Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: acquiring a position correspondence, the position correspondence comprising a correspondence between position information supported by a first PLMN and position information supported by a second PLMN; the first PLMN is a PLMN supported by an access network node part of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a service PLMN of a mobile terminal part of the relay node; determining first position information supported by the first PLMN according to the position correspondence and second position information supported by the second PLMN, and / or sending the position correspondence; the first position information and the second position information are used for determining the position area where the mobile terminal part is located. Based on the application, the relay node and / or the service core network equipment of the terminal equipment can determine the position corresponding to the position area where the mobile terminal part is located in the coverage area of the first PLMN.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] In the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) mobile communication topology enhancement project, a new architecture based on wireless access and backhaul (WAB) nodes is being studied. The application scenario of the WAB architecture can be vehicle mounted relay (VMR), in which WAB nodes are deployed as relay nodes in vehicles (or even airplanes) to provide wireless coverage for terminals in the vehicle, thereby overcoming the problem of poor wireless signal in the vehicle. The relay node accesses the macro base station (also known as the host access network node) through wireless backhaul.

[0003] Due to the mobility of WAB nodes, the location information deployed on the access network node portion (WAB-gNB) of the WAB node (such as the tracking area identity (TAI) and / or the new radio cell global identifier (NCGI)) may need to be updated according to the current location of the WAB node. Furthermore, to assist the core network of terminal devices in location management for terminal devices accessing the access network node portion of the WAB node, the access network node portion of the WAB node can indicate the location information of the WAB node to the core network of the terminal devices, such as the cell identifier (NCGI) of the serving cell of the WAB node's mobile terminal portion (WAB-MT) and the TAI of the tracking area where the serving cell is located.

[0004] Since both NCGI and TAI are related to the public land mobile network (PLMN), the same physical cell under different PLMNs may correspond to different TAIs or different NCGIs. Therefore, when the terminal equipment of the access network node part of the WAB node and the mobile terminal part of the WAB node select different serving PLMNs, the core network of the terminal equipment or the access network node part of the WAB node may not be able to identify the TAI or NCGI corresponding to the physical location of the mobile terminal part of the WAB node. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and communication device, which aims to enable the core network of the terminal device and / or the access network node of the WAB node to identify the location of the mobile terminal of the WAB node when the terminal device of the access network node portion of the access WAB node and the mobile terminal portion of the WAB node select different serving PLMNs.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a device (such as a relay node, a first core network device, a second core network device, or the access network node portion of a relay node) or by a component of the device (such as a chip, circuit, chip system, or communication module), and this application does not limit the execution of such method.

[0007] The method includes: obtaining a location correspondence, which includes a correspondence between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN, wherein the location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information; wherein the first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node; determining the first location information based on the location correspondence and the second location information, and / or sending the location correspondence; the first location information and the second location information are used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal portion is located.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the relay node or the second core network device can obtain the correspondence between the location information supported by the first PLMN and the location information supported by the second PLMN, and determine the location corresponding to the location area of ​​the mobile terminal within the coverage area of ​​the first PLMN according to the correspondence. Thus, the relay node can correctly update its location during movement, and / or the second core network device can perform location management for the terminal devices accessing the access network node. The second core network device is a core network device that provides services to the terminal devices of the access network node portion accessing the relay node.

[0009] The location correspondence includes at least two location information that have a correspondence to determine the same location area. For example, if the first location information supported by the first PLMN has a correspondence with the second location information supported by the second PLMN, then the first location information and the second location information are used to determine the same location area.

[0010] For example, the location information supported by the first or second PLMN includes one or more of the following: tracking area identity (TAI) or new radio (NR) cell global identifier (NCGI).

[0011] For example, the first PLMN includes all PLMNs supported by the access network node portion that are different from the second PLMN, or the first PLMN includes a PLMN that provides services to a terminal device, the terminal device being a terminal device of the access network node portion of the access relay node, and the PLMN providing services to the terminal device being different from the second PLMN.

[0012] It should be understood that if the first PLMN includes PLMNs that are different from the second PLMN among all PLMNs supported by the access network node, then regardless of which PLMN the terminal device serving the access network node is, the relay node and / or the second core network device can determine the location within the coverage area of ​​the first PLMN corresponding to the location area where the mobile terminal is located, based on the location correspondence. If the first PLMN includes PLMNs that provide services to the terminal device, then the relay node and / or the second core network device can avoid obtaining the correspondence between the location information supported by PLMNs other than those providing services to the terminal device and the location information supported by the second PLMN.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, obtaining the location correspondence includes: receiving the location correspondence from a first device, wherein the first device is at least one of the following: a network management device, a first core network device, a second core network device, or an access network node to which the mobile terminal portion of a relay node is connected.

[0014] The first core network device is used to provide services to the mobile terminal portion. For example, the first core network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following network elements used to provide services to the mobile terminal portion: access management network element, session management network element, user plane network element, or data management network element.

[0015] The second core network device is used to provide services to terminal devices accessing the access network node portion. For example, the second core network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following network elements that provide services to terminal devices accessing the access network node portion: access management network element, session management network element, user plane network element, or data management network element.

[0016] For example, in a 5G communication system, the access management network element can be the access and mobility management function (AMF), the session management network element can be the session management function (SMF), the user plane network element can be the user plane function (UPF), and the data management network element can be the unified data management function (UDM).

[0017] The access network node that the mobile terminal accesses is the access network node that serves the mobile terminal portion, and can also be called the host access network node. For example, if the relay node is a WAB node, and the mobile terminal (MT) portion of the relay node is denoted as WAB-MT, then the access network node that the mobile terminal accesses can be a next-generation node B (gNB) that serves WAB-MT.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a request message to the first device, the request message being used to request the acquisition of the location correspondence.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before receiving the location correspondence, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the first device, the first indication information being used to indicate the second PLMN and / or the first PLMN.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can send the location correspondence between the first PLMN and the second PLMN based on the first instruction information.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before obtaining the location correspondence, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the second PLMN and / or the second PLMN.

[0022] Based on the above technical solution, the location correspondence can be obtained even when the second PLMN is different from the first PLMN, thereby avoiding unnecessary communication processes.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before obtaining the location correspondence, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate obtaining the location correspondence.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, where the first location information is determined based on the location correspondence, the method further includes: sending the first location information to the second core network device or the terminal device of the access network node.

[0025] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the first location information, the second core network device can determine the location area of ​​the terminal device, thereby facilitating location management of the terminal device. After receiving the first location information, the terminal device can determine its location area.

[0026] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a device (such as a relay node, a first core network device, a second core network device, or the access network node portion of a relay node) or by a component of the device (such as a chip, circuit, chip system, or communication module). This application does not limit the scope of the method.

[0027] The method includes: receiving a request message; and in response to the request message, sending a location correspondence, the location correspondence including a correspondence between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN, wherein the first location information supported by the first PLMN and the second location information supported by the second PLMN are used to determine the same location area, and the first location information corresponds to the second location information.

[0028] The beneficial effects in the second aspect can be referred to the description in the first aspect above.

[0029] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a device (such as a first core network device, a second core network device, or the access network node portion of a relay node) or by a component of the device (such as a chip, circuit, chip system, or communication module). This application does not limit the scope of the method.

[0030] The system receives a first indication message, which indicates a first PLMN and / or a second PLMN. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. If the first PLMN and the second PLMN are different, the system sends a second indication message, which indicates the acquisition of a location correspondence. The location correspondence includes the correspondence between the location information supported by the first PLMN and the location information supported by the second PLMN. The first location information supported by the first PLMN and the second location information supported by the second PLMN are used to determine the same location area, and the first location information corresponds to the second location information.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the third aspect can be referred to in the description of the first aspect above.

[0032] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any of the above implementations of the first aspect, such as a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0033] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0034] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0035] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the second aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in the second aspect, such as a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0036] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0037] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the third aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in the third aspect, such as a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0039] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0040] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a processor for executing the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0042] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0043] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program code for execution by a device, the program code including a method for performing any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0044] Ninth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor reading instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executing the method provided by any one of the implementations of the first to third aspects.

[0046] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip also includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions, and a processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0047] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, including the communication device described in the fourth aspect. Optionally, the communication system further includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect. Optionally, the communication system further includes the communication device described in the sixth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system 100 to which this application embodiment applies.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a WAB network architecture.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another WAB network architecture.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0056] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0057] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 10 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are provided.

[0061] First, in this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication information as indicating A, it can include whether the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication information includes A.

[0062] The information indicated by the instruction information is called the instruction-to-be-instructed information. In the specific implementation, there are many ways to instruct the instruction-to-be-instructed information. The instruction-to-be-instructed information can be sent as a whole, or it can be divided into multiple sub-information messages and sent separately. Furthermore, the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0063] Second, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1," "#2," etc.) are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes below do not imply an order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, in the embodiments of this application, terms such as "S510," "S601," etc., are merely identifiers for descriptive convenience and do not limit the order of execution steps.

[0064] Third, in this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0065] Fourth, the term "storage" in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others can be integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0066] Fifth, the “protocol” involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as LTE protocol, NR protocol and related protocols applied to future communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0067] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, "under the circumstances", "when", and "if" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0068] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations, such as radio resource control (RRC), are merely exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0069] Eighth, the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0070] Ninth, in the embodiments of this application, no restrictions are placed on the names of messages and devices, as long as they can achieve the corresponding functions.

[0071] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) systems, new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation mobile communication systems. The technical solutions of this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0073] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, let's first take... Figure 1 The communication system shown in the figure is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0074] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system 100 to which embodiments of this application apply. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 may include at least one access network device, such as Figure 1 The access network device 110 shown; the communication system 100 may also include at least one terminal device, such as Figure 1 The terminal device 120 shown; the communication system 100 may also include at least one core network (CN) device, for example Figure 1The core network device 130 is shown. Access network device 110 and terminal device 120 can communicate via a wireless link, and access network device 110 and core network device 130 can also communicate via a wireless link. Each communication device, such as access network device 110, terminal device 120, and core network device 130, can be configured with multiple antennas. For each communication device in this communication system 100, the configured multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Therefore, the communication devices in this communication system 100, such as access network device 110 and terminal device 120, can communicate via multi-antenna technology.

[0075] As an example, not a limitation, regarding Figure 1 The access network devices and terminal devices in the illustrated scenario can communicate in various ways, such as point-to-point transmission, multi-hop (or relay) transmission, or dual connectivity (DC) or multiple connectivity transmission between multiple access network devices and terminal devices. This application does not limit the communication method between the access network devices and terminal devices. For example, the transmission between the access network devices and terminal devices can be uplink, downlink, access link, backhaul link, or sidelink, etc.

[0076] In this application, "terminal equipment" can refer to an access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, relay station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user equipment (UE), terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. Terminal equipment can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal equipment in a 5G network, or terminal equipment in a future public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0077] As an example and not a limitation, in this application embodiment, wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices. This is a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functionality without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific application function and require use with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. Its main technical feature is connecting objects to the network via communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network for human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. In this embodiment, IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low terminal power consumption through technologies such as narrowband (NB).

[0079] The access network device (or access network node (NG-RAN-node)) in this application embodiment can be any device with wireless transceiver function used to communicate with terminal devices. This equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved Node B (HeNB, or home Node B (HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), wireless relay equipment, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system. It can also be a gNB in ​​a 5G or NR system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DMU). Units (DUs), etc., can also be devices that communicate with terminal devices in 6G systems, such as gNBs in 6G systems.

[0080] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distribution unit (DU). The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some of the gNB's functions, and the DU implements others. For example, the CU handles non-real-time protocols and services, implementing radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer functions. The DU handles physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layer functions. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and active antenna-related functions. Since RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is derived from PHY layer information, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can be considered to be sent by the DU, or by the DU+AAU. It is understood that access network equipment can be devices including one or more of the following: CU nodes, DU nodes, and AAU nodes. In addition, the CU can be classified as a network device in the radio access network (RAN) or as a network device in the core network (CN), and this application does not limit this.

[0081] In different systems, the CU (which can be divided into the central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture. In an ORAN system, the CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0082] The core network equipment portion in this application embodiment may include, but is not limited to, the following network functions (NFs): user plane function (UPF), network exposure function (NEF), network function repository function (NRF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management function (UDM), unified data repository function (UDR), network data analytics function (NWDAF), authentication server function (AUSF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), and network slice selection function (NSSF). AMF, SMF, UPF, NEF, AUSF, NRF, PCF, NSSF, and UDM can be understood as network elements in the core network used to implement different functions, and for example, they can be combined into network slices as needed. These core network elements can be independent devices or integrated into the same device to achieve different functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the above-mentioned network elements.

[0083] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in 6G networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

[0084] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the CN device is used to provide user connectivity, manage users, and carry out service delivery, serving as an interface to external networks as the bearer network. This application mainly involves the AMF network element (or AMF, AMF device, AMF unit, etc.) in the core network. The AMF is a control plane network function provided by the operator network, responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator network, including functions such as mobility state management, allocating temporary user identities, authenticating and authorizing users, etc.

[0085] In this embodiment, the terminal device, access network device, or core network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software. Furthermore, this embodiment does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in this embodiment by running a program that records the code of the method provided in this embodiment. For example, the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment can be a terminal device or a network device, or a functional module in the terminal device or network device that can call and execute a program.

[0086] Furthermore, various aspects or features of this application can be implemented as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein encompasses a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). Additionally, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable storage medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0087] It should be understood that Figure 1 This explanation uses communication between access network equipment and terminal equipment, and between access network equipment and core network equipment, as examples to briefly illustrate one communication scenario in which this application can be applied, and does not limit other scenarios in which this application can be applied. It should also be understood that... Figure 1This is a simplified illustration for ease of understanding only. The communication system may also include other network devices or other terminal devices. Figure 1 It was not drawn in the middle.

[0088] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel-19, the study will focus on Layer 3 relay-based networks. Relay nodes will possess full access network node functionality, while simultaneously needing to provide mobile terminal (MT) capabilities for backhaul. The Rel-19 topology enhancement project is investigating a new WAB architecture. As an example, not a limitation, the primary scenario for the WAB network architecture is vehicle-mounted mobile relay (VMR) scenarios, where relay nodes are deployed in vehicles (or even aircraft) to provide wireless coverage for UEs within the vehicle, overcoming the problem of poor wireless signal strength inside the vehicle. Figure 3 As can be seen, a WAB node consists of two parts: a gNB and a MT. The gNB part of the WAB node can be called WAB-gNB, and the MT part can be called WAB-MT. This can be understood as the WAB node including gNB functionality (optional, it can also have CU and DU functionality, as the gNB can have a CU / DU separate architecture) and MT functionality. The MT part of the relay node connects to the macro station (the access network node serving the relay node's MT) serving the MT part of the relay node via wireless backhaul, such as... Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a VMR.

[0089] In this context, the access network node that the relay node's MT accesses is the access network node that serves the relay node's MT, and can also be called the host access network node. For example, if the relay node is a WAB node, and the mobile terminal portion of the relay node is denoted as WAB-MT, then the access network node that the mobile terminal portion accesses can be a gNB that serves WAB-MT.

[0090] Rel-19 names access network devices that support WAB as WAB nodes. It should be noted that this application does not impose any limitations on the name of the device; it only needs to perform the corresponding functions. For example, access network devices supporting WAB technology can also be called WAB devices, mobile WAB nodes, or first nodes, etc. For ease of description, access network devices supporting WAB will be referred to as WAB nodes in the following text.

[0091] For example, the UE accesses the WAB-gNB via the Uu interface, and then the WAB-MT wraps the UE's control plane or user plane data in the WAB-MT's PDU session, which is then transmitted through the WAB-MT's Uu interface, via the gNB serving the WAB-MT and the UPF serving the WAB-MT (i.e., Figure 3 The N3 tunnel between the UE and WAB-MT_UPF is sent to the WAB-MT_UPF. The WAB-MT_UPF then removes the header information from the WAB-MT related data packets, exposing the UE-related header information, and routes it according to the Internet Protocol (IP) to the core network serving the UE (e.g., the AMF, SMF, or UPF serving the UE). Logically, the UE and the AMF serving the UE (i.e., the N3 tunnel between the UE and WAB-MT_UPF) are connected. Figure 3 A NAS connection was established between the UE and the core network of the UE for transmitting control plane data; the UE and the UPF serving the UE (i.e., Figure 3 A PDU session is established between the UE's core network and the UE's core network for transmitting user plane data. Both types of data from the UE are transmitted to the UE's core network within a PDU session encapsulated in the WAB-MT.

[0092] The above examples illustrate how a UE communicates with its core network under a WAB network architecture. The interface-level data transmission between the WAB-gNB and the UE's core network (the AMF serving the UE) is similar, also requiring transmission through the WAB-MT's PDU session to the UPF serving the WAB-MT (i.e.,...). Figure 3 The WAB-gNB then routes the data to the AMF serving the UE. Logically, an N2 connection (also known as a next-generation (NG) connection) is established between the WAB-gNB and the AMF serving the UE, and an N3 tunnel is established between the WAB-gNB and the UPF serving the UE.

[0093] It should be understood that the core network serving the UE in the embodiments of this application includes core network elements such as the AMF serving the UE and the UPF serving the UE. In the following text, the core network serving the UE can also be referred to as the UE's core network. For example, the AMF serving the UE can also be referred to as the UE's AMF, which can be abbreviated as UE_AMF; and the UPF serving the UE can also be referred to as the UE's UPF, which can be abbreviated as UE_UPF.

[0094] In addition, the core network serving WAB-MT in this embodiment includes core network elements such as AMF serving WAB-MT and UPF serving WAB-MT. In the following text, the core network serving WAB-MT can also be referred to as the core network of WAB-MT. For example, AMF serving WAB-MT can also be referred to as WAB-MT AMF, which can be abbreviated as WAB-MT_AMF; and UPF serving WAB-MT can also be referred to as WAB-MT UPF, which can be abbreviated as WAB-MT_UPF.

[0095] The process of a WAB node joining the network includes the following stages:

[0096] 1) Phase 1: WAB-MT accesses the network. WAB-MT accesses the gNB serving WAB-MT and the core network serving WAB-MT (hereinafter referred to as MT_CN) as a UE. After obtaining authorization from MT_CN, WAB-MT needs to establish at least one PDU session to ensure the connectivity between WAB-gNB and OAM or to provide backhaul services for WAB-gNB.

[0097] 2) Phase 2: WAB-gNB initialization. OAM configures the base station parameters for WAB-gNB, enabling WAB-gNB to function as a base station. Phase 2 does not have a clear order of precedence with Phase 1.

[0098] 3) Phase 3: WAB-gNB interface establishment. After obtaining authorization, the WAB-gNB establishes an N2 interface with the core network serving the UE (hereinafter referred to as UE_CN) through a backhaul PDU session. Optionally, the WAB-gNB can also establish an Xn interface with neighboring stations (such as the gNB serving WAB-MT or other fixed gNBs in the vicinity) through a backhaul PDU session.

[0099] Additionally, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the wireless access network can be an ORAN architecture, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the WAB-gNB, the gNB serving WAB-MT, and other-gNB mentioned above can be part of the ORAN architecture. Figure 4The ORAN architecture shown includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC), gNB-CU, and gNB-DU. The RIC collects network information and performs necessary optimization tasks. It communicates with the gNB-CU and gNB-DU via an E2 interface; that is, the RIC can directly control the WAB-DU, or control the WAB-DU through the WAB-CU. The gNB-CU supports ORAN functions and includes both the donor-CU and WAB-CU. The gNB-DU supports ORAN functions and includes both the donor-DU and WAB-DU. Interaction between WAB-gNB and donor-gNB can also be achieved through the RIC. It should be noted that... Figure 4 In this context, the "donor" refers to the gNB that serves WAB-MT.

[0100] Due to the mobility of WAB nodes, location information deployed on the WAB-gNB, such as the Tracking Area Identity (TAI) and / or the New Radio Cell Global Identifier (NCGI), may need to be updated based on the current location of the WAB node. Furthermore, to assist the UE's core network in managing the location of UEs accessing the WAB-gNB, the WAB-gNB can indicate the location information of the WAB-MT to the UE's core network via UE-related Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) signaling. This information includes, for example, the NCGI of the serving cell of the WAB-MT and the TAI of the tracking area where the serving cell is located.

[0101] Since both NCGI and TAI are related to PLMN, the same physical cell under different PLMNs may correspond to different TAI or different NCGI. Therefore, when the UE accessing WAB-gNB and the serving PLMN selected by WAB-MT are inconsistent, the UE's core network or WAB-gNB may not be able to identify the TAI or NCGI corresponding to the physical location of WAB-MT.

[0102] In view of this, this application provides a communication method to enable the UE's core network and / or WAB-gNB to identify the location of WAB-MT when the UE accessing WAB-gNB and the serving PLMN selected by WAB-MT are inconsistent.

[0103] For ease of understanding and explanation, the communication method of this application embodiment is described below using the interaction between devices as an example, but this should not limit the subject executing the communication method. For example, the method executed by the device can be executed by a module of the device (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system), or it can be implemented by a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

[0104] It should be noted that the devices, nodes, or network elements in the following embodiments can be substituted for each other. For example, the devices in the following embodiments can be replaced by nodes or network elements, or the nodes in the following embodiments can be replaced by devices or network elements. This application does not limit this.

[0105] Figure 5 A schematic flowchart of the method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 5 As shown, method 500 may include the following steps.

[0106] S510, the second device obtains the location correspondence.

[0107] The second device can be at least one of the following: a relay node, a first core network device, a second core network device, or an access network node accessed by the mobile terminal portion of a relay node.

[0108] Relay nodes, also known as mobile relay nodes or WAB nodes, can include both mobile terminal components and access network node components. Further details about relay nodes can be found above. Figure 3 The description of WAB nodes.

[0109] The first core network device is used to provide services to the mobile terminal portion. For example, the first core network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following network elements used to provide services to the mobile terminal portion: access management network element, session management network element, user plane network element, or data management network element.

[0110] The second core network device is used to provide services to terminal devices accessing the access network node portion. For example, the second core network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following network elements that provide services to terminal devices accessing the access network node portion: access management network element, session management network element, user plane network element, or data management network element.

[0111] For example, in a 5G communication system, the access management network element can be AMF, the session management network element can be SMF, the user plane network element can be UPF, and the data management network element can be UDM.

[0112] The access network node to which the mobile terminal part accesses is the access network node that serves the mobile terminal part, and can also be called the host access network node. For example, if the relay node is a WAB node, and the mobile terminal part of the relay node is denoted as WAB-MT, then the access network node to which the mobile terminal part accesses can be a gNB that serves WAB-MT.

[0113] The location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between location information supported by the first PLMN and location information supported by the second PLMN. The location mapping relationship includes at least two location information pieces with a mapping relationship used to determine the same location area. For example, if the first location information supported by the first PLMN and the second location information supported by the second PLMN have a mapping relationship, then the first and second location information are used to determine the same location area. Here, the first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion.

[0114] For example, the location correspondence can also be called the inter-PLMN location correspondence.

[0115] For example, the location information supported by the first PLMN or the second PLMN includes one or more of the following: TAI, or NCGI.

[0116] For example, the first PLMN includes all PLMNs supported by the access network node portion that are different from the second PLMN, or the first PLMN includes a PLMN that provides services to a terminal device, the terminal device being a terminal device of the access network node portion of the access relay node, and the PLMN providing services to the terminal device being different from the second PLMN.

[0117] The following describes how the second device obtains the location correspondence.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the second device obtains the location mapping relationship by receiving the location mapping relationship from the first device. The first device is at least one of the following: a network management device, a first core network device, a second core network device, or an access network node partially accessed by the mobile terminal. The network management device may be an OAM (Operational Access Management) device.

[0119] Optionally, before the second device receives the location correspondence from the first device, method 500 further includes: the second device sending a request message to the first device, the request message being used to request the acquisition of the location correspondence.

[0120] Optionally, if the first PLMN and the second PLMN are different, the second device sends a request message to the first device. In other words, if at least one PLMN supported by the access network node portion is different from the PLMN providing services to the mobile terminal portion, the second device sends a request message to the first device to request the location mapping. Alternatively, if the PLMN providing services to the terminal device accessing the access network node portion is different from the PLMN providing services to the mobile terminal portion, the second device sends a request message to the first device to request the location mapping.

[0121] Optionally, before the second device receives the location correspondence from the first device, method 500 further includes: the second device sending first indication information to the first device, the first indication information being used to indicate the second PLMN and / or the first PLMN.

[0122] For example, if the first device is a first core network device, the first indication information sent by the second device to the first device is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0123] For example, if the first device is a second core network device, the first indication information sent by the second device to the first device is used to indicate the second PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0124] For example, if the first device is an access network node partially accessed by a mobile terminal, the first indication information sent by the second device to the first device is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0125] Based on the above technical solution, if the first device does not know the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN, when the second device sends the first indication information to the first device, the first device can determine the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN based on the first indication information, so that the first device can send the location correspondence to the second device according to the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the second device obtains the location correspondence by: the second device obtaining a broadcast message of the serving cell for the mobile terminal portion, the broadcast message including location information #1 supported by the first PLMN and location information #2 supported by the second PLMN, where both location information #1 and location information #2 are used to identify the serving cell for the mobile terminal portion; the second device determines the location correspondence based on location information #1 and location information #2. In other words, the location correspondence determined by the second device includes location information #1 and location information #2, and location information #1 and location information #2 have a correspondence.

[0127] For example, if the second device is a relay node or an access network node accessed by a mobile terminal, the second device can determine the location correspondence based on the broadcast message of the serving cell of the mobile terminal.

[0128] Optionally, before the second device obtains the location correspondence, method 500 further includes: the second device receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN.

[0129] For example, if the second device is a first core network device, the first indication information received by the second device is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0130] For example, if the second device is a second core network device, the first indication information received by the second device is used to indicate the second PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0131] For example, if the second device is an access network node partially accessed by a mobile terminal, the first indication information received by the second device is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the first indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the second PLMN.

[0132] Based on the above technical solution, if the second device does not know the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN, when the second device receives the first indication information, the second device can determine the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN based on the first indication information, so that the second device can obtain the transmission location correspondence based on the first PLMN and / or the second PLMN.

[0133] Optionally, before the second device obtains the location correspondence, method 500 further includes: the second device receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate the acquisition of the location correspondence.

[0134] Further, method 500 executes S520a and / or S520b. For example, if the second device is a relay node, method 500 continues to execute S520a; optionally, method 500 also executes S520b. If the second device is a second core network device, method 500 continues to execute S520a; optionally, method 500 also executes S520b. If the second device is a first core network device or an access network node partially accessed by a mobile terminal, method 500 continues to execute S520b.

[0135] S520a, the second device determines the first position information based on the position correspondence and the second position information.

[0136] The second location information is the location information supported by the second PLMN, which is used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal is located.

[0137] For example, if the second device is a relay node, it can obtain the second location information from the broadcast message of the serving cell in the mobile terminal portion. If the second device is a second core network device, it can receive the second location information from the relay node. For instance, the second device receives the second location information from the access network node portion of the relay node.

[0138] The first location information is the location information supported by the first PLMN that corresponds to the second location information. It can be understood that, when the first location information and the second location information have a corresponding relationship, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal is located.

[0139] It should be understood that if the second device is a second core network device, then when the second device determines the first location information, it can determine the location of the terminal devices in the access network node section based on the first location information, thereby facilitating the second device's location management of the terminal devices in the access network node section. If the second device is a relay node, then when the second device determines the first location information, the access network node section of the relay node can broadcast the first location information.

[0140] Optionally, if the second device is a relay node, the method 500 further includes: the second device sending first location information to the terminal device and / or the second core network device that access the access network node.

[0141] Based on the above technical solution, it is beneficial for the second core network equipment to perform location management on the terminal equipment accessing the access network node based on the first location information, and / or, it is beneficial for the terminal equipment accessing the access network node to determine its own location.

[0142] S520b: The second device sends the location correspondence to the third device.

[0143] Correspondingly, the location correspondence of the third device.

[0144] For example, the second device is a first core network device or an access network node partially accessed by a mobile terminal, and the third device is at least one of the following: a relay node, a second core network device. Alternatively, the second device is a second core network device, and the third device is a relay node. Or, the second device is a relay node, and the third device is a second core network device.

[0145] In this embodiment, the relay node or the second core network device can obtain the correspondence between the location information supported by the first PLMN and the location information supported by the second PLMN, and determine the location corresponding to the location area where the mobile terminal is located within the coverage area of ​​the second PLMN based on the correspondence. Thus, the relay node can correctly update the location of the relay node during movement, and / or the second core network device can perform location management on the terminal devices accessing the access network node.

[0146] The following is combined with Figures 6 to 9 The method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding and explanation, the mobile terminal part of the relay node is referred to as WAB-MT, the access network node part of the relay node is referred to as WAB-gNB, the first core network device is referred to as WAB-MT CN, the second core network device is referred to as UE CN, the access network node accessed by the mobile terminal part is referred to as donor, and the network management device is referred to as OAM.

[0147] The following is combined with Figure 6 Taking the second device as a WAB node as an example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0148] Figure 6 A schematic flowchart of the method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 6 As shown, method 600 may include the following steps.

[0149] like Figure 6 As shown, the WAB node can obtain the location correspondence in one of the following methods, from method 1 to method 5. Methods 1 to 5 are described below. The description of the location correspondence can be found in section S510 above.

[0150] Method 1 includes S601 and S602, or includes S602.

[0151] S601, the WAB node sends request message #1 (an example of a request message) to OAM.

[0152] Accordingly, OAM receives request message #1 from the WAB node. Request message #1 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0153] For example, in S601, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which sends request message #1 to the OAM.

[0154] In one possible implementation, after the WAB node completes its network access, if the WAB node determines that there is a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, then the WAB node sends a request message #1 to the OAM to request the location mapping relationship.

[0155] For example, during the WAB-MT network entry process, the service PLMN selected is PLMN#A. The PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB configured by OAM to WAB-gNB include PLMN#A, PLMN#B and PLMN#C. If PLMN#A is different from PLMN#B and PLMN#A is different from PLMN#C, then the WAB node sends request message #1 to OAM.

[0156] In one possible implementation, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, if the WAB node determines that the terminal device's serving PLMN is different from the WAB-MT's serving PLMN, the WAB node sends a request message #1 to the OAM.

[0157] For example, if the service PLMN of the terminal device is PLMN#B and the service PLMN of WAB-MT is PLMN#A, and PLMN#A is different from PLMN#B, then the WAB node sends a request message #1 to OAM.

[0158] Optionally, request message #1 includes information about the service PLMN of the terminal device and / or the service PLMN of the WAB-MT. The PLMN information is used to identify the PLMN, and for example, the PLMN information includes at least one of the following: the index of the PLMN, the identifier of the PLMN.

[0159] S602, OAM sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0160] Correspondingly, the WAB node receives the location mapping from the OAM.

[0161] For example, in S602, OAM sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB included in the WAB node.

[0162] In one possible implementation, during the WAB node's network entry process, the OAM sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node. For example, during the WAB node's network entry process, the OAM can configure the location mapping relationship as a base station parameter to the WAB node.

[0163] It can be understood that in this implementation, the location mapping includes the mapping between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT. For example, if the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB include PLMN#A, PLMN#B, and PLMN#C, and the service PLMN of WAB-MT is PLMN#A, then the location mapping includes the mapping between the location information supported by PLMN#A and the location information supported by PLMN#B, as well as the mapping between the location information supported by PLMN#A and the location information supported by PLMN#C.

[0164] In one possible implementation, if OAM receives request message #1 from the WAB node, OAM responds to request message #1 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0165] In this implementation, the location correspondence includes the correspondence between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location correspondence includes the correspondence between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0166] For example, if request message #1 includes information about the service PLMN of the terminal device, then the location mapping relationship can include the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of the WAB-MT. For example, if the service PLMN of the terminal device is PLMN#B and the service PLMN of the WAB-MT is PLMN#A, then the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by PLMN#A and the location information supported by PLMN#B.

[0167] For example, if request message #1 does not include information about the service PLMN of the terminal device, the location mapping relationship can include the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the PLMN that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0168] Method 2, including S603 to S605.

[0169] S603, the WAB node sends request message #2 (an example of a request message) to the WAB-MT CN.

[0170] Accordingly, the WAB-MT CN receives request message #2 from the WAB node. Request message #2 is used to request the location mapping relationship, and the description of the location mapping relationship can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0171] For example, in S603, the WAB node, including WAB-MT, sends request message #2 to WAB-MT CN.

[0172] In one possible implementation, after the WAB node completes its network access, if the WAB node determines that there is a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, then the WAB node sends a request message #2 to the WAB-MT CN.

[0173] In one possible implementation, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, if the WAB node determines that the terminal device's serving PLMN is different from the WAB-MT's serving PLMN, the WAB node sends a request message #2 to the WAB-MT CN.

[0174] S604, the WAB node sends the first indication information to the WAB-MT CN.

[0175] Accordingly, the WAB-MT CN receives first indication information from the WAB node. The first indication information is used to indicate all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB and / or the serving PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the first indication information is used to indicate PLMNs among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that are different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT and / or the serving PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB and / or the serving PLMN of WAB-MT. The terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB refers to the terminal device accessing the UE CN through the WAB-gNB.

[0176] For example, in S604, the WAB-MT of the WAB node sends first indication information to the WAB-MT CN. For instance, during the WAB node's network access process, the WAB-MT sends the first indication information to the WAB-MT CN via a non-access stratum (NAS) message. The NAS message can be a registration request message. The registration request message may also include information about the WAB-MT's service PLMN.

[0177] Optionally, if at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the WAB-MT CN. Alternatively, if the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the WAB-MT CN.

[0178] It should be understood that when the WAB-MT CN receives the first indication information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first indication information.

[0179] It should be noted that S604 and S603 described above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #2 sent by the WAB node to the WAB-MT CN includes the first indication information. Alternatively, the WAB node may not send request message #2, but the first indication information sent by the WAB node to the WAB-MT CN has the function of request message #2; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0180] S605, WAB-MT CN sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0181] Correspondingly, the WAB node receives the location mapping from the WAB-MT CN.

[0182] For example, in S605, the WAB-MT CN sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-MT included in the WAB node. For instance, the WAB-MT CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-MT via a downlink NAS message. Alternatively, the WAB-MT CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-MT via a registration accept message.

[0183] In one possible implementation, once the WAB-MT CN obtains the location mapping relationship, it sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0184] It should be understood that in this implementation, S603 and S604 may not be executed in method 2.

[0185] In one possible implementation, if the WAB-MT CN receives request message #2 from the WAB node, the WAB-MT CN responds to request message #2 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0186] In S605, the location mapping relationship sent by the WAB-MT CN to the WAB node includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0187] For example, Method 2 includes S604, and the first indication information is used to indicate all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB. Then the location correspondence may include the correspondence between the location information supported by the PLMNs that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0188] For example, if method 2 includes S604, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, then the location correspondence may include the correspondence between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of the WAB-MT.

[0189] The method for obtaining the location correspondence of WAB-MT CN can be found in the description of method 800 below, which will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0190] Method 3 includes S606 to S608.

[0191] S606, the WAB node sends request message #3 (an example of a request message) to the UE CN.

[0192] Accordingly, the UE CN receives request message #3 from the WAB node. Request message #3 is used to request the location mapping relationship, and the description of the location mapping relationship can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0193] For example, in S606, the WAB node, including the WAB-gNB, sends request message #3 to the UE CN.

[0194] In one possible implementation, after the WAB node completes its network access, if the WAB node determines that there is a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, then the WAB node sends a request message #3 to the UE CN.

[0195] In one possible implementation, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, if the WAB node determines that the terminal device's serving PLMN is different from the WAB-MT's serving PLMN, the WAB node sends a request message #3 to the UE CN.

[0196] S607, the WAB node sends the first indication information to the UE CN.

[0197] Accordingly, the UE CN receives the first indication information from the WAB node. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0198] For example, in S607, the WAB-gNB of the WAB node sends the first indication information to the UE CN. For instance, during the process of establishing an N2 interface between the WAB-gNB and the UE CN, the WAB-gNB sends the first indication information to the UE CN through an NG interface setup request or update message. For example, the WAB-gNB sends the first indication information to the UE CN through an NG setup request message or a RAN configuration update message. This includes NG establishment request messages or RAN configuration updates (these messages also include the PLMN supported by WAB-gNB and the serving PLMN of WAB-MT). For example, after a terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, WAB-gNB sends first indication information to the UE CN through UE-related NGAP messages. For instance, WAB-gNB sends an initial UE message to the UE CN, which carries the location information of WAB-MT, including information about the serving PLMN of WAB-MT. For example, the location information of WAB-MT indicates that the location of WAB-MT is cell #1 in tracking area (TA) #1 under PLMN #A.

[0199] Optionally, if at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the UE CN. Alternatively, if the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the UE CN.

[0200] It should be understood that when the UE CN receives the first indication information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first indication information.

[0201] It should be noted that S606 and S607 above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #3 sent by the WAB node to the UE CN includes the first indication information. Alternatively, the WAB node may not send request message #3, but the first indication information sent by the WAB node to the UE CN has the function of request message #3; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0202] S608, UE CN sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0203] Correspondingly, the WAB node receives the location mapping from the UE CN.

[0204] For example, in S608, the UE CN sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB, which is included in the WAB node. For instance, the UE CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB via an NG interface setup response or update response message. For example, the UE CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB via an NG setup response message or a RAN configuration update acknowledgement message. As another example, the UE CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB via a downlink NGAP message. For example, the UE CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB via an initial context setup request message.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the UE CN, having obtained the location mapping relationship, sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0206] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 3 may omit S606 and S607.

[0207] In one possible implementation, if the UE CN receives request message #3 from the WAB node, the UE CN responds to request message #3 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0208] In S608, the location mapping relationship sent by the UE CN to the WAB node includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0209] For example, before the terminal device accesses the UE CN through the WAB-gNB, the location mapping relationship sent by the UE CN to the WAB node may include the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the PLMNs that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0210] For example, after a terminal device accesses the UE CN via a WAB-gNB, the location mapping relationship sent by the UE CN to the WAB node may include the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the terminal device's serving PLMN and the location information supported by the WAB-MT's serving PLMN.

[0211] The method by which the UE CN obtains the location correspondence can be found in the description of method 700 below, which will not be detailed here for the sake of brevity.

[0212] Method 4 includes S609 to S611.

[0213] S609, the WAB node sends request message #4 (an example of a request message) to the donor.

[0214] Correspondingly, the donor receives request message #4 from the WAB node. Request message #4 is used to request the location mapping relationship, and the description of the location mapping relationship can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0215] For example, in S609, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB which sends request message #4 to the donor.

[0216] In one possible implementation, after the WAB node completes its network access, if the WAB node determines that there is a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, then the WAB node sends a request message #4 to the donor.

[0217] In one possible implementation, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, if the WAB node determines that the terminal device's serving PLMN is different from the WAB-MT's serving PLMN, the WAB node sends a request message #4 to the donor.

[0218] S610, the WAB node sends the first instruction message to the donor.

[0219] Accordingly, the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0220] For example, in S610, the WAB-gNB of the WAB node sends the first indication information to the donor. For instance, during the process of establishing an Xn interface between the WAB-gNB and the donor, the WAB-gNB can send the first indication information to the donor via an Xn interface setup request or update message. For example, the WAB-gNB sends the first indication information to the donor via an Xn setup request message or an NG-RAN node configuration update message.

[0221] Optionally, if at least one PLMN among all the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the donor. Alternatively, if the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, the WAB node sends a first indication message to the donor.

[0222] It should be understood that when the donor receives the first instruction information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first instruction information.

[0223] It should be noted that S609 and S610 above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #4 sent by the WAB node to the donor includes the first indication information. Alternatively, the WAB node may not send request message #4, but the first indication information sent by the WAB node to the donor has the function of request message #4; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping.

[0224] S611, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0225] Correspondingly, the WAB node receives the location mapping from the donor.

[0226] For example, in S611, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB included in the WAB node. For instance, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-gNB via an Xn message.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the donor, having obtained the location mapping, sends the location mapping to the WAB node.

[0228] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 4 may omit S609 and S610.

[0229] In one possible implementation, if the donor receives request message #4 from the WAB node, the donor responds to request message #4 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0230] In S611, the location mapping relationship sent by the donor to the WAB node includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Alternatively, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0231] For example, method 4 includes S610, and the first indication information is used to indicate all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then the location correspondence may include the correspondence between the location information supported by the PLMNs that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0232] For example, method 4 includes S610, and the first indication information is used to indicate the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then the location correspondence may include the correspondence between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0233] The method for donors to obtain location mappings can be found in the description of method 900 below, which will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0234] Method 5 includes S612 and S613.

[0235] S612, the WAB node receives broadcast message #1 from the donor.

[0236] Accordingly, the donor sends broadcast message #1.

[0237] For example, in S612, the WAB node includes WAB-MT which receives broadcast message #1 from the donor.

[0238] In one possible implementation, in a RAN network sharing scenario, after the WAB node joins the network, the broadcast message #1 received by the WAB node includes location information supported by the PLMN supported by WAB-gNB for determining the location area of ​​WAB-MT, and location information supported by WAB-MT for determining the location area of ​​WAB-MT.

[0239] In one possible implementation, in a RAN network sharing scenario, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, the broadcast message #1 received by the WAB node includes location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device for determining the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and location information supported by the WAB-MT for determining the location area where the WAB-MT is located.

[0240] S613, WAB nodes determine the location correspondence.

[0241] The WAB node determines the location correspondence based on the location information included in broadcast message #1. In other words, the WAB node determines that the location information supported by different PLMNs included in broadcast message #1 has a corresponding relationship. For example, if the PLMN identification information (PLMN-IdentityInfo) element in the serving cell system information block (SIB) 1 of the WAB-MT received by the WAB node includes TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A, TAI#2 and NCGI#2 supported by PLMN#B, and TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#C, then the WAB node determines that TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A correspond to TAI#2 and NCGI#2 supported by PLMN#B, and that TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A correspond to TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#C.

[0242] Optionally, method 600 also includes S614.

[0243] S614, the WAB node sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0244] Correspondingly, the UE CN receives the location mapping from the WAB node.

[0245] It should be noted that if the WAB node obtains the location correspondence in one of the above methods 1, 2, 4 or 5, then after obtaining the location correspondence, the WAB node can send the location correspondence to the UE CN.

[0246] For example, in S614, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0247] S615, the WAB node determines the first location information.

[0248] For example, in S615, the WAB node includes WAB-gNB, which determines first location information based on location correspondence and second location information. The second location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of WAB-MT for determining the location area where WAB-MT is located. The first location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB, and has a correspondence with the second location information.

[0249] For example, if the current location of WAB-MT is cell #1 in TA#1 under PLMN#A, then the second location information is TAI#1 and NCGI#1, which represent TA#1 under PLMN#A. If the serving PLMN of the WAB-gNB terminal device is PLMN#B, then WAB-gNB can determine the first location information as TAI#2 and NCGI#2, which identify TA#2 under PLMN#B, based on the location correspondence between the location information supported by PLMN#A and the location information supported by PLMN#B.

[0250] S616, the WAB node sends the first location information or the second location information to the UE CN.

[0251] For example, in S616, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which sends first location information or second location information to the UE CN.

[0252] For example, if the WAB node sends a location mapping relationship to the UE CN, the WAB node can send second location information to the UE CN. Alternatively, if the WAB node obtains a location mapping relationship from the UE CN, the WAB node can send second location information to the UE CN.

[0253] It should be understood that since the first location information is the location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the UE CN can accurately identify the first location information after receiving it. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located. Therefore, the UE CN can determine the location area where the terminal device is located based on the first location information, which is beneficial for location management of the terminal device.

[0254] S617, the WAB node sends the first location information to the UE.

[0255] For example, in S617, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which broadcasts the first location information to the UE.

[0256] It should be understood that since the first location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the WAB node can accurately broadcast the first location information. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located; therefore, the terminal device can determine its location area based on the first location information.

[0257] Optionally, if the WAB node sends second location information to the UE CN in S616, then method 600 further includes S618.

[0258] S618, UE CN determines the first location information.

[0259] The method by which the UE CN determines the first location information can be referenced from the method by which the WAB node determines the first location information.

[0260] It should be understood that the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located. Therefore, after the UE CN determines the first location information, it can determine the location area where the terminal device is located based on the first location information, which is beneficial for the location management of the terminal device.

[0261] It should be noted that there is no fixed order for S614 to S618. For example, S614 can be executed before or after S615, or S614 and S615 can be executed simultaneously. As another example, in S616, the WAB node sends second location information to the UE CN; in this case, S616 can be executed before or after S615 or S614, or S616 and S614 can be executed simultaneously.

[0262] The following is combined with Figure 7 Taking the second device as a UE CN as an example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0263] Figure 7 A schematic flowchart of the method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 7 As shown, method 700 may include the following steps.

[0264] S701, the WAB node sends the first indication information to the UE CN.

[0265] For a more detailed description of S701, please refer to S607 in Method 600 above.

[0266] After the UE CN determines the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT based on the first indication information, if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB, or if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing the WAB-gNB, then the UE CN will proceed according to... Figure 7 The location correspondence is obtained using one of methods 6 to 9 shown. Methods 6 to 9 are described below. The description of the location correspondence can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0267] Method 6 includes S702 and S705, or includes S703 to S705, or includes S704 and S705.

[0268] S702, the WAB node sends indication information #1 to the OAM.

[0269] Correspondingly, OAM receives indication information #1 from the WAB node.

[0270] For example, in S702, the WAB node, including the WAB-gNB, sends indication information #1 to the OAM. Indication information #1 is used to indicate the transmission of location mapping to the UE CN.

[0271] In one possible implementation, after the WAB node completes its network access, if the WAB node determines that there is a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, then the WAB node sends indication information #1 to the OAM.

[0272] In one possible implementation, after the terminal device accesses the UE CN via WAB-gNB, if the WAB node determines that the terminal device's serving PLMN is different from the WAB-MT's serving PLMN, the WAB node sends indication information #1 to the OAM.

[0273] It should be noted that if method 700 executes S702, then method 700 may not execute S701; in other words, S701 is an optional step.

[0274] S703, WAB-MT CN sends indication information #2 (an example of the second indication information) to UE CN.

[0275] Accordingly, the UE CN receives indication information #2 from the WAB-MT CN.

[0276] Instruction information #2 is used to instruct the UE CN to obtain the location correspondence.

[0277] In one possible implementation, if the WAB-MT CN receives first indication information from the WAB node, and determines, based on the first indication information, that there is at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, or, based on the first indication information, that the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the WAB-MT CN sends indication information #2 to the UE CN. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0278] It should be noted that if method 700 executes S703, then method 700 may not execute S701; in other words, S701 is an optional step.

[0279] S704, UE CN sends request message #6 to OAM (an example of a request message).

[0280] Accordingly, OAM receives request message #6 from UE CN. Request message #6 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0281] In one possible implementation, after the UE CN receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then, the UE CN sends a request message #6 to the OAM.

[0282] In one possible implementation, after the UE CN receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT based on the first indication information. Then, the UE CN node sends a request message #6 to the OAM.

[0283] Optionally, request message #6 may include information about the service PLMN of the terminal device and / or the service PLMN of the WAB-MT.

[0284] S705, OAM sends the location mapping relationship to UE CN.

[0285] Accordingly, the UE CN receives the location mapping from the OAM.

[0286] In one possible implementation, if the OAM receives indication information #1 from the WAB node, the OAM responds to indication information #1 by sending the location correspondence to the UE CN.

[0287] In one possible implementation, if the OAM receives request message #6 from the UE CN, the OAM responds to request message #6 by sending the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0288] In S705, the location mapping relationship sent by OAM to UE CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by PLMNs that are different from the serving PLMN of WAB-MT among all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the serving PLMN of WAB-MT, or the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the serving PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0289] Method 7, including S706.

[0290] S706, the UE CN and WAB-MT CN interact to obtain the location correspondence.

[0291] In one possible implementation, after the UE CN determines the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT according to the first indication information, if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB, or if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, then the UE CN interacts with the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location correspondence.

[0292] In one possible implementation, if the WAB-MT CN receives first indication information from the WAB node, and determines, based on the first indication information, that at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, or if, based on the first indication information, the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, the WAB-MT CN interacts with the UE CN to enable the UE CN to obtain the location mapping relationship. The first indication information can be referred to in the description of S604 above.

[0293] In one possible implementation, if the donor receives first indication information from the WAB node, and determines, based on the first indication information, that at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, or if, based on the first indication information, the donor determines that the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the donor instructs the UE CN to interact with the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location mapping. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0294] In this implementation, method 700 further includes: the donor sending indication information #3 (an example of a second indication information) to the UE CN, the indication information #3 being used to instruct the UE CN to interact with the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location correspondence.

[0295] It should be noted that if in S706, the WAB-MT CN actively interacts with the UE CN to enable the UE CN to obtain the location correspondence, or the donor instructs the UE CN to interact with the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location correspondence, then method 700 may not execute S701. In other words, S701 is an optional step.

[0296] The following describes how the UE CN and WAB-MT CN interact to obtain location mapping.

[0297] For example, the UE CN interacts with the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location mapping relationship, including: the UE CN sending first indication information to the WAB-MT CN; and the UE CN receiving the location mapping relationship from the WAB-MT CN. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0298] For example, the UE CN interacts with the WAB-MT CN to obtain a location mapping relationship, including: the UE CN sending first indication information to the WAB-MT CN; the UE CN receiving indication information #4 from the WAB-MT CN, where indication information #4 indicates the location information supported by the WAB-MT's serving PLMN and the location area identified by the location information supported by the WAB-MT's serving PLMN; and the UE CN determining the location mapping relationship based on indication information #4. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0299] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method of obtaining the location correspondence through interaction between UE CN and WAB-MT CN is only an example, and this application does not limit the method of obtaining the location correspondence through interaction between UE CN and WAB-MT CN.

[0300] For example, the UE CN can obtain information about the WAB-MT CN in any of the following ways: 1) The WAB-gNB indicates the information about the WAB-MT CN to the UE CN through an N2 interface message; 2) It obtains the information from the donor, such as information about the CN with which an N2 interface has been established or is to be established; 3) It obtains the information through the source IP address of the N2 data routed by the WAB-MT UPF; 4) It obtains the information from the OAM.

[0301] Method 8 includes S707 and S708, or includes S708.

[0302] S707, UE CN sends request message #8 (an example of a request message) to the WAB node.

[0303] Accordingly, the WAB node receives request message #8 from the UE CN. Request message #8 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0304] For example, in S707, the UE CN sends request message #8 to the WAB-gNB included in the WAB node.

[0305] Optionally, if the UE CN determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, or determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT, then the UE CN sends a request message #8 to the WAB node.

[0306] S708, the WAB node sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0307] Correspondingly, the UE CN receives the location mapping from the WAB node.

[0308] For example, in S708, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0309] In one possible implementation, the WAB node, having obtained the location mapping relationship, sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0310] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 8 may not execute S707, and method 700 may not execute S701.

[0311] In one possible implementation, if the WAB node receives request message #8 from the UE CN, the WAB node responds to request message #8 by sending the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0312] In S708, the location mapping relationship sent by the WAB node to the UE CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0313] The method for obtaining the position correspondence of WAB nodes can be found in the description of method 600 above, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0314] Method 9 includes S709 to S711.

[0315] S709, UE CN sends request message #9 (an example of a request message) to the donor.

[0316] Correspondingly, the donor receives request message #9 from the UE CN. Request message #9 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0317] Optionally, if the UE CN determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, or determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the UE CN sends a request message #9 to the donor.

[0318] S710, UE CN sends the first instruction information to the donor.

[0319] Accordingly, the donor receives the first indication information from the UE CN. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0320] It should be understood that when the donor receives the first instruction information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first instruction information.

[0321] It should be noted that S709 and S710 described above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #9 sent by the UE CN to the donor includes first indication information. Alternatively, the UE CN may not send request message #9, but the first indication information sent by the UE CN to the donor has the function of request message #9; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping.

[0322] S711, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0323] Correspondingly, the UE CN receives the location mapping from the donor.

[0324] In one possible implementation, the donor, having obtained the location mapping relationship, sends the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0325] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 9 may omit S709 and S710, and method 700 may omit S701.

[0326] In one possible implementation, if the donor receives request message #9 from the UE CN, the donor responds to request message #9 by sending the location mapping relationship to the UE CN.

[0327] In S711, the location mapping relationship sent by the donor to the UE CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0328] The method for donors to obtain location mappings can be found in the description of method 900 below, which will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0329] Optionally, method 700 also includes S712.

[0330] S712, UE CN sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0331] Correspondingly, the WAB node receives the location mapping from the UE CN.

[0332] It should be noted that if the UE CN obtains the location correspondence in one of the above methods 6, 7 or 9, then after obtaining the location correspondence, the UE CN can send the location correspondence to the WAB node.

[0333] For example, the UE CN can send location mappings to the WAB-gNB, which is included in the WAB node, through the NG interface to establish or update response messages. For instance, the UE CN can send location mappings to the WAB-gNB via the NG setupresponse message or the RANconfigurationupdateacknowledge message.

[0334] Optionally, if method 700 executes S712, or the WAB node obtains the location correspondence, then method 700 may also include S713.

[0335] S713, the WAB node determines the first location information.

[0336] For a more detailed description of S713, please refer to S615 in Method 600 above.

[0337] S714, the WAB node sends the first location information or the second location information to the UE CN.

[0338] For example, in S714, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which sends first location information or second location information to the UE CN.

[0339] For example, if the WAB node determines the first location information, it can send either the first location information or the second location information to the UE CN. Alternatively, if the WAB node does not determine the first location information, it can send the second location information to the UE CN.

[0340] It should be understood that since the first location information is the location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the UE CN can accurately identify the first location information after receiving it. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located. Therefore, the UE CN can determine the location area where the terminal device is located based on the first location information, which is beneficial for location management of the terminal device.

[0341] Optionally, if the WAB node sends second location information to the UE CN in S714, then method 700 further includes S715.

[0342] S715, UE CN determines the first location information.

[0343] The method by which the UE CN determines the first location information can be referred to the method by which the WAB node determines the first location information described in S615 of method 600.

[0344] Optionally, if method 700 executes S713, then method 700 may also include S716.

[0345] S716, the WAB node sends the first location information to the UE.

[0346] For example, in S716, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which broadcasts the first location information to the UE.

[0347] It should be understood that since the first location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the WAB node can accurately broadcast the first location information. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located; therefore, the terminal device can determine its location area based on the first location information.

[0348] It should be noted that there is no fixed order for S714 to S716. For example, S714 can be executed before or after S715 and S716, or S714 and S716 can be executed simultaneously.

[0349] The following is combined with Figure 8 Taking WAB-MT CN as an example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0350] Figure 8 A schematic flowchart of the method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 8 As shown, method 800 may include the following steps.

[0351] S801, the WAB node sends the first indication information to the WAB-MT CN.

[0352] For a more detailed description of S801, please refer to S604 in Method 600 above.

[0353] After the WAB-MT CN determines the PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB according to the first instruction information, if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB, or if the WAB-MT CN determines the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB according to the first instruction information, and the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, then the WAB-MT CN shall... Figure 8 The location correspondence is obtained using one of the methods 10 to 13 shown below. Methods 10 to 13 are described below. The description of the location correspondence can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0354] Method 10 includes S802 to S804, or includes S803 and S804.

[0355] S802, the UE CN sends indication information #5 (an example of the second indication information) to the WAB-MT CN.

[0356] Accordingly, the WAB-MT CN receives instruction information #5 from the UE CN.

[0357] Instruction message #5 is used to instruct WAB-MT CN to obtain the location mapping relationship.

[0358] In one possible implementation, if the UE CN receives first indication information from the WAB node, the UE CN determines, based on the first indication information, that the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB; or, if it determines that the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, it sends indication information #5 to the WAB-MT CN. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0359] It should be noted that if method 800 executes S802, then method 800 may not execute S801; in other words, S801 is an optional step.

[0360] S803, WAB-MT CN sends request message #10 (an example of a request message) to OAM.

[0361] Accordingly, OAM receives request message #10 from WAB-MT CN. Request message #10 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0362] In one possible implementation, after receiving the first indication information from the WAB node, the WAB-MT CN determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then, the WAB-MT CN sends a request message #10 to the OAM.

[0363] In one possible implementation, after receiving the first indication information from the WAB node, the WAB-MT CN determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT based on the first indication information. Then, the WAB-MT CN node sends a request message #10 to the OAM.

[0364] Optionally, request message #10 may include information about the service PLMN of the terminal device and / or the service PLMN of the WAB-MT.

[0365] S804, OAM sends the location mapping relationship to WAB-MT CN.

[0366] Correspondingly, the WAB-MT CN receives the location mapping from the OAM.

[0367] In one possible implementation, if OAM receives request message #10 from WAB-MT CN, OAM responds to request message #10 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0368] In S804, the location mapping relationship sent by OAM to WAB-MT CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0369] Method 11, including S805.

[0370] S805, WAB-MT CN and UE CN interact to obtain the location correspondence.

[0371] In one possible implementation, after the WAB-MT CN determines at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB or the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB based on the first indication information, if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB, or if the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, then the WAB-MT CN interacts with the UE CN to obtain the location correspondence.

[0372] In one possible implementation, if the UE CN receives first indication information from the WAB node, the UE CN determines, based on the first indication information, that among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB, there is at least one PLMN that is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT; or, if it determines that the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, the UE CN interacts with the WAB-MT CN to enable the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location mapping relationship. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0373] In one possible implementation, if the donor receives first indication information from the WAB node, and determines, based on the first indication information, that at least one PLMN among all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, or if, based on the first indication information, the donor determines that the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB is different from the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the donor instructs the WAB-MT CN to interact with the UE CN to obtain the location mapping. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0374] In this implementation, method 800 further includes: the donor sending indication information #6 (an example of a second indication information) to the WAB-MT CN, the indication information #6 being used to instruct the WAB-MT CN to interact with the UE CN to obtain the location correspondence.

[0375] It should be noted that if in S805, the UE CN actively interacts with the WAB-MT CN to enable the WAB-MT CN to obtain the location correspondence, or the donor instructs the WAB-MT CN to interact with the UE CN to obtain the location correspondence, then method 800 may not execute S801. In other words, S801 is an optional step.

[0376] The following describes how the WAB-MT CN and UE CN interact to obtain the location mapping relationship.

[0377] For example, the WAB-MT CN and UE CN interact to obtain the location mapping relationship, including: the WAB-MT CN sending first indication information to the UE CN; and the WAB-MT CN receiving the location mapping relationship from the UE CN. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0378] For example, the UE CN and WAB-MT CN interact to obtain the location correspondence, including: the WAB-MT CN sending first indication information to the UE CN; the WAB-MT CN receiving indication information #7 from the UE CN, where indication information #7 indicates the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB and the location area identified by the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB, or, indication information #7 indicates the location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB and the location area identified by the location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB; the WAB-MT CN determines the location correspondence based on indication information #7. The first indication information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0379] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method of obtaining the location correspondence between WAB-MT CN and UE CN is only an example, and this application does not limit the method of obtaining the location correspondence between WAB-MT CN and UE CN.

[0380] For example, the WAB-MT CN can obtain UE CN information in any of the following ways: 1) When the WAB-MT joins the network, it indicates to the WAB-MT CN the CN information of a CN that has established an N2 interface with the WAB-gNB or has an N2 interface to be established (the OAM configures the IP address and transport layer information of the CN to the WAB-gNB); 2) It obtains information from the donor, such as the CN information of a CN that has established an N2 interface with the donor or has an N2 interface to be established; 3) It obtains information through the destination IP address of N2 data in the PDU back transmission session; 4) It obtains information from the OAM.

[0381] Method 12 includes S806 and S807, or includes S807.

[0382] S806, WAB-MT CN sends request message #12 (an example of a request message) to the WAB node.

[0383] Accordingly, the WAB node receives request message #12 from the WAB-MT CN. Request message #12 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0384] For example, in S806, WAB-MT CN sends request message #12 to WAB-MT, which is included in the WAB node.

[0385] Optionally, if the WAB-MT CN determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, or determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the WAB-MTCN sends a request message #12 to the WAB node.

[0386] S807, the WAB node sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-MT CN.

[0387] Correspondingly, the WAB-MT CN receives the location mapping from the WAB node.

[0388] For example, in S807, the WAB node includes WAB-MT, which sends the location mapping relationship to WAB-MT CN.

[0389] In one possible implementation, once the WAB node obtains the location mapping relationship, it sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB-MT CN.

[0390] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 12 may not execute S806, and method 800 may not execute S801.

[0391] In one possible implementation, if the WAB node receives request message #12 from WAB-MT CN, the WAB node responds to request message #12 by sending the location mapping relationship to WAB-MT CN.

[0392] In S807, the location mapping relationship sent by the WAB node to the WAB-MT CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0393] The method for obtaining the position correspondence of WAB nodes can be found in the description of method 600 above, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0394] Method 13 includes S808 to S810.

[0395] S808, WAB-MT CN sends request message #13 (an example of a request message) to the donor.

[0396] Correspondingly, the donor receives request message #13 from WAB-MT CN. Request message #13 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0397] Optionally, if the WAB-MT CN determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by the WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, or determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT, then the WAB-MTCN sends a request message #13 to the donor.

[0398] S809, WAB-MT CN sends the first instruction message to the donor.

[0399] Accordingly, the donor receives the first instruction information from the WAB-MT CN. The first instruction information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0400] It should be understood that when the donor receives the first instruction information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first instruction information.

[0401] It should be noted that S808 and S809 described above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #13 sent by WAB-MT CN to the donor includes first indication information. Alternatively, WAB-MT CN may not send request message #13, but the first indication information sent by WAB-MT CN to the donor has the function of request message #13; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping.

[0402] S810, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to WAB-MT CN.

[0403] Correspondingly, WAB-MT CN receives the location mapping from the donor.

[0404] In one possible implementation, the donor, having obtained the location mapping, sends the location mapping to the WAB-MT CN.

[0405] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 13 may not execute S808 and S809, and method 800 may not execute S801.

[0406] In one possible implementation, if the donor receives request message #13 from WAB-MT CN, the donor responds to request message #13 by sending the location mapping relationship to WAB-MT CN.

[0407] In S810, the location mapping relationship sent by the donor to the WAB-MT CN includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT, or the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0408] The method for donors to obtain location mappings can be found in the description of method 900 below, which will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0409] Optionally, method 800 also includes S811.

[0410] S811, WAB-MT CN sends the location mapping relationship to WAB node and / or UE CN.

[0411] Accordingly, the WAB node and / or UE CN receive the location mapping from the WAB-MT CN.

[0412] It should be noted that if the WAB-MT CN obtains the location mapping relationship using one of the methods 10, 11, or 13 described above, then the WAB-MT CN can send the location mapping relationship to the WAB node after obtaining it. If the WAB-MT CN obtains the location mapping relationship using one of the methods 10, 12, or 13 described above, then the WAB-MT CN can send the location mapping relationship to the UE CN after obtaining it.

[0413] For example, the WAB-MT CN can send location mappings to the WAB-MT nodes included in the WAB node via downlink NAS messages. For instance, the WAB-MT CN can send location mappings to the WAB-MT via a registration accept message.

[0414] Optionally, if method 800 executes S811, or the WAB node obtains the location correspondence, then method 800 may also include S812.

[0415] S812, the WAB node determines the first location information.

[0416] For a more detailed description of S812, please refer to S615 in Method 600 above.

[0417] S813, the WAB node sends the first location information or the second location information to the UE CN.

[0418] For a more detailed description of S813, please refer to S714 in Method 700 above.

[0419] Optionally, if the WAB node sends second location information to the UE CN in S813, then method 800 further includes S814.

[0420] S814, UE CN determines the first location information.

[0421] The method by which the UE CN determines the first location information can be referred to the method by which the WAB node determines the first location information described in S615 of method 600.

[0422] Optionally, if method 800 executes S812, then method 800 may also include S815.

[0423] S815, the WAB node sends the first location information to the UE.

[0424] For example, in S815, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which broadcasts the first location information to the UE.

[0425] It should be understood that since the first location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the WAB node can accurately broadcast the first location information. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located; therefore, the terminal device can determine its location area based on the first location information.

[0426] It should be noted that there is no fixed order for S811 to S815. For example, in S813, the WAB node sends the second location information to the UECN, so S811 can be executed before or after S812 and S813. Similarly, S814 can be executed before or after S815, or S814 and S815 can be executed simultaneously.

[0427] The following is combined with Figure 9 Taking the second device as a donor as an example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0428] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart of the method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 9 As shown, method 900 may include the following steps.

[0429] S901, the WAB node sends the first instruction information to the donor.

[0430] For a more detailed description of S901, please refer to S610 in Method 600 above.

[0431] If the donor determines, based on the first instruction information, that the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from at least one PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB, or determines that the serving PLMN of the WAB-MT is different from the serving PLMN of the terminal device accessing the WAB-gNB, then the donor... Figure 9 The location correspondence is obtained using one of methods 14 to 17 shown. Methods 14 to 17 are described below. The description of the location correspondence can be found in the description in S510 above.

[0432] Method 14 includes S902 and S903.

[0433] S902, the donor sends request message #14 (an example of a request message) to the OAM.

[0434] Correspondingly, OAM receives request message #14 from the donor. Request message #14 is used to request the location mapping.

[0435] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then, the donor sends a request message #14 to the OAM.

[0436] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT based on the first indication information. Then, the donor node sends a request message #14 to the OAM.

[0437] Optionally, request message #14 may include information about the service PLMN of the terminal device and / or the service PLMN of the WAB-MT.

[0438] S903, OAM sends the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0439] Correspondingly, the donor receives the location mapping from the OAM.

[0440] In one possible implementation, if OAM receives request message #14 from the donor, OAM responds to request message #14 by sending the location mapping relationship to the WAB node.

[0441] In S903, the location mapping relationship sent by OAM to the donor includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT, or the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal device accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0442] Method 15 includes S904.

[0443] S904, the donor determines the location correspondence based on broadcast message #2.

[0444] The donor determines the location correspondence based on the location information included in broadcast message #2. In other words, the donor determines that the location information supported by different PLMNs included in broadcast message #2 has a correspondence. For example, in the PLMN-IdentityInfo cell of the serving cell SIB1 of WAB-MT, there are TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A, TAI#2 and NCGI#2 supported by PLMN#B, and TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#C. Then the WAB node determines that TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A correspond to TAI#2 and NCGI#2 supported by PLMN#B, and that TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#A correspond to TAI#1 and NCGI#1 supported by PLMN#C.

[0445] Method 16 includes S905 to S907.

[0446] S905, the donor sends request message #16 (an example of a request message) to WAB-MT CN.

[0447] Accordingly, the WAB-MT CN receives request message #16 from the donor. Request message #16 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0448] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then, the donor sends a request message #16 to the WAB-MT CN.

[0449] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT based on the first indication information. Then, the donor node sends a request message #16 to the WAB-MT CN.

[0450] S906, the donor sends the first instruction information to the WAB-MT CN.

[0451] Accordingly, the WAB-MT CN receives the first instruction information from the donor. The first instruction information can be referred to the description in S604 above.

[0452] It should be understood that when the WAB-MT CN receives the first indication information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first indication information.

[0453] It should be noted that S905 and S906 above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #16 sent by the donor to WAB-MT CN includes first indication information. Alternatively, the donor may not send request message #16, but the first indication information sent by the donor to WAB-MT CN has the function of request message #16; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0454] S907, WAB-MT CN sends the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0455] Correspondingly, the donor receives the location mapping from WAB-MT CN.

[0456] In one possible implementation, once the WAB-MT CN obtains the location mapping relationship, it sends the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0457] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 16 may omit S905 and S906.

[0458] In one possible implementation, if the WAB-MT CN receives request message #16 from the donor, the WAB-MT CN responds to request message #16 by sending the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0459] In S907, the location mapping relationship sent by the WAB-MT CN to the donor includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0460] The method for obtaining the location correspondence in WAB-MT CN can be found in the description of method 800 above, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0461] Method 17 includes S908 to S910.

[0462] S908, the donor sends request message #17 (an example of a request message) to the UE CN.

[0463] Accordingly, the UE CN receives request message #17 from the donor. Request message #17 is used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0464] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines, based on the first indication information, that there exists a PLMN among the PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that is different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT. Then, the donor sends a request message #17 to the UECN.

[0465] In one possible implementation, after the donor receives the first indication information from the WAB node, it determines that the service PLMN of the terminal device is different from the service PLMN of the WAB-MT based on the first indication information. Then, the donor node sends a request message #17 to the UE CN.

[0466] S909, the donor sends the first instruction information to the UE CN.

[0467] Accordingly, the UE CN receives the first indication information from the donor. The first indication information can be referred to in the description in S604 above.

[0468] It should be understood that when the UE CN receives the first indication information, it can obtain the location correspondence based on the first indication information.

[0469] It should be noted that S908 and S909 above can be combined into one step. For example, the request message #17 sent by the donor to the UE CN includes first indication information. Alternatively, the donor may not send request message #17, but the first indication information sent by the donor to the UE CN has the function of request message #17; in other words, the first indication information is also used to request the location mapping relationship.

[0470] S910, UE CN sends the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0471] Correspondingly, the donor receives the location mapping from the UE CN.

[0472] In one possible implementation, the UE CN, having obtained the location mapping relationship, sends the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0473] It should be understood that in this implementation, method 17 may omit S908 and S909.

[0474] In one possible implementation, if the UE CN receives a request message #17 from the donor, the UE CN responds to the request message #17 by sending the location mapping relationship to the donor.

[0475] In S910, the location mapping relationship sent by the UE CN to the donor includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by all PLMNs supported by WAB-gNB that are different from the service PLMN of WAB-MT and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT; or, the location mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the location information supported by the service PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing WAB-gNB and the location information supported by the service PLMN of WAB-MT.

[0476] The method by which the UE CN obtains the location correspondence can be found in the description of method 700 above, and will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0477] Optionally, method 900 also includes S911.

[0478] S911, the donor sends the location mapping relationship to the WAB node and / or UE CN.

[0479] Accordingly, the WAB node and / or UE CN receive the location mapping from the donor.

[0480] It should be noted that if the donor obtains the location correspondence in one of the above methods 14 to 16, the donor can send the location correspondence to the UE CN after obtaining it.

[0481] Optionally, if method 900 executes S911, or the WAB node obtains the location correspondence, then method 900 may also include S912.

[0482] S912, the WAB node determines the first location information.

[0483] For a more detailed description of S912, please refer to S615 in Method 600 above.

[0484] S913, the WAB node sends the first location information or the second location information to the UE CN.

[0485] For a more detailed description of S913, please refer to S714 in Method 700 above.

[0486] Optionally, if the WAB node sends second location information to the UE CN in S913, then method 900 further includes S914.

[0487] S914, UE CN determines the first location information.

[0488] The method by which the UE CN determines the first location information can be referred to the method by which the WAB node determines the first location information described in S615 of method 600.

[0489] Optionally, if method 900 executes S912, then method 800 may also include S915.

[0490] S915, the WAB node sends the first location information to the UE.

[0491] For example, in S915, the WAB node includes the WAB-gNB, which broadcasts the first location information to the UE.

[0492] It should be understood that since the first location information is location information supported by the serving PLMN of the terminal device, the WAB node can accurately broadcast the first location information. Furthermore, the first location information is used to determine the location area where the WAB-MT is located, and the location area where the terminal device is located is the same as the location area where the WAB-MT is located; therefore, the terminal device can determine its location area based on the first location information.

[0493] It should be noted that there is no fixed order for S911 to S915. For example, in S913, the WAB node sends the second location information to the UECN, so S911 can be executed before or after S912 and S913. Similarly, S914 can be executed before or after S915, or S914 and S915 can be executed simultaneously.

[0494] As shown above, at least one of the WAB node, donor-gNB, or other-gNB involved in this implementation example can be an ORAN architecture. The following is a brief introduction to the above-mentioned features under the ORAN architecture. Figures 5 to 9 Applications of the communication method shown:

[0495] In the O-RAN architecture, the RIC can directly control both the gNB-CU and the gNB-DU, requiring the above-mentioned... Figures 5 to 9 In the communication method steps shown, “WAB-gNB” is expanded to “WAB-CU” and “WAB-DU”, and “donor” is expanded to “donor--CU” and “donor-DU”.

[0496] As one possible implementation, the O-RAN architecture can be scaled to... Figures 5 to 9 The communication method described involves how the donor learns about the PLMN supported by the WAB-gNB or the serving PLMN of the terminal equipment accessing the WAB-gNB, such as obtaining the first instruction information. Besides the donor obtaining the first instruction information from the WAB-gNB, the WAB-CU can first send the first instruction information to the RIC via an E2 interface message, and then the RIC can instruct the donor-CU via an E2 interface message.

[0497] As one possible implementation, the O-RAN architecture can be scaled to... Figures 5 to 9 The communication method shown involves how the donor sends the location mapping information to the WAB node. Besides the donor sending the location mapping information to the WAB-gNB, the donor-CU can first send the location mapping information to the RIC via an E2 interface message, and then the RIC can instruct the WAB-CU via an E2 interface message.

[0498] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0499] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0500] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures (such as a first network device, a second core network device, or a relay node). It should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0501] It is understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by devices (such as a first core network device, a second core network device, a relay node, or an access network node accessed by a mobile terminal portion of a relay node) can also be implemented by components of the devices (such as chips or circuits).

[0502] The above, combined with Figures 5 to 9 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. The above-described communication method is mainly introduced from the perspective of interaction between the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, and the access network node whose mobile terminal portion of the relay node is connected. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the access network node whose mobile terminal portion of the relay node is connected includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for performing each function.

[0503] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0504] The following combination Figures 10 to 12 The communication device provided in this application is described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above; for brevity, some details are omitted.

[0505] This application embodiment can divide the transmitting or receiving device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0506] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, while the processing module 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0507] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to perform the operation of the device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0508] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first core network device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a chip) of the first core network device.

[0509] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the first core network device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations of the first core network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the first core network device in the above method embodiment.

[0510] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is used to obtain a location mapping relationship, which includes a mapping relationship between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN. The location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information, and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. The transceiver module 11 is also used to send the location mapping relationship.

[0511] Wherein, when the device 10 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S510 and S520b.

[0512] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 6 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S603, S604, and S605.

[0513] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 7 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S703 and S706.

[0514] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 8 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S801 to S811.

[0515] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 9 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S905 to S907.

[0516] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0517] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the second core network device in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the second core network device.

[0518] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second core network device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations of the second core network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the second core network device in the above method embodiment.

[0519] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is used to obtain a location correspondence, which includes a correspondence between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN. The location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information, and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. The processing module 12 is used to determine the first location information based on the location correspondence and the second location information. The first location information and the second location information are used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal portion is located.

[0520] Wherein, when the device 10 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the sending and receiving module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S510; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S520a.

[0521] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 6 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S606, S607, S608, S614 and S616; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S618.

[0522] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 7 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S701, S703 to S712 and S714; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S715.

[0523] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 8 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S802, S805, S811, and S813; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S814.

[0524] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 9 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S908, S909, S910, S911 and S913; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S914.

[0525] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0526] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the relay node in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the relay node (such as a chip).

[0527] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the relay node in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the relay node in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the relay node in the above method embodiments.

[0528] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is used to obtain a location correspondence, which includes a correspondence between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN. The location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information, and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. The processing module 12 is used to determine the first location information based on the location correspondence and the second location information. The first location information and the second location information are used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal portion is located.

[0529] Wherein, when the device 10 is used to perform Figure 5When the method is in use, the sending and receiving module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S510; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S520a.

[0530] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 6 When the method is in progress, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S601 to S612, S614, S616 and S617; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S613 and S615.

[0531] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 7 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S701, S702, S707, S708, S712, S714 and S716; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S713.

[0532] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 8 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S801, S806, S807, S811, S813 and S815; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S812.

[0533] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 9 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S901, S911, S913 and S915; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S912.

[0534] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0535] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the access network node to which the terminal portion of the relay node in the above method embodiments is accessed, or to a component (such as a chip) of the access network node to which the terminal portion of the relay node is accessed.

[0536] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes executed by the access network node corresponding to the terminal part of the relay node in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the transceiver-related operations of the access network node corresponding to the terminal part of the relay node in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing-related operations of the access network node corresponding to the terminal part of the relay node in the above method embodiment.

[0537] In one possible implementation, transceiver module 11 is used to obtain a location mapping relationship, which includes the mapping relationship between location information supported by a first PLMN and location information supported by a second PLMN. The location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information, and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. Processing module 12 is used to send the location mapping relationship.

[0538] Wherein, when the device 10 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the sending and receiving module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S510; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S520b.

[0539] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 6 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S609 to S612; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0540] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 7 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S709 to S711; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0541] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 8 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S808 to S810; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0542] When the device 10 is used to perform Figure 9 When the method is in use, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as S901, S902, S903, S905, S906, S907, S908, S909 and S910; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as S904.

[0543] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0544] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here can refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (e.g., shared processors, proprietary processors, or group processors, etc.) and memories for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may specifically be a mobility management network element in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobility management network element in the above method embodiments; or, device 10 may specifically be a terminal device in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0545] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the devices (such as the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the access network node to which the mobile terminal portion of the relay node is accessed) in the above-described methods. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing modules, can be replaced by a processor, each executing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in the respective method embodiments.

[0546] In addition, the transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0547] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, which is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or to read data / signaling stored in the memory 22, to perform the methods in the above-described method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21.

[0548] Optionally, such as Figure 11 As shown, the device 20 also includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be disposed separately. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0549] Optionally, such as Figure 11As shown, the device 20 also includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 controls the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0550] As one option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the first core network device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0551] As an alternative, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the second core network device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0552] As another option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the relay node in the various method embodiments described above.

[0553] As another option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the access network node accessed by the terminal portion of the relay node in the various method embodiments described above.

[0554] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0555] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0556] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0557] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0558] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 30 (or processing system) includes logic circuitry 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0559] The logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 30 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting processed information from the chip system 30, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0560] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the access network node accessed by the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the mobile terminal portion of the relay node in the various method embodiments described above.

[0561] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the access network node accessed by the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the mobile terminal portion of the relay node in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the access network node accessed by the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the mobile terminal portion of the relay node in the above method embodiment.

[0562] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by an access network node accessed by a first core network device, a second core network device, a relay node, or a mobile terminal portion of a relay node in the above-described method embodiments.

[0563] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the access network nodes accessed by the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the mobile terminal portion of the relay node in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0564] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the access network node accessed by the first core network device, the second core network device, the relay node, or the mobile terminal portion of the relay node in the above-described method embodiments.

[0565] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned relay node and second core network device. Optionally, the communication system further includes the aforementioned first core network device. Optionally, the communication system further includes an access network node to which the terminal portion of the aforementioned relay node is connected.

[0566] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0567] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0568] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0569] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0570] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0571] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0572] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0573] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the 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 to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0574] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Obtain the location correspondence, which includes the correspondence between location information supported by a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and location information supported by a second PLMN. The location information supported by the first PLMN includes first location information, and the location information supported by the second PLMN includes second location information. The first PLMN is a PLMN supported by the access network node part of the relay node, and the second PLMN is a PLMN that provides services to the mobile terminal part of the relay node. The first location information is determined based on the location correspondence and the second location information, and / or the location correspondence is sent; the first location information and the second location information are used to determine the location area where the mobile terminal part is located.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first PLMN includes all PLMNs supported by the access network node portion that are different from the second PLMN; or, The first PLMN includes a PLMN that provides services to a terminal device, which is a terminal device that accesses the access network node portion, and the PLMN that provides services to the terminal device is different from the second PLMN.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The acquisition of the location correspondence includes: The location correspondence is received from a first device, which is at least one of the following: a network management device, a first core network device, a second core network device, or an access network node to which the mobile terminal part is connected; the first core network device is used to provide services to the mobile terminal part, and the second core network device is used to provide services to terminal devices connected to the access network node part.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: A request message is sent to the first device, the request message being used to request the location correspondence.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Before receiving the location correspondence, the method further includes: Send a first indication message to the first device, the first indication message being used to indicate the second PLMN and / or the first PLMN.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Before obtaining the location correspondence, the method further includes: Receive first indication information, which is used to indicate the second PLMN and / or the first PLMN.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Before obtaining the location correspondence, the method further includes: Receive second indication information, which is used to indicate the acquisition of the location correspondence.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, When the first location information is determined based on the location correspondence, the method further includes: The first location information is sent to the second core network device and / or the terminal device accessing the access network node portion, and the second core network device provides services to the terminal device accessing the access network node portion.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive request message; In response to the request message, a location mapping relationship is sent, which includes a mapping relationship between location information supported by a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and location information supported by a second PLMN. The first location information supported by the first PLMN and the second location information supported by the second PLMN are used to determine the same location area, and the first location information corresponds to the second location information.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a second PLMN, the first PLMN being a PLMN supported by the access network node portion of the relay node, and the second PLMN being a PLMN providing services to the mobile terminal portion of the relay node. If the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN, a second indication information is sent. The second indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a location correspondence. The location correspondence includes the correspondence between the location information supported by the first PLMN and the location information supported by the second PLMN. The first location information supported by the first PLMN and the second location information supported by the second PLMN are used to determine the same location area. The first location information corresponds to the second location information.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory coupled together. The memory is used to store a computer program that, when the processor runs the computer program, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or causes the communication device to perform the method as described in claim 9, or causes the communication device to perform the method as described in claim 10.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads and executes instructions through the communication interface. When the chip is installed in a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. The communication system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The communication system further includes a communication device for performing the method of claim 9, and / or a communication device for performing the method of claim 10.

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