination). Exemplarily, the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination are determined by the first network device. In a possible embodiment, the sixth information includes a third alternative frequency band list, and the third alternative frequency band list includes one or more alternative frequency bands.

[0218] In a possible embodiment, the sixth information includes a third candidate frequency band combination list, and the first candidate frequency band combination list includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0219] In a possible embodiment, the first network device is a master node MN, and the second network device is a slave node SN.

[0220] In a possible embodiment, the sixth information may be carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0221] The first network device MN determines the third filtering information. Exemplarily, the first network device MN determines the third candidate frequency band and / or the third candidate frequency band combination band information (i.e., the sixth information) that needs to be included in the third filtering information according to the current configuration of the first network device MN (e.g., the primary cell PCell configuration) and the possible configurations of the first network device MN.

[0222] The first network device MN sends the third filtering information (i.e., the sixth information) determined by the first network device MN to the second network device SN. The second network device SN determines the second filtering information (i.e., the fourth information) based on the third filtering information (i.e., the sixth information). Exemplarily, based on the third filtering information sent by the first network device MN and the possible configuration of the second network device SN, the alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination (i.e., the fourth information) that needs to be included in the first filtering information is determined.

[0223] The second network device SN sends the first filtering information determined by the second network device SN to the first network device MN. The first network device MN determines the final second filtering information (i.e., the fifth information) in combination with the first filtering information (i.e., the fourth information) determined by the second network device SN and the third filtering information (i.e., the sixth information) determined by the first network device MN, and the first network device MN sends the fifth information to the terminal device. Optionally, the content of the second filtering information includes the content of the first filtering information and the third filtering information.

[0224] Exemplarily, the network device configures (or instructs) the terminal device to filter information, and the terminal device sends a UAI message to the network device according to the filter information to report the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device. There are two possible implementations, as follows:

[0225] Method 1: Only the first network device MN configures filtering information to the terminal device, the terminal device sends a UAI message to the first network device MN, and the first network device MN sends a UAI message to the second network device SN, which includes the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device.

[0226] Method 2: The first network device MN and the second network device SN respectively configure filtering information to the terminal device, and the terminal device respectively sends a UAI message to the first network device MN and the second network device SN, including the limited temporary capabilities of the terminal device.

[0227] It should be noted that, through negotiation, if it is possible method one mentioned above, only the first network device MN sends the final filtering information to the terminal device; if it is possible method two mentioned above, the first network device MN and the second network device SN respectively send the final complete filtering information to the terminal device, that is, the information content sent by the first network device MN and the second network device SN to the terminal device is the same.

[0228] According to the solution of the present application, in the NR DC scenario, the MN and the SN can negotiate possible configurations, and the MN or the SN sets the content of the filtering information according to the possible configurations of the MN and the possible configurations of the SN, so that the content of the filtering information is more accurate, and thus the range of the restricted temporary capabilities reported by the UE is more accurate, so that the configuration of the network equipment is optimized and the system performance is improved.

[0229] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application; any sequential arrangement that can achieve the function of each step should be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0230] It should be understood that the above embodiments may be implemented separately or in combination according to the functions and internal logic of each step between the embodiments.

[0231] Exemplarily, the method 200 in the present application can be used in combination with the method 400 in the present application, that is, the first network device and the second network device can perform both the steps in the method 200 and the steps in the method 400. In one possible embodiment, the first network device can be a centralized unit CU and a master node MN at the same time. The first network device and the second network device perform the steps in the method 400, and the second network device sends the fourth information to the first network device. After the first network device and the second network device determine the final filtering information, they send the fifth information to the terminal device, and the fifth information can be the third information in the method 200. After performing the steps of the method 400, the first network device and the second network device can undertake the subsequent steps in the method 200. After the first network device receives the restricted capability sent by the terminal device according to the third information (or the fifth information), the first network device sends the first information to the second network device.

[0232] As another example, the method 300 in the present application can be used in combination with the method 400 in the present application, that is, the first network device and the second network device can perform both the steps in the method 300 and the steps in the method 400. Please refer to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0233] According to the above method, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0234] like Figure 5As shown, the device 500 may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the methods 200, 300 and 400, and the modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In a possible implementation, the device may include an interface unit 510 and a processing unit 520.

[0235] In one possible design, the apparatus 500 may correspond to the first network device in the above embodiment.

[0236] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 520 in the communication device 500 is used to determine the first information, the first information indicates the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination, the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report the restricted capability; the interface unit 510 is used to send the first information to the second network device. Or the processing unit 520 is used to determine the second information, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers; the interface unit 510 is used to send the second information to the second network device.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the interface unit 510 is further configured to send third information to the terminal device, where the third information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to report restricted capabilities; and receive restricted capabilities sent by the terminal device, where the restricted capabilities are determined by the terminal device based on the third information.

[0238] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0239] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination.

[0241] In a possible implementation manner, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0242] In a possible implementation manner, the first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0243] In another possible embodiment, the interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 is used to receive fourth information sent by the second network device, the fourth information indicating the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination, the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination are used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the second network device; the processing unit 520 is used to determine fifth information based on the fourth information, the fifth information indicating the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination, the second alternative frequency band and / or the second alternative frequency band combination are used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device and the restricted capabilities corresponding to the second network device; the interface unit is also used to send the fifth information to the terminal device.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the interface unit 510 is further configured to receive a restricted capability sent by the terminal device, where the restricted capability is determined by the terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0245] In a possible implementation manner, the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations; the fifth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fifth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0246] In a possible implementation, before the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device, the interface unit 510 is further used to send sixth information to the second network device, where the sixth information indicates a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, and the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report the restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device.

[0247] In a possible implementation manner, the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0248] The interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 performs the receiving and sending operations performed by the first network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the processing unit 520 performs operations other than the receiving and sending operations.

[0249] In one possible design, the apparatus 500 may correspond to the second network device in the above embodiment.

[0250] In a possible embodiment, the interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 is used to receive first information sent by the first network device, the first information indicating an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, and the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used for the terminal device to report restricted capabilities; or the interface unit 510 is used to receive second information sent by the first network device, the second information indicates one or more of the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, and the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of the maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

[0251] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the restricted capability includes at least one of the following: a prohibited frequency band, a prohibited frequency band combination, a restricted frequency band, a restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band, a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted frequency band combination, and a restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band in the restricted frequency band combination.

[0254] In a possible implementation manner, the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

[0255] In a possible implementation manner, the first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0256] In another possible embodiment, the processing unit 520 in the communication device 500 is used to determine fourth information, where the fourth information indicates a first alternative frequency band and / or a first alternative frequency band combination, and the first alternative frequency band and / or the first alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report restricted capabilities corresponding to the second network device; the interface unit 510 is used to send the fourth information to the first network device.

[0257] In a possible implementation manner, the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0258] In a possible implementation, before the second network device determines the fourth information, the interface unit 510 is further used to receive sixth information sent by the first network device, where the sixth information indicates a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, and the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device according to the restricted capability corresponding to the reported first network device; the processing unit 520 is further used to determine the fourth information based on the sixth information.

[0259] In a possible implementation manner, the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

[0260] The interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 performs the receiving and sending operations performed by the second network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the processing unit 520 performs operations other than the receiving and sending operations.

[0261] In one possible design, the apparatus 500 may correspond to the terminal device in the above embodiment.

[0262] In a possible embodiment, the interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 is used to receive third information sent by the first network device, and the third information indicates that the terminal device reports restricted capabilities; the interface unit 510 is also used to send restricted capabilities to the first network device according to the third information, and the restricted capabilities include alternative frequency bands and / or alternative frequency band combinations restricted by the terminal device.

[0263] The interface unit 510 in the communication device 500 performs the receiving and sending operations performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the processing unit 520 performs operations other than the receiving and sending operations.

[0264] According to the above method, Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, the apparatus 600 may be a first network device, a second network device, or a terminal device.

[0265] The device 600 may include a processor 610 (i.e., an example of a processing unit). In a possible implementation, the device 600 also includes a memory 620. The memory 620 is used to store instructions, and the processor 610 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 620, so that the device 600 implements the steps performed by the first network device or the second network device or the terminal device in the method 200, the method 300 or the method 400.

[0266] In a possible implementation, the device 600 may further include an interface 630 (i.e., an example of an interface unit module). Further, the processor 610, the memory 620, and the interface 630 may communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 620 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 610 may be used to call and run the computer program from the memory 620 to control the interface 630 to receive a signal or send a signal to complete the steps of the first network device or the second network device or the terminal device in the above method. The memory 620 may be integrated in the processor 610, or may be provided separately from the processor 610.

[0267] In a possible implementation, if the communication device 600 is a communication equipment, the interface 630 is a receiver or a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0268] In a possible implementation, if the communication device 600 is a chip or a circuit, the interface 630 is an input interface or the interface 630 is an output interface.

[0269] As an implementation, the function of the interface 630 may be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip. The processor 610 may be implemented by a dedicated processing chip, a processing circuit, a processor or a general-purpose chip.

[0270] As another implementation, a general-purpose computer may be used to implement the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application. That is, the program code implementing the functions of the processor 610 and the interface 630 is stored in the memory 620, and the general-purpose processor implements the functions of the processor 610 and the interface 630 by executing the code in the memory 620.

[0271] For the concepts, explanations, detailed descriptions and other steps involved in the device 600 and related to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of these contents in the aforementioned method or other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the first network device or the second network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment are stored.

[0273] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the first network device or the second network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0274] 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 executed by the first network device or the second network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0275] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the first network device, the second network device and the terminal device in the above embodiment.

[0276] The explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0278] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0279] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any other combination. When implemented by software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital versatile disc (digital versatiledisc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state hard disk.

[0280] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0281] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0282] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in combination with computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application. It will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. In several embodiments provided in this 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, and 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 may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0283] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separated, and the component displayed as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place, or it may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which may 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 a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a disk or an optical disk.

[0284] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network device sends first information to the second network device, where the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, where the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability; or The first network device sends second information to the second network device, where the second information indicates one or more of a maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and a maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, where the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of a maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and a maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network device sends third information to the terminal device, where the third information indicates that the terminal device allows reporting of restricted capabilities; The first network device receives the limited capability sent by the terminal device, where the limited capability is determined by the terminal device according to the third information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, wherein the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The restricted capabilities include at least one of the following: Prohibited frequency bands, prohibited frequency band combinations, restricted frequency bands, restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first network device is a centralized unit, and the second network device is a distributed unit; or, The first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first network device is a centralized unit and the second network device is a distributed unit, wherein: The first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first network device is a primary node and the second network device is a secondary node, wherein: The first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

9. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second network device receives first information sent by the first network device, where the first information indicates an alternative frequency band and / or an alternative frequency band combination, where the alternative frequency band and / or the alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability; or The second network device receives second information sent by the first network device, where the second information indicates one or more of a maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and a maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to the restricted capability, where the maximum number of MIMO layers includes one or more of a maximum number of uplink MIMO layers and a maximum number of downlink MIMO layers.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the first information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The second information includes one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers and / or one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths, wherein the one or more restricted maximum MIMO layers correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device, and the one or more restricted maximum carrier bandwidths correspond one-to-one to one or more service cells of the terminal device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The restricted capabilities include at least one of the following: Prohibited frequency bands, prohibited frequency band combinations, restricted frequency bands, restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum number of MIMO layers corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency bands, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to restricted frequency band combinations, restricted maximum carrier bandwidth corresponding to frequency bands in restricted frequency band combinations.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: The first network device is a centralized unit, and the second network device is a distributed unit; or, The first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first network device is a centralized unit and the second network device is a distributed unit, wherein: The first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message, or the first information or the second information is carried in a UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first network device is a primary node and the second network device is a secondary node, wherein: The first information or the second information is carried in a CG-ConfigInfo message.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network device receives fourth information sent by the second network device, where the fourth information indicates a first candidate frequency band and / or a first candidate frequency band combination, where the first candidate frequency band and / or the first candidate frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; The first network device determines fifth information according to the fourth information, where the fifth information indicates a second candidate frequency band and / or a second candidate frequency band combination, where the second candidate frequency band and / or the second candidate frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the first network device and a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; The first network device sends the fifth information to the terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network device receives the limited capability sent by the terminal device, where the limited capability is determined by the terminal device according to the fifth information.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations; The fifth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fifth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: Before the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device, the method further includes: The first network device sends sixth information to the second network device, where the sixth information indicates a third alternative frequency band and / or a third alternative frequency band combination, where the third alternative frequency band and / or the third alternative frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report restricted capabilities corresponding to the first network device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that The first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

22. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second network device determines fourth information, where the fourth information indicates a first candidate frequency band and / or a first candidate frequency band combination, where the first candidate frequency band and / or the first candidate frequency band combination is used by the terminal device to report a restricted capability corresponding to the second network device; The second network device sends the fourth information to the first network device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the fourth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that Before the second network device determines the fourth information, the method further includes: The second network device receives sixth information sent by the first network device, where the sixth information indicates a third candidate frequency band and / or a third candidate frequency band combination, where the third candidate frequency band and / or the third candidate frequency band combination is used by the terminal device according to the restricted capability corresponding to the first network device reported; The second network device determines the fourth information according to the sixth information.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency bands, or the sixth information includes one or more candidate frequency band combinations.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The first network device is a primary node, and the second network device is a secondary node.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, wherein the processor is used to execute a program or an instruction so that the device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the device performs the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, or the device performs the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, or the device performs the method according to any one of claims 22 to 26.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15, or the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 21, or the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 26.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises a computer program code, which, when executed, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, or the method according to any one of claims 22 to 26.

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