Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus are used for realizing interaction of measurement data of a terminal device among a plurality of base stations so as to improve communication performance. The communication method comprises: a first network device receiving first indication information from a second network device, the first indication information being used for indicating components of first measurement data and / or granularity of the first measurement data, a constituent part of the first measurement data comprises at least one communication segment in a communication channel between the first terminal equipment and first network equipment, and the first network equipment is target network equipment in a switching process of the first terminal equipment; and the first network device sends the first measurement data to a second network device based on the first indication information, wherein the second network device is a source network device in the switching process of the first terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless communication scenarios, due to factors such as the mobility of terminal devices and the impact of environmental changes on wireless channels, ensuring communication services among multiple base stations becomes the most direct solution. Specifically, among numerous serving base stations, terminal devices will switch and reselect according to certain rules to meet the needs of terminal device communication service quality, base station load balancing, and network energy saving. The aforementioned operations are collectively referred to as terminal device mobility management. The purpose of terminal device mobility management is to satisfy both user experience and network system efficiency, and to make adaptive adjustments based on constantly changing user behavior and wireless communication environment.

[0003] To improve the accuracy of mobility management for terminal devices, the source base station needs to acquire measurement data from the target base station for subsequent decision-making during mobility management. How to achieve the exchange of measurement data between multiple base stations for terminal devices is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for enabling the interaction of measurement data of terminal devices among multiple base stations, thereby improving communication performance.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a first network device, or a component (such as a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, functional module, or others) or software module within the first network device. The method may include: the first network device receiving first indication information from a second network device, the first indication information indicating the components and / or granularity of first measurement data, the components of the first measurement data including at least one communication segment in a communication channel between a first terminal device and the first network device, the first network device being the target network device in the handover process of the first terminal device; the first network device sending the first measurement data to the second network device based on the first indication information, the second network device being the source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

[0006] Using this communication method, the first network device can send first measurement data to the second network device. This measurement data is granular, consisting of measurement data collected according to components and / or measurement data collected according to granularity. The first measurement data has high accuracy and can be used for subsequent decision-making in the mobility management process, thereby improving communication performance. Furthermore, the second network device can determine first instruction information based on the decision-making needs in the subsequent mobility management process, enabling the first measurement data to better serve the decision-making in the subsequent mobility management process and improving communication accuracy.

[0007] In one possible design, the granularity of the first measurement data may include at least one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

[0008] Thus, the granularity of the first measurement data can be any one or more of QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity. In other words, the first network device can feed back measurement data at the QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, or terminal device granularity to the second network device. The first measurement data can reflect the communication efficiency at different granularities, which can improve the accuracy of subsequent decisions in the mobility management process, thereby improving communication performance.

[0009] In one possible design, the first network device includes a CU and a DU; or, the first network device is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further including a DU; at least one communication segment may include at least one of the following: a first uplink communication segment, the first uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device to process uplink data; a second uplink communication segment, the second uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication segment, the third uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process uplink data; a fourth uplink communication segment, the fourth uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication segment, the fifth uplink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process uplink data; a first downlink communication segment, the first downlink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication segment, the second downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process downlink data; a third downlink communication segment, the third downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit downlink data; a fourth downlink communication segment, the fourth downlink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process downlink data.

[0010] Thus, the first measurement data may consist of measurement data from at least one of the aforementioned communication segments. The first measurement data can reflect the communication efficiency in different communication segments, enabling the second network device to clearly understand the communication efficiency of different communication segments, thereby improving the accuracy of subsequent decisions in the mobility management process and thus improving communication performance.

[0011] In one possible design, the first network device is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, and the distributed network device also includes a DU; when at least one communication segment includes a designated communication segment, the first network device can also receive second measurement data from the DU, the second measurement data being the measurement data corresponding to the designated communication segment, and the second measurement data being included in the first measurement data; wherein, the designated communication segment includes at least one of the following: a second uplink communication segment, a third uplink communication segment, a first downlink communication segment, and a second downlink communication segment.

[0012] In this way, the first network device can obtain the second measurement data corresponding to a portion of the communication segment through the DU, reducing the process of the first network device obtaining the measurement data collected by the DU through the CU-UP and then feeding the measurement data back to the CU-CP. This reduces the signaling interaction between the DU and the CU-UP, and the signaling interaction between the CU-UP and the CU-CP, avoiding the waste of signaling resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0013] In one possible design, the first network device may also send a second indication message to the DU, the second indication message being used to indicate the acquisition of measurement data corresponding to at least one specified communication segment, and / or the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to the specified communication segment.

[0014] In this way, the first network device can specify the designated communication segment corresponding to the second measurement data through the second indication information, and can also specify the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to any designated communication segment through the second indication information, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling interactions and improving the accuracy of communication.

[0015] In one possible design, the first network device may also send capability information to the second network device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to components, and / or, the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to granularity.

[0016] In this way, the first network device and the second network device can reach a consensus on the ability of the first network device to collect measurement data, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead during the interaction of measurement data.

[0017] In one possible design, the capability information may include candidate components, which include at least one candidate communication segment, and the at least one candidate communication segment includes at least one communication segment; and / or, the capability information may include at least one candidate granularity, which includes the granularity of the first measurement data.

[0018] In this way, the first network device and the second network device can also reach a consensus on the ability of the first network device to collect measurement data at the component and granular level, further reducing unnecessary signaling overhead during the interaction of measurement data.

[0019] In one possible design, the first network device can also receive capability requests from the second network device, which are used to request the ability of the first network device to collect measurement data.

[0020] In this way, the first network device can also receive capability requests from the second network device, thereby feeding back the first network device's ability to collect measurement data to the second network device.

[0021] In one possible design, the process of the first network device sending the first measurement data to the second network device based on the first instruction information may include: the first network device collecting the first measurement data based on the first instruction information; and the first network device sending the first measurement data to the second network device.

[0022] In this way, the first network device can collect the first measurement data based on the first instruction information, and then feed back the collected first measurement data to the second network device, thereby improving the accuracy of data collection.

[0023] In one possible design, the initial measurement data can be used to optimize an AI model, which in turn executes mobility decisions for the first terminal device.

[0024] In this way, the AI ​​model corresponding to the second network device can clearly understand the performance of the first terminal device after base station handover through the first measurement data, which helps to enhance prediction, resource management, node selection, etc.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a second network device, or a component (such as a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, functional module, or others) or software module within the second network device. The method may include: the second network device sending first indication information to a first network device, the first indication information indicating the components and / or granularity of first measurement data, the components of the first measurement data including at least one communication segment in the communication channel between the first terminal device and the first network device, the first network device being the target network device in the handover process of the first terminal device; and the second network device receiving the first measurement data from the first network device, the second network device being the source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

[0026] In one possible design, the granularity of the first measurement data may include at least one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

[0027] In one possible design, the first network device includes a CU and a DU; or, the first network device is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further including a DU; at least one communication segment may include at least one of the following: a first uplink communication segment, the first uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device to process uplink data; a second uplink communication segment, the second uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication segment, the third uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process uplink data; a fourth uplink communication segment, the fourth uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication segment, the fifth uplink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process uplink data; a first downlink communication segment, the first downlink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication segment, the second downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process downlink data; a third downlink communication segment, the third downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit downlink data; a fourth downlink communication segment, the fourth downlink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process downlink data.

[0028] In one possible design, the second network device may also receive capability information from the first network device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to components, and / or, the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to granularity.

[0029] In one possible design, the capability information may include candidate components, which include at least one candidate communication segment, which includes at least one communication segment; and / or, the capability information may include at least one candidate granularity, which includes the granularity of the first measurement data.

[0030] In one possible design, the second network device can also send a capability request to the first network device, which is used to request the first network device's ability to collect measurement data.

[0031] In one possible design, the first measurement data is used to optimize the AI ​​model, which in turn is used to make mobility decisions for the first terminal device.

[0032] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The device can implement the methods described in any possible implementation of any of the first or second aspects described above. The device possesses the functions of the first or second network device described above.

[0033] In one optional implementation, the device may include modules, units, or means corresponding one-to-one with the methods / operations / steps / actions performed in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects. These modules, units, or means may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another optional implementation, the device includes a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a communication module (sometimes also called a transceiver module, communication unit, etc.). The communication module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the communication module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module); when the communication module performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, referred to as the communication module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, with "communication module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0034] For example, when the apparatus is used to perform the method described in any one of the first to second aspects, the apparatus may include a processing module and a communication module.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device, including a processor for executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, such that when the computer program (or computer-executable instructions) is executed, the device performs the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0037] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0038] The communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as sending or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0039] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, enable the implementation of the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects, and the method shown in any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0040] A sixth aspect provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, enables the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects to be implemented.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for performing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0042] Eighthly, a chip system is provided, comprising logic circuitry (or, as understood, a processor, which may include logic circuitry, etc.), and further comprising input / output interfaces. The input / output interfaces can be used to input messages or to output messages. The input / output interfaces can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can implement both sending and receiving functions; or, the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface being used to implement the receiving function, i.e., to receive messages; and the output interface being used to implement the sending function, i.e., to send messages. The logic circuitry can be used to perform operations other than the sending and receiving functions in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above; the logic circuitry can also be used to transmit messages to the input / output interfaces or to receive messages from other communication devices from the input / output interfaces. The chip system can be used to implement the methods described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0043] Optionally, the chip system may also include a memory, which can be used to store instructions, and the logic circuits can call the instructions stored in the memory to implement the corresponding functions.

[0044] A ninth aspect provides a communication system that may include a first network device and a second network device. The first network device may be used to implement the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second network device may be used to implement the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0045] The technical effects brought about by the second to ninth aspects above can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 An example diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3a An example diagram of an interaction provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 3bAnother interactive example diagram provided for embodiments of this application;

[0050] Figure 4 A communication example diagram provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 5 Another communication example diagram provided for embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, some terms used in this application will be explained below.

[0055] 1. Network equipment can also be called access node (AN), radio access network (RAN) node, access network equipment, etc. Network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved Node B in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system (eNB or e-NodeB for short), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation Node B (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. It can also be network equipment in an open radio access network (ORAN) system.

[0056] Optionally, network equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, network equipment can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in the ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU, DU can also be called open (O)-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CUP-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU.

[0057] Optionally, the CU and DU can be placed in different locations; for example, the DU can be placed in a high-traffic area, while the CU can be placed in the central equipment room. Of course, the CU and DU can also be placed in the same equipment room. In addition, the CU and DU can also be different components under the same rack.

[0058] For example, network devices can be macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), indoor stations, relay nodes, or donor nodes. Network devices can also be radio network controllers (RNCs), Node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved Node Bs, or home Node Bs, HNBs), base band units (BBUs), remote radio units (RRUs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access points (APs), or base band pools (BBU pools) and RRUs in cloud radio access networks (CRANs), etc.

[0059] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device.

[0060] 2. Terminal devices can be: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, extended reality (XR) devices, mixed reality (MR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.

[0061] Terminal devices can also be device-to-device (D2D) communication terminal devices, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication terminal devices, intelligent vehicles, vehicle-to-everything (Telematics Box, TBOX) systems, machine-to-machine / machine-type (M2M / MTC) communication terminal devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) terminal devices. For example, terminal devices can be vehicles, ships, or aircraft, or terminal-type roadside units, or communication modules or chips built into vehicles or roadside units. For instance, a terminal device can be an in-vehicle module. Terminal devices can also be roadside units (RSUs).

[0062] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0063] Based on the above description, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below. In the following embodiments, the operation performed by a certain device (or network element) can also be performed by the processor of a certain device (or network element), or a chip or chip system, or a functional module, etc. This application only describes the operation by a certain device (or network element) as an example, and it is not intended to limit this application.

[0064] This application provides a communication method and apparatus. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems based on similar principles, their implementations can be referenced interchangeably, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0065] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " signifies "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. Furthermore, in the description of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more items, and "multiple" refers to two or more items. In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0066] In wireless communication scenarios, to improve the accuracy of mobility management for terminal devices, after a terminal device performs a cell handover, the source base station can acquire measurement data from the target base station for subsequent decision-making during mobility management. For example, with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the communications field, more and more research is considering replacing or adding traditional communication modules with AI functions to achieve more intelligent communication scheduling and decision-making. Based on this, in the mobility management of terminal devices, to evaluate the performance of AI models, optimize AI models, or make online decisions through AI models, multiple base stations need to interact with the measurement data of the terminal devices. This measurement data is then used to guide the AI ​​model to assist in the subsequent decision-making of the base station, thereby improving communication performance. In the aforementioned scenario design, the base station is only one example of network equipment; that is, the base station can be replaced with other network equipment, and this application does not limit this. For example, the source base station can be a source network device, and the target base station can be a target network device.

[0067] Figure 1 An example of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes base station #1 and base station #2. When a terminal device is at location 1, it can access base station #1, which provides network services to the terminal device. When the terminal device moves from location 1 to location 2, it can switch from base station #1 to base station #2, which provides network services to the terminal device. Based on this, base station #1 can be understood as the source base station in the handover process of the terminal device, and base station #2 can be understood as the target base station in the handover process of the terminal device.

[0068] Among them, base station #1 and / or base station #2 can adopt a separate architecture; base station #1 may include CU-CP#1 (marked as gNB-CU#1(CP) in the figure); base station #2 may include CU-CP#2 (marked as gNB-CU#2(CP) in the figure), CU-UP#2 (marked as gNB-CU#2(UP) in the figure) and DU (marked as gNB-DU in the figure).

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, the base station (base station #1 or base station #2) can interact with the terminal device through the Uu interface; base station #1 and base station #2 can interact through the Xn interface. In base station #2, gNB-CU#2(CP) and gNB-CU#2(UP) can interact through the E1 interface, gNB-CU#2(CP) and gNB-DU can interact through the F1-C interface, and gNB-CU#2(UP) and gNB-DU can interact through the F1-U interface.

[0070] To enable the exchange of measurement data between multiple base stations and terminal devices, thereby improving communication performance, this application provides a communication method. The following embodiments, in conjunction with... Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates the method. This communication method can be implemented by a first network device and a second network device. As needed, the network devices involved in this embodiment can be replaced with components such as a base station, a chip or transmitting unit within the base station, or other communication devices, transmitting units, or other execution entities. For example, the first network device could be... Figure 1 Base station #2 in the middle, the second network device can be Figure 1 Base station #1 in the middle.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps: S201, S202, and S203:

[0072] S201: The first network device receives first indication information from the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives first indication information from the first network device. Wherein, the first network device is the target network device in the handover process of the first terminal device, and the second network device is the source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

[0073] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate a refined category of the first measurement data. For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate the components and / or granularity of the first measurement data, wherein the components of the first measurement data include at least one communication segment in the communication channel between the first terminal device and the first network device. In some examples, the first indication information may also be used to indicate other refined categories in existing protocols, which is not limited in this application.

[0074] In the embodiments of this application, the measurement data includes, but is not limited to, latency data, packet loss data, and throughput data. The following discussion uses latency data as an example to illustrate the detailed categories of measurement data. It should be understood that when the measurement data includes data other than latency data, the same logic applies, but this application will not elaborate further.

[0075] In some examples, the refinement of measurement data is based on different communication stages of uplink / downlink data communication; in this case, the first measurement data may correspond to at least one communication segment (i.e., component).

[0076] like Figure 3aAs shown, the distributed network device includes a CU and a DU; the CU may include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. In this application, the first network device may be the aforementioned distributed network device, or the first network device may be the aforementioned CU or CU-UP. The uplink communication process between the terminal device and the distributed network device includes multiple uplink stages (or intervals), each uplink stage corresponding to a different identifier; wherein, the multiple uplink stages may include at least one of the following (without limitation on order):

[0077] The stage in which the terminal device processes uplink data is denoted as D1.a;

[0078] The stage in which the terminal device sends the uplink data to the DU via the Uu interface is identified as D2.1.

[0079] The stage in which DU processes the uplink data is identified as 2.2;

[0080] The stage in which DU sends the uplink data to CU-UP via the F1-U interface is identified as D2.3;

[0081] The stage in which CU-UP processes the online data is labeled D2.4.

[0082] Based on the different processing stages in the aforementioned uplink communication process, the uplink latency data may include the uplink latency data corresponding to D1.a, D2.1, D2.2, D2.3, and D2.4.

[0083] Optionally, the terminal device, DU, and CU-UP can measure and statistically analyze uplink latency data at different stages. For example, as shown in Table 1, the terminal device can statistically analyze the uplink latency data corresponding to D1.a; the DU can statistically analyze the uplink latency data corresponding to D2.1 and D2.2; and the CU-UP can statistically analyze the uplink latency data corresponding to D2.3 and D2.4.

[0084] terminal equipment DU CU-UP Uplink latency data D1.a D2.1, D2.2 D2.3, D2.4

[0085] Table 1

[0086] like Figure 3bAs shown, the distributed network device includes a CU and a DU; the CU may include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. In this application, the first network device may be the aforementioned distributed network device, or the first network device may be the aforementioned CU or CU-UP. The downlink communication process between the terminal device and the distributed network device includes multiple downlink stages (or intervals), each downlink stage corresponding to a different identifier; wherein, the multiple downlink stages may include at least one of the following (without limitation on order):

[0087] The stage in which downlink data is transmitted between the terminal equipment and the DU is identified as D1.b;

[0088] The stage where DU processes downlink data is designated as D2;

[0089] The stage in which downlink data is transmitted between DU and CU is identified as D3;

[0090] The stage where the CU processes downlink data is designated as D4.

[0091] Based on the different processing stages in the aforementioned downlink communication process, the downlink delay data may include the downlink delay data corresponding to D1.b, the downlink delay data corresponding to D2, the downlink delay data corresponding to D3, and the downlink delay data corresponding to D4.

[0092] Optionally, DU and CU-UP can measure and statistically analyze downlink latency data for different stages. For example, as shown in Table 2, DU can statistically analyze downlink latency data corresponding to D1.b and D2; CU-UP can statistically analyze downlink latency data corresponding to D3 and D4.

[0093] DU CU-UP downlink latency data D1.b、D2 D3, D4

[0094] Table 2

[0095] Based on this, the aforementioned at least one communication segment includes at least one of the following:

[0096] The first uplink communication segment is the stage in which the first terminal device processes uplink data (refer to D1.a above);

[0097] The second uplink communication segment is the stage for transmitting uplink data between the first terminal device and the DU (refer to D2.1 above);

[0098] The third uplink communication segment is the stage where the DU processes uplink data (refer to D2.2 above);

[0099] The fourth uplink communication segment is the stage for transmitting uplink data between the DU and CU (refer to D2.3 above);

[0100] The fifth uplink communication segment is the stage where the CU processes uplink data (refer to D2.4 above);

[0101] The first downlink communication segment is the stage for transmitting downlink data between the first terminal device and the DU (refer to D1.b above);

[0102] The second downlink communication segment is the stage where the DU processes downlink data (refer to D2 above);

[0103] The third downlink communication segment is the stage for transmitting downlink data between the DU and CU (refer to D3 above);

[0104] The fourth downlink communication segment is the stage where the CU processes downlink data (refer to D4 above).

[0105] In other examples, the refinement of measurement data is based on the granularity corresponding to uplink / downlink data; in this case, the first measurement data can correspond to at least one granularity. For example, if the measurement data is statistically analyzed using uplink / downlink data at the Quality of Service (QoS) flow granularity, the resulting measurement data granularity is the QoS flow granularity; if the measurement data is statistically analyzed using uplink / downlink data at the Data Radio Bearer (DRB) granularity, the resulting measurement data granularity is the DRB granularity; if the measurement data is statistically analyzed using uplink / downlink data at the network slice granularity, the resulting measurement data granularity is the network slice granularity; and if the measurement data is statistically analyzed using uplink / downlink data at the terminal device granularity, the resulting measurement data granularity is the terminal device granularity.

[0106] Based on this, the granularity of the first measurement data includes at least one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

[0107] It should be noted that the method by which the first indication information indicates the detailed category of the first measurement data can refer to the traditional method, and this application does not limit it.

[0108] The following provides an exemplary indication method: the first indication information may include a first sub-information and a second sub-information, which are used to indicate the components of the first measurement data and the granularity of the first measurement data, respectively; wherein, both the first sub-information and the second sub-information can be set to empty, that is, the components of the first measurement data or the granularity of the first measurement data are not limited.

[0109] Optionally, when the measurement data is time delay data, the second sub-information can be set to one or more individual communication segments, or it can be set to the sum of time delay data corresponding to multiple communication segments.

[0110] In some examples, the first sub-information is used to indicate the granularity of the first measurement data, and the second sub-information is used to indicate the components of the first measurement data. Table 3 provides examples of the first and second sub-information in the first indication information provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0111]

[0112] Table 3

[0113] Wherein, when the measurement data is time delay data and the second sub-information is {D1.b+D2, D3+D4}, the measurement data requested by the first indication information includes the sum of the time delay data of the D1.b communication segment and the time delay data of the D2 communication segment, and the measurement data requested by the first indication information also includes the sum of the time delay data of the D3 communication segment and the time delay data of the D4 communication segment.

[0114] In other examples, the first sub-information is used to indicate the components of the first measurement data, and the second sub-information is used to indicate the granularity of the first measurement data.

[0115] S202: The first network device sends first measurement data to the second network device based on the first instruction information; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first measurement data from the first network device.

[0116] Optionally, the first measurement data can be used to optimize the AI ​​model, which in turn executes mobility decisions for the first terminal device. In this way, the AI ​​model corresponding to the second network device can gain a clear understanding of the performance of the first terminal device after base station handover using the first measurement data, which helps enhance prediction, resource management, and node selection.

[0117] Using the communication methods shown in S201 and S202 above, the first network device can send first measurement data to the second network device, and the granularity of the measurement data is either measurement data collected according to components or measurement data collected according to granularity. The first measurement data has high accuracy and can be used for subsequent decision-making in the mobility management process, thereby improving communication performance.

[0118] In one possible design, before executing S201, the first network device and the second network device can also negotiate the capability of the first network device to collect measurement data. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the communication method may also include SA1 and SA2.

[0119] SA1: The second network device sends a capability request to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the capability request from the second network device. The capability request is used to request the ability of the first network device to collect measurement data.

[0120] It should be understood that SA1 is an optional step and can be omitted in some examples.

[0121] SA2: The first network device sends capability information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives capability information from the first network device. The capability information indicates that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to components, and / or, the capability information indicates that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to granularity.

[0122] In some examples, the aforementioned capability information is used to indicate that the first network device does not have the capability to collect measurement data by component; correspondingly, the capability information may also include reasons why it does not support collecting measurement data by component (e.g., failure to collect measurement data by component).

[0123] In other examples, capability information is used to indicate that the first network device does not have the capability to collect measurement data at a granular level; correspondingly, the capability information may also include reasons why granular measurement data collection is not supported (e.g., failure to collect measurement data at a granular level).

[0124] Optionally, the capability information includes candidate components, each candidate component including at least one candidate communication segment, and the at least one candidate communication segment including at least one communication segment; and / or, the capability information includes at least one candidate granularity, and the at least one candidate granularity including the granularity of the first measurement data. For example, if a candidate component includes a first uplink communication segment, it indicates that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data of the first uplink communication segment; if a candidate granularity includes QoS flow granularity and DRB granularity, it indicates that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data at both the QoS flow granularity and DRB granularity levels.

[0125] It should be understood that the components of the first measurement data indicated by the first indication information in S201 are included in the aforementioned at least one candidate component, and the granularity of the first measurement data indicated by the first indication information in S201 is included in the aforementioned at least one candidate granularity.

[0126] Optionally, the aforementioned capability requests and capability information can be exchanged through the Xn interface.

[0127] In one possible design, the process of the first network device sending the first measurement data to the second network device based on the first indication information in S202 may include S202-1 and S202-2.

[0128] S202-1: The first network device collects the first measurement data based on the first indication information.

[0129] In some examples, the method by which the first network device collects the first measurement data can refer to conventional schemes. Examples of some collection methods are provided below, but they do not constitute a limitation of this application.

[0130] like Figure 4 As shown, the first network device adopts a discrete architecture, and includes a CU and a DU; the CU may include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. The terminal device, DU, and CU-UP respectively measure and collect measurement data at different stages; correspondingly, the CU-CP can interact with the terminal device and CU-UP respectively to obtain the first measurement data.

[0131] Taking the first measurement data as the time delay data as an example, and in conjunction with Tables 1 and 2 above, the aforementioned communication method may also include process one, process two, process three and / or process four.

[0132] Process 1: CU-CP acquires latency data A through the terminal device; wherein, latency data A includes the uplink latency data corresponding to the D1.a communication segment; latency data A is included in the first measurement data.

[0133] For example, the terminal device can measure and analyze latency data A; the CU-CP receives latency data A from the terminal device.

[0134] Optionally, before the CU-CP receives the latency data A from the terminal device, the CU-CP may also send a first data request to the terminal device, which is used to request the acquisition of the aforementioned latency data A. The first data request and the first data response may be RRC messages.

[0135] Process 2: CU-CP acquires latency data B through CU UP; wherein, latency data B includes uplink latency data corresponding to communication segments D2.1 and D2.2 respectively, and downlink latency data corresponding to communication segments D1.b and D2 respectively; latency data B is included in the first measurement data.

[0136] For example, the DU can measure and statistically analyze the latency data B; the DU can feed back the aforementioned latency data B to the CU-UP through auxiliary information from the F1-U interface; the CU-CP receives the aforementioned latency data B from the CU-UP.

[0137] Process 3: CU-CP acquires latency data C through CU UP; wherein, latency data C includes uplink latency data corresponding to communication segments D2.3 and D2.4 respectively, and downlink latency data corresponding to communication segments D3 and D4 respectively; latency data C is included in the first measurement data.

[0138] For example, CU-UP can measure and statistically analyze latency data C; CU-CP receives the aforementioned latency data C from CU-UP.

[0139] In some examples, processes two and three can be executed together; that is, the CU-CP receives delay data B and delay data C from the CU-UP.

[0140] Optionally, before the CU-CP receives delay data B and delay data C from the CU-UP, the CU-CP may send a second data request to the CU-UP, which is used to request the acquisition of the aforementioned delay data B and / or delay data C.

[0141] Process 4: CU-CP acquires delay data B through DU; wherein, delay data B includes uplink delay data corresponding to communication segments D2.1 and D2.2 (i.e., the second uplink communication segment and the third uplink communication segment), and downlink delay data corresponding to communication segments D1.b and D2 (i.e., the first downlink communication segment and the second downlink communication segment); delay data B is included in the first measurement data.

[0142] For example, when the first network device is a CU or CU-UP, the first network device can acquire some of the first measurement data through the DU. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, before executing S202, the communication method may also include SB1 and SB2.

[0143] SB1: The first network device may send a second indication message to the DU, the second indication message being used to indicate the acquisition of measurement data corresponding to at least one specified communication segment, and / or the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to the specified communication segment. The specified communication segment includes at least one of the following: a second uplink communication segment, a third uplink communication segment, a first downlink communication segment, and a second downlink communication segment.

[0144] In some examples, the second indication information may include a first sub-information and a second sub-information, which are used to indicate the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to a specified communication segment and any specified communication segment, respectively.

[0145] The granularity of the measurement data corresponding to different specified communication segments can be different, and this application does not impose any limitations. For example, referring to Table 4, the first sub-information included in the second indication information is used to indicate that the specified communication segments include {D1.b, D2, D3, D4} and {D2.1}. The second sub-information corresponding to the specified communication segments {D1.b, D2, D3, D4} is the QoS flow granularity, and the second sub-information corresponding to the specified communication segment {D2.1} is both the QoS flow granularity and the DRB granularity.

[0146]

[0147] Table 4

[0148] It should be understood that SB1 is an optional step and can be omitted in some examples.

[0149] SB2: When at least one communication segment contains a designated communication segment, the DU can send second measurement data (including delay data B) to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device can also receive second measurement data from the DU. The second measurement data is the measurement data corresponding to the designated communication segment, and the second measurement data is included in the first measurement data.

[0150] Using the methods shown in SB1 and SB2 (process four), the first network device can obtain the second measurement data corresponding to a portion of the communication segment through the DU, reducing the process of the first network device obtaining the measurement data collected by the DU through the CU-UP and then feeding the measurement data back to the CU-CP (refer to process two). This reduces the signaling interaction between the DU and the CU-UP, and the signaling interaction between the CU-UP and the CU-CP, avoiding the waste of signaling resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0151] It should be noted that the process of collecting the first measurement data in S202-1 (including process one to process four) can all be carried out simultaneously based on the indication of the granularity of the first measurement data in the first indication information. Referring to the second indication information in SB1, it can be used to indicate the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to the specified communication segment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0152] S202-2: The first network device sends the first measurement data to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first measurement data from the first network device.

[0153] In some examples, the method by which the first network device collects the first measurement data can refer to conventional schemes. Examples of some collection methods are provided below, but they do not constitute a limitation of this application.

[0154] like Figure 4 or Figure 5As shown, when the first network device adopts a separate architecture, after the CU-CP corresponding to the first network device obtains the measurement data corresponding to different communication segments, the first measurement data is obtained by weighted calculation.

[0155] For example, the CU-CP corresponding to the first network device can average / weightedly average the aforementioned latency data A, latency data B, and latency data C to obtain the first measurement data (which may include QoS flow granularity measurement data, DRB granularity measurement data, network slice granularity measurement data, and terminal device granularity measurement data).

[0156] Based on the same technical concept, this application provides a communication device, which includes modules, units or means that perform the method steps in the above method embodiments. The functions, units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0157] For example, see Figure 6 The device 600 may include a processing module 601 and a communication module 602.

[0158] Optionally, the communication module 602 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. It should be noted that the communication device 600 may only include a sending module and not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may only include a receiving module and not a sending module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above scheme performed by the communication device 600 includes both sending and receiving actions.

[0159] The processing module 601 is used for data processing. The communication module 602 can implement the corresponding communication functions.

[0160] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 601 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 600 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0161] It should be understood that all relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] The processing module 601 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The communication module 602 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The communication module 602 can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface.

[0163] For example, the communication device 600 may be a first network device or a component configured within the first network device. The communication device 600 is used to implement the above. Figure 2 When the first network device is shown, the communication module 602 is used to: receive first indication information from the second network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the components of the first measurement data and / or the granularity of the first measurement data, the components of the first measurement data including at least one communication segment in the communication channel between the first terminal device and the communication device 600, the communication device 600 being the target network device in the handover process of the first terminal device; the processing module 601 is used to perform the following action through the communication module 602: send the first measurement data to the second network device based on the first indication information, the second network device being the source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

[0164] In one possible design, the granularity of the first measurement data may include at least one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

[0165] In one possible design, the communication device 600 includes a CU and a DU; or, the communication device 600 is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further including a DU; at least one communication segment may include at least one of the following: a first uplink communication segment, the first uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device to process uplink data; a second uplink communication segment, the second uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication segment, the third uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process uplink data; a fourth uplink communication segment, the fourth uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication segment, the fifth uplink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process uplink data; a first downlink communication segment, the first downlink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication segment, the second downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process downlink data; a third downlink communication segment, the third downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit downlink data; a fourth downlink communication segment, the fourth downlink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process downlink data.

[0166] In one possible design, the communication device 600 is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, and the distributed network device also includes a DU; when at least one communication segment includes a designated communication segment, the communication module 602 is further configured to: receive second measurement data from the DU, the second measurement data being measurement data corresponding to the designated communication segment, and the second measurement data being included in the first measurement data; wherein, the designated communication segment includes at least one of the following: a second uplink communication segment, a third uplink communication segment, a first downlink communication segment, and a second downlink communication segment.

[0167] In one possible design, the communication module 602 is further configured to: send a second indication message to the DU, the second indication message being used to indicate the acquisition of measurement data corresponding to at least one specified communication segment, and / or the granularity of the measurement data corresponding to the specified communication segment.

[0168] In one possible design, the communication module 602 is further configured to: send capability information to a second network device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate that the communication device 600 has the capability to collect measurement data according to components, and / or, the capability information is used to indicate that the communication device 600 has the capability to collect measurement data according to granularity.

[0169] In one possible design, the capability information may include candidate components, which include at least one candidate communication segment, and the at least one candidate communication segment includes at least one communication segment; and / or, the capability information may include at least one candidate granularity, which includes the granularity of the first measurement data.

[0170] In one possible design, the communication module 602 is also used to: receive a capability request from a second network device, the capability request being used to request the capability to acquire measurement data collected by the communication device 600.

[0171] In one possible design, the processing module 601 is specifically used to: collect first measurement data based on first indication information; and the communication module 602 is specifically used to: send the first measurement data to a second network device.

[0172] In one possible design, the initial measurement data can be used to optimize an AI model, which in turn executes mobility decisions for the first terminal device.

[0173] For example, the communication device 600 may be a second network device or a component configured within the second network device. The communication device 600 is used to implement the above. Figure 2 When the second network device is shown, the communication module 602 is used to: send first indication information to the first network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the components of the first measurement data and / or the granularity of the first measurement data, the components of the first measurement data including at least one communication segment in the communication channel between the first terminal device and the first network device, the first network device being the target network device in the handover process of the first terminal device; the communication module 602 is also used to: receive first measurement data from the first network device, the communication device 600 being the source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

[0174] In one possible design, the granularity of the first measurement data may include at least one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

[0175] In one possible design, the first network device includes a CU and a DU; or, the first network device is a CU or a CP network element in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further including a DU; at least one communication segment may include at least one of the following: a first uplink communication segment, the first uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device to process uplink data; a second uplink communication segment, the second uplink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication segment, the third uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process uplink data; a fourth uplink communication segment, the fourth uplink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication segment, the fifth uplink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process uplink data; a first downlink communication segment, the first downlink communication segment being a stage for the first terminal device and the DU to transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication segment, the second downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU to process downlink data; a third downlink communication segment, the third downlink communication segment being a stage for the DU and the CU to transmit downlink data; a fourth downlink communication segment, the fourth downlink communication segment being a stage for the CU to process downlink data.

[0176] In one possible design, the communication module 602 is further configured to: receive capability information from a first network device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to components, and / or, the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability to collect measurement data according to granularity.

[0177] In one possible design, the capability information may include candidate components, which include at least one candidate communication segment, which includes at least one communication segment; and / or, the capability information may include at least one candidate granularity, which includes the granularity of the first measurement data.

[0178] In one possible design, the communication module 602 is further configured to: send a capability request to the first network device, the capability request being used to request the capability of the first network device to collect measurement data.

[0179] In one possible design, the first measurement data is used to optimize the AI ​​model, which in turn is used to make mobility decisions for the first terminal device.

[0180] The following is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 700, including:

[0181] At least one processor 701; and a communication interface 703 communicatively connected to the at least one processor 701; the at least one processor 701 causes the device to perform the method steps in the above method embodiments through the communication interface 703 by executing instructions stored in the memory 702.

[0182] The memory 702 may be located outside the device 700. Alternatively, the memory 702 may be located inside the device 700. Optionally, the device 700 includes the memory 702, which is connected to the at least one processor 701, and stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 701. (Appendix) Figure 7 The dashed line indicates that memory 702 is optional for device 700.

[0183] The processor 701 and the memory 702 can be coupled through an interface circuit or integrated together; no restriction is imposed here.

[0184] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 701, memory 702, and communication interface 703 described above. This application embodiment... Figure 7 The processor 701, memory 702, and communication interface 703 are connected via a bus 704. Figure 7 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 7 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0185] Taking the first network device as an example, when the communication device 700 is the first network device, the first network device may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory may store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0186] The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data; controlling the first network device; executing software programs; and processing the data from those programs. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transmitter is used to send signals to other communication devices or equipment, and the receiver is used to receive signals from other communication devices or equipment.

[0187] When the communication device 700 is a chip in the first network device, the chip may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the first network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0188] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, implemented by reading software code stored in memory.

[0189] For example, the processor 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.

[0190] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The 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. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as 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).

[0191] 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.

[0192] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0193] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, including a program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0194] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0195] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which may include a first network device and a second network device. For example, this communication system can be used to implement... Figure 2The method flow is described in the text. Optionally, the communication system may also include other communication devices.

[0196] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0197] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0198] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0199] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0200] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0201] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first indication information from a second network device, the first indication information being used for indicating a component of first measurement data and / or a granularity of the first measurement data, the component of the first measurement data comprising at least one communication section in a communication channel between a first terminal device and a first network device, the first network device being a target network device in a handover procedure of the first terminal device; sending the first measurement data to the second network device based on the first indication information, the second network device being a source network device in the handover procedure of the first terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The granularity of the first measurement data comprises at least one of the following: quality of service (QoS) flow granularity, data radio bearer (DRB) granularity, network slice granularity, and terminal device granularity.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first network device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), or the first network device is a CU or a control plane (CP) network element in the CU in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further comprising a DU. The at least one communication section comprises at least one of the following: a first uplink communication section, the first uplink communication section being a stage in which the first terminal device processes uplink data; a second uplink communication section, the second uplink communication section being a stage in which the first terminal device and the DU transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication section, the third uplink communication section being a stage in which the DU processes uplink data; a fourth uplink communication section, the fourth uplink communication section being a stage in which the DU and the CU transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication section, the fifth uplink communication section being a stage in which the CU processes uplink data; a first downlink communication section, the first downlink communication section being a stage in which the first terminal device and the DU transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication section, the second downlink communication section being a stage in which the DU processes downlink data; a third downlink communication section, the third downlink communication section being a stage in which the DU and the CU transmit downlink data; a fourth downlink communication section, the fourth downlink communication section being a stage in which the CU processes downlink data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first network device is a CU or a control plane (CP) network element in the CU in a distributed network device, the distributed network device further comprising a DU; the method further comprises: when the at least one communication section comprises a specified communication section, receiving second measurement data from the DU, the second measurement data being measurement data corresponding to the specified communication section, the second measurement data being included in the first measurement data; wherein the specified communication section comprises at least one of the following: the second uplink communication section, the third uplink communication section, the first downlink communication section, and the second downlink communication section.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second indication information to the DU, the second indication information being used for indicating that measurement data corresponding to at least one specified communication section is to be acquired, and / or a granularity of the measurement data corresponding to the specified communication section.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The method further comprises: sending capability information to the second network device; The capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability of collecting measurement data according to a component, and / or the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability of collecting measurement data according to a granularity.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, the capability information comprises a candidate component, and the candidate component comprises at least one candidate communication segment, and the at least one candidate communication segment comprises the at least one communication segment; and / or the capability information comprises at least one candidate granularity, and the at least one candidate granularity comprises a granularity of the first measurement data.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a capability request from the second network device, and the capability request is used to request to obtain the capability of collecting measurement data by the first network device.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The sending, to the second network device, of the first measurement data based on the first indication information comprises: collecting the first measurement data based on the first indication information; sending, to the second network device, the first measurement data.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending, to a first network device, first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a component of first measurement data and / or a granularity of the first measurement data, and the component of the first measurement data comprises at least one communication segment in a communication channel between a first terminal device and the first network device, and the first network device is a target network device in a handover process of the first terminal device; receiving the first measurement data from the first network device, and the second network device is a source network device in the handover process of the first terminal device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The granularity of the first measurement data comprises at least one of the following: a quality of service (QoS) flow granularity, a data radio bearer (DRB) granularity, a network slice granularity, and a terminal device granularity.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein, The first network device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), or the first network device is a CU or a control plane (CP) network element in the CU in a distributed network device, and the distributed network device further comprises a DU. The at least one communication segment comprises at least one of the following: a first uplink communication segment, which is a stage in which the first terminal device processes uplink data; a second uplink communication segment, which is a stage in which the first terminal device and the DU transmit uplink data; a third uplink communication segment, which is a stage in which the DU processes uplink data; a fourth uplink communication segment, which is a stage in which the DU and the CU transmit uplink data; a fifth uplink communication segment, which is a stage in which the CU processes uplink data; a first downlink communication segment, which is a stage in which the first terminal device and the DU transmit downlink data; a second downlink communication segment, which is a stage in which the DU processes downlink data; a third downlink communication segment, which is a stage in which the DU and the CU transmit downlink data; A fourth downlink communication segment, the fourth downlink communication segment being a stage at which the CU processes downlink data.

13. The method of any one of claims 10-12, wherein, The method further includes: receiving capability information from the first network device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability of collecting measurement data according to component parts, and / or the capability information is used to indicate that the first network device has the capability of collecting measurement data according to granularity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, the capability information comprises candidate component parts, the candidate component parts comprising at least one candidate communication segment, the at least one candidate communication segment comprising the at least one communication segment; and / or the capability information comprises at least one candidate granularity, the at least one candidate granularity comprising a granularity of the first measurement data.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein, The method further includes: sending a capability request to a first network device, the capability request being used to request to obtain a capability of collecting measurement data by the first network device.

16. A communications device, characterized by comprising units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1-9, or comprising units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 10-15.

17. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor configured to execute computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-9, or to implement the method of any one of claims 10-15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium has stored therein computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any one of claims 1-9, or implement the method of any one of claims 10-15.

19. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9, or causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 10-15.

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