Information transmission method and communication device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an information transmission method and a communication device, which can distribute wireless resources for a distributed sub-network in a network by providing a network-level resource opening capability so as to deploy the distributed sub-network. The method comprises: a first network element sending a first message to a second network element, the first message being used for indicating a service area of a first network and a first radio resource to be allocated to the first network; the second network element sends a second message to a third network element according to the service area of the first network to request to allocate a first wireless resource for the first network, and the coverage area associated with the third network element and the service area of the first network are at least partially overlapped; the third network element sends a second response message to the second network element, wherein the second response message is used for indicating an allocation result of the first wireless resource; and the second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message comprises the allocation result of the first wireless resource.

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 called a subnetwork) is a lightweight network that can provide services for a specific user group.

[0003] In the future next-generation 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, an important evolution direction is to deploy a distributed subnetwork in the 3GPP network. However, how to specifically deploy a distributed subnetwork in the 3GPP network remains to be studied. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The information transmission method and communication device provided in the embodiments of this application can, by providing network-level resource opening capabilities, further allocate radio resources for a distributed subnetwork in the network, thereby deploying the distributed subnetwork.

[0005] To achieve the above object, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first network element sends a first message to a second network element. The first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service area of a first network and the first radio resources to be allocated for the first network. The second network element sends a second message to a third network element according to the service area of the first network. The second message is used to request allocation of the first radio resources for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) network element or a network element for managing RAN network elements, and at least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network. The third network element sends a second response message to the second network element. The second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resources. The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element. The first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resources.

[0007] In the embodiments of this application, since the second network element can provide network-level resource opening capabilities, the first network element can then indicate allocation of the first radio resources for the first network by sending the first message to the second network element, so that the second network element can request allocation of the first radio resources for the first network from the third network element within the service area of the first network, achieving allocation of the first radio resources for the first network, and thus realizing deployment of a subnetwork in the communication network.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the service area of the first network is indicated by at least one of the following: at least one reference location corresponding to the service area of the first network, and the service radius corresponding to each reference location in the at least one reference location; and / or, the cell identifier of each cell in the at least one cell corresponding to the service area of the first network.

[0009] That is to say, the service area of the first network can be indicated by the reference location and the service radius, thereby reducing the indication overhead. In addition, when the first network element receives an operator's instruction to allocate the first radio resource to the first network element and the operator also indicates the coverage area of the RAN network element corresponding to the first network, the first network element can also indicate the coverage area of one or more RAN network elements to represent the service area of the first network. In this way, the second network element does not need to convert the service area of the first network into the coverage area of the RAN network element, improving the efficiency of the second network element to address the third network element within the service area of the first network.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first radio resource includes at least one of the following: time domain resources for indicating the service time domain range of the first network, frequency domain resources for indicating the service frequency domain range of the first network, the type of the first radio resource, or the service time corresponding to the first radio resource. It can be understood that the time domain resources for indicating the service time domain range of the first network may include system frames, sub-frames, time slots, or symbols, etc. The frequency domain resources for indicating the service frequency domain range of the first network may include frequency points, frequency bandwidths, or sub-carrier intervals, etc. The type of the first radio resource can be used to determine whether the first radio resource can be shared with other subnets at different time periods. In addition, the service time corresponding to the first radio resource can be used to represent the time range during which the first network expects to provide services. This time range may include the service start time, and the service start time can be indicated by one or more parameters. For example, it is indicated by parameter A that the service start time corresponding to the first radio resource is xx year xx month xx day x hour. Another example is to indicate a reference time by parameter A and a time offset by parameter B. In this way, the service start time can be determined by parameter A and parameter B. In addition, this time range may also include the service end time, which can be directly indicated by the service end time, or indirectly indicated by indicating the service duration. That is to say, the first radio resource may include time domain resources, frequency domain resources, the type of the first radio resource, or the service time corresponding to the first radio resource, so as to facilitate the allocation of the first radio resource.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the type of the first radio resource specifically includes: a network mode type for indicating the network mode supported by the first radio resource, and / or a sharing type for indicating whether the first radio resource is shareable. It can be understood that the network mode type may include 4G, 5G, or the future evolved 6G network, and the corresponding radio protocol stacks for different network modes can be allocated through this network mode type. In addition, the sharing type can be used to indicate whether the first radio resource can be allocated to other subnets during a time period outside its service time. Among them, the sharing type can include exclusive and shareable. Exclusive means that it is not expected to be allocated to other subnets at other times outside the service time corresponding to the first radio resource. Shareable means that it can be shared with other subnets at other times outside the service time corresponding to the first radio resource. That is to say, through the network mode type of the first radio resource, the protocol stack of the radio air interface corresponding to the first radio resource can be determined. In addition, through the sharing type of the first radio resource, it can be determined whether the first radio resource can be shared, so as to facilitate the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to allocate the first radio resource.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first radio resource further includes: a priority parameter for indicating the allocation priority of the first radio resource, and / or a transmission parameter for indicating the QoS flow transmitted by the first radio resource. That is to say, when other network elements except the first network element apply for resources of the subnet, the allocation priority of the first radio resource can be indicated through the priority parameter, so as to facilitate the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to determine the allocation priority of the first radio resource, and then determine which subnet's radio resources can be applied for preferentially. Through the transmission parameter, the radio characteristics of the QoS flow transmitted by the first radio resource can be obtained, so as to facilitate the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to further allocate the first radio resource.

[0013] In a possible implementation, when the allocation of the first radio resource is successful, the allocation result of the first radio resource includes: a third indication information for indicating the success of the first radio resource allocation, and / or a fourth indication information for indicating the first radio resource allocation parameters. The first radio resource allocation parameters include at least one of the following: the service time of the first radio resource allocation, the frequency band of the first radio resource allocation, or the type of the first radio resource allocation. That is, when the allocation of the first radio resource is successful and the first radio resource includes multiple resources, the actual parameters of the first radio resource allocation can be indicated by the fourth indication information, so as to facilitate the first network element to determine the first radio resource actually allocated by the first network. Further, by indicating to select one from multiple parameter values corresponding to the first radio resource for the allocation of the first radio resource through the fourth indication information, the success rate and efficiency of the first radio resource allocation can be improved. For example, taking the frequency domain resources as an example, the frequency domain resources may include multiple frequency bands, so that the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element can select one frequency band from the multiple frequency bands to allocate the first radio resource.

[0014] In this possible implementation, when the allocation of the first radio resource fails, the allocation result of the first radio resource includes: a third indication information for indicating the failure of the first radio resource allocation, and / or a fourth indication information for indicating the reason for the failure of the first radio resource allocation. That is, when the allocation of the first radio resource fails, the first network element can be informed of the failure of the first radio resource allocation through the third indication information. In addition, when the first network element is informed of the reason for the failure through the fourth indication information, it is convenient for the first network element to update the first radio resource, and then initiate the allocation of the radio resource of the first network again.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the allocation result of the first radio resource further includes: the maximum radio resource supported by the third network element, and / or the service time range supported by the third network element. That is, by indicating to the first network element the maximum radio resource supported by the third network element and / or the service time range supported by the third network element, the success rate of the first network element initiating the allocation of the radio resource of the first network again can be improved. For example, when the first network element initiates the allocation of the radio resource of the first network again, the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource to be allocated can be adjusted to be less than or equal to the maximum radio resource supported by the third network element, so that the success rate of the radio resource allocation of the first network can be improved. In addition, the service time range supported by the third network element can be used when the first network element initiates the allocation of the radio resource of the first network again to adjust the service time corresponding to the radio resource to be allocated within the service time range supported by the third network element, so that the success rate of the radio resource allocation of the first network can be improved.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network; or, the first response message is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network. That is to say, for the first indication information further used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the first network element can allocate the identifier of the first network element and transmit it to the second network element and the third network element through the first message. For the first response message further used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the identifier of the first network can be allocated by the third network element or the second network element and notified to the first network element through the first response message.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method provided by the first aspect further includes: the first network element sends a third message to the second network element, the third message includes a fifth indication information, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resource to be allocated for the first subnet, the service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resource includes the second radio resource; the second network element sends a fourth message to the third network element, the fourth message is used to request to allocate the second radio resource for the first subnet; the third network element sends a fourth response message to the second network element, the fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resource; the second network element sends a third response message to the first network element, the third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resource. That is to say, by sending the third message from the first network element to the second network element, the process of further deploying the subnet in the first network can be triggered, and thus the differentiated services within the same service area can be realized, so as to meet the diverse requirements of services.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second radio resource. It can be understood that the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second radio resource can be the terminal granularity or the service granularity. Among them, the terminal granularity can mean that all connections of the terminal are switched to the second radio resource, that is, all connections of the terminal are responsible for the first subnet. The service granularity can mean that the terminal connections corresponding to one or more services can be switched to the second radio resource. That is to say, by indicating the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second resource, it is further convenient for the third network element to allocate the second radio resource for the first subnet.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the method provided by the first aspect further includes: a first network element sends a fifth message to a second network element, where the fifth message includes sixth indication information for indicating first system information to be configured, a service area corresponding to the first system information, and a service time range corresponding to the first system information, and the service area corresponding to the first system information is within the service area of the first network; the second network element sends a sixth message to a third network element, where the sixth message is used to request to configure to send the first system information within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information; the third network element sends a sixth response message to the second network element, where the sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system information; the second network element sends a fifth response message to the first network element, where the fifth response message includes the configuration result of the first system information. That is to say, by sending the sixth message to the second network element, the first network element can trigger a process of further configuring the first system information of the first network, so that terminals within the service area corresponding to the first system information can access the first network or different first subnets within the first network as needed according to the first system information.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the sixth indication information further includes an identifier of the first network and / or an identifier of the first subnet, and the service area of the first subnet is within the service area of the first network. That is to say, by indicating the identifier of the first network and / or the identifier of the first subnet through the sixth indication information, it is convenient for the second network element to determine the RAN network element or the network element (i.e., the third network element) that manages the RAN network element within the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate core network resources to be allocated for the first network; the method provided by the first aspect further includes: the second network element sends a seventh message to a fourth network element, where the seventh message is used to request to allocate core network resources for the first network; the fourth network element sends a seventh response message to the second network element, where the seventh response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the core network resources; the second network element sends the allocation result of the core network resources to the first network element. That is to say, the second network element can provide a network-level resource opening capability. Furthermore, the first network element can indicate to allocate core network resources for the first network by sending the first message to the second network element, so that the second network element can request the fourth network element within the service area of the first network to allocate core network resources for the first network, realize the allocation of core network resources for the first network, and thus realize the deployment of subnets in the communication network.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the core network resources include at least one of the following: forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types. It can be understood that the forwarding resources are used to forward the service data of users. The forwarding resources may include, for example, the number of users, the number of sessions, or the forwarding bandwidth, etc. The QoS information may include QCI or 5QI. The core network resource type may include the sharing type of core network resources. Further, the core network resources may also include the allocation priority of the core network, etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. That is to say, the core network resources may include forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types, so as to facilitate the core network element to allocate the core network resources of the first network element.

[0023] In a second aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method may be executed by the first network element, or by components of the first network element, such as the processor, chip, or chip system of the first network element, etc., and may also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network element. The following takes the example that this method is executed by the first network element for illustration. The method includes: the first network element sends a first message to the second network element. The first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service area of the first network and the first radio resources to be allocated by the first network; the first network element receives a first response message from the second network element, and the first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resources.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method provided in the second aspect further includes: the first network element sends a third message to the second network element. The third message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resources to be allocated by the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resources include the second radio resources; the first network element receives a third response message from the second network element, and the third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resources.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method provided in the second aspect further includes: the first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element. The fifth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information. The service area corresponding to the first system information is located within the service area of the first network; the first network element receives a fifth response message from the second network element, and the sixth response message includes the configuration result of the first system message.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated by the first network; the method provided in the second aspect further includes: the first network element receives the allocation result of the core network resources from the second network element.

[0027] In a third aspect, there is provided a method for information transmission. This method can be executed by a second network element, or by components of the second network element, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of a first network element, etc., or can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second network element. Hereinafter, an example will be given with this method being executed by the first network element. The method includes: The second network element receives a first message from the first network element. The first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service area of the first network and the first radio resource to be allocated by the first network. The second network element sends a second message to a third network element according to the service area of the first network. The second message is used to request to allocate the first radio resource for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) network element or a network element for managing RAN network elements. At least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network. The second network element receives a second response message from the third network element. The second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resource. The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element. The first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resource.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the third aspect further includes: The second network element receives a third message from the first network element. The third message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resource to be allocated by the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resource includes the second radio resource. The second network element sends a fourth message to the third network element. The fourth message is used to request to allocate the second radio resource for the first subnet. The second network element receives a fourth response message from the third network element. The fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resource. The second network element sends a third response message to the first network element. The third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resource.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the third aspect further includes: The second network element receives a fifth message from the first network element. The fifth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information. The service area corresponding to the first system information is located within the service area of the first network. The second network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request to configure to send the first system information within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information. The second network element receives a sixth response message from the third network element. The sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system information. The second network element sends a fifth response message to the first network element. The fifth response message includes the configuration result of the first system information.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated by the first network; the method provided by the third aspect further includes: the second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth network element, where the seventh message is used to request the allocation of core network resources for the first network; the second network element receives a seventh response message from the fourth network element, where the seventh response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the core network resources; the second network element sends the allocation result of the core network resources to the first network element.

[0031] Fourthly, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a third network element, or by components of the third network element, such as the processor, chip, or chip system of the third network element, etc., and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the third network element. Hereinafter, an example in which this method is executed by the first network element will be used for description. The method includes: the third network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message is used to request the allocation of first radio resources for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) network element or a network element for managing RAN network elements, and at least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network; the third network element sends a second response message to the second network element, where the second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resources.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method provided by the fourth aspect further includes: the third network element receives a fourth message from the second network element, where the fourth message is used to request the allocation of second radio resources for the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resources include the second radio resources; the third network element sends a fourth response message to the second network element, where the fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resources.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the method provided by the fourth aspect further includes: the third network element receives a sixth message from the second network element, where the sixth message is used to request to configure the sending of the first system information within the service area corresponding to the first system information and within the service time range corresponding to the first system information; the third network element sends a sixth response message to the second network element, where the sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system message.

[0034] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation, the service area of the first network is indicated by at least one of the following: at least one reference location corresponding to the service area of the first network, and the service radius corresponding to each reference location in the at least one reference location; and / or, the cell identifier of each cell in at least one cell corresponding to the service area of the first network.

[0035] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the first radio resource includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources for indicating the service time-domain range of the first network, frequency-domain resources for indicating the service frequency-domain range of the first network, the type of the first radio resource, or the service time corresponding to the first radio resource.

[0036] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the type of the first radio resource specifically includes: a network mode type for indicating the network mode supported by the first radio resource, and / or a sharing type for indicating whether the first radio resource is shareable.

[0037] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the first radio resource further includes: a priority parameter for indicating the allocation priority of the first radio resource, and / or a transmission parameter for indicating the quality of service (QoS) flow transmitted by the first radio resource.

[0038] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, in the case of a failure in the allocation of the first radio resource, the allocation result of the first radio resource includes: a third indication message for indicating the failure in the allocation of the first radio resource, and / or a fourth indication message for indicating the reason for the failure in the allocation of the first radio resource.

[0039] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the allocation result of the first radio resource further includes: the maximum radio resource supported by a third network element, and / or the service time range supported by the third network element.

[0040] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the first indication message is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network; or, the first response message is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network.

[0041] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth indication message is further used to indicate the handover granularity of the terminal connection supported by the second radio resource.

[0042] Combined with the above second to fourth aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the sixth indication message further includes the identifier of the first network and / or the identifier of the first subnet, and the service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network.

[0043] Combined with the above second to third aspects, in a possible implementation manner, the core network resources include at least one of the following: forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types.

[0044] Among them, for the technical effects corresponding to the above second to fourth aspects and any of their implementation manners, reference can be made to the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above various methods. The communication device may 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 may be the second network element in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above second network element, or a device included in the above second network element, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be the third network element in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above third network element, or a device included in the above third network element, such as a chip.

[0046] The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the above methods. The modules, units, or means may 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.

[0047] 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 of its possible implementation manners. The transceiver module may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any of its possible implementation manners.

[0048] 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 of its possible implementation manners.

[0049] In a sixth 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.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes the memory. Optionally, the memory is integrated with the processor, or the memory may be independent of the processor.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the memory is independent of the communication device.

[0052] 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 may 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 may be the second network element in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above second network element, or a device included in the above second network element, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be the third network element in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners, or a device including the above third network element, or a device included in the above third network element, such as a chip

[0053] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. A computer program or instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. 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.

[0054] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. 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.

[0055] In a ninth aspect, a communication device (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system) is provided. The communication device includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0056] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0057] 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.

[0058] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any of the fifth to ninth 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.

[0059] Among them, the technical effects brought by any of the design manners in the fifth to ninth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought by different design manners in the first aspect above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: the method described in any of the second to fourth aspects or any of its implementation manners.

[0061] In the eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: the first network element in the second aspect or any implementation manner thereof, the second network element in the third aspect or any implementation manner thereof, and the third network element in the fourth aspect or any implementation manner thereof. Description of the Drawings

[0062] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a CN architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of an NEF network element capability open architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a QoS monitoring information transmission process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a 5G base station deployment process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic diagram of an NFV architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 9 FIG. is a flow diagram of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0071] Figure 10 FIG. is a flow diagram of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0072] Figure 11 FIG. is a flow diagram of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0073] Figure 12 FIG. is a flow diagram of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 4 .

[0074] Figure 13 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0075] Figure 14 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

[0076] To facilitate the 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:

[0077] First, the 5th generation (5G) communication system architecture:

[0078] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the 5G communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the 5G communication system includes: a terminal, an access network (AN), a core network (CN), and a data network (DN).

[0079] Terminal:

[0080] The above-mentioned terminal may be a device with transceiver functions, or a chip or chip system that can be disposed in the terminal. The terminal may 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 may 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, 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 of the present application may also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built in a vehicle as one or more components or units.

[0081] AN:

[0082] 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 may include: an access network device, which may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device.

[0083] 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 distributed base station, or a baseband unit (BBU) (also 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 a vehicle-mounted device, 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.

[0084] 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 functions related to active antennas. 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-layer 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 a CU node, a DU node, and an 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.

[0085] 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 use CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples for description. 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.

[0086] It can be understood that the above access network device can also be a functional entity, and can be alternatively expressed as an access network functional network element, or a RAN network element, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0087] CN:

[0088] CN is mainly responsible for maintaining the subscription 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.

[0089] DN:

[0090] DN is a data network that provides services for users. Among them, DN can be a private network, such as a local area network; or, DN can also be an external network independent of the operator, such as the Internet; or, 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.

[0091] The following further introduces Figure 1 the CN in

[0092] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a CN architecture provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 2As shown in the figure, 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.

[0093] 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 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 using 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.

[0094] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, billing, etc.). For example, the UPF network element can receive user data from a data network (DN) and forward the user data to the terminal through the RAN network element. The UPF network element can also receive user data from the terminal through the RAN network element 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.

[0095] The AUSF network element is mainly used to perform security authentication of the terminal.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The NSSF network element is mainly used to select network slices for the terminal.

[0100] The NEF network element is mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events, such as opening network functions to third parties.

[0101] The UDM network element is mainly used to store user data, such as subscription data, authentication / authorization data, etc.

[0102] The UDR network element is mainly used to store structured data, including subscription data, policy data, externally exposed structured data, and application-related data.

[0103] The AF network element 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.

[0104] Second, network capability opening based on the NEF network element:

[0105] 3GPP defines the NEF network element as an 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 of network capabilities and service requirements and improve the service experience.

[0106] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of an 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.

[0107] Among them, the communication between the above Figure 3 NF network elements, as well as the communication between the AMF network element and the RAN network element, 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 achieve the opening of network capabilities by calling the API.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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 for the QoS guarantee of one or more terminals. 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 guarantee the QoS of the video APP #1 of terminal #1 through the network functions provided by the NEF network element. For instance, assuming that due to the movement of terminal #1, the signal strength between terminal #1 and the RAN network element 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. Thus, the AF network element can timely reduce the video bit rate of the video APP #1, for example, from the bit rate of 1080P to the bit rate of 360P, so as to ensure that the video APP #1 of terminal #1 can play the video smoothly.

[0111] Taking the AF network element obtaining the 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 network element in the architecture shown below is introduced. Figure 3 in the architecture shown.

[0112] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a QoS monitoring information transmission process provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, this process includes the following steps:

[0113] S401. The AF network element sends a first Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the first HTTP request message from the AF network element. Among them, the first HTTP request message is used to request to obtain the QoS monitoring information of the first terminal. The QoS monitoring information may include one or more of data rate, congestion information, or delay threshold.

[0114] It can be understood that the type of the first HTTP request message may be the HTTP POST type, and the requested QoS monitoring information can be placed in the message body.

[0115] S402. The NEF network element sends a first request message to the PCF network element by invoking the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service. Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the first request message from the NEF network element. The first request message is used to request the reporting of QoS monitoring information of the first terminal, and the QoS monitoring information includes the QoS monitoring information requested in the first HTTP request message.

[0116] It can be understood that the NEF network element can authenticate and authorize the AF network element, and after the authorization is passed, it invokes the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service to send a first request message to the PCF network element.

[0117] S403. The PCF network element sends a first response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the first response message from the PCF network element. The first response message is used to indicate that the request of the first request message is successful.

[0118] For example, the first response message may include the HTTP status code 201 created.

[0119] S404. The NEF network element sends a first HTTP response message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the first HTTP response message from the NEF network element. The first HTTP response message is used to indicate that the request of the first HTTP request message is successful.

[0120] For example, the first HTTP response message includes the HTTP status code 201 created.

[0121] S405. The PCF network element sends a second request message to the SMF network element through the session management (SM) policy association modification process. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the second request message from the PCF network element. The second request message is used to request the monitoring of the QoS monitoring information of the first terminal, and the QoS monitoring information is the QoS monitoring information requested in the first request message in step S403.

[0122] S406. The SMF network element sends a first indication message to the AMF network element through the protocol data unit (PDU) session modification process. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the first indication message from the SMF network element. The first indication message is used to indicate the QoS monitoring information requested in the second request message.

[0123] S407. The AMF network element sends the first indication information to the RAN network element. Correspondingly, the RAN network element receives the first indication information from the AMF network element. Among them, the AMF network element transparently transmits the first indication information.

[0124] It can be understood that the RAN network element is the RAN network element serving the first terminal. After receiving the first indication information, the RAN network element can monitor the QoS flow of the first terminal.

[0125] S408. The SMF network element sends the second indication information to the UPF network element through the N4 session modification process. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the second indication information from the SMF network element. Among them, the second indication information is used to indicate the QoS monitoring information requested in the second request message.

[0126] It can be understood that the UPF network element

[0127] S409. The SMF network element sends the second response message to the PCF network element through the SM policy association modification process. Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the second response message from the SMF network element. Among them, the second response message is used to indicate that the second request message request is successful.

[0128] It can be understood that the SMF network element may send the second response message after receiving the indication of successful policy modification from the UPF network element.

[0129] S410. The UPF network element sends the QoS monitoring result to the SMF network element through the N4 reporting procedure. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the QoS monitoring result from the UPF network element.

[0130] S411. The SMF network element sends the QoS monitoring result to the PCF network element through the SM policy association modification process. Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the QoS monitoring result from the SMF network element.

[0131] S412. The PCF network element sends the QoS monitoring report to the NEF network element by invoking the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify service operation. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the QoS monitoring report from the PCF network element. Among them, the QoS monitoring report is determined according to the QoS monitoring result in step S410.

[0132] S413. The NEF network element sends an HTTP notification message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the HTTP notification message from the NEF network element. Among them, the HTTP notification message includes a QoS monitoring report. In addition, the type of the HTTP notification message can be HTTP POST.

[0133] It can be understood that from the above Figure 3 and Figure 4 it can be seen that currently 3GPP only opens capabilities related to the terminal, such as QoS-related capabilities. In addition, when the NEF network element interacts with the RAN network element, it also passes terminal-related information through the non-access stratum (NAS) layer between the AMF network element and the RAN network element, and it is also impossible to deploy the RAN network element.

[0134] The following introduces the deployment process of the wireless network.

[0135] Third, wireless network deployment:

[0136] The current deployment of the wireless network is carried out by combining manual and automatic systems. Taking the RAN network element in the AN of Figure 1 as an example of a 5G base station, the deployment process of the wireless network is described.

[0137] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a 5G base station deployment process provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the 5G base station deployment process includes:

[0138] S501. The network construction system sends a site opening task to the site opening system. Correspondingly, the site opening system receives the site opening task from the network construction system.

[0139] Among them, the network construction system can refer to a system that can communicate with the site opening system. The network construction system can obtain the site opening task through the imported wireless network construction planning data. The site opening task can include the configuration information of the 5G base stations to be built in the wireless network, such as the base station name, physical base station name, area / manufacturer, network element ID, service type, anchor IP address, or the number of cells, etc.

[0140] S502. The site opening system and the transmission system execute a docking process. Among them, the site opening system can obtain transmission parameters through the docking process. The transmission parameters can include, for example, the base station operation and maintenance address, subnet mask, IP address, or virtual local area network (VLAN) parameters, etc.

[0141] S503. The outside line construction personnel control the power-on of the 5G base station.

[0142] S504. The outdoor construction personnel report the serial number (SN) of the 5G base station to the site opening system through the application (APP) provided by the site opening system.

[0143] It can be understood that the outdoor construction personnel can identify the SN through the APP provided by the site opening system and bind the SN to the base station name.

[0144] S505. The site opening system correlates multi-party data to generate a configuration file.

[0145] For example, the site opening system can match the site opening task with the configuration template to automatically generate a configuration file that meets the version, system, mode, and cell type. Among them, the configuration module can be pre-configured in the site opening system or instructed by the network construction system, and this is not limited herein.

[0146] S506. The site opening system sends the site opening instruction and the configuration file to the operation and maintenance center (OMC) system. Correspondingly, the OMC system receives the site opening instruction from the site opening system.

[0147] It can be understood that the OMC system is used to manage and maintain the 5G base station. For example, the OMC can manage the CU, DU, RU, etc. of the 5G base station, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0148] For example, the site opening system can generate a corresponding site opening instruction according to the configuration file and send the configuration file and the site opening instruction to the OMC system by calling the API.

[0149] S507. The OMC system sends the configuration service to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the configuration service from the OMC system.

[0150] S508. The OMC system sends the site opening result of the site opening instruction to the site opening system. Correspondingly, the site opening system receives the site opening result from the OMC system.

[0151] S509. A verification process is executed between the site opening system and the outdoor construction personnel. Among them, the verification process is used to verify the site opening result of the 5G base station.

[0152] For example, the site opening system can obtain the performance data of the 5G base station during the site opening execution and feedback it to the outdoor construction personnel through the APP for verification.

[0153] S510. The site opening system sends the feedback result of the site opening task to the network construction system. Correspondingly, the network construction system receives the feedback result from the site opening system.

[0154] It can be understood that when the verification of the 5G base station commissioning result passes, the feedback result indicates successful commissioning. When the verification of the 5G base station commissioning result fails, the feedback result indicates failed commissioning. Additionally, when the feedback result indicates failed commissioning, the reason for the failed commissioning can also be indicated to facilitate the network construction system to adjust the parameters corresponding to the commissioning task.

[0155] It should be understood that to further meet the requirements of diverse services for network agility, flexibility, and scalability, O-RAN and network function virtualization (NFV) centered around the cloudification and serviceification of computing resources are also being further studied and improved. The O-RAN system and the NFV system are introduced separately below.

[0156] Fourth, the O-RAN architecture:

[0157] The O-RAN architecture can make telecommunications infrastructure providers agnostic, thereby improving collaboration among different providers and reducing costs.

[0158] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 6 shown, the O-RAN architecture logically includes two levels from top to bottom: RAN management and RAN. Among them, RAN management is used to manage the O-RAN network functions and the hardware platform supporting the O-RAN network functions; RAN is used to implement the O-RAN network functions. RAN management includes: the server management and orchestration (SMO) framework. RAN includes: O-RAN network functions and the open cloud infrastructure platform (O-cloud).

[0159] The SMO framework: mainly supports three functions, namely: implementing the operation, maintenance, and management of RAN; RAN optimization based on the non real time radio intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC); implementing the operation, maintenance, and management of O-cloud. Additionally, the SMO framework can provide services that can be called for different providers. SMO can be an integration platform for multiple services and can also provide core network management services, transmission management services, or end-to-end slice management services, etc.

[0160] It can be understood that Non-RT RIC is deployed in SMO, mainly to realize wireless resource control and optimization in RAN management. For example, Non-RT RIC can provide policies, machine learning (ML) models, or enriched data to the near real-time wireless intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC) through the A1 interface, thereby realizing intelligent RAN optimization. For another example, Non-RT RIC can enable the automated application (rAPP) function through the R1 interface. rAPP can collect information and take actions through A1, O1, O2, and the fronthaul M plane interface to achieve RAN optimization. In addition, the delay of Non-RT RIC in scheduling and controlling wireless resources is greater than 1s. The delay of Near-RT RIC in scheduling and controlling wireless resources is less than or equal to 1s.

[0161] It should be understood that SMO can also be linked to external systems and 5G core network (5GC) through external interfaces. Among them, external systems can use various O-RAN management and orchestration services provided by SMO to design and write various applications for managing and operating 5G systems. At the same time, external systems can also provide SMO with rich historical data as a reference for intelligent management and operation of 5G systems, helping SMO to provide more intelligent management and operation services.

[0162] O-RAN network functions: The network functions contained in O-RAN (or network elements contained in O-RAN) may include O-CU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, or O-RU, etc. For details, see Figure 1 The relevant description of O-RAN in AN is not repeated here. In addition, the O-RAN network function can also include Near-RT RIC. The O-RAN network function can be connected to the 5GC through the NG interface.

[0163] O-cloud: It can be a cloud computing platform. The bottom layer consists of three parts: physical infrastructure nodes that meet O-RAN requirements (such as general-purpose computers or dedicated hardware platforms), cloud platform software, and O-RAN-related management and orchestration functions. Among them, the cloud platform software can include virtual machine operating systems, virtual machine monitors, or containers. O-RAN-related management and orchestration functions may include: O-RAN infrastructure node management, hardware acceleration card management, or O-cloud notification management.

[0164] Below Figure 6 The O1, O2, and fronthaul M plane interfaces are described.

[0165] O1: may refer to the interface between the SMO and the internal network elements of the O-RAN, and is used by the SMO to intelligently configure and manage the internal network elements of the O-RAN. For example, Table 1 shows the logical position of O1 in the protocol stack.

[0166] Table 1

[0167]

[0168] O2: The interface between SMO and O-cloud, used to manage the various O-RAN network service function elements running on O-cloud.

[0169] Fronthaul M-plane interface: The interface between the SMO and the O-RU, used to manage the O-RU.

[0170] Fifth, NFV:

[0171] NFV can use general hardware devices and virtualization technology to carry the functions of dedicated devices in traditional networks, thereby reducing the expensive costs caused by deploying dedicated devices. Through the decoupling of software and hardware, the functions of network devices are no longer dependent on dedicated hardware. At the same time, by utilizing the characteristics of cloud computing, resources can be fully and flexibly shared, and new services can be developed and deployed quickly. Automatic deployment, elastic scaling, fault isolation and self-healing can be performed based on actual business needs.

[0172] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an NFV architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7As shown in the figure, logically, it can be divided into, from bottom to top: the NFV infrastructure layer, the NFV virtual network layer, and the NFV operation support layer. Among them, the NFV infrastructure layer may include the network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) and the virtual infrastructure manager (VIM). The NFV virtual network layer may include: the equipment management system (EM), the virtualized network function (VNF), and the virtual network function manager (VNFM). The NFV operation support layer may include: the network operation support system and business support system (OSS / BSS) and the network functions virtualisation orchestrator (NFVO).

[0173] NFVI is used to realize the cloudification of computing resources. Among them, NFVI may include container infrastructure services (CIS) and the wide area network (WAN). CIS is the execution environment of the container cluster, and container-based services run in it. The wide area network can provide functions such as network connection.

[0174] VIM is used to manage NFVI. VIM controls the virtual resource allocation of VNFs, such as virtual computing, virtual storage, and virtual network.

[0175] EM is used to configure and manage VNFs, and initiate lifecycle management operations such as the instantiation of new VNFs to the VNFM.

[0176] VNF is used to realize the functions of traditional non-cloudified telecom network elements. For example, VNF can be used to realize the RAN network function.

[0177] VNFM is responsible for the lifecycle management of one or more VNFs, such as instantiating, updating, querying, scaling, terminating, etc.

[0178] OSS / BSS: Management functions of service providers, which are not functional components within the NFV architecture and support various end-to-end telecommunications services. Management functions supported by OSS include network configuration, service provisioning, fault management, etc.

[0179] NFVO: Primarily responsible for handling the lifecycle management of virtualized services, as well as the allocation and scheduling of virtual resources in virtual infrastructure and NFVI. NFVO can communicate with one or more VNFMs to execute resource-related requests, send configuration information to VNFMs, and collect status information of VNFs. Additionally, NFVO can also communicate with VIM to perform resource allocation and / or reserve configuration and status information of virtualized hardware resources for switching.

[0180] It can be understood that Figure 7 NFVO, VNFM, and VIM in Figure 6 correspond to SMO in Figure 6 NFVI corresponds to O-cloud in

[0181] Eighth, distributed subnet (or subnetwork):

[0182] A subnet is a lightweight network that can be independently constructed by a certain operator (or a third party), or jointly constructed by an operator and a third party. Among them, a subnet can include radio resources (or wireless air interface resources), core network resources, or transmission resources, etc. By opening the subnet to enterprises or groups, enterprises or groups can apply for the resources they need, and then form an independent subnet. Among them, the radio resources and core network resources of the subnet can be partial resources divided from the already deployed end-to-end network, or can be independently constructed to meet special requirements. For example, for radio resources, new millimeter-wave base stations can be deployed to meet the high-bandwidth requirements of hotspots.

[0183] For example, a subnet can provide customized services for industrial parks, stadiums, office areas, or similar areas. It can be understood that as described above Figures 1 to 3 , the NEF network element under the 3GPP architecture can open network functions such as QoS measurement or control for the AF network element regarding users, so as to realize QoS customization for a certain application of users. However, the current network capability open lacks the capability open at the resource level. Especially for subnets serving a certain geographical area, there is a lack of the open of radio resource capabilities. Therefore, how to allocate radio resources in the existing communication network to deploy subnets remains to be studied.

[0184] In view of the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application propose the following technical solutions, and the technical solutions in the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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, etc. below) 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. It is also possible to indirectly indicate the information to be 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 use the arrangement order of each piece of information pre-agreed (such as stipulated in the protocol) to achieve the indication of specific information, thereby reducing 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.

[0187] 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 described 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, and 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.

[0188] "Pre - definition" or "pre - configuration" can be achieved by pre - saving the corresponding codes, tables 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 the encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separately arranged and partially integrated in the decoder, processor, or 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.

[0189] 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 future communication systems. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0190] 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 other limitations exist.

[0191] 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.

[0192] 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 may 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 may represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. 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.

[0193] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating 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.

[0194] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, take the Figure 8 communication system shown as an example to detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0195] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the communication system mainly includes: a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element. Among them, the first network element may be an AF network element, and the AF network element may 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 8 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, this AF network element can also be an AF network element jointly deployed by the operator and a third party.

[0196] 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, if 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 Region #1, then the first network element can determine the service area, resources to be allocated, etc. of the subnet based on the services corresponding to Region #1.

[0197] In addition, 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 in 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 in this subnet) in the subnet, so as to facilitate the implementation of differentiated services within the same service area.

[0198] Furthermore, the system information can be used to customize the system information broadcast by the RAN network element. This system information can include the ID of the subnet, service information, and service information. This service information can include service content, and this service information can be used to indicate the service area corresponding to this 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.

[0199] The second network element is a network element for the open resource allocation (or resource customization) function. For example, the second network element can provide an interface for resource allocation to the first network element, and can combine or encapsulate the open interfaces provided by the RAN network element and / or the core network NF network element. It can be understood that the interface provided by the second network element to the first network element and the above open interfaces can be API interfaces, or other standardized interfaces, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0200] For example, the second network element can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 the NEF network element in. Also for example, the second network element can be Figure 6the SMO (or the SMO network element) therein. For another example, the second network element may be Figure 7 the NFVO or VNFM therein.

[0201] The third network element is a RAN network element with RAN functions, or a network element for managing and / or configuring the RAN network element. It can be understood that the RAN network element may be, for example, the gNB in 5G, or Figure 6 the O-RAN network function network element therein, or Figure 7 the VNF therein, etc. The network element for managing and / or configuring the RAN network element may be, for example, Figure 5 the OMC (or the OMC network element) therein, or Figure 7 the EM (or the EM network element) therein, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0202] In addition, the third network element may provide an open interface for the second network element, and the open interface provided by the second network element may be used for resource allocation, or system information configuration, etc.

[0203] Optionally, Figure 8 the communication system shown further includes a fourth network element, and the fourth network element is a network element for providing an open interface of core network resources. For example, the fourth network element may be a core network CN network element (such as Figure 2 the PCF network element therein).

[0204] It can be understood that the fourth network element may provide an open interface for the second network element, and the open interface provided by the fourth network element may be used for resource allocation.

[0205] It can be understood that with the evolution of the network, the above-mentioned first network element to fourth network element may also use other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0206] In a possible implementation, a first network element sends a first message to a second network element. The first message includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the service area of a first network and the first radio resources to be allocated for the first network. The second network element sends a second message to a third network element according to the service area of the first network. The second message is used to request the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) element or an element used to manage RAN elements, and at least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network. The third network element sends a second response message to the second network element, and the second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resources. The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, and the first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resources. In this way, the second network element can provide network-level resource opening capabilities. Furthermore, the first network element can indicate the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network by sending the first message to the second network element, so that the second network element can request the third network element within the service area of the first network to allocate the first radio resources for the first network, realizing the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network, and thus realizing the deployment of a subnet in a communication network.

[0207] The following will be combined with Figures 9 to 12 , 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 Figure 5 communication system shown above.

[0208] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application Figure 1 . As Figure 9 shown, the method includes:

[0209] S901. The first network element sends a first message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the first message from the first network element.

[0210] Among them, the first message includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the service area of the first network and the first radio resources to be allocated for the first network.

[0211] S902. The second network element sends a second message to the third network element according to the service area of the first network. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the second message from the second network element.

[0212] Among them, the second message is used to request the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) element or an element used to manage RAN elements, and at least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network.

[0213] S903. The third network element sends a second response message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the second response message from the third network element. The second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resource.

[0214] S904. The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first response message from the second network element. The first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resource.

[0215] It can be understood that the first network element to the third network element can refer to Figure 8 the relevant descriptions of the first network element to the third network element in

[0216] In addition, the first network in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a distributed subnet, or may refer to a part divided from the resources of a communication network, and is a network that provides services for a specific user group or a specific area. This is uniformly described here and will not be elaborated below.

[0217] The following separately introduces steps S901 to S904.

[0218] For step S901:

[0219] In a possible implementation, the service area of the first network is indicated by at least one of the following: at least one reference location corresponding to the service area of the first network, and the service radius corresponding to each reference location in the at least one reference location; and / or, the cell identifier of each cell in at least one cell corresponding to the service area of the first network.

[0220] That is to say, the service area of the first network can be indicated by the reference location and the service radius, thereby reducing the indication overhead. In addition, when the first network element receives an indication from the operator to allocate the first radio resource and the operator also indicates the coverage area of the RAN network element corresponding to the first network, the first network element can also indicate the coverage area of one or more RAN network elements to represent the service area of the first network. In this way, the second network element does not need to convert the service area of the first network into the coverage area of the RAN network element, improving the efficiency of the second network element to address the third network element within the service area of the first network.

[0221] It can be understood that for the service area of the first network being circular or nearly circular, the reference location can be a position close to the center in the service area of the first network. In this way, the service area of the first network can be determined through the reference location and the service radius. For the service area of the first network element being polygonal or other irregular shapes, the service area of the first network can be indicated in the form of indicating reference lines or reference planes. For example, the first network element can indicate through the corresponding coordinates.

[0222] It should be understood that the coordinates indicating the service area of the first network can be two-dimensional coordinates or three-dimensional coordinates. For example, the indication information of the service area of the first network can also include height to indicate multiple service areas at different heights in the same planar area.

[0223] It can be understood that the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference position can be the coordinates on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in the earth centered earthfixed (ECEF) coordinate system; or the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference position 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 in this regard.

[0224] It can be understood that in addition to the cell ID, the service area of the first network can also be indicated by the physical cell ID of each cell in at least one cell. Or, the service area of the first network can also be indicated by the transmission reception point (TRP) ID. It can be understood that the service area of the first network can also be indicated by a combination of at least two of the cell ID, physical cell ID, and TRP ID. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0225] In a possible implementation, the first radio resource includes at least one of the following: a time domain resource for indicating the service time domain range of the first network, a frequency domain resource for indicating the service frequency domain range of the first network, the type of the first radio resource, or the service time corresponding to the first radio resource.

[0226] It can be understood that the time domain resource for indicating the service time domain range of the first network can include system frames, subframes, time slots, or symbols, etc. The frequency domain resource for indicating the service frequency domain range of the first network can include frequency points, frequency bandwidths, or subcarrier intervals, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0227] In addition, the type of the first radio resource can be used to determine whether the first radio resource can be shared with other subnets in different time periods.

[0228] In addition, the service time corresponding to the first radio resource can be used to represent the time range during which the first network expects to provide services. This time range can include the service start time, and the service start time can be indicated by one or more parameters. For example, it is indicated by parameter A that the service start time corresponding to the first radio resource is xx year xx month xx day x hour. Another example is that parameter A indicates the reference time and parameter B indicates the time offset, so that the service start time can be determined through parameter A and parameter B.

[0229] In addition, this time range may further include a service end time, which can be indicated directly by the service end time or indirectly by indicating the service duration to indicate the service end time.

[0230] It can be understood that the indication of the service time corresponding to the first radio resource is only an example, and other indications may also be used. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0231] It should be understood that the first radio resource may include only one of the above-mentioned time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, the type of the first radio resource, and the service time corresponding to the first radio resource. Other unindicated contents can be flexibly configured according to the resource usage of the communication network. For example, when the first radio resource only indicates the time-domain resources, the third network element can allocate according to the currently available frequency-domain resources.

[0232] In addition, the parameter value corresponding to any one of the above-mentioned time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and the service time corresponding to the first radio resource can be a range value. In this way, the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element can select one from the above range values for the allocation of the first radio resource, thereby improving the success rate and efficiency of the first radio resource allocation.

[0233] For example, taking the frequency-domain resources as an example, the frequency-domain resources may include multiple frequency points. In this way, the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element can select one frequency point from the multiple frequency points to allocate the first radio resource.

[0234] That is to say, the first radio resource may include time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, the type of the first radio resource, or the service time corresponding to the first radio resource to facilitate the allocation of the first radio resource.

[0235] In a possible implementation manner, the type of the first radio resource specifically includes: a system type for indicating the network system supported by the first radio resource, and / or a sharing type for indicating whether the first radio resource can be shared.

[0236] It can be understood that the system type may include 4G, 5G, or the future evolved 6G network. Through this system type, the radio protocol stacks corresponding to different system networks can be allocated.

[0237] In addition, the sharing type can be used to indicate whether the first radio resource can be allocated to other subnets during the time period outside its service time. Among them, the sharing type may include exclusive and shareable. Exclusive means that it is not expected to be allocated to other subnets at other times outside the service time corresponding to the first radio resource. Shareable means that it can be shared with other subnets at other times outside the service time corresponding to the first radio resource.

[0238] That is to say, the protocol stack of the radio air interface corresponding to the first radio resource can be determined based on the radio access technology type of the first radio resource. Additionally, whether the first radio resource can be shared can be determined based on the sharing type of the first radio resource, facilitating the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to allocate the first radio resource.

[0239] In a possible implementation, the first radio resource further includes: a priority parameter for indicating the allocation priority of the first radio resource, and / or, a transmission parameter for indicating the QoS flow transmitted by the first radio resource.

[0240] That is to say, when other network elements except the first network element apply for resources of a subnet, the allocation priority of the first radio resource can be indicated by the priority parameter, facilitating the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to determine the allocation priority of the first radio resource, and further determining which subnet's radio resources can be preferentially applied for. The radio characteristics of the QoS flow transmitted by the first radio resource can be determined through the transmission parameter, facilitating the RAN network element or the network element managing the RAN network element to further allocate the first radio resource.

[0241] It can be understood that the above transmission parameters 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 guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flow 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 serving 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 serving 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 ANPDB.

[0242] For step S902:

[0243] It can be understood that the second network element can determine the RAN network element or the management RAN network element (i.e., the third network element) within the service area according to the service area of the first network. Furthermore, the second network element can send a second message to the third network element to request the third network element to allocate the first radio resource for the first network.

[0244] It can also be understood that the second network element can directly interact with the third network element by invoking an interface. In addition, the second message may include the first radio resource indicated by the first indication information.

[0245] For step S903:

[0246] It can be understood that the third network element can determine whether it can allocate the first radio resource for the first network according to the current load. For example, it can estimate the available radio resources during the service time corresponding to the first radio resource based on the current load, and determine the allocation result of the first radio resource according to whether the available radio resources meet the first radio resource.

[0247] For step S904:

[0248] It can be understood that after the second network element receives the second response message from the third network element, it can send the allocation result of the first radio resource carried in the second response message to the first network element through the first response message, so that the first network element can determine the allocation result of the first radio resource.

[0249] In a possible implementation manner, when the allocation of the first radio resource is successful, the allocation result of the first radio resource includes: a third indication information for indicating the success of the allocation of the first radio resource, and / or, a fourth indication information for indicating the allocation parameters of the first radio resource, and the allocation parameters of the first radio resource include at least one of the following: the service time of the allocation of the first radio resource, the frequency point of the allocation of the first radio resource, or the type of the allocation of the first radio resource.

[0250] It can be understood that the type of the allocation of the first radio resource can be shared or exclusive, and for specific details, reference can be made to the relevant description of the type of the first radio resource mentioned above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0251] It can be understood that when the allocation of the first radio resource is successful and the first radio resource includes multiple resources, the actual parameters of the allocation of the first radio resource can be indicated by the fourth indication information, so as to facilitate the first network element to determine the first radio resource actually allocated by the first network.

[0252] In this possible implementation manner, when the allocation of the first radio resource fails, the allocation result of the first radio resource includes: a third indication information for indicating the failure of the allocation of the first radio resource, and / or, a fourth indication information for indicating the reason for the failure of the allocation of the first radio resource.

[0253] It can be understood that the reason for the failure of the allocation of the first radio resource may include insufficient time-domain resources or frequency-domain resources, or a conflict in the service time of the first radio resource.

[0254] That is to say, when the allocation of the first radio resource fails, the first network element can be informed of the failure of the allocation of the first radio resource through the third indication information. In addition, when the first network element is informed of the reason for the failure through the fourth indication information, it is convenient for the first network element to update the first radio resource, and then initiate the allocation of the radio resource of the first network again.

[0255] In a possible implementation manner, the allocation result of the first radio resource further includes: the maximum radio resource supported by the third network element, and / or, the service time range supported by the third network element.

[0256] That is to say, by indicating to the first network element the maximum radio resources supported by the third network element and / or the service time range supported by the third network element, the success rate of the first network element re-initiating the radio resource allocation of the first network can be improved. For example, when the first network element re-initiates the radio resource allocation of the first network, the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources to be allocated can be adjusted to be less than or equal to the maximum radio resources supported by the third network element, thereby improving the success rate of the radio resource allocation of the first network. In addition, the service time range supported by the third network element can be used when the first network element re-initiates the radio resource allocation of the first network to adjust the service time corresponding to the radio resources to be allocated within the service time range supported by the third network element, thereby improving the success rate of the radio resource allocation of the first network.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network; or, the first response message is further used to indicate the identifier of the first network.

[0258] That is to say, for the first indication information further used to indicate the identifier of the first network, that is, the first network element can allocate the identifier of the first network element and transmit it to the second network element and the third network element through the first message. For the first response message further used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the identifier of the first network can be allocated by the third network element or the second network element and notified to the first network element through the first response message.

[0259] It can be understood that the identifier of the first network can be used to identify the first network. Furthermore, the terminal can identify and access the first network through the identifier of the first network carried in the system information sent in the service area of the first network within the service area of the first network.

[0260] It should be understood that the interaction between the above first network element to the third network element can be carried out through an automated interface, which can improve the efficiency of the deployment and maintenance of the first network. In addition, the second network element can be the SMO under the O-RAN architecture, and the third network element can be the RAN network function under the O-RAN architecture; or, the second network element can be the NFVO under the NFV architecture, and the third network element can be the EM under the NFV architecture. That is to say, for RAN serviceification, on the basis of providing serviceification of computing resources, the wireless network can also be virtualized and serviceified as a resource.

[0261] In addition, the second network element in the embodiments of the present application exchanges information between the first network element and the third network element. Furthermore, the second network element can maintain the corresponding relationship between the first network element and the third network element. In this way, when the first network element concurrently applies for and allocates radio resources for subnets corresponding to multiple different service areas, the corresponding relationship between the first network element and the RAN network elements corresponding to multiple different service areas can be determined.

[0262] It should be understood that through the above steps S901 to S904, it can be determined whether the first radio resource allocation of the first network is successful. Among them, in the case where the first radio resource allocation is successful, the first network can be further deployed. For example, as Figure 8 In the relevant description of the first network element in

[0263] In a possible implementation manner, Figure 9 The method shown in

[0264] S905. The first network element sends a third message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the third message from the first network element. Among them, the third message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resources to be allocated for the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resources include the second radio resources.

[0265] It can be understood that the fifth indication information indicating the identifier of the first network can be used to indicate that the second radio resources to be allocated for the first subnet can be divided from the first radio resources of the first network.

[0266] In a possible implementation manner, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second radio resources.

[0267] It can be understood that the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second radio resources can be terminal granularity or service granularity. Among them, the terminal granularity can mean that all the connections of the terminal are switched to the second radio resources, that is, all the connections of the terminal are responsible for the first subnet. The service granularity can mean that the terminal connections corresponding to one or more services can be switched to the second radio resources.

[0268] That is to say, by indicating the handover granularity of the terminal connections supported by the second resources, it can be further convenient for the third network element to allocate the second radio resources for the first subnet.

[0269] S906. The second network element sends a fourth message to the third network element. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the fourth message from the second network element. Among them, the fourth message is used to request the allocation of the second radio resources for the first subnet.

[0270] It can be understood that the implementation of step S906 is similar to the implementation of step S902. For details, please refer to step S902, which will not be elaborated here.

[0271] S907. The third network element sends a fourth response message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the fourth response message from the third network element. The fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resource.

[0272] It can be understood that the implementation of step S907 is similar to that of step S903. For details, please refer to step S903 and will not be elaborated here.

[0273] S908. The second network element sends a third response message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the third response message from the second network element. The third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resource.

[0274] It can be understood that the implementation of step S907 is similar to that of step S904. For details, please refer to step S904 and will not be elaborated here.

[0275] That is to say, by sending a third message to the second network element, the first network element can trigger the process of further deploying a subnet in the first network, and further realize differentiated services in the same service area, so as to meet the diverse needs of services.

[0276] It should be understood that the allocation result of the second radio resource is similar to that of the first radio resource. For example, when the allocation of the second radio resource is successful, the allocation result of the second radio resource may include allocation success and / or the parameters of the second radio resource allocation. For another example, when the allocation of the second radio resource fails, the allocation result of the second radio resource may include the failure of the second radio resource allocation and / or the reason for the failure of the second radio resource allocation, etc. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the allocation result of the first radio resource above and will not be elaborated here.

[0277] It can be understood that, as Figure 8 the relevant description of the first network element, the first network element can customize system information based on the subnet and broadcast the system information through the RAN network element, so that the terminal can access different subnets in the first network on demand. The process of the first network element configuring system information is introduced below.

[0278] In a possible implementation manner, Figure 9 the method shown further includes steps S909 to S912.

[0279] S909. The first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the fifth message from the first network element. The fifth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information. The service area corresponding to the first system information is within the service area of the first network.

[0280] It can be understood that the first system information may include identification information, service information, and service information. Among them, the identification information may include the identification of the first network and / or the identification of the first subnet. In addition, for the specific service information and service information, reference can be made to Figure 8 the relevant description of the system information in, which will not be elaborated here.

[0281] In a possible implementation manner, the sixth indication information further includes the identification of the first network and / or the identification of the first subnet, and the service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network.

[0282] That is to say, by indicating the identification of the first network and / or the identification of the first subnet through the sixth indication information, it is convenient for the second network element to determine the RAN network element or the network element (i.e., the third network element) that manages the RAN network element within the service area corresponding to the first system information.

[0283] S910. The second network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the sixth message from the second network element. The sixth message is used to request to configure and send the first system information within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information.

[0284] It can be understood that the implementation of step S910 is similar to the implementation of step S902. For details, reference can be made to step S902, which will not be elaborated here.

[0285] S911. The third network element sends a sixth response message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the sixth response message from the third network element. The sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system information.

[0286] It can be understood that the implementation of step S911 is similar to the implementation of step S903. For details, reference can be made to step S903, which will not be elaborated here.

[0287] S912. The second network element sends a fifth response message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the fifth response message from the second network element. The fifth response message includes the configuration result of the first system information.

[0288] It can be understood that the implementation of step S912 is similar to the implementation of step S904. For details, reference can be made to step S904, which will not be elaborated here.

[0289] That is to say, by sending a sixth message to the second network element, the first network element can trigger the process of further configuring the first system information of the first network, so that the terminals within the service area corresponding to the first system information can access the first network or different first subnets within the first network as needed according to the first system information.

[0290] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the first network element can also allocate the core network resources corresponding to the first network through the second network element. The process of allocating core network resources for the first network is introduced below.

[0291] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated for the first network; Figure 9 The method shown further includes steps S913 to S915.

[0292] S913. The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth network element. Correspondingly, the fourth network element receives the seventh message from the second network element. The seventh message is used to request the allocation of core network resources for the first network.

[0293] It can be understood that the fourth network element can be a core network element, such as an SMF network element, or a PCF network element, or a network element for allocating core network resources in a future evolved network. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0294] For example, when the fourth network element is a PCF network element, the PCF network element can customize policies for one or more terminals. That is to say, by sending a seventh message to the PCF network element, the second network element can allocate core network resources for multiple terminals within the service area of the first network.

[0295] In a possible implementation manner, the core network resources include at least one of the following: forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types.

[0296] It can be understood that the forwarding resources are used to forward the service data of users. The forwarding resources can include, for example, the number of users, the number of sessions, or the forwarding bandwidth, etc. The QoS information can include QCI or 5QI. The core network resource type can include the sharing type of core network resources. Further, the core network resources can also include the allocation priority of the core network, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0297] That is to say, the core network resources can include forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types to facilitate the core network element to allocate the core network resources of the first network element.

[0298] S914. The fourth network element sends a seventh response message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the seventh response message from the fourth network element. The seventh response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the core network resources.

[0299] It can be understood that step S914 is similar to step S903. For details, reference can be made to step S903 and will not be elaborated here.

[0300] S915. The second network element sends the allocation result of core network resources to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the allocation result of core network resources from the second network element.

[0301] It can be understood that the allocation result of core network resources in step S915 can also be carried by the first response message in step S904, or can also be carried by other messages. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0302] That is to say, the second network element can provide network-level resource opening capabilities. Furthermore, the first network element can send a first message to the second network element to indicate the allocation of core network resources for the first network, so that the second network element can request the fourth network element within the service area of the first network to allocate core network resources for the first network, realizing the allocation of core network resources for the first network, and thus realizing the deployment of a subnet in the communication network.

[0303] In the embodiments of the present application, since the second network element can provide network-level resource opening capabilities, the first network element can send a first message to the second network element to indicate the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network, so that the second network element can request the third network element within the service area of the first network to allocate the first radio resources for the first network, realizing the allocation of the first radio resources for the first network, and thus realizing the deployment of a subnet in the communication network.

[0304] It should be understood that the second network element can be an NEF network element, or an SMO under the O-RAN architecture, or an NFVO or VNFM under the NFV architecture. The following will introduce the corresponding information transmission method processes under different network elements according to Figures 10 to 12 respectively.

[0305] Taking the second network element as the NEF network element, the first network element as the AF network element, the third network element as the RAN network element, and the fourth network element as the SMF network element in the core network NF network element as an example, the information transmission method process provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced.

[0306] Figure 10 It is a schematic flow chart of an information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure 2 . As Figure 10 shown, Figure 10 the provided information transmission process includes the following steps S1001 to S1012.

[0307] S1001. 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.

[0308] Among them, the first request message can refer to Figure 9 the first message in the method process, which will not be elaborated here.

[0309] S1002. The NEF network element sends a second request message to the RAN network element. Correspondingly, the RAN network element receives the second request message from the NEF network element.

[0310] Among them, the second request message can be referred to the second message in the Figure 9 method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0311] S1003. The RAN network element sends a second response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the second response message from the RAN network element.

[0312] Among them, step S1003 can be referred to the second response message in the Figure 9 method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0313] S1004. 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.

[0314] Among them, step S1004 can be referred to the first response message in the Figure 9 method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0315] It should be understood that the sending and receiving of messages in the above steps S1001 to S1004 can call the APIs of the NEF network element and the APIs provided by the RAN network element. For example, steps S1001 and S1004 can send the first request message and the first response message by calling the subnetwork provision subscription (SPS) service provided by the API interface of the NEF network element. Among them, the type in the subnetwork provision subscription service is resource allocation (type = resource allocation).

[0316] Again, for example, steps S1002 and S1003 can send the second request message and the second response message by calling the subnetwork wireless resource create service provided by the API interface of the RAN network element.

[0317] S1005. The AF network element sends a third request message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the third request message from the AF network element.

[0318] Among them, the third request message can be referred to the third message in the Figure 9 method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0319] S1006. The NEF network element sends a fourth request message to the RAN network element. Correspondingly, the RAN network element receives the fourth request message from the NEF network element.

[0320] Among them, the fourth request message can be referred to Figure 9 the fourth message in the method flow of , and will not be elaborated here.

[0321] S1007. The RAN network element sends a fourth response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the fourth response message from the RAN network element.

[0322] Among them, step S1007 can be referred to Figure 9 the fourth response message in the method flow of , and will not be elaborated here.

[0323] S1008. The NEF network element sends a third response message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the third response message from the NEF network element.

[0324] Among them, step S1008 can be referred to Figure 9 the third response message in the method flow of , and will not be elaborated here.

[0325] It should be understood that the sending and receiving of messages in the above steps S1005 to S1008 can call the APIs of the NEF network element and the APIs provided by the RAN network element. For example, steps S1005 and S1008 can send the first request message and the first response message by calling the subnetwork provision subscription (SPS) service provided by the API interface of the NEF network element. Among them, the type in the subnetwork provision subscription service is wireless fence (type = wireless fence).

[0326] Again, for example, steps S1006 and S1007 can send the second request message and the second response message by calling the subnetwork wireless fence create service provided by the API interface of the RAN network element.

[0327] S1009. The AF network element sends a fifth request message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the fifth request message from the AF network element.

[0328] Among them, the fifth request message can be referred to Figure 9 the fifth message in the method flow of , and will not be elaborated here.

[0329] S1010. The NEF network element sends a sixth request message to the RAN network element. Correspondingly, the RAN network element receives the sixth request message from the NEF network element.

[0330] Among them, the fourth request message can be referred to Figure 9The sixth message in the method flow will not be elaborated here.

[0331] S1011. The RAN network element sends a sixth response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the sixth response message from the RAN network element.

[0332] Among them, for step S1011, reference can be made to Figure 9 the sixth response message in the method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0333] S1012. The NEF network element sends a fifth response message to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the fifth response message from the NEF network element.

[0334] Among them, for step S1012, reference can be made to Figure 9 the fifth response message in the method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0335] It should be understood that for the sending and receiving of messages in the above steps S1009 to S1012, the APIs of the NEF network element and the APIs provided by the RAN network element can be called. For example, steps S1009 and S1012 can send the first request message and the first response message by invoking the subnetwork provision subscription (SPS) service provided by the API interface of the NEF network element. Among them, the type in the subnetwork provision subscription service is wireless broadcast (type = wireless broadcast).

[0336] Also for example, steps S1010 and S1011 can send the second request message and the second response message by invoking the subnetwork wireless broadcast create service provided by the API interface of the RAN network element.

[0337] Optionally, the first request message further includes the core network resources of the first network; Figure 10 The method flow shown further includes steps S1013 to S1015.

[0338] S1013. The NEF network element sends a seventh request message to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the seventh request message from the NEF network element.

[0339] Among them, for the seventh request message, reference can be made to Figure 9 the seventh message in the method flow, which will not be elaborated here.

[0340] S1014. The SMF network element sends a seventh response message to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the seventh response message from the SMF network element.

[0341] Among them, the seventh response message can be referred to Figure 9 in the method flow in

[0342] S1015. The NEF network element sends the allocation result of the core network resources to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the allocation result of the core network resources from the NEF network element.

[0343] Among them, step S1015 can be referred to step S9015, which will not be elaborated here.

[0344] It can be understood that steps S1013 and S1014 can send the seventh request message and the seventh response message by invoking the subnetwork core resource create service provided by the API interface of the SMF network element.

[0345] In addition, the above is only an example, and the API interface can also be an internal service interface provided by a future evolved network. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0346] It can be understood that Figure 10 the RAN network element in

[0347] can be replaced by OMC, the SMF network element can be replaced by the PCF network element, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0348] Figure 11 is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure 3 . As Figure 11 shown, Figure 11 the provided information transmission process includes the following steps: S1101~S1112, S1101~S1112 are the same as S1001~S1012, which will not be elaborated here.

[0349] It can be understood that Figure 11 the O-RAN network function network element in

[0350] can include at least one of the following: Near-RT RIC, O-CU, O-DU, or O-RU.

[0351] Figure 12 is a schematic flow of an information transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure 4。As Figure 12 shown, Figure 12 the provided information transmission process includes the following steps: S1201 to S1212. S1201 to S1212 are the same as steps S1001 to S1012 and will not be elaborated here.

[0352] Optionally, Figure 12 the method shown also includes: steps S1213 to S1215. S1213 to S1215 are similar to S1013 to S1015, with the difference that the fourth network element is the CN EM, which will not be elaborated here.

[0353] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the RAN EM and the CN EM can be the same EM, that is, this EM manages both the RAN network element and the NF network element in the core network.

[0354] In addition, the above Figure 12 NFVO can be replaced by VNFM, the RAN EM can be replaced by a RAN network element, and the CN EM can be replaced by a core network NF network element, such as an SMF network element or a PCF network element, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0355] 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 can 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 device; or, the communication device can be the second network element in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above second network element, or a component applicable to the second network element; or, the communication device can be the third network element in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above third network element, or a component applicable to the third network element. 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.

[0356] Embodiments of this application can divide functional modules of a 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 this application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0357] 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 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 13 shown, the communication device 1300 includes: a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302. Among them, the processing module 1301 is used to execute the processing function of the first network element or the second network element in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1302 is used to execute the transceiver function of the first network element, or the second network element, or the third network element in the above method embodiments.

[0358] 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 elaborated here.

[0359] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0360] In a possible design solution, the transceiver module 1302 may include a receiving module and a sending module ( Figure 13 not shown in the figure). Among them, the transceiver module is used to implement the sending function and the receiving function of the communication device 1300.

[0361] In a possible design solution, the communication device 1300 may further include a storage module ( Figure 13 not shown in the figure), and the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1301 executes the program or instruction, the communication device 1300 can execute Figures 6 to 12 the functions of the first network element, or the second network element, or the third network element in any of the methods shown in the figure.

[0362] It should be understood that the processing module 1301 involved in the communication device 1300 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and can be a processor or a processing unit; the transceiver module 1302 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and can be a transceiver or a transceiver unit.

[0363] Exemplarily, Figure 14FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a first network element, or a second network element, or a third network element, or may also be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be disposed in the first network element, or the second network element, or the third network element. As Figure 14 shown, the communication device 1400 may include a processor 1401. In a possible design, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1402 and / or a transceiver 1403. Among them, the processor 1401 is coupled to the memory 1402 and the transceiver 1403, and may be connected through a communication bus, for example.

[0364] The following Figure 14 will specifically introduce each component of the communication device 1400:

[0365] Among them, the processor 1401 is the control center of the communication device 1400, and may be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1401 is one or more central processing units (CPUs), or may also be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, for example: one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0366] In a possible design, the processor 1401 may execute various functions of the communication device 1400 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1402 and calling data stored in the memory 1402.

[0367] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1401 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 14 the CPU0 and CPU1 shown in

[0368] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1400 may also include multiple processors, such as Figure 14 the processor 1401 and the processor 1404 shown in

[0369] Among them, the memory 1402 is used to store the software program for implementing the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 1401 for execution. The specific implementation manner can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0370] In a possible design solution, the memory 1402 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or can also be 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.), a magnetic disk storage medium 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 not limited thereto. The memory 1402 can be integrated with the processor 1401, or can exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1401. The embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0371] The transceiver 1403 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if the communication device 1400 is the first network element, the transceiver 1403 can be used for communication with the second network element. Another example is that if the communication device 1400 is the second network element, the transceiver 1403 can be used for communication with the first network element, or the third network element, etc. Another example is that if the communication device 1400 is the third network element, the transceiver 1403 can be used for communication with the second network element.

[0372] In a possible design solution, the transceiver 1403 can include a receiver and a transmitter ( Figure 14 not shown separately). Among them, the receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0373] In a possible design solution, the transceiver 1403 can be an input / output interface or an interface circuit for inputting and / or outputting signals.

[0374] In a possible design solution, the transceiver 1403 can be integrated with the processor 1401, or can exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1401. The embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0375] It should be noted that Figure 14The structure of the communication device 1400 shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. The actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0376] In addition, the communication device 1400 can execute the above information transmission method. Therefore, the technical effects it can obtain can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0377] 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, the functions of the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0378] 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.

[0379] 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.

[0380] 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.

[0381] 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 computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a 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 wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more media integrated therein. 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.

[0382] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples 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. Professionals 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.

[0383] 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.

[0384] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can 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 the devices or units can be in an electrical, mechanical, or other form.

[0385] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component displayed as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may 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.

[0386] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, each functional unit may be integrated into a processing unit, may exist separately as individual physical units, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0387] If the above-mentioned function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or 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 each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing 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.

[0388] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein, however, in the process of implementing the claimed present application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement 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.

[0389] Although the present application has been described in connection with specific features and their embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, the present specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that The method includes: A first network element sends a first message to a second network element, where the first message includes first indication information for indicating a service area of a first network and first radio resources to be allocated by the first network; The second network element sends a second message to a third network element according to the service area of the first network, where the second message is used to request allocation of the first radio resources for the first network, the third network element is a radio access network (RAN) element or an element for managing the RAN element, and at least part of a coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network; The third network element sends a second response message to the second network element, where the second response message is used to indicate an allocation result of the first radio resources; The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The service area of the first network is indicated by at least one of the following: At least one reference position corresponding to the service area of the first network and a service radius corresponding to each reference position in the at least one reference position; and / or, A cell identifier of each cell in at least one cell corresponding to the service area of the first network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first radio resources include at least one of the following: time domain resources for indicating a service time domain range of the first network, frequency domain resources for indicating a service frequency domain range of the first network, a type of the first radio resources, or a service time corresponding to the first radio resources.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The type of the first radio resources specifically includes: a format type for indicating a network format supported by the first radio resources, and / or, a sharing type for indicating whether the first radio resources are sharable.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The first radio resources further include: a priority parameter for indicating an allocation priority of the first radio resources, and / or, a transmission parameter for indicating a quality of service (QoS) flow transmitted by the first radio resources.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that In a case where allocation of the first radio resources fails, the allocation result of the first radio resources includes: third indication information for indicating failure of allocation of the first radio resources, and / or, fourth indication information for indicating a reason for failure of allocation of the first radio resources.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The allocation result of the first radio resources further includes: a maximum radio resource supported by the third network element, and / or, a service time range supported by the third network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that The first indication information is further used to indicate an identifier of the first network; or, the first response message is further used to indicate an identifier of the first network.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further includes: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element, where the third message includes fifth indication information for indicating an identifier of the first network, a service area of a first subnet, and second radio resources to be allocated by the first subnet, the service area of the first subnet is located within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resources include the second radio resources; The second network element sends a fourth message to the third network element, where the fourth message is used to request allocation of the second radio resource for the first subnet; The third network element sends a fourth response message to the second network element, where the fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resource; The second network element sends a third response message to the first network element, where the third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resource.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The fifth indication information is further used to indicate the handover granularity of the terminals connected by the second radio resource.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element, where the fifth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information, and the service area corresponding to the first system information is within the service area of the first network; The second network element sends a sixth message to the third network element, where the sixth message is used to request configuration to send the first system information within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information; The third network element sends a sixth response message to the second network element, where the sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system information; The second network element sends a fifth response message to the first network element, where the fifth response message includes the configuration result of the first system information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The sixth indication information further includes the identifier of the first network and / or the identifier of the first subnet, and the service area of the first subnet is within the service area of the first network.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated by the first network; the method further includes: The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth network element, where the seventh message is used to request allocation of the core network resources for the first network; The fourth network element sends a seventh response message to the second network element, where the seventh response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the core network resources; The second network element sends the allocation result of the core network resources to the first network element.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The core network resources include at least one of the following: forwarding resources, QoS information, or core network resource types.

15. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first network element sends a first message to a second network element, where the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service area of the first network and the first radio resource to be allocated by the first network; The first network element receives a first response message from the second network element, where the first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resource.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element, where the third message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resource to be allocated by the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resource includes the second radio resource; The first network element receives a third response message from the second network element, where the third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resource.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element, where the fifth message includes sixth indication information for indicating the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information, and the service area corresponding to the first system information is within the service area of the first network; The first network element receives a fifth response message from the second network element, where the sixth response message includes the configuration result of the first system message.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 - 17, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated by the first network; the method further includes: The first network element receives the allocation result of the core network resources from the second network element.

19. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second network element receives a first message from the first network element, where the first message includes first indication information for indicating the service area of the first network and the first radio resources to be allocated by the first network; The second network element sends a second message to the third network element according to the service area of the first network, where the second message is used to request to allocate the first radio resources for the first network, the third network element is a radio access network (RAN) network element or a network element for managing the RAN network element, and the coverage area associated with the third network element at least partially overlaps with the service area of the first network; The second network element receives a second response message from the third network element, where the second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resources; The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the allocation result of the first radio resources.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further includes: The second network element receives a third message from the first network element, where the third message includes fifth indication information for indicating the identifier of the first network, the service area of the first subnet, and the second radio resources to be allocated by the first subnet, the service area of the first subnet is within the service area of the first network, and the first radio resources include the second radio resources; The second network element sends a fourth message to the third network element, where the fourth message is used to request to allocate the second radio resources for the first subnet; The second network element receives a fourth response message from the third network element, where the fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resources; The second network element sends a third response message to the first network element, where the third response message includes the allocation result of the second radio resources.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network element receives a fifth message from the first network element. The fifth message includes sixth indication information, which is used to indicate the first system information to be configured, the service area corresponding to the first system information, and the service time range corresponding to the first system information. The service area corresponding to the first system information is within the service area of the first network; The second network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request to configure the first system information to be sent within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information; The second network element receives a sixth response message from the third network element. The sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system information; The second network element sends a fifth response message to the first network element. The fifth response message includes the configuration result of the first system information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 21, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate the core network resources to be allocated by the first network; The method further includes: The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth network element. The seventh message is used to request to allocate the core network resources for the first network; The second network element receives a seventh response message from the fourth network element. The seventh response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the core network resources; The second network element sends the allocation result of the core network resources to the first network element.

23. An information transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The third network element receives a second message from the second network element. The second message is used to request to allocate first radio resources for the first network. The third network element is a radio access network (RAN) network element or a network element for managing the RAN network element. At least part of the coverage area associated with the third network element overlaps with the service area of the first network; The third network element sends a second response message to the second network element. The second response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the first radio resources.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: The third network element receives a fourth message from the second network element. The fourth message is used to request to allocate second radio resources for the first subnet. The service area of the first subnet is within the service area of the first network. The first radio resources include the second radio resources; The third network element sends a fourth response message to the second network element. The fourth response message is used to indicate the allocation result of the second radio resources.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third network element receives a sixth message from the second network element. The sixth message is used to request to configure the first system information to be sent within the service area corresponding to the first system information and the service time range corresponding to the first system information; The third network element sends a sixth response message to the second network element. The sixth response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first system message.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 15 - 18, or includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 19 - 22, or includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 23 - 25.

27. 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 15 - 18 through logic circuits and / or execution of instructions, or to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 - 22, or to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 23 - 25.

28. 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 15 - 18 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 19 - 22 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 23 - 25 to be implemented.

29. 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 15 - 18, or cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 - 22, or cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 23 - 25.

30. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element, wherein the first network element is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 - 18, the second network element is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 - 22, and the third network element is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 23 - 25.

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