Information transmission method and communication device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an information transmission method and a communication device. The efficiency of acquiring system information associated with a subnet by a terminal can be improved. The method comprises: a terminal receiving first indication information from a first network element, and sending a first request to a radio access network (RAN) device; wherein the first indication information is used for indicating an index of the first system information, and the first system information is used for accessing the first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or is used for bearing service information of the first network or the subnet of the first network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to an information transmission method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] A distributed subnetwork (or simply referred to as a subnetwork) is a lightweight network that can provide services for a specific user group. In the future Next Generation 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, an important evolution direction is to deploy subnetworks in the 3GPP network.

[0003] Currently, for a terminal to access a subnetwork, it needs to obtain relevant information of the subnetwork (such as a subnetwork identifier). An initial connection is established with a radio access network (RAN) device through system information transmitted over the wireless air interface. The system information can also carry relevant information of the subnetwork to facilitate the terminal's access to the desired subnetwork. However, how to improve the efficiency of the terminal in obtaining system information associated with the subnetwork remains to be studied. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The information transmission method and communication device provided in the embodiments of this application can improve the efficiency of a terminal in obtaining system information associated with a subnetwork.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal, or by a component of the terminal, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the terminal, or can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. Hereinafter, an example where this method is executed by the terminal will be used for illustration. The method includes: The terminal receives first indication information from a first network element and sends a first request to a radio access network (RAN) device. The first indication information is used to indicate an index of first system information, and the first system information is used for accessing a first network or a subnetwork of the first network, and / or for carrying service information of the first network or a subnetwork of the first network.

[0007] Since in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal can receive the index of the first system information from the first network element, and then can request the RAN device to obtain the first system information of the first network or a subnet of the first network as needed according to the index, so that it can be avoided that the terminal determines the first network or a subnet of the first network to which it expects to access only after obtaining the system information of each subnet, or reads the service information of the first network or a subnet of the first network that it expects. Therefore, based on the information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the system information of the first network or a subnet of the first network can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal sends a first request to the access network device, including: the terminal sends a first request to the RAN device within a first service time, where the first service time is the service time determined by the terminal to access the first network or a subnet of the first network, or the first service time is the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network. It can be understood that since the first network or a subnet of the first network can be pre-deployed to facilitate providing services to the terminal quickly and effectively during the service time, and when the terminal obtains the index of the first system information, it has not yet reached the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network. Therefore, to avoid the terminal initiating the first request during the invalid time, the terminal can send the first request to the RAN device within the first service time. That is to say, after the terminal receives the index of the first system information from the first network element, the terminal can determine the first service time, and then initiate an on-demand request for the system information to the RAN device within the first service time, so that the first system information can be effectively obtained within the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network, improving the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the first system information and reducing the power consumption.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is further used to indicate the service area corresponding to the first system information; the terminal sends a first request to the access network device, including: when the terminal determines that it is located in the service area, the terminal sends a first request to the RAN device within the service area. That is to say, the terminal can determine to trigger the sending of the first request according to the service area indicated by the first indication information, so as to avoid the terminal sending a first request to the RAN device that is not configured with the first system information, and further improve the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the first system information.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes: geographical location information of the service area, and / or, identification information of a second network, and the coverage area of the second network overlaps at least partially with the service area. That is to say, the terminal can determine whether it is located in the service area corresponding to the first system information according to the obtained location information (such as positioning, or identification information of a fixed network, etc.), thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal to determine whether it is located in the service area.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the situation where the terminal determines its location in the service area includes: the identification information of the network included in the System Information Block SIB1 received by the terminal matches the identification information of the second network indicated by the first indication information. It can be understood that when the terminal accesses the RAN, it will receive the SIB1 of the RAN device, and the SIB1 can carry the identification information of the network, such as the identification of the PLMN, the identification of the tracking area, the cell identification, etc. Then, when the identification information of the second network matches the identification information included in the SIB1, the terminal determines that it is located in the service area corresponding to the first system information. That is to say, the terminal can determine whether it is located in the service area corresponding to the first system information according to the broadcast SIB1 and the identification information of the second network indicated by the first indication information, and then can directly determine that the RAN device that broadcasts the SIB1 is the RAN device configured with the first system information, thereby improving the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the first system information.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the identification information of the second network includes the network identification of the second network and / or the identification of the area covered by the second network. That is to say, the terminal can determine that the RAN device corresponding to the SIB1 received by the terminal is the RAN device configured with the first system information according to the network identification and / or area identification of the second network, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal can match the identification information in the SIB1, thus increasing the probability that the terminal discovers the RAN device configured with the first system information, and further improving the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the first system information.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the second network includes at least one of the following: the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network. That is to say, the second network can be the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network, which can improve the flexibility of the first indication information indicating the service area corresponding to the first system information. It can be understood that for the second network being the first network, the network identifier of the second network can be the identifier of the first network. For the second network being a subnet of the first network, the network identifier of the second network can be the identifier of the subnet of the first network. Additionally, the public network corresponding to the first network can be a PLMN or the public network corresponding in SIB1, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard. Exemplarily, the network identifier of the second network can be a PLMN ID. In addition, the non-public network corresponding to the first network can be a non-public network (NPN), and thus the identifier of the second network can be the network identifier (network identity, NID) of the NPN. It can be understood that based on the above description of the second network, the identifier of the area covered by the second network can be a tracking area identifier, a cell identifier, or a transmission and reception point (TRP). Additionally, for the area identifier covered by the NPN, it can be a closed access group (CAG).

[0014] In a second aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a first network element, or by components of the first network element, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first network element, or can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first network element. Hereinafter, an example will be given with the method being executed by the first network element. The method includes: the first network element determines first indication information and sends the first indication information to the terminal. The first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first system information, and the first system information is used to access the first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or is used to carry service information of the first network or a subnet of the first network.

[0015] In a third aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, or by components of the RAN device, such as the processor, chip, or chip system of the RAN device, or can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN device. Hereinafter, an example will be given where this method is executed by the RAN device. The method includes: the RAN device located within the service area of the first network sends an index of the first system information, where the first system information is used to access the first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or is used to carry service information of the first network or a subnet of the first network; the RAN device receives a first request from the terminal, where the first request is used to request to obtain the first system information.

[0016] Combined with the second aspect or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0017] Combined with the second aspect or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first indication information includes: geographical location information of the service area, and / or identification information of the second network, where the coverage area of the second network overlaps with at least part of the service area.

[0018] Combined with the second aspect or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the identification information of the second network includes the network identification of the second network, and / or the identification of the area covered by the second network.

[0019] Combined with the second aspect or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network includes at least one of the following: the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network.

[0020] Among them, for the technical effects corresponding to the above second to third aspects and any of their implementation manners, reference can be made to the first aspect, and details are not described herein again.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above various methods. The communication device can be the terminal in any of the above aspects or any of their implementation manners, or a device including the above terminal, or a device included in the above terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be the first network element in any of the above aspects or any of their implementation manners, or a device including the above first network element, or a device included in the above first network element, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be the RAN device in any of the above aspects or any of their implementation manners, or a device including the above RAN device, or a device included in the above RAN device, such as a chip.

[0022] The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the above method. The module, unit, or means can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0023] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof. The transceiver module can be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof.

[0024] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof.

[0025] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: at least one processor; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory through a logic circuit and / or communication, so that the communication device executes the method described in any of the above aspects.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes the memory. Optionally, the memory is integrated with the processor, or the memory can be independent of the processor.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the memory is independent of the communication device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to communicate with modules outside the communication device. The communication device can be the first network element in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above first network element, or a device included in the above first network element, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a terminal in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above terminal, or a device included in the above terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a RAN device in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above RAN device, or a device included in the above RAN device, such as a chip

[0029] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When it runs on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0030] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product containing instructions, which, when running on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0031] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a communication device (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0032] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0033] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0034] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any of the fourth to eighth aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input.

[0035] Among them, the technical effects brought by any of the design manners in the fourth to eighth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought by different design manners in the above-mentioned first aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0036] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a communication method, which includes: the method described in any of the above first to third aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a communication system, which includes: a terminal in any of the above first aspect or any of its implementation manners, a first network element in any of the above second aspect or any of its implementation manners, and a RAN device in any of the above third aspect or any of its implementation manners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a CN architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a NEF network element capability open architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a network configuration parameter configuration process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a process for a terminal to obtain SI on demand provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a firmware update process based on OTA provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 8 It is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0046] Figure 9 It is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0047] Figure 10 It is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0048] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 。 Detailed implementation manners

[0050] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technical terms of the present application is first given. The brief introduction is as follows:

[0051] First, the 5th generation (5G) communication system architecture:

[0052] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the 5G communication system includes: an access network (AN) and a core network (CN), a terminal, and a data network (DN).

[0053] Terminal:

[0054] The above-mentioned terminal can be a device with transceiver functions, or a chip or chip system that can be set in the terminal. The terminal can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile phone, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user equipment. The terminal in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, cellular phone, smart phone, tablet computer (Pad), wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, handset, laptop computer, machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a computer with wireless transceiver functions, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, in-vehicle terminal, roadside unit (RSU) with terminal functions, etc. The terminal in the present application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle module group, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip or in-vehicle unit built in a vehicle as one or more components or units.

[0055] AN:

[0056] The above-mentioned AN is used to implement access-related functions, can provide network access functions for authorized users in a specific area, and can determine transmission links of different qualities according to user levels, service requirements, etc. to transmit user data. The AN forwards control signals and user data between the terminal and the CN. The AN can include: an access network device, which can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the access network device may be a transmission and reception point (TRP), a base station, a remote radio unit (RRU) of a split base station or a baseband unit (BBU) (which may also be referred to as a distributed unit (DU)), a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non-3GPP access device, a relay station, or an access point, etc. The access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a master node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, the RAN device in a V2X system may be a road side unit (RSU). In addition, the access network device may be an eNB or eNodeB (evolutional NodeB) in LTE, a radio controller in a CRAN scenario, a base station in a 5G communication system (such as a next-generation node B (gNodeB, gNB)), or a base station in a future evolved system (such as a 6G communication system), etc., which is not specifically limited herein.

[0058] In a possible implementation, in some deployments, the gNB may include a Centralized Unit (CU), a DU, a CU - Control Plane (CP), a CU - User Plane (UP), or a Radio Unit (RU). The gNB may also include an Active Antenna Unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non - real - time protocols and services, and implementing the functions of the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling layer and / or the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real - time services, and implementing the functions of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and the Physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and related functions of the active antenna. Since the information of the RRC layer will ultimately become the information of the PHY layer, or is transformed from the information of the PHY layer, thus, in this architecture, high - level signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or sent by the DU + AAU. It can be understood that the access network device may be a device including one or more of the CU node, the DU node, and the AAU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as an access network device in the RAN, or the CU may be classified as an access network device in the CN. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0059] In different systems, the 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 Open Radio Access Network (O - RAN or ORAN) architecture, the CU may also be referred to as O - CU (Open CU), the DU may also be referred to as O - DU, the CU - CP may also be referred to as O - CU - CP, the CU - UP may also be referred to as O - CU - UP, and the RU may also be referred to as O - RU. For the convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application describe by taking CU, CU - CP, CU - UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any one of the CU (or CU - CP, CU - UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0060] CN:

[0061] CN is mainly responsible for maintaining the subscribed data of the mobile network and providing functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication for the terminal. For example, when the terminal attaches, it provides network access authentication for the terminal; when the terminal has a service request, it allocates network resources for the terminal; when the terminal moves, it updates the network resources for the terminal; when the terminal is idle, it provides a fast recovery mechanism for the terminal; when the terminal detaches, it releases the network resources for the terminal; when the terminal has service data, it provides a data routing function for the terminal, such as forwarding the uplink data to the DN; or receiving the downlink data of the terminal from the DN and forwarding it to the AN, and then sending it to the terminal.

[0062] DN:

[0063] The DN is a data network that provides services for users. Among them, the DN can be a private network, such as a local area network; or, the DN can also be an external network independent of the operator, such as the Internet; or, the DN can also be a proprietary network jointly deployed by operators, such as a network that provides Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) services.

[0064] The following further introduces Figure 1 the CN in

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a CN architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 2As shown in the figure, the CN mainly includes the following network function (NF) network elements (or functional entities): user plane function (UPF) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, network function repository function (NRF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, and application function (AF) network element.

[0066] As Figure 2 shown in the figure, the terminal communicates with the AMF network element through the N1 interface (abbreviated as N1); the RAN network element communicates with the AMF network element through the N2 interface (abbreviated as N2); the RAN network element communicates with the UPF network element through the N3 interface (abbreviated as N3); the SMF network element communicates with the UPF network element through the N4 interface (abbreviated as N4), and the UPF network element accesses the data network (DN) through the N6 interface (abbreviated as N6). In addition, Figure 2 as shown in the figure, the control plane functions such as the AUSF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, NSSF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element, UDR network element, or AF network element interact through service-based interfaces. For example, the service-based interface provided by the AUSF network element externally is Nausf; the service-based interface provided by the AMF network element externally is Namf; the service-based interface provided by the SMF network element externally is Nsmf; the service-based interface provided by the NSSF externally is Nnssf; the service-based interface provided by the NEF network element externally is Nnef; the service-based interface provided by the NRF network element externally is Nnrf; the service-based interface provided by the PCF network element externally is Npcf; the service-based interface provided by the UDM network element externally is Nudm; the service-based interface provided by the UDR network element externally is Nudr; the service-based interface provided by the AF externally is Naf.

[0067] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, charging, etc.). For example, the UPF network element can receive user data from the data network (DN) and forward the user data to the terminal through the access network device. The UPF network element can also receive user data from the terminal through the access network device and forward the user data to the DN. The DN network element refers to the operator network that provides data transmission services for users. For example, Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Service (IMS), Internet, etc. The DN can be an external network of the operator or a network controlled by the operator, and is used to provide service to the terminal device.

[0068] The AUSF network element is mainly used to perform security authentication of the terminal.

[0069] The AMF network element is mainly used for mobility management in the mobile network. For example, user location update, user registration to the network, user handover, etc.

[0070] The SMF network element is mainly used for session management in the mobile network. For example, session establishment, modification, release. Specific functions include, for example, allocating IP addresses for users and selecting UPF network elements that provide packet forwarding functions.

[0071] The PCF network element mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is also responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. The PCF network element can provide policies to the AMF network element and the SMF network element, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc.

[0072] The NSSF network element is mainly used to select network slices for the terminal.

[0073] The NEF network element is mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events, such as opening network functions to third parties.

[0074] The UDM network element is mainly used to store user data, such as subscription data, authentication / authorization data, etc.

[0075] The UDR network element is mainly used to store structured data, including subscription data and policy data, externally exposed structured data, and application-related data.

[0076] The AF mainly supports interacting with the CN to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some services of third parties to the network side.

[0077] Second, network capability opening based on the NEF network element:

[0078] 3GPP defines the NEF network element as the interface network element for interacting with the AF network element. The NEF network element can communicate with NF network elements (such as the NF network elements in Figure 2 ) within the core network through service-based interfaces, and open the network functions provided by the NF network elements to the AF network element to achieve a friendly docking between network capabilities and service requirements and improve the service experience.

[0079] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the NEF network element capability open architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, the NEF network element can communicate with the AF network element through interface N33. The NEF network element can transfer service-related indication information of the AF network element to at least one of the following NF network elements: one or more of the UDM network element, PCF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, or NRF network element. In addition, the NEF network element can also transfer service information corresponding to the above at least one NF network element to the AF network element.

[0080] Among them, the communication between the above Figure 3 NF network elements, and the communication between the AMF network element and the RAN device can reuse the Figure 2 interface. The above interface N33 is an application programming interface (API). The API can abstract the service functions provided by the NEF network element for the AF network element and present them to the AF network element in the form of an interface. Furthermore, the AF network element can realize the opening of network capabilities by calling the API.

[0081] In addition, the AF network element in the embodiment of the present application can refer to a third-party AF network element independent of the operator, or an AF network element located in a different trusted domain from the NF network element, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0082] For example, the AF network element can provide a transmission requirement indication to the NF network element (such as the UPF network element) through the NEF network element. For another example, the AF network element can obtain information such as congestion or rate provided by the NF network element (such as the PCF network element) from the NEF network element.

[0083] It should be understood that the transmission requirement indication provided by the above AF network element and the information such as congestion or speed provided by the NF network element are targeted at a single user, that is, the network capabilities opened by the NEF network element for the AF network element are at the user level. For example, for the AF network element of the video application (APP) #1 of terminal #1, the AF network element provides video services for terminal #1, and the AF network element can ensure the QoS of the video APP #1 of terminal #1 through the network functions provided by the NEF network element. For example, assuming that due to the movement of terminal #1, the signal strength between terminal #1 and the RAN device decreases, the AF network element can monitor the QoS-related information of the video APP #1 of terminal #1 through the NEF network element, and timely determine that the connection quality of terminal #1 has decreased. In this way, the AF network element can timely reduce the video bit rate of video APP #1, for example, from 1080P to 360P, so as to ensure that the video APP #1 of terminal #1 can play the video smoothly.

[0084] Taking the AF network element obtaining user-level QoS monitoring information in the network as an example, the interaction process among the AF network element, NEF network element, PCF network element, UPF network element, SMF network element, AMF network element, and RAN device in the Figure 3 shown architecture is introduced.

[0085] Taking the AF network element requesting to configure network configuration parameters in the network as an example, the interaction process among the AF network element, NEF network element, UDM network element, SMF network element, and AMF network element in the Figure 3 shown architecture is introduced.

[0086] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a network configuration parameter configuration process provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0087] S401. The AF network element sends a first request message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the first request message from the AF network element. The first request message is used to request to configure the network configuration parameters corresponding to the first terminal. The network configuration parameters may include at least one of the following: maximum response time, maximum latency, or suggested number of downlink packets.

[0088] It can be understood that the AF network element can send a first request message to the NEF network element by invoking the parameter provision creation request (Nnef_parameterProvision_Create request) service operation provided by the NEF network element.

[0089] S402. The NEF network element sends a second request message to the UDM network element. Correspondingly, the UDM network element receives the second request message from the NEF network element. The second request message is used to request an inspection of the network configuration parameters corresponding to the first terminal.

[0090] It can be understood that the NEF network element can verify and authorize the permission of the AF network element to configure network configuration parameters, and in the case of successful authorization, send a second request message to the UDM network element. Additionally, the NEF network element can send a second request message to the UDM network element by invoking the parameter provision creation request (Nudm_parameterProvision_Create request) service operation provided by the UDM network element.

[0091] S403. The UDM network element sends a second response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the second response message from the UDM network element. The second response message is used to indicate that the UDM network element accepts the second request message.

[0092] It can be understood that the UDM network element can send a second response message to the UDM network element by invoking the parameter provision creation response (Nudm_parameterProvision_Create request) service operation provided by the UDM network element.

[0093] It should be understood that the UDM network element can inspect the network configuration parameters carried in the second request message to determine whether they comply with the operator's policies (such as the policies stored in the PCF network element), and then perform steps S403 and S404 in the case of compliance.

[0094] S404. The UDM network element sends indication information to the first NF network element serving the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first NF network element receives the indication information from the UDM network element. The first NF network element includes the AMF network element and / or the SMF network element, and the indication information includes the first indication information and / or the second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the AMF network element updates the network configuration parameters corresponding to the first terminal according to the maximum response time and / or the maximum delay, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the SMF network element updates the cache size corresponding to the first terminal according to the maximum cacheable data packets.

[0095] In a possible implementation, step S404 includes step S404a and / or step S404b.

[0096] S404a. The UDM network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the first indication information from the UDM network element.

[0097] S404b. The UDM network element sends the second indication information to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the second indication information from the UDM network element.

[0098] That is to say, when the network configuration parameters carried in the second request message include the maximum response time and / or the maximum delay, the UDM network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element; when the network configuration parameters carried in the second request message include the maximum cacheable data packets, the UDM network element sends the second indication information to the SMF network element. Additionally, when the network configuration parameters include the above three parameters, the UDM network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element and the second indication information to the SMF network element.

[0099] It can be understood that the UDM network element can send the indication information by invoking the notification service operation (such as the Nudm_SDM_Notification_Notify service operation) in the subscription data management (SDM) notification service provided by the UDM network element.

[0100] In addition, the first NF network element can feedback to the UDM network element whether the update of the network configuration parameters corresponding to the first terminal is successful.

[0101] S405. The NEF network element sends the first response message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the first response message from the NEF network element. The first response message is used to indicate acceptance of the first request message.

[0102] It can be understood that the NEF network element can send the first response message to the NEF network element by invoking the parameter provision create response (Nnef_parameterProvision_Create request) service operation provided by the NEF network element.

[0103] Third, the on-demand system information (SI) acquisition process:

[0104] The SI of the access network (i.e., the SI of the radio air interface of the wireless network) is defined by the 3GPP standard protocol. The SI includes minimum system information (MSI) and other system information (OSI). Among them, the MSI includes the master information block (MIB) and the remaining minimum system information (RMSI). The MIB includes the configuration parameters required to obtain the RMSI (or referred to as the system information block (SIB) 1), and the SIB1 includes the system information required for the terminal to complete the initial access and the scheduling information of the OSI. Among them, the OSI can include SIB2 to SIB24 for example. For the SIBs included in the OSI and their specific contents, reference can be made to the technical specifications (TS) 38.331, which will not be elaborated here.

[0105] It can be understood that the SIB is carried by the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the PDSCH is scheduled by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). That is, the terminal obtains the scheduling information of the PDSCH carrying the SIB through blind detection of the PDCCH, and then can decode the PDSCH to obtain the SIB. To reduce the power consumption of the terminal's blind detection of the PDCCH, the SIB1 is broadcast by the RAN device, and the SIBs in the OSI can be non-broadcast. In this way, the terminal can complete the initial access through the SIB1 and request the RAN device to obtain the OSI in a demand-based manner.

[0106] In addition, the terminal device can request to obtain the OSI from the RAN device in an on-demand manner, which can be achieved in two ways. In one possible implementation, the RAN device can assign different preamble indices to different SIs. The terminal sends the preamble corresponding to the requested SI through the physical random access channel (PRACH). The RAN device sends message 2 (Msg2) to the terminal and the SIB corresponding to the SI requested by the terminal. Among them, the preamble identity (RA preamble identity, RAPID) carried in Msg2 is consistent with the preamble index carried by the PRACH. Thus, the terminal can determine that the RAN device has received the SI request from the terminal, and then the terminal can receive the SIB corresponding to the SI requested by the terminal according to the scheduling information in SIB1.

[0107] In another possible implementation, the terminal can request the SI by competing for random access to the network. For example, the SI request is carried in message 3 (Msg3) scheduled by the random access response (RAR), and the SIB corresponding to the SI requested by the terminal is read after the random access competition is successfully resolved.

[0108] Taking the example that Msg3 carries the SI request, the process of the terminal obtaining the SI on demand is described below.

[0109] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the process for a terminal to obtain SI on demand provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 5 shown, the process for the terminal to obtain SI on demand includes:

[0110] S501. The RAN device sends the MSI to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the MSI from the RAN device. Among them, the RAN device can broadcast a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), and the SSB includes the MSI, and the MSI includes the MIB, SIB1, and scheduling information. The scheduling information is used to receive the OSI.

[0111] S502. The terminal determines to send the SI request using Msg3. The SI request is used to request to obtain SIBX in the OSI, and the SIBX can be one or more SIBs in the OSI (such as SIB2 to SIB24).

[0112] S503. The terminal sends Msg1 to the RAN device. Correspondingly, the RAN device receives Msg1 from the terminal.

[0113] It can be understood that Msg1 is carried by the PRACH, and Msg1 includes a preamble. Additionally, the RAN device can obtain the RAPID and the downlink transmission beam (Tx beam) by detecting the preamble, and estimate the transmission delay.

[0114] S504. The RAN device sends Msg2 to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives Msg2 from the terminal device.

[0115] Among them, Msg2 can be referred to as the RAR. The RAR contains uplink grant, timing advance (TA), and a temporary cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI). Among them, TA is the TA corresponding to the transmission delay in step S503, and TA is used for uplink time synchronization. The uplink grant is used for the terminal to send Msg3. The temporary C-RNTI is used for the terminal to monitor the PDCCH for scheduling message 4 (Msg4). Additionally, the RAN device sends Msg2 through the downlink transmission beam determined in step S503.

[0116] S505. The terminal sends Msg3 to the RAN device according to the scheduling information of the uplink grant. Correspondingly, the RAN device receives Msg3 from the terminal. Among them, Msg3 includes the identification information of the terminal and the requested SIBX. The identification information of the terminal is used for contention resolution.

[0117] S506. The RAN device sends Msg4 to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives Msg4 from the RAN device.

[0118] It can be understood that Msg4 can be referred to as a contention resolution message, and Msg4 can be carried by the PDSCH. Additionally, the RAN device sends Msg4 through the downlink transmission beam determined in step S503.

[0119] It should be understood that the RAN device can send the SIBX requested by the terminal.

[0120] S507. The terminal receives the SIBX according to the system information window (SI window) in the scheduling information in SIB1.

[0121] It can be understood that based on the above steps, the terminal can request to obtain the SIBX in the OSI expected by the terminal when needed, reducing the power consumption caused by the terminal's long-term blind detection of the PDCCH.

[0122] Fourth, over the air technology (OTA):

[0123] OTA is a technology for remotely managing subscriber identity module (SIM) card data and applications through the air interface (or air interface) between the terminal and the RAN. Among them, the air interface can use wireless application protocol (WAP), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA) 1X, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), or short message technology, etc., to update and release new software, firmware, settings, or encryption keys to the terminal.

[0124] The following takes software update as an example to illustrate the interaction process between OTA and the terminal.

[0125] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a firmware update process based on OTA provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the firmware update process includes the following steps:

[0126] S601. The terminal sends registration information to the OTA server. Correspondingly, the OTA server receives the registration information from the terminal.

[0127] S602. The OTA server performs security authentication on the terminal.

[0128] S603. When the terminal security authentication is passed, the OTA server sends a first request message to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first request message from the OTA service. Among them, the first request message is used to request software update.

[0129] S604. The terminal sends a second request message to the OTA server. Correspondingly, the OTA server receives the second request message from the terminal. Among them, the second request message is used to request to obtain the first firmware.

[0130] S605. The OTA server sends the first firmware to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first firmware from the OTA server.

[0131] S606. The terminal stores the first firmware.

[0132] S607. The terminal sends a third request message to the OTA server. Correspondingly, the OTA server receives the third request message from the terminal. The third request message is used to request an update of the first firmware.

[0133] S608. The OTA server sends the updated first firmware to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the updated first firmware from the OTA server.

[0134] S609. After the OTA server completes the update of the first firmware, it sends a notification message to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the notification message from the OTA server. The notification message is used to indicate that the update of the first firmware is completed.

[0135] S610. The terminal restarts the system to complete the update of the first firmware.

[0136] Fifth, distributed subnet:

[0137] A distributed subnet (or subnetwork) is a lightweight network that can provide customized services for user groups within a specific organization. The subnet can provide personalized customized services for user groups within the same geographical area, such as within the same enterprise, school, or industrial park. For example, personalized subnets can be customized for scenarios with a large number of users, such as airports, railway stations, or large performance venues, to improve the user experience.

[0138] It can be understood that with the development of distributed subnets in the future, it is expected to reach tens of millions. In other words, there may be hundreds of distributed subnets in the same location, and each distributed subnet needs to send its own information over the air interface (for example, send information through other SIBs except SIB1), which will cause the terminal to query the content of the system information of each distributed subnet one by one to determine which distributed subnet's system information is expected by the terminal, thereby increasing the power consumption of the terminal and being inefficient.

[0139] To address the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application propose the following technical solutions. The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0140] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless network systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle networking communication systems, 4G mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G mobile communication systems, such as NR systems, and future communication systems, etc.

[0141] In the embodiments of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. If the information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first indication information, the second indication information, or the third indication information below, etc.) is called the information to be indicated, then in the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated, etc. The information to be indicated can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. It is also possible to only indicate a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or pre-agreed. For example, it is also possible to implement the indication of specific information by relying on the arrangement order of each piece of information pre-agreed (such as stipulated in the protocol), so as to reduce the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common parts of each piece of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the indication overhead caused by separately indicating the same information.

[0142] In addition, the specific indication method can also be various existing indication methods, such as, but not limited to, the above indication methods and their various combinations, etc. The specific details of various indication methods can refer to the prior art and will not be elaborated herein. As can be seen from the above, for example, when it is necessary to indicate multiple pieces of information of the same type, there may be a situation where the indication methods of different pieces of information are different. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the selected indication method. In this way, the indication methods involved in the embodiments of the present application should be understood to cover various methods that can enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0143] "Pre - defined" or "pre - configured" can be achieved by pre - saving the corresponding code, table or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation methods thereof. Among them, "saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately arranged, or integrated in an encoder, a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories can also be partly separately arranged and partly integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of the memory can be any form of storage medium, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0144] The "protocol" involved in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a protocol family in the communication field, a standard protocol with a frame structure similar to that of a protocol family, or a related protocol applied to a future communication system. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0145] In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if", and "when" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under a certain objective situation, not limiting time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action during implementation, nor does it mean there are other limitations.

[0146] In the embodiments of the present application, the expressions "functional entity", "logical entity", and "network element" can be replaced with each other. For example, the OMC network element can represent the OMC functional entity, and the EM network element can represent the EM functional entity. This is uniformly explained here and will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0147] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B may represent A or B. The "and / or" in the embodiments of the present application 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 simultaneously, and B exists alone. Here, A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more than two. "At least one (item)" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item (item) or plural items (items). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, c can be single or plural. Additionally, for the convenience of clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and roles. Those skilled in the art can understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", etc. do not necessarily mean different. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Exactly speaking, using words such as "exemplary" or "for example" aims to present relevant concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0148] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0149] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, take the Figure 7 communication system shown as an example to detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0150] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the communication system mainly includes: a first network element, a RAN device, and a terminal. Among them, the first network element can be an AF network element, and this AF network element can be Figure 3The AF network element in it, such as a third-party AF network element independent of the operator, or an AF network element located in a different trusted domain from the NF network element within the core network. Additionally, Figure 7 The AF network element in it can also be an AF network element within the core network, that is, an AF network element independently deployed by the operator; or, the AF network element can also be an AF network element jointly deployed by the operator and a third party.

[0151] It can be understood that the first network element can receive subnet service demand information from the subnet operator, determine the service area of the subnet, and the resources required by the subnet. Among them, the resources required by the subnet are the resources to be allocated in the subnet, and the resources to be allocated in the subnet can include radio resources and / or core network resources. Additionally, the service area of the subnet and the resources to be allocated in the subnet can also be determined by the first network element. For example, the first network element can customize the subnet based on the application corresponding to the first network element. For instance, the first network element is the AF network element of APP#1, and APP#1 is used to provide services for the services corresponding to Area#1. Furthermore, the first network element can determine the service area of the subnet, the resources to be allocated, etc. based on the services corresponding to Area#1.

[0152] Additionally, to further meet the diversification of subnet service demands, the first network element can also allocate different resources and system information to different sub-service areas within the service area of the subnet. Among them, allocating different resources to different sub-service areas can be used to deploy multiple different fenced networks (networks divided within the subnet) in the subnet, so as to facilitate the implementation of differentiated services within the same service area.

[0153] In addition, the system information can be used to customize the system information broadcast by the RAN network element. The system information can include the ID of the subnet, service information, and service information. The service information can include service content. The service information can be used to indicate the service area corresponding to the system information, the service time for providing services, the service type for providing services, etc. In this way, the terminal can access the subnet or fenced network it expects to access on demand based on the system information.

[0154] It can be understood that the system information can also include network selection information for accessing the subnet or fenced network. For example, the system information can include the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources (frequency points, or frequency bandwidths, etc.), QoS transmission parameters, or terminal connection handover granularity of the subnet or fenced network.

[0155] Among them, the transmission parameters of QoS may include QoS class identifiers (QCI) or 5G quality identity (5QI). Among them, the transmission parameters may be at least one of the following: resource type, priority, packet delay budget (PDB), packet error rate (PER), average window, or maximum data burst (MDB). The resource type is used to indicate the type of the QoS flow, such as a QoS flow that supports a guaranteed bit rate (GBR), or a non-GBR QoS flow. The priority is used to indicate the scheduling priority of the QoS flow on the air interface, specifically, it may be the priority between QoS flows of different terminals, or the priority between different QoS flows of the same terminal. The PDB is used to indicate the upper limit of the possible delay time of the data packets of the QoS flow between the terminal and the UPF network element (the UPF network element acting as the N6 endpoint). The PDB may include: the data delay of the access network (AN PDB) and the data delay of the core network (CN PDB). The AN PDB is the data delay between the terminal and the access network, that is, the RAN network element. The CN PDB is the data delay between the AN and the UPF network element acting as the N6 endpoint. The AN PDB can be determined by subtracting the CN PDB from the PDB. The average window is the time period used to determine the GFBR and MFBR of the GBR QoS flow. The MDB is used to indicate the maximum amount of data that the AN needs to serve, or in other words, needs to transmit, within the period of the AN PDB.

[0156] The terminal connection switching granularity can be terminal granularity or service granularity. Among them, the terminal granularity may refer to switching all the connections of the terminal to a subnet or a fenced network, that is, all the connections of the terminal are responsible for the subnet or the fenced network. The service granularity may refer to switching the terminal connections corresponding to one or more services to a subnet or a fenced network.

[0157] The RAN device may be a network element with RAN functions. For example, it may be a gNB in 5G, or an O-RAN network function network element (such as O-CU, O-DU, or O-RU, etc.). It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the RAN device can customize the system information associated with the subnet or the fenced network.

[0158] The terminal can refer to Figure 1 the relevant descriptions about the terminal in

[0159] It can be understood that with the evolution of the network, the above-mentioned first network element, RAN device, and terminal may also use other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0160] In a possible implementation, the terminal receives first indication information from a first network element and sends a first request to the RAN device. The first information is used to indicate the index of the first system information, where the first system information is used to access a first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or to carry service information of the first network or a subnet of the first network. The first request is used to request to obtain the first system information. In this way, the terminal can receive the index of the first system information from the first network element, and then can request to obtain the first system information of the first network or a subnet of the first network from the RAN device as needed according to the index, so that it can be avoided that the terminal determines the first network or a subnet of the first network to be accessed only after obtaining the system information of each subnet, or reads the service information of the desired first network or a subnet of the first network. Therefore, based on the information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the system information of the first network or a subnet of the first network can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0161] The following will be combined with Figures 8 - 10 , and the interaction process between each network element / device in the above communication system will be specifically introduced through method embodiments. The information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the above Figure 7 shown communication system.

[0162] Figure 8 is a flowchart of an information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application Figure 1 . As Figure 8 shown, the method includes:

[0163] S801: A process of configuring the first system information is completed between the first network element and the RAN device within the service area of the first network or a subnet of the first network.

[0164] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the first network may be a distributed subnet, and the subnet of the first network may be a fenced network of the distributed subnet. For specific details, reference may be made to Figure 7 the relevant descriptions of the distributed subnet and the fenced network, which will not be elaborated here.

[0165] In addition, the first network element can complete the process of configuring the first system information with the RAN device through the second network element. The second network element can be a NEF network element, and the NEF network element can provide the first network element with the radio resource allocation ability of the first network. Then, the first network element can apply to the RAN device through the NEF network element to allocate radio resources for the first network. The radio resources can include time-domain resources (such as frames, time slots, or symbols, etc.), frequency-domain resources (frequency points, or frequency bandwidths, etc.), and the service time corresponding to the radio resources. In addition, the radio resources can also include the sharing type of the radio resources (whether it can be shared with other subnets at different time periods), the type of network mode supported by the radio resources, etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0166] It can be understood that the first network element can configure the first system information after the RAN device allocates resources for the first network or a subnet of the first network. The first system information is used to access the first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or to carry service information of the first network or a subnet of the first network. For example, the first system information can include network selection information for terminal access, handover, or initiating a connection, and the network selection information can include information such as frequency points or frequency bandwidths. For another example, the first system information can include service information.

[0167] It should be understood that for the above first system information, reference can be made to Figure 7 the relevant description of the system information therein, which will not be elaborated here.

[0168] It can be understood that in step S801, after the first system information is successfully configured, the RAN device can feedback the index of the first system information configuration, and the index can be the index of the SIB. For example, the RAN device can send the configuration information of the first system information to the third network element for managing the RAN device, and then the third network element can send the index of the first system information to the NEF network element; or the RAN device can receive the configuration information of the first system information from the NEF network element, and in this way, the NEF network element can send the index of the first system information to the first network element.

[0169] It should be understood that the above are only examples, and the RAN device can also use other methods to send the index of the first system information to the first network element, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0170] S802. The first network element sends the first indication information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first indication information from the first network element.

[0171] Among them, the first information is used to indicate the index of the first system information.

[0172] S803. The terminal sends a first request to the RAN device. Correspondingly, the RAN device receives the first request from the terminal. The first request is used to request to obtain the first system information.

[0173] The following separately introduces steps S802 and S803.

[0174] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal sending a first request to the access network device includes: the terminal sending a first request to the RAN device within a first service time. The first service time is the service time determined by the terminal for accessing the first network or a subnet of the first network, or the first service time is the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network.

[0175] It can be understood that since the first network or a subnet of the first network can be pre-deployed to facilitate providing services to the terminal quickly and effectively during the service time, and when the terminal obtains the index of the first system information, it has not yet reached the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network. Therefore, to avoid the terminal initiating the first request during invalid time, the terminal can send the first request to the RAN device within the first service time.

[0176] That is to say, after the terminal receives the index of the first system information from the first network element, the terminal can determine the first service time, and then initiate an on-demand request for system information to the RAN device within the first service time, so as to effectively obtain the first system information within the service time of the first network or a subnet of the first network, improve the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the first system information, and reduce power consumption.

[0177] It can be understood that the specific implementation of the terminal initiating an on-demand request for system information to the RAN device can refer to Figure 5 the process shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0178] Exemplarily, taking the AF network element of APP#1 as the first network element, the first network element responds to the subnet service operation corresponding to the first service time of the terminal, and then sends the first indication information to the terminal, so that the terminal sends the first request to the RAN device within the first service time. The first service time can be determined by the terminal or pre-agreed, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0179] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is further used to indicate the service area corresponding to the first system information; the terminal sending a first request to the access network device includes: when the terminal determines that it is located in the service area, the terminal sends the first request to the RAN device within the service area.

[0180] That is to say, the terminal can determine to trigger the sending of the first request according to the service area indicated by the first indication information, thereby avoiding the terminal from sending the first request to the RAN device that has not configured the first system information, and further improving the efficiency of the terminal to obtain the first system information.

[0181] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes: the geographical location information of the service area, and / or, the identification information of the second network, and the coverage area of the second network overlaps with the service area at least partially.

[0182] For example, the geographical location information of the service area can be indicated by longitude and latitude, altitude, or can be indicated by two-dimensional coordinates or three-dimensional coordinates. The three-dimensional coordinates can be the coordinates on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in the earth centered earth fixed (ECEF) coordinate system; or, the three-dimensional coordinates can be the coordinates on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in the earth centered inertial (ECI) coordinate system. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0183] Furthermore, the terminal can obtain the current location through the positioning service, and then the terminal can determine whether to send the first request according to whether the current location is within the service area.

[0184] For another example, the network connected by the terminal may include a network with a fixed location, such as a fixed location Wi-Fi network. Thus, when the identification of the Wi-Fi network connected by the terminal matches the identification information of the second network, the terminal can determine that it is within the service area.

[0185] That is to say, the terminal can determine whether it is within the service area corresponding to the first system information according to the obtained location information (such as positioning, or the identification information of the fixed network, etc.), thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal to determine whether it is within the service area.

[0186] In a possible implementation manner, the situation where the terminal determines that it is within the service area includes: the identification information of the network included in the system information block SIB1 received by the terminal matches the identification information of the second network indicated by the first indication information.

[0187] It can be understood that when the terminal accesses the RAN, it will receive the SIB1 of the RAN device. The SIB1 can carry the identification information of the network, such as the identification of the PLMN, the identification of the tracking area, the cell identification, etc. Thus, when the identification information of the second network matches the identification information included in the SIB1, the terminal determines that it is within the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0188] That is to say, the terminal can determine whether it is located in the service area corresponding to the first system information according to the identification information of the second network indicated by the broadcast SIB1 and the first indication information. Furthermore, the RAN device that broadcasts SIB1 can be directly determined as the RAN device that configures the first system information, thereby improving the efficiency of the terminal to obtain the first system information.

[0189] In a possible implementation, the identification information of the second network includes the network identification of the second network, and / or the identification of the area covered by the second network.

[0190] That is to say, the terminal can determine that the RAN device corresponding to the SIB1 received by the terminal is the RAN device that configures the first system information according to the network identification and / or area identification of the second network. Furthermore, the probability that the terminal can match the identification information in the SIB1 can be increased, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal discovers the RAN device that configures the first system information, and further improving the efficiency of the terminal to obtain the first system information.

[0191] In a possible implementation, the second network includes at least one of the following: the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network.

[0192] That is to say, the second network can be the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network, which can improve the flexibility of the first indication information to indicate the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0193] It can be understood that for the second network being the first network, the network identification of the second network can be the identification of the first network. For the second network being a subnet of the first network, the network identification of the second network can be the identification of the subnet of the first network.

[0194] In addition, the public network corresponding to the first network can be a PLMN or the public network corresponding to the SIB1 in this application embodiment, and this application embodiment does not make specific limitations. Exemplarily, the network identification of the second network can be a PLMN ID.

[0195] Furthermore, the non-public network corresponding to the first network can be a non-public network (NPN), and thus the identification of the second network can be the network identity (NID) of the NPN.

[0196] It can be understood that, based on the above description of the second network, the identifier of the area covered by the second network can be a tracking area identifier, a cell identifier, or a transmission and reception point (TRP). Additionally, for the area identifier covered by the NPN, it can be a closed access group (CAG).

[0197] Exemplarily, taking the network identifier of the second network as the identifier of the first network as an example, when the subnet identifier included in the SIB1 obtained by the terminal is the same as the identifier of the first network, the terminal sends a first request to the RAN device.

[0198] Optionally, Figure 8 The method shown further includes:

[0199] S804. The RAN device sends first system information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first system information from the RAN device.

[0200] S805. The terminal initiates a first procedure according to the first system information.

[0201] It can be understood that the first procedure can include access, handover, or initiating a connection, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0202] In the embodiments of the present application, since the terminal can receive the index of the first system information from the first network element, it can then request the first system information of the first network or the subnet of the first network from the RAN device according to the index as needed, thereby avoiding the situation where the terminal has to obtain the system information of each subnet before determining the first network or the subnet of the first network it expects to access, or reading the service information of the expected first network or the subnet of the first network. Therefore, based on the information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the efficiency of the terminal obtaining the system information of the first network or the subnet of the first network can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0203] It can be understood that in the case where the first network element is an AF network element, the first network element can send the first indication information to the terminal through Figure 4 the network parameter configuration process shown below. Taking the first network element as an AF network element as an example, the information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be further described.

[0204] Figure 9 is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure 2 . As Figure 9 shown, the method includes:

[0205] S901. The AF network element and the RAN device complete the process of configuring the first system information.

[0206] For the specific implementation of step S901, reference can be made to step S801, which will not be elaborated here.

[0207] S902. The AF network element sends a first message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the first message from the AF network element. The first message includes first indication information.

[0208] It can be understood that the first indication information can specifically refer to the first indication information in step S802, which will not be elaborated here.

[0209] In addition, for the specific implementation of the AF network element sending the first message, reference can be made to step S401.

[0210] S903. The NEF network element sends a second message to the UDM network element. Correspondingly, the UDM network element receives the second message from the NEF network element. The second message is used to request an inspection of the content indicated by the first indication information. It can be understood that if the inspection passes, the UDM network element can send the first indication information to the AMF network element where the terminal is located.

[0211] It can be understood that the specific implementation of step S903 can refer to step S402.

[0212] S904. The UDM network element sends a second response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the second response message from the UDM network element. The second response message is used to indicate that the UDM network element accepts the second message.

[0213] It can be understood that the specific implementation of step S904 can refer to step S403.

[0214] S905. The NEF network element sends a first response message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the first response message from the NEF network element. The first response message is used to indicate acceptance of the first message.

[0215] S906. The UDM network element sends a third message to the AMF network element serving the terminal. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the third message from the UDM network element. The third message includes the first indication information.

[0216] It can be understood that the specific implementation of step S905 can refer to step S404a, which will not be elaborated here.

[0217] S907. The AMF network element sends the first indication information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first indication information from the AMF network element.

[0218] It can be understood that the AMF network element can transmit the first indication information through non-access stratum (NAS) messages.

[0219] S908. The terminal stores the first indication information.

[0220] It can be understood that the terminal can first save the first indication information to trigger sending a first request to the RAN device to obtain the first system information within the first service time or when the terminal moves to the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0221] S909. The terminal and the RAN device execute a process of obtaining the first system information on demand.

[0222] It can be understood that the process of obtaining the first system information on demand includes sending a first request and the RAN device sending the first system information. For details, please refer to steps S803 and S804, which will not be elaborated here.

[0223] S910. The terminal initiates a first process based on the first system information.

[0224] It can be understood that the first process can refer to step S805 and will not be elaborated here.

[0225] In addition, for the first system information including network selection information, the terminal can initiate a first process based on the first system information. When the first system information includes service information, the terminal can call the client registration interface of the APP corresponding to the service information (such as AT + service container), and then submit the service information to the APP.

[0226] It should be understood that the first network element can also send the first indication information to the terminal through OTA. Here, the first network element is taken as the AF network element as an example for illustration.

[0227] Figure 10 It is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 . As Figure 10 shown, the method includes:

[0228] S1001. The AF network element and the RAN device complete the process of configuring the first system information.

[0229] Among them, the specific implementation of step S1001 can refer to step S801, which will not be elaborated here.

[0230] S1002. The AF network element sends a first OTA request to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first OTA request from the AF network element. Among them, the first OTA request is used for OTA configuration parameters.

[0231] S1003. The terminal sends a second OTA request to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the second OTA request from the terminal. The second OTA request is used to request to obtain the index of the first system information.

[0232] S1004. The AF network element sends the first indication information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first indication information from the AF network element.

[0233] It can be understood that the first indication information can refer to the first indication information in step S802, which will not be elaborated here.

[0234] S1005. The AF network element sends an end message to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the end message from the AF network element. The end message is used to indicate that the first indication information has been sent.

[0235] S1006. The terminal stores the first indication information.

[0236] It can be understood that the specific implementation of step S1006 can refer to step S908.

[0237] S1007. The terminal and the RAN device execute a process of obtaining the first system information on demand.

[0238] It can be understood that the specific implementation of step S1007 can refer to step S909, which will not be elaborated here.

[0239] S1008. The terminal initiates a first process based on the first system information.

[0240] It can be understood that the first process can refer to step S805 and will not be elaborated.

[0241] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between each network element. Correspondingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The communication device may be the terminal in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above terminal, or a component applicable to the terminal; or, the communication device may be the first network element in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above first network element, or a component applicable to the first network element; or, the communication device may be the RAN device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above RAN, or a component applicable to the RAN device. It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0242] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiments. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0243] Taking the communication device as the first network element, or the second network element, or the third network element in the above method embodiments as an example, Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 11 shown, the communication device 1100 includes: a processing module 1101 and a transceiver module 1102. Among them, the processing module 1101 is used to execute the processing functions of the terminal device, or the first network element, or the RAN device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1102 is used to execute the transceiver functions of the terminal device, or the first network element, or the RAN device in the above method embodiments.

[0244] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and will not be repeated here.

[0245] Since the communication device 1100 provided in this embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0246] In a possible design, the transceiver module 1102 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module ( Figure 11 not shown in the figure). Among them, the transceiver module is used to implement the sending function and receiving function of the communication device 1100.

[0247] In a possible design, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage module ( Figure 11 not shown in the figure), and the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1101 executes the program or instructions, the communication device 1100 can execute Figures 8 - 10 the functions of the terminal device, or the first network element, or the RAN device in any of the methods shown in the figure.

[0248] It should be understood that the processing module 1101 involved in the communication device 1100 may be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and may be a processor or a processing unit; the transceiver module 1102 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and may be a transceiver or a transceiver unit.

[0249] Exemplarily, Figure 12 FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal device, or a first network element, or a RAN device, or may also be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be disposed in the terminal device, or the first network element, or the RAN device. As Figure 12 shown, the communication device 1200 may include a processor 1201. In a possible design, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1202 and / or a transceiver 1203. Among them, the processor 1201 is coupled to the memory 1202 and the transceiver 1203, and may be connected through a communication bus, for example.

[0250] Next, Figure 12 each component of the communication device 1200 will be specifically introduced:

[0251] Among them, the processor 1201 is the control center of the communication device 1200, which can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1201 is one or more central processing units (CPUs), or can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as: one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0252] In a possible design solution, the processor 1201 can execute various functions of the communication device 1200 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1202 and calling data stored in the memory 1202.

[0253] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1201 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 12 the CPU0 and CPU1 shown in

[0254] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1200 may also include multiple processors, such as Figure 12 the processor 1201 and the processor 1204 shown in

[0255] Each of these processors can be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, the processor can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (such as computer program instructions).

[0256] In a possible design, the memory 1202 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 1202 may be integrated with the processor 1201, or may exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1201. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0257] The transceiver 1203 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, when the communication device 1200 is a terminal, the transceiver 1203 can be used for communication with the first network element and the RAN device. For another example, when the communication device 1200 is the first network element, the transceiver 1203 can be used for communication with the terminal, or the RAN device, or the NEF network element, etc. For still another example, when the communication device 1200 is the RAN device, the transceiver 1203 can be used for communication with the terminal, or the AMF network element.

[0258] In a possible design, the transceiver 1203 may include a receiver and a transmitter ( Figure 12 not shown separately). Among them, the receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the sending function.

[0259] In a possible design, the transceiver 1203 may be an input / output interface or interface circuit for inputting and / or outputting signals.

[0260] In a possible design, the transceiver 1203 may be integrated with the processor 1201, or may exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1201. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0261] It should be noted that Figure 12 the structure of the communication device 1200 shown in

[0262] In addition, the communication device 1200 can execute the above information transmission method. Therefore, the technical effects it can achieve can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0263] In a possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, it implements the functions of the above method embodiments.

[0264] In a possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0265] In a possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first network element, the second network element, and the third network element described in the above method embodiments.

[0266] In a possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which includes the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any of its implementation manners.

[0267] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it 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. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired manner (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or a wireless manner (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium, or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid-state drive (SSD)), etc.

[0268] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0269] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0270] 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 merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, 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 displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect couplings or communication connections of devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0271] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0272] In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of this application can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0273] When the above-mentioned functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs.

[0274] Although this application has been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein, however, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and achieve other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "one" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions recited in the claims. Certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0275] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and their embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application defined by the appended claims, and are considered to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to include these changes and variations.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The terminal receives first indication information from a first network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate an index of first system information, and the first system information is used to access a first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or to carry service information of the first network or the subnet of the first network; The terminal sends a first request to a radio access network (RAN) device, where the first request is used to request to obtain the first system information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The terminal sending the first request to the access network device includes: The terminal sends the first request to the RAN device within a first service time, where the first service time is a service time determined by the terminal to access the first network or the subnet of the first network, or the first service time is the service time of the first network or the subnet of the first network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate a service area corresponding to the first system information; The terminal sending the first request to the access network device includes: When the terminal determines that it is located in the service area, the terminal sends the first request to the RAN device within the service area.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The first indication information includes: geographical location information of the service area, and / or identification information of a second network, where a coverage area of the second network overlaps with at least part of the service area.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The case where the terminal determines that it is located in the service area includes: The identification information of the network included in the system information block (SIB1) received by the terminal matches the identification information of the second network indicated by the first indication information.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The identification information of the second network includes a network identifier of the second network, and / or an identifier of an area covered by the second network.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The second network includes at least one of the following: the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network.

8. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: After a process of configuring the first system information is completed between the first network element and a radio access network (RAN) device located in a service area of the first network, the first network element determines first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate an index of the first system information, and the first system information is used to access a first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or to carry service information of the first network or the subnet of the first network; The first network element sends the first indication information to the terminal.

9. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: A radio access network (RAN) device located in a service area of the first network sends an index of first system information, where the first system information is used to access a first network or a subnet of the first network, and / or to carry service information of the first network or the subnet of the first network; The RAN device receives a first request from the terminal, where the first request is used to request to obtain the first system information.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate a service area corresponding to the first system information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first indication information includes: the geographical location information of the service area, and / or, the identification information of a second network, where the coverage area of the second network overlaps at least partially with the service area.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The identification information of the second network includes the network identifier of the second network, and / or, the identifier of the area covered by the second network.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The second network includes at least one of the following: the first network, a subnet of the first network, a public network corresponding to the first network, or a non-public network corresponding to the first network.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-7, or includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 8, 10-13, or includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 9, 10-13.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, and the processor is configured to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-7 through logic circuits and / or by executing instructions, or to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 8, 10-13, or to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 9, 10-13.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a memory for storing the instructions.

17. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signaling and / or data.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when run by a processor, cause the method according to any one of claims 1-7 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 8, 10-13 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 9, 10-13 to be implemented.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-7, or cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 8, 10-13, or cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 9, 10-13.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a terminal, a first network element, and a radio access network (RAN) device. The terminal is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-7, the first network element is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 8, 10-13, and the RAN device is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 9, 10-13.

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