Communication method and device, equipment, communication system, storage medium and program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method and device, equipment, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. The method comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used for realizing roaming of a terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal being in an idle state; and performing measurement according to the first information. Through the scheme disclosed by the invention, the terminal can realize different-network roaming.

Description

Communication methods and apparatus, equipment, communication systems, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a communication method and apparatus, device, communication system, storage medium and program product. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, users enjoy network services provided by operators through a subscriber identity module (SIM) card that is contracted with a specific operator.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by a terminal. The method includes: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of the terminal from a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) to a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN), and the terminal is in an idle state; and performing a measurement based on the first information.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by a network device. The method includes: sending first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of a terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided. The device is disposed in a terminal. The device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of the terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state. The processing module is configured to perform a measurement based on the first information.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus is disposed in a network device. The apparatus includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to transmit first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of a terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When executed by the communication device, the instructions cause the communication device to implement the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of this disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The terminal is used to implement the communication method as described in the first aspect. The network device is used to implement the communication method as described in the second aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions. When executed on a communication device, the instructions cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided. When executed by a communication device, the program product causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided. When the computer program is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of this disclosure, a chip or chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0015] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal is able to roam across different networks.

[0016] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a terminal roaming across different networks.

[0020] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first threshold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0029] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method. The method is executed by a terminal. The method includes: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of the terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state; and performing a measurement based on the first information.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the terminal can receive the first information sent by the network side and perform corresponding measurements based on the first information, thereby realizing inter-network roaming from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: indication information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; configuration information for the terminal to perform measurements; and priority information for determining priorities associated with the HPLMN and / or VPLMN.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: a first carrier, which is a carrier of an HPLMN; a first cell, which is a cell of an HPLMN; a second carrier, which is a carrier of a VPLMN; and a second cell, which is a cell of a VPLMN.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, priority information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard; and the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the operation of performing a measurement based on the first information may include: performing a measurement for the VPLMN when a first condition is met.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMN is lower than a first threshold; the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has high priority.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first threshold may include at least one of the following: a same-frequency, different-network threshold, corresponding to a measurement for a frequency point in the VPLMN that is the same as that in the HPLMN; and a different-frequency, different-network threshold, corresponding to a measurement for a frequency point in the VPLMN that is different from that in the HPLMN.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the same-frequency different-network threshold is greater than the different-frequency different-network threshold.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the operation of performing a measurement based on the first information may include: performing a measurement on neighboring cells of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMN, wherein the neighboring cells include at least one of the following: neighboring cells in the HPLMN and neighboring cells in the VPLMN.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments the above method may further include: triggering cell reselection to the VPLMN when a second condition is met.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN is higher than a second threshold; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN is higher than the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMN; the cell reselection timer of the VPLMN times out.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: triggering cell selection for HPLMN and VPLMN when a third condition is met.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third condition may include: the terminal did not determine the cell to be camped based on the measurement results during the first time period.

[0043] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method. This method is performed by a network device. The method includes: sending first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of a terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the network side sends first information to the terminal, enabling the terminal to perform corresponding measurements based on the first information, thereby realizing inter-network roaming from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: indication information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; configuration information for the terminal to perform measurements; and priority information for determining priorities associated with the HPLMN and / or VPLMN.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: a first carrier, which is a carrier of an HPLMN; a first cell, which is a cell of an HPLMN; a second carrier, which is a carrier of a VPLMN; and a second cell, which is a cell of a VPLMN.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, priority information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard; and the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0048] In a third aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device. This device is disposed in a terminal. The device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of the terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state. The processing module is configured to perform measurements based on the first information.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: indication information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; configuration information for the terminal to perform measurements; and priority information for determining the priority associated with the HPLMN and / or VPLMN.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: a first carrier, which is a carrier of an HPLMN; a first cell, which is a cell of an HPLMN; a second carrier, which is a carrier of a VPLMN; and a second cell, which is a cell of a VPLMN.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, priority information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard; and the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module may be configured to perform a measurement for the VPLMN if a first condition is met.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMN is lower than a first threshold; the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has high priority.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first threshold may include at least one of the following: a same-frequency, different-network threshold, corresponding to a measurement for a frequency point in the VPLMN that is the same as that in the HPLMN; and a different-frequency, different-network threshold, corresponding to a measurement for a frequency point in the VPLMN that is different from that in the HPLMN.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the same-frequency different-network threshold is greater than the different-frequency different-network threshold.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module may be configured to perform measurements on neighboring cells of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMN, wherein the neighboring cells include at least one of the following: neighboring cells in the HPLMN and neighboring cells in the VPLMN.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module may also be configured to trigger cell reselection to the VPLMN when the second condition is met.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the VPLMN carrier frequency and / or cell is higher than a second threshold; the priority of the VPLMN carrier frequency and / or cell is higher than the priority of the terminal's serving cell carrier frequency and / or cell in the HPLMN; the VPLMN cell reselection timer times out.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module may also be configured to trigger cell selection for HPLMN and VPLMN when the third condition is met.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third condition may include: the terminal did not determine the cell to be camped based on the measurement results during the first time period.

[0061] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device. This device is disposed in a network device. The device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to transmit first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of a terminal from an HPLMN to a VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: indication information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; configuration information for the terminal to perform measurements; and priority information for determining priorities associated with the HPLMN and / or VPLMN.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: a first carrier, which is a carrier of the HPLMN; a first cell, which is a cell of the HPLMN; a second carrier, which is a carrier of the VPLMN; and a second cell, which is a cell of the VPLMN.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, priority information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN; the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard; and the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0065] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device. The communication device includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When executed by the communication device, the instructions cause the communication device to implement the communication method as described in any of the first aspect and its possible embodiments.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device. The communication device includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When executed by the communication device, the instructions cause the communication device to implement the communication method as described in the second aspect and any of its possible embodiments.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The terminal is used to implement the communication method as described in the first aspect. The network device is used to implement the communication method as described in the second aspect.

[0068] In an eighth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions. When executed on a communication device, the instructions cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any of the first, second, and possible embodiments thereof.

[0069] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product. When executed by a communication device, the program product causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any of the first aspect, the second aspect, and their possible embodiments.

[0070] In a tenth aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the communication method as described in any of the first aspect, the second aspect, and their possible implementations.

[0071] In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform the communication methods described in any of the first, second, and possible embodiments thereof.

[0072] It is understood that the aforementioned communication devices, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, and chip systems are all used to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0073] This disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, terms such as communication method, information processing method, and information transmission method can be used interchangeably; terms such as communication device, communication device, network device, network function, and network entity can be used interchangeably; and terms such as communication system and information processing system can be used interchangeably.

[0074] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0075] In the embodiments disclosed herein, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the various embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0076] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0077] In the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as “a,” “one,” “a kind,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “this,” etc., can mean “one and only one,” or “one or more,” “at least one,” etc. For example, when articles such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are used in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural expression.

[0078] In the embodiments of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0079] In some embodiments, terms such as “at least one (at least one, at least one item, at least one)” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably.

[0080] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0081] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0082] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. As another example, if the object being described is "information", then "second information" and "first information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0083] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0085] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0086] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0087] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0088] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0090] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0092] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0093] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0094] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0095] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0096] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0097] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of the following: access network device, core network element.

[0098] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. In some embodiments, the access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0099] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) architectures. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0100] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0101] In some embodiments, a core network element can be a single device, multiple devices, or a group of devices. The element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0102] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 described above may be a 4G communication system or a 5G communication system. It should be noted that the communication system 100 may also be other communication systems, such as a 6G communication system, but this disclosure does not specifically limit it.

[0103] Currently, users enjoy network services provided by specific mobile operators through SIM cards signed with those operators. However, the network services provided by these operators often have certain limitations. For example, if an operator does not deploy access network equipment in a specific area, users in that area will not be able to enjoy its network services. Or, if the operator's network signal is poor in a specific area, users in that area will not be able to enjoy its network services.

[0104] To address this situation, the concept of inter-network roaming was proposed. Inter-network roaming allows users to access the network of operator B while using a SIM card contracted with operator A. Thus, in areas where operator A's network has no coverage or poor signal quality, users can communicate through operator B's network.

[0105] Figure 2 illustrates a scenario of a terminal roaming across different networks. As shown in Figure 2, operator A's network is an HPLMN, and operator B's network is a VPLMN. The user's terminal moves from the coverage area of ​​the HPLMN to the coverage area of ​​the VPLMN. During this process, the signal quality of the HPLMN network signal may deteriorate, so the terminal can switch from the HPLMN to the VPLMN, thus achieving inter-network roaming.

[0106] However, there is no specific implementation of inter-network roaming in the existing standards.

[0107] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps S301 to S304.

[0108] In step S301, terminal 101 sends second information to network device 102.

[0109] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may send second information.

[0110] In some embodiments, network device 102 may receive second information.

[0111] In some embodiments, network device 102 may be an access network device in an HPLMN.

[0112] In some embodiments, network device 102 may be the access network device corresponding to the serving cell of terminal 101 in HPLMN.

[0113] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may be in an idle state. In one example, terminal 101 may be an idle terminal in an HPLMN. In another example, terminal 101 may be camped in a serving cell within an HPLMN.

[0114] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate that terminal 101 supports roaming from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0115] In some embodiments, the HPLMN may belong to the operator to which the user of terminal 101 has signed a contract.

[0116] In some embodiments, the VPLMN may belong to a different operator than the one to which the user has a contract. In other words, the VPLMN may belong to an operator to which the user of terminal 101 has not a contract.

[0117] In some embodiments, the second information is used to determine the terminal 101's ability to support inter-network roaming.

[0118] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited, and it may be, for example, capability information, capability reporting information, support instruction information, etc.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the following: capability information and standard information.

[0120] In some embodiments, capability information may be used to indicate that terminal 101 supports roaming. In some embodiments, capability information may be used to indicate that terminal 101 has roaming functionality. In some embodiments, capability information may be used to indicate that terminal 101 supports inter-network roaming.

[0121] In some embodiments, the standard information can be used to indicate the communication standard supported by the terminal 101 for roaming.

[0122] In some embodiments, the communication standard may include at least one of the following: 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. It is understood that the communication standard may also include other standards, such as 2G, but this disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0123] In some embodiments, the combination of capability information and standard information can be used to indicate the roaming support capability of terminal 101 for different standards. In one example, if the capability information indicates that terminal 101 supports roaming and the standard information indicates 4G, then the terminal can support 4G roaming. In another example, if the capability information indicates that terminal 101 supports roaming and the standard information indicates 5G, then terminal 101 can support 5G roaming.

[0124] In some embodiments, the second information may further include at least one of the following: frequency band information, mode information, and operation information.

[0125] In some embodiments, the operation information may be used to indicate the roaming operations supported by the terminal 101.

[0126] In some embodiments, the operation information can be used to indicate roaming operations in cross-network roaming scenarios supported by the terminal 101.

[0127] In some embodiments, the roaming operation indicated by the operation information may include: cell reselection, cell selection. It is understood that the operation information may also indicate other roaming operations, and this disclosure does not specifically limit these operations.

[0128] In some embodiments, frequency band information can be used to indicate the frequency bands for roaming supported by terminal 101.

[0129] In some embodiments, frequency band information can be used to indicate the terminal 101's ability to distinguish between different frequency bands.

[0130] In some embodiments, the frequency band information may be used to indicate one or more frequency bands corresponding to roaming supported by the terminal 101. In some embodiments, the frequency band information may be used to indicate one or more combinations of frequency bands corresponding to roaming supported by the terminal 101. Each combination of frequency bands may include multiple frequency bands.

[0131] In some embodiments, frequency band information can be used to indicate the frequency bands supported by terminal 101. In one example, the terminal may support the FR1 band. The FR1 band can be a low-frequency band within the 5G bands. For example, the operating frequency range of the FR1 band can be 450MHz to 6GHz. In one example, terminal 101 may support the FR2 band. The FR2 band can be a high-frequency band within the 5G bands. For example, the operating frequency range of the FR2 band can be 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz.

[0132] In some embodiments, mode information can be used to indicate the duplex mode corresponding to roaming supported by terminal 101.

[0133] In some embodiments, the duplex mode supported by terminal 101 may include at least one of the following: time-division duplex (TDD) and frequency-division duplex (FDD).

[0134] It should be noted that the second information may also include other information, but this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second information may be carried in the RRC message.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second information can be transmitted from terminal 101 to network device 102 through a UE capability transfer process.

[0137] In some embodiments, upon receiving a UE Capability Enquiry message from network device 102, terminal 101 may send a UE Capability Information message to network device 102. This UE Capability Information message may contain second information.

[0138] In step S302, network device 102 sends first information to terminal 101.

[0139] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send first information.

[0140] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may receive first information.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to enable terminal 101 to roam from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first information can be used by the network device 102 to configure roaming for the terminal 101.

[0143] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and it may be, for example, instruction information, configuration information, setting information, etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: indication information, configuration information, and priority information.

[0145] In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate that terminal 101 is allowed to roam across different networks. In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate that terminal 101 is allowed to roam from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0146] In some embodiments, the indication information may be determined by network device 102 based on second information. In one example, network device 102 may determine, based on the received second information, that terminal 101 is permitted to roam across different networks.

[0147] In some embodiments, the instruction information may explicitly indicate that terminal 101 is allowed to roam.

[0148] In some embodiments, configuration information can be used by terminal 101 to perform measurements.

[0149] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be referred to as measurement configuration information.

[0150] In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: a first carrier, a first cell, a second carrier, and a second cell.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first carrier may be a carrier of an HPLMN.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first cell may be a cell of an HPLMN.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second carrier may be a carrier of a VPLMN.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second cell may be a VPLMN cell.

[0155] In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to implicitly indicate whether terminal 101 is allowed to perform roaming.

[0156] In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to indicate a first carrier and / or a first cell. In this case, the configuration information may implicitly indicate that roaming of terminal 101 is not allowed. In some embodiments, terminal 101 may not be allowed to roam. In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to indicate a first carrier and / or a first cell, but not a second carrier and / or a second cell. In other words, configuration information may only indicate the carrier and / or cell of the HPLMN, without indicating the carrier and / or cell of the VPLMN. In some embodiments, network device 102 may filter all carriers and / or cells according to the HPLMN where terminal 101 is located, and carry only the carrier and / or cell of the HPLMN in the first configuration information. In one example, if the HPLMN where network device 102 is located may not allow roaming of terminal 101, then only the first carrier and / or the first cell may be indicated in the configuration information.

[0157] In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to indicate a first carrier and / or a first cell, and a second carrier and / or a second cell. In this case, the configuration information may implicitly indicate that roaming of terminal 101 is permitted. In some embodiments, configuration information may be used to indicate a first carrier and / or a first cell, and a second carrier and / or a second cell. In other words, configuration information may simultaneously indicate the carrier and / or cell of the HPLMN, and the carrier and / or cell of the VPLMN. In some embodiments, network device 102 may determine the operator that supports roaming with it, and carry the carrier and / or cell of the HPLMN, and the carrier and / or cell of the determined operator's VPLMN in the configuration information. In one example, if the HPLMN where network device 102 is located can support roaming of terminal 101 to a specific VPLMN, then the configuration information may indicate the first carrier and / or the first cell, and the second carrier and / or the second cell of that specific VPLMN. In this case, the configuration information may implicitly indicate that roaming of terminal 101 to the specific VPLMN is permitted.

[0158] In some embodiments, the configuration information may also include a first frequency point.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first frequency point may be the frequency point used by terminal 101 to access HPLMN and VPLMN.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first frequency point may be a frequency point that allows terminal 101 to access the networks of multiple operators. Among these operators, one operator's network may be an HPLMN, and the networks of the other operators may be VPLMNs. In one example, the number of VPLMNs may be one or more.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first frequency point may include one or more frequency points.

[0162] In some embodiments, priority information may be used to indicate the priority associated with HPLMN and / or VPLMN. In some embodiments, priority information may be used to determine the priority associated with HPLMN and / or VPLMN.

[0163] In some embodiments, the priority information may include at least one of the following: the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard, and the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0164] In some embodiments, the carrier frequencies and / or cells of the HPLMN may have corresponding priorities. In one example, priority information may indicate the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequencies. In another example, priority information may indicate the priority of the HPLMN's cells.

[0165] In some embodiments, the carrier frequencies and / or cells of the VPLMN may have corresponding priorities. In one example, priority information may indicate the priority of the VPLMN's carrier frequencies. In another example, priority information may indicate the priority of the VPLMN's cells.

[0166] In some embodiments, in an HPLMN, carrier frequencies and / or cells corresponding to different communication standards may have different priorities. In some embodiments, the carrier frequencies and / or cells of an HPLMN may have priorities corresponding to a first communication standard. In some embodiments, the first communication standard may include at least one of the following: 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. Of course, the first communication standard may also include other existing or future communication standards. In one example, an HPLMN carrier frequency corresponding to a 5G communication standard may have a first priority and corresponding to a 4G communication standard may have a second priority. In one example, an HPLMN cell corresponding to a 5G communication standard may have a second priority and corresponding to a 4G communication standard may have a first priority.

[0167] In some embodiments, in a VPLMN, carrier frequencies and / or cells corresponding to different communication standards may have different priorities. In some embodiments, the carrier frequencies and / or cells of a VPLMN may have priorities corresponding to a first communication standard. In some embodiments, the first communication standard may include at least one of the following: 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. Of course, the first communication standard may also include other existing or future communication standards. In one example, a VPLMN carrier frequency corresponding to a 5G communication standard may have a third priority, and corresponding to a 4G communication standard may have a fourth priority. In one example, a VPLMN cell corresponding to a 5G communication standard may have a fourth priority, and corresponding to a 4G communication standard may have a third priority.

[0168] In some embodiments, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN may be the same as or different from the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN. In one example, the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell may be higher than the priority of the VPLMN. In one example, the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell may be equal to the priority of the VPLMN. In one example, the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell may be lower than the priority of the VPLMN. In one example, the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell may be higher than or equal to the priority of the VPLMN. In one example, the priority of the HPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell may be lower than or equal to the priority of the VPLMN.

[0169] In some embodiments, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be the same as or different from the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard. In one example, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be higher than the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard. In one example, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be equal to the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard. In one example, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be lower than the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard. In one example, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be higher than or equal to the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard. In one example, the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard may be lower than or equal to the priority of the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0170] It should be noted that the first information may also include other information, and this disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0171] In some embodiments, the content of the first information can be sent through a single message or through multiple messages sent sequentially; this disclosure does not specifically limit this. In some embodiments, the indication information in the first information can be sent simultaneously with the configuration information and / or priority information, or it can be sent before the configuration information and / or priority information.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first information may be determined by the network device 102 based on the second information.

[0173] In some embodiments, network device 102 can determine first information based on the received second information. In some embodiments, network device 102 can determine first information based on the received second information, and taking into account the user subscription information and / or operator configuration of terminal 101.

[0174] In some embodiments, network device 102 can determine whether terminal 101 is allowed to roam between HPLMN and VPLMN based on capability information received in the second information. In one example, if the capability information indicates that terminal 101 supports inter-network roaming, then the first information may include indication information to indicate that inter-network roaming of terminal 101 is allowed. In another example, if the capability information indicates that terminal 101 supports inter-network roaming, and network device 102 determines that inter-network roaming is supported between HPLMN and VPLMN based on user subscription information and / or operator configuration, then the first information may include indication information to indicate that inter-network roaming of terminal 101 is allowed.

[0175] In step S303, terminal 101 performs a measurement.

[0176] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may perform a measurement based on the received first information.

[0177] In some embodiments, the measurement of terminal 101 can be achieved based on first information.

[0178] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine whether it is allowed to roam based on the first information.

[0179] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine that it is allowed to roam based on the indication information in the first information.

[0180] In some embodiments, terminal 101 can determine whether it is allowed to roam based on configuration information. In some embodiments, the first information may not include indication information, in which case terminal 101 can determine whether it is allowed to roam based on the first configuration information. In one example, the configuration information only indicates the first carrier and / or the first cell, in which case terminal 101 can determine that it is not allowed to roam. In one example, the configuration information indicates the first carrier and / or the first cell, and the second carrier and / or the second cell, in which case terminal 101 can determine that it is allowed to roam.

[0181] In some embodiments, when roaming is not permitted, terminal 101 may measure the first carrier and / or the first cell of the HPLMN. In some embodiments, when roaming is not permitted, terminal 101 may measure the serving cell and neighboring cells of the HPLMN.

[0182] In some embodiments, when roaming is permitted, terminal 101 may perform measurements on the first carrier and / or the first cell of the HPLMN, and the second carrier and / or the second cell of the VPLMN. In some embodiments, when roaming is permitted, terminal 101 may perform measurements on the serving cell of the HPLMN, neighboring cells of the HPLMN, and neighboring cells of the VPLMN. In some embodiments, when roaming is permitted, terminal 101 may perform measurements on the serving cell of the HPLMN and neighboring cells of the VPLMN.

[0183] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 can obtain measurement results through measurement.

[0184] In some embodiments, when roaming is not permitted for terminal 101, the measurement results may include only measurements of the HPLMN. In one example, the measurement results may include measurements of the serving cell under the HPLMN and measurements of neighboring cells under the VPLMN.

[0185] In some embodiments, when roaming is permitted for terminal 101, the measurement results may include measurement results for the HPLMN and measurement results for the VPLMN. In one example, the measurement results may include at least one of the following: measurement results for the serving cell under the HPLMN, measurement results for neighboring cells under the HPLMN, and measurement results for neighboring cells under the VPLMN.

[0186] In some embodiments, the measurement result may include the signal quality of the measured object.

[0187] In some embodiments, step S303 may include: performing a measurement for the VPLMN if a first condition is met.

[0188] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine that roaming is permitted based on first information, and, if a first condition is met, perform measurements for the VPLMN. In this case, terminal 101 may perform measurements for neighboring cells under the VPLMN.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the serving cell of terminal 101 is lower than a first threshold, or the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has a high priority.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first threshold can be used to determine whether the signal quality of the serving cell of terminal 101 under HPLMN has deteriorated.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first threshold may include at least one of the following: same-frequency different-network threshold, different-frequency different-network threshold.

[0192] In some embodiments, the same-frequency, different-network threshold is used to determine the same-frequency handover of terminal 101 from HPLMN to VPLMN. In some embodiments, same-frequency handover may refer to the same carrier frequency before handover under HPLMN and the same carrier frequency after handover under VPLMN.

[0193] In some embodiments, the same-frequency different-network threshold can be referred to as the same-frequency different-network measurement threshold.

[0194] In some embodiments, the inter-frequency and inter-network threshold is used to determine the inter-frequency handover of terminal 101 from HPLMN to VPLMN. In some embodiments, intra-frequency handover may refer to the carrier frequency before handover under HPLMN being different from the carrier frequency after handover under VPLMN.

[0195] In some embodiments, the inter-frequency and inter-network threshold can be referred to as the inter-frequency and inter-network measurement threshold.

[0196] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first threshold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the intra-frequency inter-network threshold can be higher than the inter-frequency inter-network threshold. The intra-frequency inter-network threshold can be lower than the intra-frequency measurement threshold and can be higher than the inter-frequency measurement threshold. The inter-frequency inter-network threshold can be lower than the inter-frequency measurement threshold and can be higher than the low-priority reselection serving cell threshold.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first condition may include: the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has a high priority. In some embodiments, the first condition may include: the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has a higher priority than the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN. The first condition may include: the carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has a higher priority corresponding to a first communication standard than the carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN corresponding to the first communication standard.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first condition may be protocol-defined. In some embodiments, the first condition may be configured on the network side. In one example, the first condition may be included in the first information.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first threshold may be protocol-defined. In some embodiments, the first threshold may be configured or indicated by the network side. In some embodiments, the first threshold may be configured through configuration information. In one example, the first threshold may be included in the first information. In some embodiments, the first threshold may be indicated through downlink control information (DCI).

[0200] In some embodiments, if terminal 101 determines that it is permitted to roam based on first information, it may perform measurements. In this case, it is not necessary to distinguish between neighboring cells under HPLMN and neighboring cells under VPLMN. That is, terminal 101 can perform measurements on available neighboring cells.

[0201] In step S304, terminal 101 determines to perform a roaming operation.

[0202] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine to perform a roaming operation based on the measurement results.

[0203] In some embodiments, roaming operations may include at least one of the following: cell reselection and cell selection.

[0204] In some embodiments, step S304 may include: triggering cell reselection to the VPLMN if the second condition is met.

[0205] In some embodiments, after completing the measurement according to the first information and / or the first condition, and upon determining that the second condition is met, the terminal 101 may trigger cell reselection to the VPLMN.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the signal quality of the VPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell is higher than a second threshold, the priority of the VPLMN's carrier frequency and / or cell is higher than the priority of the serving cell of terminal 101, or the VPLMN's cell reselection timer times out.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first condition may be protocol-defined. In some embodiments, the first condition may be configured on the network side. In one example, the second condition may be included in the first information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the second threshold may be protocol-defined. In some embodiments, the second threshold may be configured or indicated by the network side. In some embodiments, the second threshold may be configured through configuration information. In one example, the second threshold may be included in the first information. In some embodiments, the second threshold may be indicated through DCI.

[0209] In some embodiments, after triggering cell reselection to the VPLMN, terminal 101 can switch to a neighboring cell under the VPLMN. In this case, terminal 101 can determine the neighboring cell under the VPLMN as the cell to be camped.

[0210] In some embodiments, if the cell reselection timer for the VPLMN times out, the terminal 101 may trigger a cell reselection to the VPLMN.

[0211] In some embodiments, step S304 may include: triggering cell selection for HPLMN and VPLMN if a third condition is met.

[0212] In some embodiments, the third condition may include: the terminal 101 did not determine the cell to be camped based on the measurement results during the first time period.

[0213] In some embodiments, if the first condition and / or the second condition are not met, terminal 101 may not have determined the cell to be camped under the VPLMN within the first time period. In this case, terminal 101 may trigger cell selection for both HPLMN and VPLMN. In one example, terminal 101 may trigger cell selection based on the measurement results of neighboring cells under HPLMN and neighboring cells under VPLMN.

[0214] In some embodiments, the third condition may be agreed upon by the protocol. In some embodiments, the third condition may be configured on the network side.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first time period may be protocol-defined. In some embodiments, the second threshold may be configured or indicated by the network side. In some embodiments, the first time period may be configured through configuration information. In one example, the first time period may be included in the first information. In some embodiments, the first time period may be indicated through DCI.

[0216] The communication method according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be realized through the above steps S301 to S304.

[0217] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0218] In some embodiments, the terms “radio”, “wireless”, “radio access network (RAN)”, “access network (AN)”, and “RAN-based” can be used interchangeably.

[0219] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0220] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0221] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0222] In some embodiments, the terms "carrier", "carrier frequency", and "frequency point" can be used interchangeably.

[0223] In some embodiments, the terms "serving cell" and "resident cell" can be used interchangeably.

[0224] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "default", "set", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A", "preset A", "default A", "set A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0225] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0226] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S301 to S304. For example, step S302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. For example, step S303 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. For example, a combination of steps S302 and S303 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. It should be noted that the possible standalone embodiments consisting of one or more steps S301 to S304 are not limited thereto.

[0227] In some embodiments, steps S301, S303, and S304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0228] In some embodiments, steps S301, S302, and S304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0229] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3.

[0230] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method. This communication method is executed by terminal 101. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes steps S501 to S504.

[0231] In step S501, the second information is sent.

[0232] The optional implementation of step S501 can be found in the optional implementation of step S301 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0233] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may send second information to network device 102, but is not limited thereto, and may also send second information to other entities.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second information may be used by network device 102 to determine that terminal 101 supports roaming from HPLMN to VPLMN.

[0235] In step S502, the first information is obtained.

[0236] The optional implementation of step S502 can be found in the optional implementation of step S302 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0237] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may receive first information sent by network device 102, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive first information sent by other entities.

[0238] In some embodiments, terminal 101 can obtain first information from the upper layer.

[0239] In step S503, a measurement is performed.

[0240] The optional implementation of step S503 can be found in the optional implementation of step S303 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0241] In some embodiments, the measurement may be based on the first information.

[0242] In step S504, it is determined that a roaming operation will be performed.

[0243] The optional implementation of step S504 can be found in the optional implementation of step S304 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S501 to S504. For example, step S502 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. For example, step S503 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. For example, a combination of steps S502 and S503 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. It should be noted that the possible standalone embodiments consisting of one or more steps S501 to S504 are not limited thereto.

[0245] In some embodiments, steps S501, S503, and S504 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0246] In some embodiments, steps S501, S502, and S504 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0247] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method. This communication method is executed by a network device 102. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes steps S601 to S602.

[0248] In step S601, the second information is obtained.

[0249] The optional implementation of step S601 can be found in the optional implementation of step S301 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] In some embodiments, network device 102 may receive second information sent by terminal 101, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive second information sent by other entities.

[0251] In step S602, the first information is sent.

[0252] The optional implementation of step S502 can be found in the optional implementation of step S302 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send first information to terminal 101, but is not limited thereto, and may also send first information to other entities.

[0254] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S601 to S602. For example, step S602 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment. It should be noted that the possible standalone embodiments consisting of one or more steps S601 to S602 are not limited thereto.

[0255] In some embodiments, step S601 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0256] Figure 7 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes steps S701 to S702.

[0257] In step S701, network device 102 sends first information to terminal 101.

[0258] The optional implementation of step S701 can be found in the optional implementation of step S302 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] In step S702, terminal 101 performs a measurement.

[0260] The optional implementation of step S702 can be found in the optional implementation of step S303 in Figure 3, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0261] In the following, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described by way of specific implementation.

[0262] In some embodiments, the UE reports roaming capabilities.

[0263] In some embodiments, roaming capability indicates that the UE supports roaming functionality.

[0264] In some embodiments, roaming capability can distinguish the roaming capabilities of different network standards supported by the UE, such as distinguishing between 4G and 5G roaming.

[0265] In some embodiments, the network decides whether to allow the UE to perform roaming operations. In some embodiments, the network decides whether to allow the UE to perform roaming operations based on the roaming capabilities reported by the UE.

[0266] In some embodiments, the network side explicitly issues signaling instructions to allow the UE to roam with the corresponding capability.

[0267] In some embodiments, the network side implicitly indicates to the UE whether it can perform roaming with corresponding capabilities through configuration information (configuration signaling, etc.). In one example, if the network side does not allow roaming, it filters based on the terminal's PLMN, configuring only the carrier / cell of the PLMN containing the terminal as a visible neighboring cell for the terminal. In another example, if the network side supports roaming with some operators, it configures only the cell of the PLMN containing the terminal and the carrier / cell of the PLMN of the specific operator for the terminal.

[0268] In some embodiments, in the idle state, the roaming configuration on the network side may further include at least one of the following: priority information of the carrier frequency / cell corresponding to the home network; priority information of the carrier frequency / cell corresponding to the visited network; priority information of the carrier frequency / cell corresponding to the home network of different standards; and priority information of the carrier frequency / cell corresponding to the visited network of different standards.

[0269] In some embodiments, after receiving a network roaming permission indication, the UE may perform the following operations.

[0270] In some embodiments, measurements of cells in other networks are performed based on specific conditions (i.e., a first condition). In some embodiments, the condition may be at least one of the following: the serving cell measurement result is below a certain threshold 1 (i.e., the first threshold); the visited network's carrier frequency / cell priority is high; or the measurement is performed according to the measurement configuration (explicitly issued by the network), regardless of whether the neighboring cell belongs to the visited network or the home network (i.e., unconditional execution).

[0271] In some embodiments, the UE triggers cell reselection from another network based on a specific condition (i.e., a second condition). In some embodiments, this condition may include at least one of the following: the carrier frequency / cell measurement result of the visited network is higher than a certain threshold 2 (i.e., the second threshold); the carrier frequency / cell priority of the visited network is higher than that of the serving cell; or the cell reselection timer for the visited network times out.

[0272] In some embodiments, the UE re-enters the initial cell selection condition (i.e., the third condition): if the UE does not find a suitable cell to stay in within a specific period of time (i.e., the first time period) based on the neighbor cell measurement results, the UE will initiate cell selection under all home networks and visited network PLMNs.

[0273] In the embodiments disclosed herein, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations in other embodiments.

[0274] This disclosure also provides communication apparatuses for implementing any of the above methods. For example, this disclosure provides a communication apparatus including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For example, this disclosure provides a communication apparatus including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device in any of the above methods.

[0275] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0276] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a central processing unit, microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a type of microprocessor), or digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0277] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 may include at least one of the following: a transceiver module 801 and a processing module 802.

[0278] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may be a terminal 101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to enable the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state; and to perform a measurement based on the first information. Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S301, S302) performed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module 802 may be configured to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S303, S304) performed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, excluding the communication steps such as sending and receiving.

[0279] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may be a network device 102. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to send first information, wherein the first information is used to enable roaming of the terminal from the HPLMN to the VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state. Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S301, S302) performed by the network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0280] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module. The transmitting and receiving modules may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0281] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0282] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0283] As shown in Figure 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 9100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 9101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0284] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9102. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9102, the transceiver 9102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S301, S302, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S303, S304). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0285] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9103 may be located outside the communication device 9100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuits 9104 are connected to the memories 9103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 9103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 9103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 can read data stored in the memories 9103 and send that data to the processor 9101.

[0286] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0287] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For cases where the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 9200 shown in Figure 9B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0288] Chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. Chip 9200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0289] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside chip 9200. Optionally, interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive data from memory 9203 or other devices, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to send data to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 can read data stored in memory 9203 and send the data to processor 9201.

[0290] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S301, S302, but not limited thereto). For example, the interface circuit 9202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method means that the interface circuit 9202 performs data interaction between the processor 9201, the chip 9200, the memory 9203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S303, S304, but not limited thereto).

[0291] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0292] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device 9100, cause the communication device 9100 to perform any of the methods described above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0293] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by a communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0294] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0295] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0296] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, executed by a terminal, wherein, The method includes: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to enable the terminal to roam from the local public land mobile network HPLMN to access the public land mobile network VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state; Based on the first information, perform the measurement.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: Instruction information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; Configuration information is provided for the terminal to perform measurements; Priority information is used to determine the priority associated with the HPLMN and / or the VPLMN.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The first carrier is the carrier of the HPLMN; The first cell is the cell of the HPLMN; The second carrier is the carrier of the VPLMN; The second cell is the cell of the VPLMN.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The priority information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the HPLMN; The carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the VPLMN; The carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN correspond to the priority of the first communication standard; The carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN correspond to the priority of the first communication standard.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The step of performing the measurement based on the first information includes: If the first condition is met, a measurement is performed on the VPLMN.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of the following: The signal quality of the serving cell of the terminal in the HPLMMN is lower than a first threshold. The carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN has high priority.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The first threshold includes at least one of the following: The same frequency but different network threshold corresponds to the measurement for the same frequency point in the VPLMN as the HPLMN; The inter-frequency and inter-network threshold corresponds to the measurement of a frequency point in the VPLMN that is different from that in the HPLMN.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The threshold for same-frequency but different-network is greater than the threshold for different-frequency but different-network.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The step of performing the measurement based on the first information includes: Measurements are performed on neighboring cells of the serving cell in the HPLMN for the terminal, wherein the neighboring cells include at least one of the following: neighboring cells in the HPLMN and neighboring cells in the VPLMN.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The method further includes: If the second condition is met, cell reselection to the VPLMN is triggered.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The second condition includes at least one of the following: The carrier frequency and / or cell signal quality of the VPLMN are higher than the second threshold. The carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the VPLMN is higher than the carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the terminal in the HPLMN. The cell reselection timer of the VPLMN timed out.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The method further includes: If the third condition is met, cell selection for the HPLMN and the VPLMN is triggered.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The third condition includes: the terminal did not determine the cell to be camped on based on the measurement results during the first time period.

14. A communication method, performed by a network device, wherein, The method includes: Send first information, wherein the first information is used to enable the terminal to roam from the local public land mobile network HPLMN to access the public land mobile network VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: Instruction information for indicating permission for the terminal to roam from the HPLMN to the VPLMN; Configuration information for the terminal to perform measurements; Priority information is used to determine the priority associated with the HPLMN and / or the VPLMN.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The first carrier is the carrier of the HPLMN; The first cell is the cell of the HPLMN; The second carrier is the carrier of the VPLMN; The second cell is the cell of the VPLMN.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The priority information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the HPLMN; The carrier frequency and / or cell priority of the VPLMN; The carrier frequency and / or cell of the HPLMN correspond to the priority of the first communication standard; The carrier frequency and / or cell of the VPLMN correspond to the priority of the first communication standard.

18. A communication device, disposed in a terminal, wherein, The device includes: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to enable the terminal to roam from the local public land mobile network HPLMN to access the public land mobile network VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state; The processing module is configured to perform a measurement based on the first information.

19. A communication device, disposed in a network device, wherein, The device includes: The transceiver module is configured to send first information, wherein the first information is used to enable the terminal to roam from the local public land mobile network HPLMN to access the public land mobile network VPLMN, and the terminal is in an idle state.

20. An electronic device, comprising: One or more processors; A memory that stores instructions; When the instruction is executed by the communication device, it causes the communication device to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

21. A storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs at least one of the following: The communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13; The communication method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

22. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs at least one of the following: The communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13; The communication method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

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