Switching control method, network device, terminal device, communication apparatus, communication system, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching control method, network equipment, terminal equipment, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. And the network device sends first information to the plurality of terminal devices, wherein the first information is used for indicating the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching. In the embodiment of the invention, the network equipment can indicate the terminal equipment to switch the network through the first information, so that the connection interruption of the terminal equipment is avoided, the network connection continuity of the terminal equipment is ensured, and the use experience of the terminal equipment is improved. And for a plurality of terminal devices needing network switching, the network device only needs to send one piece of first information used for indicating network switching, so that the signaling overhead of the network device can be reduced.

Description

Handover control method, network device, terminal device, communication apparatus, communication system, storage medium and program product TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a handover control method, a network device, a terminal device, a communication apparatus, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. BACKGROUND

[0002] In modern communication systems, Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) technology can be used for communication, which can provide wireless resources through satellites (or unmanned aerial vehicles) instead of ground base stations. When communicating based on satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits, the terminal may experience connection interruption as the satellite moves.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a handover control method, a network device, a terminal device, a communication apparatus, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product, which are used to solve the technical problem that the terminal device cannot timely switch networks when the satellite moves at high speed, resulting in connection interruption of the terminal device.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a handover control method is provided, which is performed by a network device, and the method comprises:

[0006] sending first information to a plurality of terminal devices, the first information being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0007] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch networks through the first information, thereby avoiding connection interruption of the terminal device, ensuring continuity of network connection of the terminal, and improving user experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for a plurality of terminal devices that need to switch networks, the network device only needs to send one first information for instructing network switching, which can reduce signaling overhead of the network device.

[0008] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a handover control method is provided, which is performed by a terminal device, and the method comprises:

[0009] receiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices includes the terminal device;

[0010] performing network switching according to the first information.

[0011] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device can perform network switching in a timely and accurate manner according to the first information, avoid disconnection or connection interruption of the terminal due to satellite movement, ensure the reliability of the terminal device connection, improve the use experience of the terminal device, and the same first information can be used to instruct each terminal device in the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can perform network switching in a timely and accurate manner according to the first information, avoid disconnection or connection interruption of the terminal due to satellite movement, ensure the reliability of the terminal device connection, and improve the user experience.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0013] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a plurality of terminal devices, and the first information is used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network, thereby avoiding connection interruption of the terminal device, ensuring the continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. For a plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one first information used to instruct the network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided, comprising:

[0016] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices includes the terminal device.

[0017] The processing module is configured to perform network switching according to the first information.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device can perform network switching in a timely and accurate manner according to the first information, avoid disconnection or connection interruption of the terminal due to satellite movement, ensure the reliability of the terminal device connection, improve the use experience of the terminal device, and the same first information can be used to instruct each terminal device in the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can perform network switching in a timely and accurate manner according to the first information, avoid disconnection or connection interruption of the terminal due to satellite movement, ensure the reliability of the terminal device connection, and improve the user experience.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the switching control method of the first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the handover control method of the second aspect.

[0021] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device is configured to implement the handover control method of the first aspect, and the terminal device is configured to implement the handover control method of the second aspect.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the handover control method of the first aspect.

[0023] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the handover control method of the second aspect.

[0024] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, comprising a program and / or instructions, when the program and / or instructions are executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the handover control method of the first aspect.

[0025] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, comprising a program and / or instructions, when the program and / or instructions are executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the handover control method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiments, and the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1b is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 1c is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture in a transparent mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 1d is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture in a regenerative mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 2a is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 2b is an exemplary schematic diagram of a MAC PDU message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2c is an exemplary schematic diagram of a MAC PDU message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2d is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 2e is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 3a is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 3b is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 3c is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 3d is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3e is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 4a is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 4b is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 4c is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 4d is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 4e is an exemplary flow schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 5 is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 6a is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 6b is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 7a is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 7b is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a switching control method, a network device, a terminal device, a communication apparatus, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product, which are used to solve the technical problem that a large amount of signaling resources are consumed when a network device frequently instructs each terminal device to perform network switching when a satellite moves at a high speed.

[0052] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a switching control method, comprising:

[0053] sending first information to a plurality of terminal devices, the first information being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the first information, thereby avoiding the disconnection of the terminal device, ensuring the continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for a plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one first information for instructing the network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0055] In some embodiments in combination with the first aspect, sending the first information to the plurality of terminal devices comprises:

[0056] multicasting or broadcasting the first information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0057] In the above embodiments, for the plurality of terminal devices, the network device only needs to send one first information through broadcasting or multicasting, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0058] In some embodiments in combination with the first aspect, the first information comprises at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein:

[0059] the first message comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching;

[0060] the second message comprises specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching.

[0061] In the above embodiments, by indicating the common information and the specific information in the first information, the terminal device can accurately perform network switching according to the common information and the specific information.

[0062] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is sent to the plurality of terminal devices in the following at least one way:

[0063] The first message is multicast or broadcast to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0064] The second message is sent to the plurality of terminal devices respectively.

[0065] In the above embodiments, by multicasting or broadcasting the first message to the plurality of terminal devices and sending the second message to the plurality of terminal devices respectively, the network device only needs to send one first message and a plurality of second messages, which can certainly reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0066] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first message is a system message.

[0067] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system message includes an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong.

[0068] In the above embodiments, by carrying the identifier of the device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong in the system message, the terminal devices in the terminal group can quickly identify the terminal group to which the system message belongs according to the identifier in the system message, so as to accurately acquire the common information in the system message.

[0069] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second message is an RRC message.

[0070] In the above embodiments, by sending the specific information of each terminal device through the RRC message, the security and reliability of the data transmission process can be ensured.

[0071] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message.

[0072] In the above embodiments, the MAC PDU message or the RRC message is used to instruct the terminal device to perform network switching, which can ensure the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0073] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is a MAC PDU message; the first information includes a first medium access control service data unit (MAC SDU) and at least one second MAC SDU.

[0074] The first MAC SDU includes common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0075] Each second MAC SDU includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the common information and the specific information are transmitted through different MAC SDUs, so that the terminal device can quickly obtain the required information from the different MAC SDUs.

[0077] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC SDU further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the common information is included in the first MAC SDU.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the first indication information is used to indicate that the common information is included in the first MAC SDU, so that the terminal device can accurately determine the first MAC SDU in which the common information is located according to the first indication information, thereby improving the acquisition efficiency of the common information.

[0079] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second MAC SDU further includes identification information of the corresponding terminal device.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the terminal device can accurately determine the second MAC SDU in which the specific information corresponding to the terminal device is located according to the identification information, thereby improving the acquisition efficiency of the specific information.

[0081] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0082] transmitting, to the terminal device, second information, where the second information is used to indicate the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the terminal device can accurately determine the second MAC SDU in which the specific information corresponding to the terminal device is located according to the second information, thereby improving the acquisition efficiency of the specific information.

[0084] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is an RRC message.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the RRC message can guarantee the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0086] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is an RRC message; the RRC message includes a first information element (IE) and at least one second IE;

[0087] The first IE includes common information for network switching of a plurality of terminal devices;

[0088] Each second IE includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the common information and the specific information are sent through different IEs, so that the terminal device can quickly obtain the required information from the different IEs.

[0090] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second IE includes identification information of each terminal device.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the terminal device can accurately determine the second IE in which the specific information corresponding to the terminal device is located according to the identification information, thereby improving the acquisition efficiency of the specific information.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the common information includes any one of the following:

[0093] a system information block (SIB) of a cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched; or

[0094] ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched.

[0095] In the above embodiment, by indicating the SIB and the ephemeris information in the common information, the terminal device can be instructed to switch to the cell in which the SIB and the ephemeris information are located.

[0096] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the specific information includes an identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched.

[0097] In the above embodiment, by indicating the identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched in the common information, the new cell can identify and confirm the terminal device after the terminal device switches to the cell, so as to ensure that the terminal device and the cell establish a connection in time, avoid the terminal device from dropping or interrupting the connection, and ensure user experience.

[0098] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: configuring a group identifier for the plurality of terminal devices, the group identifier being used to instruct the terminal device to obtain the first information from the channel.

[0099] In the above embodiment, by configuring the group identifier for the terminal device, the terminal device can accurately and timely obtain the first information from the channel corresponding to the group identifier according to the group identifier, so as to timely switch the network and ensure the continuity of the terminal device connection.

[0100] In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a switching control method, which is performed by a terminal device and includes:

[0101] receiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices include the terminal device;

[0102] According to the first information, network switching is performed.

[0103] In the above embodiments, the same first information can be used to instruct each terminal device in the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device. Accordingly, the terminal device can perform network switching in a timely and accurate manner according to the first information, avoid disconnection or connection interruption of the terminal due to satellite movement, ensure the reliability of the terminal device connection, and improve the user experience.

[0104] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information includes at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein,

[0105] The first message includes common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0106] The second message includes specific information for network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0107] In some embodiments of the second aspect, at least one of the first information and the first message is sent through groupcast or broadcast.

[0108] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first message is a system message.

[0109] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the system message includes an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong.

[0110] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second message is an RRC message.

[0111] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message.

[0112] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information is a MAC PDU message.

[0113] The first information includes a first medium access control service data unit (MAC SDU) and at least one second MAC SDU.

[0114] The first MAC SDU includes common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0115] The second MAC SDU includes specific information for network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0116] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first MAC SDU further includes first indication information, wherein,

[0117] The first indication information is used to indicate that the common information is included in the first MAC SDU.

[0118] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second MAC SDU further includes identification information of the corresponding terminal device.

[0119] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0120] receiving second information sent by the network device, the second information being used to indicate the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device.

[0121] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second information is an RRC message.

[0122] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information is an RRC message.

[0123] The RRC message includes a first information element (IE) and a second IE.

[0124] The first IE includes common information for network switching of a plurality of terminal devices.

[0125] Each second IE includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0126] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second IE includes identification information of each terminal device.

[0127] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the common information includes any of the following:

[0128] a system information block (SIB) of a cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched; or

[0129] ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched.

[0130] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the specific information includes an identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched.

[0131] In some embodiments of the second aspect, receiving the first information sent by the network device includes:

[0132] receiving a group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices.

[0133] receiving the first information according to the group identifier.

[0134] In the above embodiments, by configuring the group identifier, the terminal device can accurately and timely obtain the first information from the channel corresponding to the group identifier according to the group identifier, thereby timely performing network switching, avoiding terminal disconnection or connection interruption caused by satellite movement, ensuring the reliability of terminal device connection, and improving user experience.

[0135] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device, comprising:

[0136] a transceiver, configured to send first information to a plurality of terminal devices, the first information being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0137] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal device, comprising:

[0138] a transceiver, configured to receive first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices includes the terminal device;

[0139] a processing module, configured to perform network switching according to the first information.

[0140] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0141] one or more processors;

[0142] The processor is configured to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0143] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0144] one or more processors;

[0145] The processor is configured to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0146] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, comprising: a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device is configured to implement the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect; and the terminal device is configured to implement the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0147] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device executes the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0148] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device executes the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0149] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0150] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0151] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0152] In a thirteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0153] In a fourteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, or the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0154] It can be understood that the network device, the terminal device, the communication apparatus, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0155] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a handover control method, a network device, a terminal device, a communication apparatus, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product.

[0156] In some embodiments, the terms of the handover control method, the information processing method, the data processing method and the communication method can be replaced with each other, the terms of the communication apparatus, the information processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus and the handover control apparatus can be replaced with each other, and the terms of the communication system, the information processing system, the data processing system and the handover control system can be replaced with each other.

[0157] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing part of the steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, part or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments arbitrarily.

[0158] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0159] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0160] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the elements expressed in singular form, such as "one", "a", "the", "above", "the", "the", "this", etc. can represent "one and only one", and can also represent "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as singular expression, and can also be understood as plural expression.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0162] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0163] In some embodiments, "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "responsive to case A, responsive to case B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option), in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed).

[0164] In some embodiments, "A or B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option).

[0165] In some embodiments, the prefix words "first", "second" and the like in the disclosure do not limit the position, order, priority, number or content of the described objects, and the description of the described objects should be referred to the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitations. For example, the described objects are "fields", and the ordinal words before "fields" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the described objects are "levels", and the ordinal words before "levels" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the number of the described objects is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", where the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the described objects are "devices", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the described objects are "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0166] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0168] 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", "above", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "fewer than", "fewer than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0169] In some embodiments, an apparatus and a device can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and its name is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and in some cases, it can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", and the like.

[0170] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus included in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, and the like.

[0171] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as "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, client, and the like.

[0172] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. can be acquired in compliance with laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0173] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. can be acquired after obtaining consent of the user.

[0174] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present 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.

[0175] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1a, the communication system 100 includes a network device 101 and a terminal device 102. It should be understood that the number and form of devices shown in FIG. 1a are used for example only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure, and in actual applications, two or more network devices, two or more terminal devices can be included. The communication system shown in FIG. 1a is only taken as an example to show that it includes one network device 101 and one terminal device 102.

[0176] In some embodiments, the network device 101 can include an access network device.

[0177] In some embodiments, an “access network device (AN device)”, which can also be referred to as a “radio access network device (RAN device)”, a “base station (BS)”, a “radio base station”, a “fixed station”, can also be understood, in some embodiments, as a “node”, an “access point”, a “transmission point (TP)”, a “reception point (RP)”, a “transmission / reception point (TRP)”, a “panel”, an “antenna panel”, an “antenna array”, a “cell”, a “macro cell”, a “small cell”, a “femto cell”, a “pico cell”, a “sector”, a “cell group”, a “serving cell”, a “carrier”, a “component carrier”, a “bandwidth part (BWP)”, etc.

[0178] In some embodiments, the network device 101 can comprise an International Mobile Telecommunications Base Station (IMT BS), e.g., a Macrocell Base Station, a Microcell Base Station, a Small Cell Base Station, etc.

[0179] In some embodiments, the terminal device 102 can include, for example, at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless transceiver-equipped computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0180] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, as the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0181] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1a or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1a are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1a, or other subjects other than FIG. 1a. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0182] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), 6th generation communication system (6G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. Further, a plurality of systems can be applied in combination (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0183] In a modern communication system, a non-terrestrial / terrestrial communication (Non-terrestrial Network, NTN) technology can be used for communication, which can provide wireless resources through a satellite (or a drone) instead of a ground base station. When communication is based on a non-geostationary orbit satellite operation (NGSO), the terminal device can have a connection interruption phenomenon as the satellite moves.

[0184] To solve the above problems, the disclosure provides a switching control method, a network device, a terminal device, a communication apparatus, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product.

[0185] In some embodiments, when the terminal device needs to perform network switching, the network device can send a switching instruction to each terminal device respectively, so that the terminal device performs network switching in time, avoiding the phenomenon of connection interruption of the terminal device caused by the movement of the satellite.

[0186] In some embodiments, the network device can send first information to multiple terminal devices and instruct the multiple terminal devices to perform network switching through the first information, thereby avoiding connection interruption of the terminal device, ensuring continuity of terminal network connection, and improving user experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for multiple terminal devices that need to switch networks, the network device only needs to send one first information for instructing network switching, which can reduce signaling overhead of the network device.

[0187] FIG. 1b is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1b, the NTN network architecture includes a satellite, a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device can provide wireless resources through a satellite (or a drone) instead of a ground base station, and when the satellite moves, the network device can be used to instruct the terminal device to perform network switching. The NTN network architecture can be divided into a transparent mode and a regenerative mode according to different ways of processing signals by the satellite.

[0188] FIG. 1c is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture in a transparent mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the NTN network architecture in FIG. 1c, a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) includes a remote radio unit (RRU) and a network device. The RRU can include a satellite and an NTN gateway station (or referred to as an NTN ground station). The network device can access a core network (CN) based on a radio access technology standard, for example, a 5G radio access technology standard (New Radio, NR). A terminal device can communicate with the network device based on a wireless interface (for example, a UU interface).

[0189] In the NTN network architecture shown in FIG. 1c, the NTN gateway station sends a signal of the network device (for example, a base station (gNodeB, gNB)) to the satellite. The satellite converts the signal to a satellite frequency band and then sends the signal to a terminal device through the satellite frequency band. In the transparent mode, the satellite can perform frequency conversion and signal amplification of the signal of the network device without demodulating the signal of the network device, which is similar to a repeater.

[0190] FIG. 1d is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture in a regenerative mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the NTN network architecture in FIG. 1d, the NG-RAN includes a satellite and an NTN gateway station (or referred to as an NTN ground station). A feeder link between the NTN gateway station and the satellite is implemented through a satellite radio interface (SRI).

[0191] In the NTN network architecture shown in FIG. 1d, the NTN gateway station sends a signal of the network device to the satellite. The satellite demodulates and decodes the signal, re-encodes and modulates the signal (this process is referred to as regeneration), obtains a regenerated signal, and sends the regenerated signal through a satellite frequency band.

[0192] Currently, in a network switching process of a terminal device, a network device sends related parameters determined by a target base station to the terminal device through an RRC reconfiguration message. In the NTN network architecture, if the terminal device moves on the ground, the terminal device needs to perform network switching. If the terminal device does not move on the ground, when the satellite moves, the terminal device also needs to perform network switching.

[0193] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0194] The switching control method, network device, terminal device, communication apparatus, communication system, storage medium and program product provided by the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0195] Referring to FIG. 2a, an exemplary interaction diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 2a, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0196] In step S2101, the network device configures a group identifier for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0197] In some embodiments, the plurality of terminal devices can be part or all of the terminal devices within the coverage range of the network device and connected to the same satellite.

[0198] In some embodiments, part or all of the terminal devices within the coverage range of the network device and connected to the same satellite can be divided into one or more device groups, each device group containing a plurality of terminal devices, and each device group being configured with at least one group identifier.

[0199] In some embodiments, the group identifier can be used to indicate the device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belongs.

[0200] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the group identifier corresponding to the plurality of terminal devices, the network device can send the group identifier to the plurality of terminal devices respectively, for indicating the device group to which each terminal device belongs.

[0201] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the group identifier for the terminal device in a static allocation manner. For example, the group identifier can be configured for the terminal device based on a predefined configuration file or network planning.

[0202] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the group identifier for the terminal device in a dynamic allocation manner. For example, the group identifier can be allocated for the terminal device in real time according to network load, demand or other dynamic parameters.

[0203] In some embodiments, the network device can transmit the group identifier through a system information block (SIB) or other broadcast channel.

[0204] In some embodiments, the network device can transmit the group identifier through a dedicated control channel (such as PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0205] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a group identity configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices.

[0206] In some embodiments, the group identity can also be used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to acquire the first information. Optionally, the group identity can be used by the terminal device to identify and read scheduling information of a specific downlink physical control channel (PDCCH).

[0207] In some embodiments, the group identity can be used for scrambling of the downlink physical control channel. Specifically, the network device can scramble the PDCCH scheduling information based on the group identity, and transmit the first information based on the group identity scrambled PDCCH, to ensure that only the terminal device with the correct group identity can decode the scheduling information, and thus receive the first information according to the scheduling information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the group identity can be used by the terminal device to read the specific information of the group in the system message.

[0209] In some embodiments, the name of the group identity is not limited, which is, for example, "group index", "group identification code", "group identification identity", "identification identity", "identification code", "group-specific identity", "device group identity", etc. The terms "downlink physical control channel" and "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be replaced with each other.

[0210] In some embodiments, step S2101 can be omitted, for example, the plurality of terminal devices can be pre-stored in the terminal device with the group identity configured by the plurality of terminal devices, and the terminal device can directly call the group identity of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0211] In some embodiments, step S2101 can be omitted, for example, for the same group of terminal devices, if the group of terminal devices has been configured with a group identity in the other network switching process, then in the current network switching process, there is no need to configure the group identity for the group of terminal devices. Correspondingly, the plurality of terminal devices of the group can apply the group identity configured in the other network switching process to receive the first information. Thus, the signaling overhead of the network device in configuring the group identity for the plurality of terminal devices is saved.

[0212] In some embodiments, the network device can update the group identity of the plurality of terminal devices that have been configured.

[0213] In some embodiments, the network device can send the updated group identity of the plurality of terminal devices to the terminal device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the network device sends, to the terminal device, a group identifier currently configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices in a period. In step S2102, the network device multicasts or broadcasts first information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the terminal device can receive the first information according to the scheduling information of the PDCCH according to the group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices. Optionally, the terminal device can continuously monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device receives the PDCCH information, the terminal device can match the pre-configured group identifier with the group identifier in the PDCCH. If the group identifiers match successfully, the terminal device can use the group identifier to descramble and decode the scheduling information of the PDCCH, so as to receive the first information sent by the network device through the decoded scheduling information.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first information can be information sent based on a control protocol, and the type of the control protocol is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which is, for example, a Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first information can be a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU) or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

[0219] In some embodiments, the RRC message can be a RRC container message.

[0220] In some embodiments, when the first information is a MAC PDU message, the first information can include a plurality of Medium Access Control Service Data Units (MAC SDUs), wherein the plurality of MAC SDUs can include a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU can include common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices, and each second MAC SDU can include specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0221] In some embodiments, different second MAC SDUs correspond to different terminal devices, and when there are a plurality of terminal devices, the first information includes a plurality of second MAC SDUs corresponding to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0222] For example, referring to FIG. 2b, FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of an example of a MAC PDU message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2b, the MAC PDU message can include a plurality of MAC SDUs, which can include a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU.

[0223] In some embodiments, the number of the first MAC SDU and the second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is not limited, for example, “1 first MAC SDU” and “3 second MAC SDUs”.

[0224] In some embodiments, different second MAC SDUs include different specific information of terminal devices. For example, the second MAC SDU 1 includes specific information of the terminal device 1, and the second MAC SDU 2 includes specific information of the terminal device 2.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first MAC SDU further includes first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MAC SDU includes common information.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second MAC SDU further includes identification information of the corresponding terminal device. The identification information of the terminal device is used for the terminal device to determine the corresponding second MAC SDU, and to obtain the specific information of the terminal device for network switching in the second MAC SDU.

[0227] For example, referring to FIG. 2c, FIG. 2c is a schematic diagram of another example of a MAC PDU message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2c, the MAC PDU message can include a plurality of MAC SDUs, which can include a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU includes first indication information and common information, and each second MAC SDU includes identification information and specific information of a corresponding terminal device.

[0228] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the MAC PDU message, the first MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is obtained, and if the first MAC SDU carries the first indication information, the common information is obtained from the first MAC SDU.

[0229] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the MAC PDU message, at least one second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is acquired, according to the identification information in the at least one second MAC SDU, a second MAC SDU in the at least one second MAC SDU that matches the identification of the terminal device is determined, and specific information is acquired from the second MAC SDU.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terminal device switches the network according to the acquired common information and the specific information.

[0231] In some embodiments, the presentation manner of the first indication information is not limited. For example, the first indication information can be letters, numbers, or words, such as "R / F / LCID / L / X".

[0232] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be "MAC header".

[0233] In some embodiments, "X" in the first indication information can be used to indicate that the first MAC SDU includes common information. When the terminal device receives the first MAC SDU, if "X" is carried therein, it means that the first MAC SDU carries common information.

[0234] In some embodiments, the presentation manner of the identification information of the terminal device in the second MAC SDU is not limited, which is, for example, "R / F / LCID / L / UE ID", wherein "UE ID" is used to indicate the identification information of the terminal device. When the terminal device receives the second MAC SDU, if "UE ID" carried therein matches the identification of the terminal device, it means that the second MAC SDU carries specific information of the terminal device.

[0235] In some embodiments, when the first information is an RRC message, the first information can include a first information element (IE) and at least one second IE. The first IE includes common information for network switching of a plurality of terminal devices; and each second IE includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0236] In some embodiments, different second IEs contain specific information of different terminal devices. For example, the second IE 1 contains specific information of the terminal device 1, and the second IE 2 contains specific information of the terminal device 2.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first IE further includes first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first IE includes common information.

[0238] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the RRC message, the terminal device acquires the first IE in the RRC container message, and if the first indication information is carried in the first IE, the terminal device acquires the common information from the first IE.

[0239] In some embodiments, the second IE includes the identification information of each terminal device.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines the second IE corresponding to the terminal device according to the identification information in the second IE, and acquires the specific information of the terminal device from the second IE. For example, the terminal device 1 receives the RRC message, and according to the identification information in each second IE in the RRC message, if the identification information in the second IE 1 matches the identification information of the terminal device 1, the terminal device 1 determines that the specific information in the second IE 1 is the specific information of the terminal device 1.

[0241] In some embodiments, the common information is used to indicate information common to multiple terminal devices, and the specific information is used to indicate information specific to each terminal device.

[0242] In some embodiments, the common information can include any one of the following: a service information block (SIB) of a cell to which the multiple terminal devices are to be switched; or ephemeris information of the cell to which the multiple terminal devices are to be switched.

[0243] In some embodiments, the specific information can include an identifier of the terminal device in the cell to which the terminal device is to be switched. For example, the specific information can be a cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI).

[0244] In some embodiments, the identifier of the terminal device in the cell to which the terminal device is to be switched can be used by the cell to allocate radio resources to the terminal device. The resources can include time-frequency spectrum, time slots, power, and the like.

[0245] In some embodiments, the cell to which the terminal device is to be switched needs to identify and confirm the terminal device accessing the cell, so as to establish a connection with the terminal device through the identifier of the terminal device, avoid disconnection or interruption of the connection of the terminal device, and ensure continuity of the connection of the terminal device.

[0246] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device can indicate the terminal device to switch the network through the first information, so as to avoid interruption of the connection of the terminal device, ensure continuity of the network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device. In addition, for multiple terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one first information for indicating the switching of the network, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0247] In some embodiments, the names of the above-mentioned first information, MAC PDU information, first MAC SDU, second MAC SDU, RRC message, first IE, second IE, common information, specific information, ephemeris information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, for example, the "first information" can also be referred to as "switching command", "switching instruction", "switching indication", or "group switching command", "group switching indication", "network switching indication", "network switching command", etc., the "first MAC SDU" can also be referred to as "MAC SDU header" or "MAC SDU message header", etc., the "common information" can also be referred to as "common content", "common configuration", "shared information", "shared information", "public part" or "common part", etc., the "common information" can also be referred to as "specific content", "specific configuration", "private information", "private configuration", "private part", "differentiated configuration" or "specific part", etc.

[0248] Among them, the terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "data" and the like can be replaced with each other; the terms such as "certain", "preseted", "preset", "set", "indicated", "certain", "arbitrary", "first" and the like can be replaced with each other, "certain A", "preset A", "preset A", "set A", "indicated A", "certain A", "arbitrary A", "first A" can be interpreted as A specified in advance in a protocol or the like, or can be interpreted as A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or can be interpreted as certain A, certain A, arbitrary A, or first A, etc., but not limited thereto.

[0249] In step S2103, the terminal device performs network switching according to the first information.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices include the terminal device.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from a network of one cell to a network of another cell.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate group switching of the plurality of terminal devices of a certain device group. The group switching is used to indicate switching of the plurality of terminal devices divided into the same device group into the network of the same cell.

[0253] In some embodiments, each terminal device can determine, according to the first information, common information of network switching of the plurality of terminal devices and specific information of network switching of each terminal device, and perform network switching of each terminal device according to the common information and the specific information.

[0254] Optionally, the terminal device can perform network switching according to SIB of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched and the identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched; or the terminal device can perform network switching according to ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched and the identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the first information is an RRC message, the terminal device can obtain, in a first IE in the RRC message, the common information of network switching of the terminal device; the terminal device can also determine, according to the identifier information of the terminal device in each second IE in the RRC message, the second IE corresponding to the terminal device, and obtain, based on the second IE, the specific information of network switching of the terminal device.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the first information is a MAC PDU message, the terminal device can obtain, in a first MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message, the common information of network switching of the terminal device, or the terminal device can obtain, according to first indication information in the first MAC SDU, the common information of network switching of the terminal device; the terminal device can also determine, according to the identifier information of the terminal device in each second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message, the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device, and obtain, based on the second MAC SDU, the specific information of network switching of the terminal device.

[0257] In this embodiment, the plurality of terminal devices with the same group identifier can perform network switching according to the first information, which is beneficial to improve the efficiency of network switching of the terminal device. In some embodiments, “obtain”, “get”, “receive”, “transmit”, “bidirectional transmission”, “send and / or receive” involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, processing to obtain by itself, and various meanings such as self-implementation.

[0258] In some embodiments, the "network switching" involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be replaced with "cell switching", "base station switching", "switching", "handvoer", "hand-off", and the like. It can be explained as the process of switching the terminal device from one base station (or cell) to another base station (or cell) to ensure the continuity and stability of communication.

[0259] It should be noted that the switching control method of the embodiments of the present disclosure and can include at least one of steps S2101-S2103. For example, steps S2101-S2103 can be implemented as independent embodiments. In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0260] In some embodiments, in the MAC PDU message sent by the network device to the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device can not be carried in each second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message, but each terminal device obtains specific information of each terminal device from the corresponding second MAC SDU through at least one second information.

[0261] Alternatively, in some embodiments, in the RRC message sent by the network device to the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device can not be carried in the second IE in each RRC message, but each terminal device obtains specific information of each terminal device from the corresponding second IE through at least one second information.

[0262] Based on this scenario, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a switching control method, as shown in FIG. 2d, which is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of the switching control method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2d, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0263] Step S2401, the network device configures a group identifier for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0264] In some embodiments, step S2401 can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0265] The optional implementation of step S2401 can be referred to the optional implementation of step S2101 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0266] Step S2402, the network device multicasts or broadcasts first information to a plurality of terminal devices.

[0267] The optional implementation of step S2402 can be referred to the optional implementation of step S2102 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0268] In step S2402, the difference from step S2102 is that, when the first information is a MAC PDU message, the second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message does not carry the identification information of the terminal device; and when the first information is an RRC message, the second IE in the RRC message does not carry the identification information of the terminal device.

[0269] In step S2403, the network device sends the second information to the terminal device.

[0270] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives the second information.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate the second MAC SDU or the second IE corresponding to the terminal device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the network device can send one second information to each terminal device, and the second information can be used to indicate the second MAC SDU or the second IE corresponding to the terminal device. Optionally, the second information includes the identification of the second MAC SDU or the identification of the second IE corresponding to each terminal device. For any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the second MAC SDU or the second IE corresponding to the terminal device according to the identification indicated in the second information, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second MAC SDU or the second IE.

[0273] In some embodiments, for multiple terminal devices, the network device can send only one second information, which can include multiple mapping relationships between the second MAC SDU and the identification information of the terminal device, or the second information can include multiple mapping relationships between the second IE and the identification information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, each terminal device can determine the second MAC SDU or the second IE corresponding to each terminal device based on the identification information of the terminal device and the mapping relationship. For example, for any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the mapping relationship containing the identification information of the terminal device according to the identification information of the terminal device, determine the second MAC SDU or the second IE indicated by the mapping relationship, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second MAC SDU or the second IE.

[0274] In some embodiments, the second information can be information sent based on a control protocol, and the type of the control protocol is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which is, for example, a "Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol".

[0275] In some embodiments, the second information can be an RRC message, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine a corresponding second MAC SDU or second IE, and acquire specific information for network switching of the terminal device in the second MAC SDU or second IE.

[0276] At step S2404, the terminal device performs network switching according to the first information and the second information.

[0277] In some embodiments, the terminal device can determine common information for network switching of the terminal device according to the first MAC SDU or first IE in the first information.

[0278] In some embodiments, the terminal device can determine a second MAC SDU or second IE for carrying specific information of the terminal device according to the second information, and acquire the specific information for network switching of the terminal device from the second MAC SDU or second IE.

[0279] The optional implementation of step S2404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] In this embodiment, the network device can multicast or broadcast the first information to multiple terminal devices to instruct the multiple terminal devices to perform network switching, so as to reduce the signaling consumption of the network device when instructing the terminal devices to perform network switching. The network device can also send the second information to each terminal device, so that each terminal device can quickly determine specific information for network switching of each terminal device according to the second information, so as to improve the network switching efficiency.

[0281] It should be noted that the switching control method in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2401-S2404. For example, steps S2402-S2404 can be implemented as independent embodiments, that is, step S2401 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0282] In some embodiments, steps S2402 and S2403 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first information can further include at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein the first message includes common information for network switching of multiple terminal devices; and the second message includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0284] Based on the scenario, the disclosure further provides a handover control method, as shown in FIG. 2e, which is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of the handover control method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2e, the handover control method comprises the following steps:

[0285] In step S2501, the network device configures a group identifier for the plurality of terminal devices.

[0286] In some embodiments, step S2501 can be omitted.

[0287] The optional implementation of step S2501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0288] In step S2502, the network device multicasts or broadcasts a first message to the terminal devices.

[0289] In some embodiments, the plurality of terminal devices can receive the first message sent by the network device through multicasting, or the terminal devices can receive the first message sent by the network device through broadcasting. Each terminal device can receive the second message sent by the network device.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first message is any one of the following messages: a system message.

[0291] In some embodiments, the system message can comprise an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong.

[0292] In some embodiments, the identifier of the device group is used to instruct the terminal devices in the device group to obtain common information from the system message.

[0293] In some embodiments, the terminal devices can receive information corresponding to the group identifier in the system message according to the group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices. For example, when the terminal devices determine that the identifier of the device group in the system message is the same as the group identifier of the device group to which the terminal devices belong, the terminal devices obtain common information from the system message; when the terminal devices determine that the identifier of the device group in the system message is different from the group identifier of the device group to which the terminal devices belong, the terminal devices do not need to obtain common information from the system message.

[0294] In step S2503, the network device sends a second message to the plurality of terminal devices respectively.

[0295] In some embodiments, the second message can be used to indicate specific information for the terminal devices to perform network handover.

[0296] In some embodiments, the second message can be information sent based on a control protocol, and the type of the control protocol is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0297] In some embodiments, the second message can be an RRC message, and the RRC message can include specific information for network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0298] In some embodiments, the network device can send the second message to each terminal device based on specific signaling. Optionally, the specific signaling can be RRC control signaling.

[0299] In step S2504, the terminal device performs network switching according to the first message and the second message.

[0300] In some embodiments, the terminal device can obtain common information for network switching of the terminal device according to the first message, obtain specific information for network switching of the terminal device according to the second message, and perform network switching based on the common information and the specific information.

[0301] The optional implementation of step S2504 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0302] It should be noted that the network device and the switching control method in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2501 to S2504. For example, in some embodiments, step S2501 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0303] In some embodiments, steps S2502 and S2503 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0304] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the first message and the second message, thereby avoiding interruption of the terminal device connection, ensuring continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for multiple terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one first message, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0305] In some embodiments, “acquire”, “obtain”, “get”, “receive”, “transmit”, “bidirectional transmission”, “send and / or receive” involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, acquiring from a protocol, acquiring from a higher layer, obtaining by self-processing, and implementing autonomously, and the like.

[0306] In some embodiments, the "network switching" involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be replaced by "cell switching", "base station switching", "switching", "handvoer", "hand-off", and the like. It can be explained as the process of switching the terminal device from one base station (or cell) to another base station (or cell) to ensure the continuity and stability of communication.

[0307] In some embodiments, the steps in the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined for execution. For example, one or more steps in steps S2101-S2103, one or more steps in steps S2401-S2404, and one or more steps in steps S2501-S2504 can be replaced or combined for execution.

[0308] FIG. 3a is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure involve that the execution subject of the switching control method is a network device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments in the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0309] As shown in FIG. 3a, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0310] Step S3101, configuring a group identifier for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0311] In some embodiments, step S3101 can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0312] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0313] Step S3102, multicasting or broadcasting a MAC PDU message containing common information and specific information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0314] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message includes a plurality of MAC SDUs. The plurality of MAC SDUs includes a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU can include common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices, and each second MAC SDU can include specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0315] In some embodiments, the second MAC SDU further comprises identification information of the corresponding terminal device. The identification information of the terminal device is used by the terminal device to determine the corresponding second MAC SDU and obtain the specific information for the terminal device to perform network switching.

[0316] In some embodiments, the manner in which the MAC PDU message carries the common information, the specific information and the identification information of the terminal device can refer to FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c. The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts of the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0317] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to perform network switching through the MAC PDU message, thereby avoiding interruption of the connection of the terminal device, ensuring continuity of the network connection of the terminal device and improving the use experience of the terminal device. For multiple terminal devices that need to perform network switching, the network device only needs to send one MAC PDU message for instructing the terminal device to perform network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0318] In addition, the common information and the specific information for network switching can be sent to the terminal device through the MAC PDU message, which can ensure the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0319] FIG. 3b is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the execution subject of the switching control method being a network device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0320] As shown in FIG. 3b, the switching control method comprises the following steps:

[0321] Step S3201, configuring a group identifier for multiple terminal devices.

[0322] In some embodiments, step S3201 can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0323] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts of the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0324] Step S3202, multicasting or broadcasting an RRC message comprising common information and specific information to the multiple terminal devices.

[0325] In some embodiments, the RRC message can include a plurality of IEs. Among them, the plurality of IEs include a first IE and at least one second IE. Among them, the first IE includes common information for network switching of a plurality of terminal devices; and each second IE includes specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0326] In some embodiments, the second IE further includes identification information of the corresponding terminal device. The identification information of the terminal device is used by the terminal device to determine the corresponding second IE, and obtain the specific information for network switching of the terminal device in the second IE.

[0327] In some embodiments, the manner in which the RRC message carries the common information, the specific information and the identification information of the terminal device can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c and the other associated parts of the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0328] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the RRC message, thereby avoiding disconnection of the terminal device, ensuring continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for a plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one RRC message for instructing the network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0329] In the above embodiments, the common information and the specific information for network switching are sent to the terminal device through the RRC message, which can guarantee the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0330] FIG. 3c is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the execution subject of the switching control method being a network device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, or in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0331] As shown in FIG. 3c, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0332] Step S3301, configuring a group identifier for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0333] In some embodiments, step S3301 can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0334] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and the other associated parts of the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] Step S3302: multicasting or broadcasting the MAC PDU message containing the common information and the specific information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0336] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message does not carry the identification information of the terminal device.

[0337] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0338] Step S3303: sending the second information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0339] The optional implementation of step S3303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2403 in FIG. 2b and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0340] It should be noted that the switching control method in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3301-S3303. For example, in some embodiments, step S3301 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0341] In some embodiments, steps S3302 and S3303 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0342] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the MAC PDU message, thereby avoiding the disconnection of the terminal device, ensuring the continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for the plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one MAC PDU message and the second information for instructing the network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0343] In the above embodiments, the common information and the specific information for network switching are sent to the terminal device through the MAC PDU message, which can guarantee the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0344] FIG. 3d is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the execution subject of the switching control method being a network device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments in the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0345] As shown in FIG. 3d, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0346] In step S3401, a group identifier is configured for the plurality of terminal devices.

[0347] In some embodiments, step S3401 can be omitted.

[0348] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0349] In step S3402, the RRC message containing the common information and the specific information is multicast or broadcast to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0350] In some embodiments, the RRC message does not carry the identifier of the terminal device.

[0351] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0352] In step S3403, the second information is sent to the terminal device.

[0353] The optional implementation of step S3403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2403 in FIG. 2b and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2b, which will not be described here.

[0354] It should be noted that the switching control method of the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3401-S3403. For example, in some embodiments, step S3401 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0355] In some embodiments, steps S3402 and S3403 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0356] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the RRC message, thereby avoiding the disconnection of the terminal device, ensuring the continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for the plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one RRC message and second information for instructing the network switching, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0357] In the above embodiments, the common information and the specific information for network switching are sent to the terminal device through the RRC message, which can guarantee the security and reliability of the data transmission process.

[0358] FIG. 3e is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a switching control method, and the execution subject of the switching control method is a network device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0359] As shown in FIG. 3e, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0360] In step S3501, a group identifier is configured for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0361] In some embodiments, step S3501 can be omitted.

[0362] The optional implementation of step S3501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0363] In step S3502, a system message containing common information is multicast or broadcast to the terminal devices.

[0364] The optional implementation of step S3502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2502 in FIG. 2e and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2e, which will not be described here.

[0365] In step S3503, a second message containing specific information is sent to the plurality of terminal devices respectively.

[0366] The optional implementation of step S3503 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2503 in FIG. 2e and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2e, which will not be described here.

[0367] It should be noted that the switching control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3501-S3503. For example, in some embodiments, step S3501 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0368] In some embodiments, steps S3502 and S3503 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0369] In the above embodiments, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch the network through the system message and the second message, thereby avoiding the disconnection of the terminal device, ensuring the continuity of the terminal network connection, and improving the use experience of the terminal device. Moreover, for a plurality of terminal devices that need to switch the network, the network device only needs to send one system message and a plurality of second messages, which can reduce the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0370] FIG. 4a is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a switching control method, and the execution subject of the switching control method is a terminal device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, or in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0371] As shown in FIG. 4a, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0372] In step S4101, a group identifier configured by a network device for a plurality of terminal devices is acquired.

[0373] In some embodiments, step S4101 can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0374] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0375] In step S4102, a MAC PDU message is acquired according to the group identifier.

[0376] In some embodiments, the terminal device can receive the MAC PDU message according to the scheduling information of the PDCCH according to the group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices. Alternatively, the terminal device can continuously monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device receives the PDCCH information, the terminal device can match the pre-configured group identifier with the group identifier in the PDCCH. If the group identifier is matched successfully, the terminal device can use the group identifier to descramble and decode the PDCCH scheduling information, so as to receive the MAC PDU message sent by the network device according to the decoded scheduling information.

[0377] In step S4103, common information and specific information in the MAC PDU message are acquired.

[0378] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message can include a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU can include common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices, and each second MAC SDU can include specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device and identifier information of the terminal device.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first MAC SDU includes first indication information and common information; and each second MAC SDU includes identifier information of a corresponding terminal device and specific information.

[0380] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the MAC PDU message, the first MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is acquired, and if the first indication information is carried in the first MAC SDU, the common information is acquired from the first MAC SDU.

[0381] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the MAC PDU message, at least one second MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is acquired, and according to the identification information in the at least one second MAC SDU, a second MAC SDU in the at least one second MAC SDU that matches the identification of the terminal device is determined, and the specific information is acquired from the second MAC SDU.

[0382] In step S4104, network switching is performed according to the common information and the specific information.

[0383] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0384] In the above embodiments, the terminal device can obtain the common information and the specific information through the MAC PDU message, so as to timely perform network switching, avoid connection interruption, ensure the continuity of network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device.

[0385] FIG. 4b is an exemplary flow diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The execution subject of the switching control method in the embodiment of the present disclosure is a terminal device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, or in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation of the embodiment in the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0386] As shown in FIG. 4a, the switching control method includes the following steps:

[0387] In step S4201, a group identification configured by a network device for a plurality of terminal devices is acquired.

[0388] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted.

[0389] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0390] In step S4202, an RRC message is acquired according to the group identification.

[0391] In some embodiments, the RRC message can be an RRC container message.

[0392] In some embodiments, the terminal device can receive the RRC message according to the scheduling information of the PDCCH received according to the group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices. Optionally, the terminal device can continuously monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device receives the PDCCH information, the terminal device can match the pre-configured group identifier with the group identifier in the PDCCH. If the group identifier matching is successful, the terminal device can use the group identifier to descramble and decode the scheduling information of the PDCCH, so as to receive the RRC message sent by the network device according to the decoded scheduling information.

[0393] In step S4203, the common information and the specific information in the RRC message are obtained.

[0394] In some embodiments, the RRC message can include a first IE and at least one second IE. The first IE can include common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices, and each second IE can include specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device and identification information of the terminal device.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first IE includes first indication information and common information, and each second IE includes identification information of a corresponding terminal device and specific information of the terminal device.

[0396] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the RRC message, the first IE in the RRC message is obtained. If the first indication information is carried in the first IE, the common information is obtained from the first IE.

[0397] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the RRC message, at least one second IE in the RRC message is obtained. According to the identification information in the at least one second IE, a second IE in the at least one second IE that matches the identification of the terminal device is determined, and the specific information is obtained from the second IE.

[0398] In step S4204, network switching is performed according to the common information and the specific information.

[0399] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0400] In the above embodiments, the terminal device can obtain the common information and the specific information through the RRC message, so as to timely perform network switching, avoid connection interruption, ensure the continuity of network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device.

[0401] FIG. 4c is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the execution subject of the switching control method being a terminal device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation manner of the embodiments in the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0402] As shown in FIG. 4c, the switching control method includes the following steps.

[0403] In step S4301, a group identifier configured by a network device for a plurality of terminal devices is acquired.

[0404] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted.

[0405] The optional implementation manner of step S4301 can be referred to the optional implementation manner of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0406] In step S4302, a MAC PDU message sent by the network device is acquired according to the group identifier.

[0407] The optional implementation manner of step S4302 can be referred to the optional implementation manner of step S4102 in FIG. 4a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 4a, which will not be described here.

[0408] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message does not carry the identifier information of the terminal device.

[0409] In step S4303, common information in the MAC PDU message is acquired.

[0410] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message can include a first MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU can include the first indication information and the common information for the network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0411] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the MAC PDU message, the first MAC SDU in the MAC PDU message is acquired, and if the first MAC SDU carries the first indication information, the common information is acquired from the first MAC SDU.

[0412] In step S4304, second information is acquired.

[0413] In some embodiments, the second information can be an RRC message, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine a corresponding second MAC SDU and acquire specific information for the network switching of the terminal device in the second MAC SDU.

[0414] The optional implementation of step S4304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2403 in FIG. 2d and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0415] In step S4305, the specific information in the MAC PDU message is obtained according to the second information.

[0416] In some embodiments, the MAC PDU message further includes at least one second MAC SDU. Each second MAC SDU can include the specific information for the network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0417] In some embodiments, the second information can include a mapping relationship between the second MAC SDU and the identification information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, each terminal device can determine the corresponding second MAC SDU of each terminal device based on the identification information of the terminal device and the mapping relationship. For example, for any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the mapping relationship containing the identification information of the terminal device according to the identification information of the terminal device, determine the second MAC SDU indicated by the mapping relationship, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second MAC SDU.

[0418] In some embodiments, the second information includes the identification of the second MAC SDU corresponding to each terminal device. For any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device according to the identification indicated in the second information, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second MAC SDU.

[0419] In step S4306, the network switching is performed according to the common information and the specific information.

[0420] The optional implementation of step S4306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] In some embodiments, the order of steps S4303 and S4304 can be exchanged or performed simultaneously.

[0422] In the above embodiments, the terminal device can obtain the common information through the MAC PDU message, obtain the specific information from the MAC PDU message through the second information, and thus timely perform the network switching, avoid the connection interruption, ensure the continuity of the network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device.

[0423] FIG. 4d is an example flow diagram illustrating a handover control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a handover control method, and the execution subject of the handover control method is a terminal device. It should be understood that the handover control method can be executed alone, or in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0424] As shown in FIG. 4d, the handover control method includes the following steps.

[0425] In step S4401, a group identifier configured by a network device for a plurality of terminal devices is acquired.

[0426] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted.

[0427] The optional implementation manner of step S4401 can be referred to the optional implementation manner of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0428] In step S4402, an RRC message sent by the network device is acquired according to the group identifier.

[0429] The optional implementation manner of step S4202 can be referred to the optional implementation manner of step S4102 in FIG. 4b and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 4b, which will not be described here.

[0430] In some embodiments, the RRC message does not carry the identifier information of the terminal device.

[0431] In step S4403, common information in the RRC message is acquired.

[0432] In some embodiments, the RRC message can include a first IE. The first IE can include the first indication information and the common information for the network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0433] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives the RRC message, the first IE in the RRC message is acquired, and if the first indication information is carried in the first IE, the common information is acquired from the first IE.

[0434] In step S4404, second information is acquired.

[0435] In some embodiments, the second information can be an RRC message, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine a corresponding second IE, and acquire specific information for the network switching of the terminal device in the second IE.

[0436] The optional implementation of step S4404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2403 in FIG. 2d and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2d, which are not described herein again.

[0437] In step S4405, the specific information in the RRC message is obtained according to the second information.

[0438] In some embodiments, the RRC message further includes at least one second IE. Each second IE can include specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0439] In some embodiments, the second information can include a mapping relationship between the second IE and the identification information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, each terminal device can determine the second IE corresponding to the terminal device based on the identification information of the terminal device and the mapping relationship. For example, for any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the mapping relationship containing the identification information of the terminal device according to the identification information of the terminal device, determine the second IE indicated by the mapping relationship, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second IE.

[0440] In some embodiments, the second information includes the identification of the second IE corresponding to each terminal device. For any terminal device, when it receives the second information, it can determine the second IE corresponding to the terminal device according to the identification indicated in the second information, and then obtain the specific information corresponding to the terminal device from the second IE.

[0441] In step S4406, network switching is performed according to the common information and the specific information.

[0442] The optional implementation of step S4406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which are not described herein again.

[0443] In some embodiments, the order of steps S4403 and S4404 can be exchanged or performed simultaneously.

[0444] In the above embodiments, the terminal device can obtain the common information through the RRC message, obtain the specific information from the RRC message through the second information, and thus timely perform network switching, avoid connection interruption, ensure the continuity of network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device.

[0445] FIG. 4e is an example flow diagram illustrating a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a switching control method, and the execution subject of the switching control method is a terminal device. It should be understood that the switching control method can be executed alone, or in combination with any embodiment or possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or in combination with any technical solution in the related art.

[0446] As shown in FIG. 4e, the switching control method includes the following steps.

[0447] In step S4501, a group identifier configured by a network device for a plurality of terminal devices is acquired.

[0448] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted.

[0449] The optional implementation manner of step S4501 can refer to the optional implementation manner of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0450] In step S4502, a system message sent by the network device is acquired according to the group identifier.

[0451] In some embodiments, the terminal device can receive the system message according to the scheduling information of the PDCCH according to the group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices. Alternatively, the terminal device can continuously monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device receives the PDCCH information, the terminal device can match the pre-configured group identifier with the group identifier in the PDCCH. If the group identifier is matched successfully, the terminal device can use the group identifier to descramble and decode the scheduling information of the PDCCH, so as to receive the system message sent by the network device according to the decoded scheduling information.

[0452] In step S4503, common information in the system message is acquired.

[0453] In some embodiments, the system message can include an identifier of a device group in which the plurality of terminal devices are located.

[0454] In some embodiments, the identifier of the device group is used to indicate that the terminal devices in the device group acquire the common information from the system message.

[0455] The optional implementation manner of step S4503 can refer to the optional implementation manner of step S2502 in FIG. 2e and other associated parts in the embodiment of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0456] In step S4504, a second message sent by the network device is acquired.

[0457] In some embodiments, the second message can be used to indicate specific information for instructing the terminal device to perform network switching.

[0458] In some embodiments, the second message can be an RRC message, which can include specific information for instructing the corresponding terminal device to perform network switching.

[0459] In step S4505, the specific information in the second message is obtained.

[0460] In some embodiments, the second message is sent by the network device to each terminal device respectively, and when the terminal device receives the second message, the specific information can be obtained from the second message.

[0461] In some embodiments, the second message carries the identification information of the terminal device, and when the terminal device receives the second message, if the identification information carried in the second message matches the identification of the terminal device, the specific information in the second message is obtained.

[0462] In step S4506, network switching is performed according to the public information and the specific information.

[0463] The optional implementation of step S4406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0464] In some embodiments, the steps S4502-S4503 and S4504-S4505 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0465] In the above embodiments, the terminal device can obtain the public information through the system message and obtain the specific information through the second message, so as to timely perform network switching, avoid connection interruption, ensure the continuity of the network connection of the terminal device, and improve the use experience of the terminal device.

[0466] FIG. 5 is an exemplary interaction schematic diagram of a switching control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the present disclosure relates to a switching control method, and the above method includes the following steps:

[0467] In step S5101, a network device configures a group identifier for a plurality of terminal devices.

[0468] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments of FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0469] In step S5102, the network device sends first information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0470] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2a, steps S2402 and S2403 in FIG. 2b, steps S2502 and S2503 in FIG. 2e, step S3102 in FIG. 3a, step S3202 in FIG. 3b, steps S3302 and S3303 in FIG. 3c, steps S3402 and S3403 in FIG. 3d, steps S3502 and S3503 in FIG. 3e, and other associated parts in the embodiments involved, which are not described herein.

[0471] In step S5103, the terminal device performs network switching according to the first information.

[0472] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a, and other associated parts in the embodiments involved, which are not described herein.

[0473] In some embodiments, the method described above can include the method of the embodiments of the network device side, the terminal device side, and the like, which are not described herein.

[0474] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and their optional implementations can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or combined with optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0475] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the network device in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal device in any of the above methods.

[0476] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize any of the above methods or realize the functions of each unit or module of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship of elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0477] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of a hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0478] FIG. 6a is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6a, the network device 6100 can include at least one of a transceiver module 6101, a processing module 6102, and the like.

[0479] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is configured to send first information to a plurality of terminal devices, the first information being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0480] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is specifically configured to multicast or broadcast the first information to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0481] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein the first message includes common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the second message includes specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching.

[0482] In some embodiments, the transceiver 6101 is specifically configured to at least one of: multicast or broadcast the first message to the plurality of terminal devices, and respectively send the second message to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0483] In some embodiments, the first message is a system message.

[0484] In some embodiments, the system message comprises an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong.

[0485] In some embodiments, the second message is an RRC message.

[0486] In some embodiments, the first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message.

[0487] In some embodiments, the first information is a MAC PDU message, and the first information comprises a first MAC service data unit (SDU) and at least one second MAC SDU.

[0488] The first MAC SDU comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0489] Each second MAC SDU comprises specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0490] In some embodiments, the first MAC SDU further comprises first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the common information is included in the first MAC SDU.

[0491] In some embodiments, the second MAC SDU further comprises identifier information of the corresponding terminal device.

[0492] In some embodiments, the transceiver 6101 is further configured to send second information to the terminal devices, and the second information is used to indicate the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal devices.

[0493] In some embodiments, the second information is an RRC message.

[0494] In some embodiments, the first information is an RRC message, and the RRC message comprises a first information element (IE) and at least one second IE.

[0495] The first IE comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0496] Each second IE comprises specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device.

[0497] In some embodiments, the second IE comprises identifier information of each terminal device.

[0498] In some embodiments, the common information comprises any one of: a system information block (SIB) of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be handed over; or ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be handed over.

[0499] In some embodiments, the specific information comprises an identity of the terminal device in the cell to which the terminal device is to be handed over.

[0500] In some embodiments, the processing module 6102 is configured to configure a group identity for the plurality of terminal devices, the group identity being used to instruct the terminal devices to acquire the first information from the channel.

[0501] Optionally, the transceiver module 6101 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S2102, S2402, S2403, S2502, S2503, S3102, S3202, S3302, S3303, S3402, S3403, S3502, S3503, S5102, but not limited thereto) of the sending and / or receiving performed by the network device in any one of the above methods, details of which are not described herein.

[0502] The processing module 6102 is configured to perform the configuration steps (for example, steps S2101, S2401, S2501, S3101, S3201, S3301, S3401, S3501, S5101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any one of the above methods, details of which are not described herein.

[0503] FIG. 6b is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6b, the terminal device 6200 can include at least one of a transceiver module 6201, a processing module 6202, and the like.

[0504] The transceiver module 6201 is configured to receive first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices includes the terminal device.

[0505] The processing module 6202 is configured to perform network switching according to the first information.

[0506] In some embodiments, the first information comprises at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein the first message comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching; and each second message comprises specific information for a corresponding one of the terminal devices to perform network switching.

[0507] In some embodiments, at least one of the first information and the first message is sent through groupcast or broadcast.

[0508] In some embodiments, the first message is a system message.

[0509] In some embodiments, the system message comprises an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong.

[0510] In some embodiments, the second message is an RRC message.

[0511] In some embodiments, the first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message.

[0512] In some embodiments, the first information is a MAC PDU message.

[0513] The first information comprises a first medium access control service data unit (MAC SDU) and a second MAC SDU corresponding to each terminal device.

[0514] The first MAC SDU comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0515] The second MAC SDU comprises specific information for network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0516] In some embodiments, the first MAC SDU further comprises first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the common information is included in the first MAC SDU.

[0517] In some embodiments, the second MAC SDU further comprises identifier information of the corresponding terminal device.

[0518] In some embodiments, the transceiver 6201 is further configured to receive second information sent by the network device, wherein the second information is used to indicate the second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device.

[0519] In some embodiments, the second information is an RRC message.

[0520] In some embodiments, the first information is an RRC container message.

[0521] The RRC container message comprises a first information element (IE) and a second IE.

[0522] The first IE comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0523] The second IE comprises specific information for network switching of the corresponding terminal device.

[0524] In some embodiments, the second IE comprises identifier information of each terminal device.

[0525] In some embodiments, the common information comprises any one of the following:

[0526] a system information block (SIB) of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be handed over; or

[0527] ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be handed over.

[0528] In some embodiments, the specific information comprises an identity of the terminal device in the cell to be handed over.

[0529] In some embodiments, the transceiver 6201 is specifically configured to receive a group identity configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices.

[0530] receive the first information according to the group identity.

[0531] Optionally, the transceiver 6201 is configured to perform at least one of the receiving steps (for example, steps S4101, S4102, S4201, S4202, S4301, S4302, S4304, S4401, S4402, S4404, S4501, S4502, S4504, but not limited to this) of the terminal device in any one of the above methods. Details are not described herein again. Optionally, the processing module 6202 is configured to perform at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S2103, S2404, S2503, S4103, S4104, S4203, S4204, S4303, S4305, S4306, S4403, S4405, S4406, S4503, S4505, S4506, S5103, but not limited to this) of the terminal device in any one of the above methods. Details are not described herein again.

[0532] FIG. 7a is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device can be a network device, or a terminal device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any one of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal device to implement any one of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0533] As shown in FIG. 7a, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general processor or a special purpose processor, etc., such as a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, the central processor can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 7100 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0534] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 7102 can also be outside the communication device 7100.

[0535] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the transceiver 7103 performs at least one of the communication steps (such as steps S2102, S2402, S2403, S2502, S2503, S3102, S3202, S3302, S3303, S3402, S3403, S3502, S3503, S4101, S4102, S4201, S4202, S4301, S4302, S4304, S4401, S4402, S4404, S4501, S4502, S4504, S5102, but not limited to this) of the above methods.

[0536] The processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (such as steps S2101, S2401, S2501, S3101, S3201, S3301, S3401, S3501, S5101, S2103, S2404, S2503, S4103, S4104, S4203, S4204, S4303, S4305, S4306, S4403, S4405, S4406, S4503, S4505, S4506, S5103, but not limited to this).

[0537] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0538] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 can include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuit 7104 is connected with the memory 7102, and the interface circuit 7104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7104 can read instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0539] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 can not be limited by Figure 7a. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, 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, handset, mobile unit, vehicle-mounted device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other, etc.

[0540] Figure 7b is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in Figure 7b can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0541] The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201, and the chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0542] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, the interface circuit 7202 is connected with the memory 7203, and the interface circuit 7202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7202 can read instructions stored in the memory 7203 and send the instructions to the processor 7201.

[0543] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2102, step S2402, step S2403, step S2502, step S2503, step S3102, step S3202, step S3302, step S3303, step S3402, step S3403, step S3502, step S3503, step S4101, step S4102, step S4201, step S4202, step S4301, step S4302, step S4304, step S4401, step S4402, step S4404, step S4501, step S4502, step S4504, step S5102, but not limited to) of the above method in terms of transmission and / or reception. The processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, step S2401, step S2501, step S3101, step S3201, step S3301, step S3401, step S3501, step S5101, step S2103, step S2404, step S2503, step S4103, step S4104, step S4203, step S4204, step S4303, step S4305, step S4306, step S4403, step S4405, step S4406, step S4503, step S4505, step S4506, step S5103, but not limited to) of the above method.

[0544] In some embodiments, the interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0545] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 7203 can be outside the chip 7200.

[0546] The modules and / or devices described in each of the embodiments of the virtual device, physical device, chip, and the like can be combined or separated as the case can be. Optionally, part or all of the steps can also be performed by a plurality of modules and / or devices, which are not limited here.

[0547] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0548] The present disclosure also provides a program product comprising a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0549] The present disclosure also provides a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0550] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solutions. The skilled person can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0551] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0552] The above is only a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A switching control method characterized by comprising: A method performed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to a plurality of terminal devices, the first information being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching. The method of claim 1, wherein The sending of the first information to the plurality of terminal devices comprises: group-casting or broadcasting the first information to the plurality of terminal devices. The method of claim 1, wherein The first information comprises at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein: The first message comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching; The second message comprises specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The sending of the first information to the plurality of terminal devices comprises at least one of: group-casting or broadcasting the first message to the plurality of terminal devices; and sending the second message to the plurality of terminal devices respectively. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first message is a system message. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The system message comprises an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that The second message is an RRC message. The method according to any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that The first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message. The method of claim 8, wherein The first information is the MAC PDU message, and the first information comprises a first MAC service data unit (SDU) and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching. Each of the second MAC SDUs comprises specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching. The method of claim 9, wherein The first MAC SDU further comprises first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MAC SDU comprises the common information. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The second MAC SDU further comprises identifier information of the corresponding terminal device. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The method further comprises sending second information to the terminal device, the second information being used to instruct the terminal device of a corresponding second MAC SDU. The method of claim 12, wherein The second information is an RRC message. The method of claim 8, wherein The first information is the RRC message, and the RRC message comprises a first information element (IE) and at least one second IE. The first IE comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching. Each of the second IEs comprises specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching. The method of claim 14, wherein The second IEs comprise identifier information of the terminal devices. The method according to any one of claims 3-15, characterized in that The common information comprises any one of: a system information block (SIB) of a cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched; or ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched. The method according to any one of claims 3-16, characterized in that The specific information comprises an identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched to. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: configuring a group identifier for the plurality of terminal devices, the group identifier being used to instruct the plurality of terminal devices to acquire the first information. A switching control method characterized by comprising: A method performed by a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct a plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching, and the plurality of terminal devices comprise the terminal device; performing network switching according to the first information. The method of claim 19, wherein The first information comprises at least one of a first message and at least one second message, wherein: The first message comprises common information for the plurality of terminal devices to perform network switching; The second message comprises specific information for a corresponding terminal device to perform network switching. The first message comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices. Each of the second messages comprises specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device. The method of claim 20, wherein At least one of the first information and the first message is sent through groupcast or broadcast. The method of claim 21, wherein The first message is a system message. The method of claim 22, wherein The system message comprises an identifier of a device group to which the plurality of terminal devices belong. The method according to any one of claims 20-23, characterized in that The second message is an RRC message. The method according to any one of claims 19-24, characterized in that The first information is a MAC PDU message or an RRC message. The method of claim 25, wherein The first information is the MAC PDU message. The first information comprises a first MAC SDU and at least one second MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices. Each of the second MAC SDUs comprises specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device. The method of claim 26, wherein The first MAC SDU further comprises first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MAC SDU comprises common information. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The second MAC SDU further comprises identifier information of the corresponding terminal device. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The method further comprises receiving second information sent by the network device, wherein the second information is used to indicate a second MAC SDU corresponding to the terminal device. The method of claim 29, wherein The second information is an RRC message. The method of claim 25, wherein The first information is the RRC message. The RRC message comprises a first IE and at least one second IE. The first IE comprises common information for network switching of the plurality of terminal devices. Each of the second IEs comprises specific information for network switching of a corresponding terminal device. The method of claim 31, wherein The second IEs comprise identifier information of the terminal devices. The method according to any one of claims 20-32, characterized in that The common information comprises any one of the following: a system information block (SIB) of a cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched; or ephemeris information of the cell to which the plurality of terminal devices are to be switched. The method according to any one of claims 20-33, characterized in that The specific information comprises an identifier of the terminal device in the cell to be switched. The method according to any one of claims 19-34, characterized in that The receiving of the first information sent by the network device comprises: receiving a group identifier configured by the network device for the plurality of terminal devices; receiving the first information according to the group identifier. A network device, characterized in that Comprise: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the first information is used to indicate network switching of the plurality of terminal devices. A terminal device characterized by comprising: Comprise: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to indicate network switching of a plurality of terminal devices, and the plurality of terminal devices comprise the terminal device; a processing module configured to perform network switching according to the first information. A communication device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the switching control method of any one of claims 1 to 17. A communication device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the switching control method of any one of claims 18 to 34. A communication system characterized by The network device is configured to implement the handover control method according to any one of claims 1 to 18; and the terminal device is configured to implement the handover control method according to any one of claims 19 to 35. A storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: The instructions, when executed on the communication device, implement the handover control method according to any one of claims 1 to 18. A storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: The instructions, when executed on the communication device, implement the handover control method according to any one of claims 19 to 35. The program and / or instructions, when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the handover control method according to any one of claims 1 to 18. A computer program product, characterized in that The program and / or instructions, when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the handover control method according to any one of claims 19 to 35. A computer program product, characterized in that ​

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