Communication method, system and related devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, system, and related equipment, including: a first network element generating a first message, the first message indicating at least one available area, wherein UEs located within the at least one available area are able to use multicast services; and then, the first network element sending the first message. In this way, the network side can configure whether UEs in each area have permission to use multicast services at the area level, thereby providing differentiated multicast services to UEs in different areas. Compared to configuring UEs to use multicast services at the cell level, this better meets the needs of providing different multicast services to different users in practical application scenarios, thus improving the network side's ability to provide multicast services to multiple users (i.e., multiple UEs) within a cell.

Description

Communication method, system and related equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on April 3, 2024, with application number 202410407469.0 and invention name “Communication Methods, Systems and Related Equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, system and related equipment. Background Art

[0003] Multicast broadcast service (MBS) refers to a service that sends data from a single data source to multiple user equipment (UE), enabling the sharing of network resources. For example, when an emergency occurs, the network can use MBS to ensure that multiple UEs within a specific cell receive warnings or notifications simultaneously. Another example is a live broadcast scenario where the network can use MBS to simultaneously send video content to multiple UEs within a specific cell, allowing multiple users to watch the live video simultaneously.

[0004] Currently, when a UE uses a multicast broadcast service, the network side usually sends configuration information of the multicast broadcast service to the UE located in the cell, so that the UE can monitor the multicast traffic channel (MTCH) according to the configuration information and receive corresponding data from the channel specified by the configuration information.

[0005] However, in actual application scenarios, there is often a problem that the network side provides poor results in providing multicast broadcast services to multiple UEs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method, system and related equipment, the purpose of which is to provide a multicast broadcast service to multiple UEs on the network side.

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network element, which may be, for example, a base station located on the RAN side, or a network element located in a core network, etc. Specifically, the first network element generates a first message, where the first message is used to indicate at least one available area, where UEs located in the at least one available area can use a multicast broadcast service, and then the first network element sends the first message. For example, when the first network element is a base station, the first network element may broadcast the first message to each UE located within the signal coverage area of ​​the first network element.

[0009] In this way, the network side can configure whether the UE in each area has the authority to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the area, so as to provide differentiated multicast broadcast services to UEs in different areas. Compared with the implementation method of configuring the UE to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the cell, this can better meet the needs of providing different multicast broadcast services to different users in actual application scenarios, thereby improving the effect of the network side in providing multicast broadcast services to multiple users (i.e., multiple UEs) in the cell.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the at least one available area indicated by the first message is a portion of multiple areas included in at least one cell. In this way, the first network element can perform fine-grained division of the cell to determine areas within the cell where the multicast broadcast service can be used and areas where the multicast broadcast service cannot be used, thereby improving the effectiveness of providing differentiated multicast broadcast services to different UEs within the cell.

[0011] In one possible implementation, a first network element may obtain first configuration information for at least one cell and determine, based on the first configuration information, multiple areas included in the at least one cell. In this manner, the first network element may determine multiple areas within one or more cells based on the pre-acquired configuration information. Alternatively, the first network element may obtain a division rule and divide the cell into multiple areas based on the division rule. In this manner, the first network element may implement automated area division for the cell based on the division rule.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first network element may obtain second configuration information and, based on the second configuration information, determine at least one available area from the multiple areas. In this manner, the first network element may determine, based on the pre-acquired configuration information, an area from the multiple areas that can use the multicast broadcast service. Alternatively, the first network element may obtain a screening rule and, based on the screening rule, determine at least one available area from the multiple areas. In this manner, the first network element may automatically determine, based on the pre-acquired configuration information, an area from the multiple areas that can use the multicast broadcast service.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an identifier of each available area in at least one available area. Therefore, before sending the first message, the first network element sends a second message, where the second message includes the geographic range and identifier of each area in the plurality of areas. In this way, the first network element can pre-send the geographic range and identifier of each area. Subsequently, when notifying the UE of the available areas, only the identifier of the available area needs to be sent, thereby reducing the amount of data required to transmit the notification of the available areas.

[0014] The specific form of the at least one available area may be at least one of the following: a list of available areas, a list of available area identifiers, an identifier of an available area group. The available area group may be preconfigured or predefined. Among them, the available areas may be grouped as needed without affecting the available area division rules, so that when the network side notifies the UE of the available areas, it only needs to carry an available area group identifier in the sent message to indicate at least one available area in the group, thereby reducing signaling overhead. For example, when the available area group includes multiple available areas, the message sent by the network side to the UE may only carry the identifier of one available area, without the need to carry the identifiers of multiple available areas.

[0015] In one possible implementation, after sending the first message, the first network element may further receive a third message indicating at least one available area included in the updated cell. The first network element may then send a fourth message indicating the available area in the updated cell. In this way, the first network element can notify the UE of the updated available area by sending the fourth message, thereby further improving the network-side multicast broadcast service.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first message includes the geographical range of each available area in the at least one available area. In this way, the first network element can notify the UE that the area is an available area by sending the geographical range of the available area.

[0017] In a possible implementation, when the first network element sends the first message, it may specifically broadcast a system message, where the system message includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or, the first network element broadcasts an MCCH message, where the MCCH message includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or, the first network element sends a paging-related message to the UE through a paging channel, where the paging-related message includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or, the first network element sends dedicated signaling to the UE, where the dedicated signaling includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first message is further used to indicate the service type corresponding to each available area in at least one available area, and the service type is the type of service included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service of the service type corresponding to the available area. In this way, the first network element can use the first message to indicate the service type in the multicast broadcast service that can be used by the UE located in the available area, so as to further improve the effect of providing differentiated multicast broadcast services for different UEs. Alternatively, the first message is further used to indicate the service corresponding to each available area in at least one available area, and the service is at least one of the multiple services included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service corresponding to the available area. In this way, the first network element can use the first message to indicate the service in the multicast broadcast service that can be used by the UE located in the available area, so as to further improve the effect of providing differentiated multicast broadcast services for different UEs.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first message is further used to indicate a valid period corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, wherein a UE located in the available area can use the multicast broadcast service during the valid period. Accordingly, the UE cannot use the multicast broadcast service after the valid period has expired.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the cell is a satellite-borne cell in a non-terrestrial network. In this way, the first network element can provide a better multicast broadcast service based on fine-grained regional division in the NTN network.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to UE (user equipment), and the method includes: the UE obtains a first message, the first message is used to indicate at least one available area; according to the first message, receives data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service, and the UE is located in at least one available area.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, the at least one available area is a partial area of ​​multiple areas included in at least one cell.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an identifier of each available area in at least one available area, and the method further includes: before obtaining the first message, the UE obtains a second message, where the second message includes the geographical range of each area in the multiple areas and the identifier of each area.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the UE may further obtain a fourth message, where the fourth message is used to indicate an updated available area.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first message includes a geographical range of each available area in the at least one available area.

[0026] In a possible implementation, when the UE obtains the first message, it may specifically obtain a system message, which includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or obtain a common warning notification message through the multicast control channel MCCH, which includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or receive a paging-related message through a paging channel, which includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area; or receive dedicated signaling, which includes indication information of each available area in at least one available area.

[0027] In one possible embodiment, the first message is also used to indicate the service type corresponding to each available area in at least one available area, where the service type is the type of service included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service of the service type corresponding to the available area; or, the first message is also used to indicate the service corresponding to each available area in at least one available area, where the service is at least one of the multiple services included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service corresponding to the available area.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first message is further used to indicate a valid period corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, wherein a UE located in the available area can use the multicast broadcast service during the valid period. Accordingly, the UE cannot use the multicast broadcast service after the valid period has expired.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the cell is a cell carried by a satellite in a non-terrestrial network.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the UE may also obtain the physical location of the UE; and receive data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service based on the first message, including: determining that the UE is located in one of at least one available area based on the physical location of the UE and the first message; and receiving data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service transmitted in the available area where the UE is located.

[0031] Since the communication method provided by the second aspect corresponds to the communication method provided by the first aspect, the technical effects of any implementation method in the second aspect can be referred to the relevant description of the technical effects of the corresponding implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0032] On the third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to UE (user equipment), the method comprising: the UE obtains first information, the first information is used to indicate at least one available area; and according to the first information, receives data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service, the UE is located in the at least one available area. In this way, by configuring whether the UE in each area has the authority to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the area, the network side provides differentiated multicast broadcast services for UEs in different areas. Compared with the implementation method of configuring the UE to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the cell, this can better meet the needs of providing different multicast broadcast services to different users in actual application scenarios, thereby improving the effect of the network side providing multicast broadcast services to multiple users (i.e., multiple UEs) in the cell.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a network element comprising a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is used to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect; and the processor is used to perform other operations in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect except the receiving operation and the sending operation.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a UE (user equipment), which includes a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is used to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in any embodiment of the second to third aspects above; the processor is used to perform other operations except the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in any embodiment of the second to third aspects above.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes a UE (user equipment) and a network element, wherein the UE is used to execute the method described in any one of the embodiments of the second to third aspects above; the network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect above or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, it is used to implement any communication method provided in the first to third aspects of the present application.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one computing device, enables the at least one computing device to implement any communication method provided in the first to third aspects of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG1 is a structural diagram of an exemplary communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG3 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in the specification and appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a kind of", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "one or more" refers to one, two or more; "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0046] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in yet other embodiments" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more but not all embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0047] The "multiple" involved in the embodiments of the present application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0048] The embodiments of the present application are applied to a communication system, which may be a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, or a hybrid architecture of LTE and 5G, or a 5G New Radio (5G NR) system, or a new communication system that will emerge in future communication developments.

[0049] An example of a communication system is shown in FIG1 . The communication system includes a network element 1 , a network element 2 , and a UE 3 .

[0050] In the embodiments provided in the present application, network element 1 may be any device with wireless transceiver functions located in a radio access network (RAN), including but not limited to: a base station (gNodeB or gNB) or a transmission receiving point (TRP) in a new radio (NR). Network element 1 may be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, a partial sector antenna on a base station, or a balloon station. Network element 1 may include one or more co-site or non-co-site transmission points (TRP). Network element 1 may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Network element 1 may communicate with a UE or communicate with the UE through a relay station. Alternatively, network element 1 may be a satellite or aircraft in a non-territorial network (NTN). The network element 1 may be configured with one or more cells, wherein each cell may communicate with a UE located in the cell based on the same component carrier (CC) or different carriers.

[0051] Network element 2 may be a network element in a core network (CN). For example, network element 2 may be a mobility management entity (MME), an authentication management field (AMF), a session management function (SMF), or a user plane function (UPF) in the core network. Furthermore, for ease of description, FIG1 shows only one network element in the core network (i.e., network element 2) as an example. In actual application scenarios, the core network may include a variety of different network elements.

[0052] UE3 may communicate with network element 1 in the RAN, or may communicate with network element 2 in the core network through network element 1, or UE3 may directly communicate with network element 2, etc.

[0053] UE3 can be in various forms, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, an in-vehicle terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. UE can also be sometimes referred to as a terminal device, an access terminal device, an in-vehicle terminal, an industrial control terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE device, etc. A terminal can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0054] The above description is based on an example in which the communication system includes network element 1, network element 2 and UE3. In other possible implementations, the communication system may include a larger number of UEs or a larger number of network elements; and UE3 and each network element may communicate in any manner, without limitation.

[0055] Typically, network element 1 may be configured with one or more cells, and network element 1 may send MBS configuration information, on a per-cell basis, to each UE (including UE3 in FIG. 1 ) residing within the cell. The MBS configuration information may include a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI). In this way, each UE residing within the cell may receive MBS data related to the TMGI, such as live video data or early warning notification data, on the MTCH channel.

[0056] However, the network's use of cell-based granularity to send MBS data to multiple UEs often fails to meet actual application requirements. In one application scenario, multiple UEs within a cell may be located in two different geographic areas. The network may send MBS data to UEs located in geographic area 1, but not to UEs located in geographic area 2. For example, at the border between two cities, part of the geographic area within a cell belongs to City A, while another part of the geographic area belongs to City B. The network may need to send promotional content about City A to UEs located in City A, but not to UEs located in City B. In this case, when the network sends MBS data to multiple UEs within a cell based on cell-based granularity, not only will UEs located in City A receive the promotional content about City A, but UEs located in City B will also receive the promotional content about City A. This will cause some UEs within the cell to receive redundant information, impacting the effectiveness of the multicast broadcast service provided by the network to these UEs.

[0057] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. During the process of providing a multicast broadcast service (or before providing the multicast broadcast service), network element 1 can send a message to multiple UEs (including UE3) within a specific area. The message can be used to indicate at least one available area among multiple areas (physical non-overlapping) included in the specific area. The available area refers to an area where UEs within the area can use the multicast broadcast service; the specific area can be, for example, a geographical range specified by operation and maintenance personnel. In this way, after receiving the message, UE3 can determine whether it is within the available area. If so, UE3 can receive MBS data within the available area. If UE3 is not within the available area, UE3 may not receive MBS data. In this way, the network side can configure whether the UE in each area has the authority to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the area, so as to provide differentiated multicast broadcast services to UEs in different areas. Compared with the implementation method of configuring the UE to use the multicast broadcast service based on the granularity of the cell, this can better meet the needs of providing different multicast broadcast services to different users in actual application scenarios, thereby improving the effect of the network side in providing multicast broadcast services to multiple users (i.e., multiple UEs) in the cell.

[0058] Continuing with the example of the cell containing the geographical areas of City A and City B (the aforementioned specific area is the geographical area covered by the cell's signal), the message sent by network element 1 to each UE within the cell can indicate the geographical area of ​​City A as an available area and the geographical area of ​​City B as an unavailable area. Thus, upon receiving this message, a UE located in City A can receive MBS data, i.e., promotional content about City A. However, upon receiving this message, a UE located in City B may not receive MBS data, i.e., promotional content about City A. This satisfies the need to provide differentiated multicast broadcast services to UEs in different locations within the cell.

[0059] The following describes various communication methods provided by this application for improving the performance of multicast broadcast services provided by the network side, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, the various communication methods described below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, are illustrated using the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. In actual applications, the communication process between a network element and a UE in the communication system can also be applied to other applicable communication systems, without limitation.

[0060] Referring to Figure 2, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in Figure 2, the process of the communication method includes the following steps:

[0061] S201: Network element 1 sends an area division result to network element 2, where the area division result is used to indicate multiple areas.

[0062] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, the network can configure whether a UE can use the multicast broadcast service on a per-area basis. To do this, the network can first divide a large area into multiple smaller areas. For example, the network can divide the signal coverage area of ​​a base station into multiple blocks.

[0063] The larger area can be the geographic area covered by the signal coverage of one or more cells. The cell can be the signal coverage area of ​​a base station (i.e., network element 1) in a territorial network (TN), or the signal coverage area of ​​a portion of a sector antenna in the base station; in this case, network element 1 can be a terrestrial base station. Alternatively, the cell can be a cell carried by a satellite in an NTN network, where the area of ​​the cell on the ground is the signal coverage area of ​​the satellite; in this case, network element 1 can be a satellite.

[0064] In a TNT network, the cells carried by satellites can be either earth-fixed cells or earth-moving cells. An earth-fixed cell is a cell that is permanently or for a long period of time (e.g., 10 years) fixed to a specific location on Earth (the satellite is in a high-orbit orbit), and is implemented by directing the satellite cell beam toward a fixed ground area. In this case, the cell's corresponding signal coverage area is a static area on the ground. An earth-moving cell is a satellite cell that continuously moves on Earth. Therefore, an earth-moving cell moves with the movement of the satellite. That is, as the satellite moves, the coverage position of the satellite's signal beam on the ground changes, and thus the earth-moving cell also changes. In this case, the cell's corresponding signal coverage area is a dynamic area on the ground. In the earth-moving cell scenario, network element 1 can calculate whether the cell configured on network element 1 is an earth-moving cell based on the satellite's corresponding ephemeris. For example, if network element 1 can calculate based on the ephemeris map that it is within the signal coverage of the satellite during the target time period, network element 1 can be bound to the satellite, and the cell configured for network element 1 is an earth mobile cell. However, if the ephemeris map calculates that network element 1 is not within the satellite coverage during other time periods, network element 1 is not bound to the satellite and can provide services to the UE based on terrestrial network technologies.

[0065] In this embodiment, the area division result may be determined by the network element 1. For ease of description, the following description is made by taking the division of a cell's signal coverage area into multiple areas as an example.

[0066] In the first implementation example, the operation and maintenance personnel may divide the cell into areas.

[0067] In a specific implementation, the operation and maintenance personnel can predetermine the signal coverage area of ​​a cell implemented by network element 1 and divide the signal coverage area into multiple areas. The operation and maintenance personnel can then compile corresponding configuration information based on the divided multiple areas and provide the configuration information to network element 1. In this way, network element 1 can determine the multiple areas included in the cell based on the configuration information.

[0068] For example, the configuration information obtained by the network element 1 may specifically be a list of longitude and latitude coordinates. Each set of longitude and latitude coordinates in the list of longitude and latitude coordinates can be used to identify an area within the cell.

[0069] For another example, the configuration information obtained by network element 1 may specifically be multiple sets of circle center and radius parameters, and each set of circle center and radius parameters may be used to indicate an area within the cell. In this case, the multiple areas divided for the cell may be circular areas. Among them, in each set of circle center and radius parameters, the circle center may be the center of an area within the cell. The position of the circle center may be represented by longitude and latitude coordinates; or, the position of the circle center may be represented by the offset of the circle center relative to network element 1, so that network element 1 may calculate the position of the circle center based on its own position and the offset. Among them, the radii of different areas may be the same, or there may be differences.

[0070] In the second implementation example, the network element 1 may automatically divide the cell into areas.

[0071] In specific implementation, the network element 1 may obtain a division rule, which may be pre-configured on the network element 1 by an operation and maintenance personnel, or may be provided by the core network to the network element 1. The network element 1 may then divide the cell into multiple areas according to the division rule.

[0072] For example, network element 1 can divide the cell into multiple areas according to a pre-set rule of dividing areas according to longitude and latitude. Specifically, network element 1 can first determine the longitude and latitude ranges and the latitude ranges corresponding to the physical area range of the cell, and then network element 1 can divide the physical area range of the cell into multiple areas according to the preset longitude intervals or the preset latitude intervals. Alternatively, network element 1 can divide the physical area range of the cell into several area blocks of the same size. Alternatively, network element 1 can divide the area blocks according to the attributes of the areas in the cell, such as dividing the area belonging to city A in the cell into one area block, and dividing the area belonging to city B into another area block, etc.

[0073] Alternatively, the network element 1 may first divide a designated area into multiple areas, and then the network element 1 may determine the areas in the multiple areas that belong to the cell.

[0074] In actual application, the network element 1 may also divide the cell into areas in other ways, and this is not limited.

[0075] The above implementation example uses the division of the signal coverage area of ​​a cell as an example. In other implementations, the network side can also divide the signal coverage areas of multiple cells into multiple areas; or the network layer can divide a designated area into multiple areas, such as dividing a rectangular area of ​​a certain length and width centered on a base station into multiple smaller rectangular areas, etc., without limitation.

[0076] After determining the multiple areas, network element 1 may generate an area division result. The area division result may include the geographical ranges of the multiple areas and identifiers of the multiple areas. The geographical range may be, for example, the latitude and longitude coordinates of each area, and the identifier of each area may be, for example, the number of the area. Of course, the area division result may also include only the geographical ranges of the multiple areas, or only the identifiers of the multiple areas, etc., and this is not limited.

[0077] Then, network element 1 may send the area division result to network element 2, for example, by sending the area division result to network element 2 via a next generation-control plane (NG-C) interface between network element 1 and network element 2.

[0078] S202: Network element 2 generates message 1 according to the received area division result, where message 1 is used to indicate at least one available area among the multiple areas.

[0079] S203: Network element 2 sends message 1 to network element 1.

[0080] The available area refers to an area in which UEs located in the available area are allowed to use the multicast broadcast service.

[0081] After receiving the area division result provided by network element 1, network element 2 can obtain multiple divided areas and determine one or more available areas from the multiple areas.

[0082] In one possible implementation, network element 2 may determine an available area from the multiple areas based on configuration information provided by an operation and maintenance personnel. For example, in an actual application scenario, an operation and maintenance personnel may configure, at the service level, an area within the multiple areas included in a cell where a UE is allowed to use the multicast broadcast service. Network element 2 may then determine the available area within the cell based on the configuration of the operation and maintenance personnel.

[0083] In another possible implementation, network element 2 may obtain a screening rule and determine an available area from multiple areas based on the screening rule. For example, in an actual application scenario, network element 2 may identify the city to which each area belongs based on the latitude and longitude coordinates of each area in the cell, and determine areas belonging to some cities as available areas and areas belonging to other cities as unavailable areas.

[0084] In actual application, the network element 2 may also use other methods to determine one or more available areas from multiple areas, and this is not limited.

[0085] Then, the network element 2 may generate a message 1 according to the identified available area, so as to notify the network element 1 about the available area in the cell through the message 1. The message 1 generated by the network element 2 may include indication information of the available area.

[0086] In the first example, the indication information of the available area may be, for example, an identifier of the available area.

[0087] For example, the area division result sent by network element 1 to network element 2 may include identifiers of multiple areas (and the geographical ranges of the multiple areas). Then, after determining the available area, network element 2 may send the identifier of the available area (that is, the identifier of a portion of the area in the cell) to network element 1 via message 1, so that network element 1 can determine the available area in the cell based on the identifier of the available area carried in message 1. Exemplarily, when there are multiple available areas, the message 1 sent by Wang Yuan 1 may include an identifier list, and the multiple identifiers included in the identifier list can be used to indicate multiple available areas.

[0088] In the second example, the indication information of the available area may be, for example, the geographical range of the available area, such as the latitude and longitude coordinates of the available area.

[0089] For example, the area division result sent by network element 1 to network element 2 may include the geographical ranges of multiple areas. In this way, network element 1 can identify the available areas in the cell based on the geographical ranges in the received message 1.

[0090] In a third example, the indication information of the available area may be, for example, an identifier of an available area group, where each available area group includes at least one available area.

[0091] For example, the area division result sent by network element 1 to network element 2 may include the identifier of at least one available area group, and the available area grouping is preconfigured or predefined. Specifically, one available area group identifier corresponds to one available area identifier list, and the available area identifier list includes the identifiers of one or more available areas. In this way, network element 1 can identify at least one available area in the cell based on the identifier of the available area group in the received message 1, that is, one or more available areas included in the available area group.

[0092] Among them, the message 1 sent by network element 2 can be, for example, a public alarm notification message sent to network element 1 through the NG-C interface, or can be an MBS configuration message sent to network element 1 through the NG-C interface, or can be other types of messages, which are not limited to this.

[0093] S204: Network element 1 sends message 2 to UE 3, where message 2 is used to indicate at least one available area.

[0094] In this embodiment, the network element 1 may notify the UE 3 that can receive the message sent by the network element 1 of the available area determined by the network element 2 .

[0095] In specific implementation, network element 1 can send message 2 to UE3, and message 2 can carry indication information of one or more available areas. The indication information can be, for example, the geographical range of the available area, so that UE3 can determine the available area in the cell based on the geographical range of the available area in message 2.

[0096] Alternatively, before network element 1 sends message 2, network element 1 or network element 2 may send message 3 to UE3, where message 3 includes the geographical scope of each area in the cell and the identifier of each area, and UE3 locally stores the physical address and identifier of each area. Network element 1 may send message 3 to UE3 through proprietary signaling or through broadcasting. Network element 2 may send message 3 to UE3 through a network access server (NAS). In this way, message 2 sent by network element 1 to UE3 may carry the identifier of the available area, so that UE3 may identify the available area in the cell based on the identifier of the available area in message 2 and the pre-stored geographical scope and identifier of each area. At this time, the identifier of the available area carried in message 2 may serve as indication information of the available area.

[0097] As some implementation examples, the network element 1 may send a message 2 to the UE 3 in the following manner to inform the UE 3 of the available area in the cell.

[0098] In example 1, network element 1 may broadcast a system information (SI), which is message 2 described in step S204. Furthermore, the system information broadcast by network element 1 may carry indication information of the available area, such as an identifier of the available area or a geographical range of the available area.

[0099] For example, network element 1 can periodically broadcast a synchronization signal or physical broadcast channel block (SSB) and system information block 1 (SIB1). UE3 located within the signal coverage of network element 1 can receive the SSB and SIB1 broadcast by network element 1, and attempt to detect and decode the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the SSB. Once UE3 successfully detects the PSS and SSS, UE3 can attempt to decode the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Once UE3 successfully detects the PBCH, UE3 can decode the master information block (MIB) and use the decoded MIB to continue decoding SIB1 to obtain the geographical range or identifier of the available area carried in SIB1. In actual application, the geographical range or identifier of the available area can also be carried in other SIBs broadcast by network element 1 (such as carried in SIB11 or carried in a newly defined SIB in the communication standard). At this point, the SIB1 broadcast by network element 1 may carry information about other SIBs, so that UE3 can also decode other SIBs based on the information carried in SIB1 to obtain the geographical range or identifier of the available area carried by the other SIBs. In this way, UE3 can determine the available area in the cell without establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with network element 1.

[0100] In Example 2, network element 1 may broadcast a multicast control channel (MCCH) message. This MCCH message is a message broadcast using the MCCH channel, i.e., message 2 described in step S204, and includes information indicating one or more available areas. In this way, UE 3 within the signal coverage area of ​​network element 1 may parse the received MCCH message to obtain the available area information and thereby determine at least one available area.

[0101] Example three, network element 1 can send a paging-related message to UE3 through a paging channel, and the paging-related message includes message 2 described in step S204, including indication information of one or more available areas. In this way, UE3 located within the signal coverage of network element 1 can parse the indication information of the available area from the received paging-related message to determine the available area in the cell. The paging-related message, for example, can be a short message transmitted on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), or can be a paging message transmitted on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0102] For example, the network element 1 may carry the indication information of the available area in a short message, and the indication information of the available area is used to determine at least one available area. Alternatively, the network element 1 may carry the indication information of the available area in a paging message.

[0103] In Example 4, network element 1 can establish an RRC connection with UE3. Then, network element 1 can send dedicated signaling to UE3 through the RRC connection. The dedicated signaling is message 2 described in step S204. The dedicated signaling received by UE3 includes indication information of one or more available areas, so that UE3 can determine the available areas in the cell based on the dedicated signaling.

[0104] In actual application, the network element 1 may also send the message 2 to the UE 3 in other ways, which is not limited.

[0105] Furthermore, the message 2 sent by the network element 1 to the UE 3 may also carry other information.

[0106] In the first implementation, message 2 may further carry an identifier of a non-available area. In this case, each identifier in message 2 may indicate whether the area is an available area or a non-available area.

[0107] In a second implementation, message 2 may further indicate the service type corresponding to each available area. The service type is the type of service included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service of this service type.

[0108] For example, message 2 may carry the type of one or more public warning notification services, thereby using the type of one or more public warning notification services to indicate one or more public warning notification services that UE3 can use in the available area. Public warning notification services may include, for example, earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) services, commercial mobile alert system (CMAS) services, Korean public alert system (KPAS) services, European public warning system (EU-Alert) services, etc.

[0109] In a third implementation, message 2 may further indicate the services corresponding to the respective available areas, where the service is at least one of the multiple services included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the at least one service.

[0110] In specific implementations, Message 2 can carry one or more TMGIs, thereby using these TMGIs to indicate one or more MBS services within the Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS). An MBS service is a type of service within the Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS); MBS services can be further subdivided into multiple services. Thus, UE3 receiving Message 2 can use the MBS service indicated by the TMGI. However, even if UE3 is within an available area, it cannot use other MBS services.

[0111] Furthermore, when Message 2 is a system message, since some system messages may carry service-related information, available area indication information is added to the system message to configure UE3 to use the services indicated in the system message within the available area. For example, if SIB1 broadcast by network element 1 carries available areas, this indicates that all services carried in the system message are available to UE3. If the available area carried in SIB1 is associated with SIBx (x is an integer greater than 1), this indicates that UE3 can only use services associated with that SIBx within the available area. For example, if SIB6 / 7 / 8 (i.e., system information related to the public warning system) carries available area indication information, this indicates that UE3 can use the PWS (Public Warning System) service within the available area. If SIB20 (i.e., system information related to MBS) carries available area indication information, this indicates that UE3 can use the MBS service within the available area. If SIB20 carries available area indication information and the TMGI, this indicates that UE3 can use the MBS service indicated by the TMGI within the available area. If SIB19 (NTN-related system information) carries indication information of the available area, it can indicate that UE3 can be in the available area and UE3 connected to the NTN network can use all services in the multicast broadcast service; and if SIB19 carries a service indication and a corresponding available area list, it means that the corresponding service can only be received in the corresponding available area under the NTN network.

[0112] In addition, the message 2 sent by the network element 1 to the UE 3 may also carry time-related information, and the time-related information can be used to indicate the effective time for the UE to use the multicast broadcast service.

[0113] For example, message 2 may carry information indicating the validity period, so that UE 3 (located in the available area) can determine the validity period for using the multicast broadcast service based on the information and use the multicast broadcast service within the validity period. Accordingly, when the validity period expires, UE 3 cannot use the multicast broadcast service.

[0114] For another example, message 2 may carry an indication of an invalid time, so that UE3 (located in the available area) can determine that it cannot use the multicast broadcast service during the invalid time based on the indication. Accordingly, UE3 can use the multicast broadcast service outside the invalid time.

[0115] Among them, the valid time or invalid time can be expressed by absolute time, such as by a specific time period; or, it can be expressed by absolute time and time length, such as by a certain moment plus time length, etc., and there is no limitation on this.

[0116] The network can determine the valid and invalid times for UE3 to use the multicast broadcast service based on various methods. For example, in an NTN network, the network can determine the satellite's trajectory based on an ephemeris chart to confirm the time when the satellite provides the multicast broadcast service to UE3. This time is the valid time. Alternatively, the network can determine the valid and invalid times based on configuration by operations and maintenance personnel, and this is not limited to this.

[0117] S205: UE3 receives data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service according to message 2.

[0118] In specific implementations, after receiving Message 2, UE3 can determine at least one available area. Furthermore, UE3 can obtain its own physical location. For example, UE3 can determine its physical location using the Global Positioning System (GPS). UE3 can then determine whether its physical location is within the available area. If so, UE3 can use the multicast broadcast service and receive data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service. If UE3's physical location is not within the available area, UE3 does not use the multicast broadcast service.

[0119] For example, when UE3 determines it is located in an available area, it can obtain one or more TMGIs corresponding to the available area and monitor the MTCH channel for MBS data. When MBS data is detected on the MTCH channel, UE3 can determine whether the TMGI carried by the data packet transmitted on the MTCH channel matches one or more TMGIs previously acquired by UE3. If so, UE3 can receive the MBS data on the channel indicated by the TMGI. If not, UE3 does not receive the MBS data.

[0120] UE3 can parse one or more TMGIs from the received message 2. Alternatively, after determining that it can use the MBS service based on message 2, UE3 can send a registration request to network element 1. This registration request includes the identifier of the available zone where UE3 is located, requesting the network to register UE3 for the MBS service. Network element 1 can then determine the TMGI used to provide the MBS service within the available zone based on the identifier of the available zone in the registration request, and send message 4 to UE3. This message 4 carries the TMGI determined by network element 1 for the available zone, such as a TMGI list. Alternatively, based on the registration request sent by UE3, network element 2 in the core network can register UE3 for the MBS service and, based on the identifier of the available zone where UE3 is located, determine the TMGI used to provide the MBS service to UE3. Network element 2 can then send the TMGI to UE3 via network element 1.

[0121] In actual application, for each area, the network elements on the network side can divide the area into multiple smaller areas according to the above method, and provide differentiated multicast broadcast services to multiple different UEs located in each area according to the area division results.

[0122] In the embodiment shown in FIG2 , the area division result is determined by the network element 1 on the RAN side. In other embodiments, the area division result may also be determined by the network element 2 in the core network.

[0123] Referring to Figure 3, a flow chart of another communication method is shown. As shown in Figure 3, the method may specifically include:

[0124] S301: Network element 2 determines an area division result, which includes the geographical range of multiple areas and an identifier of each area.

[0125] The network element 2 may divide one or more cells to obtain a regional division result; the cells may be cells in a TN network or a NTN network, and this is not limited. Alternatively, the network element 2 may divide a designated area (such as an area pre-configured by an operation and maintenance personnel) to obtain a regional division result, and this is not limited.

[0126] As some implementation examples, network element 2 can determine multiple areas based on configuration information pre-provided by operation and maintenance personnel. Alternatively, network element 2 can obtain a division rule, such as one uniformly configured by operation and maintenance personnel in the core network, so that network element 2 can divide the cell or designated area into multiple smaller areas according to the division rule. The specific implementation process of network element 2 determining multiple areas can be found in the description of the relevant aspects of network element 1 determining multiple areas in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0127] After determining the multiple areas, the network element 2 may use the geographical range of each area to indicate the multiple areas obtained by division, and assign a unique identifier to each area, thereby generating an area division result.

[0128] S302: Network element 2 sends message 1 to UE3, where message 1 includes an area division result.

[0129] For example, UE3 can establish an RRC connection with network element 1 to access the core network. Network element 2 can then send the region division result to UE3 via network element 1. Specifically, this can include sending message 1 containing the region division result to UE3. Based on message 1, UE3 can then determine the multiple regions divided by network element 2.

[0130] In actual application, when the multiple areas are areas within a cell, when UE3 establishes an RRC connection with network element 1, network element 1 can notify network element 2 of relevant information of UE3 accessing network element 1, such as notifying network element 2 of the identifier of UE3 accessing each cell configured by network element 1. In this way, network element 2 can send the area division result corresponding to each cell configured by network element 1 to each UE accessing network element 1.

[0131] S303: Network element 2 sends message 2 to network element 1, where message 2 includes an identifier of at least one available area.

[0132] After dividing the cell into multiple areas, network element 2 can determine one or more available areas from the multiple areas. Since network element 2 sends the geographical range and identification of each area to UE 3 in step S302, after determining the available areas within the cell, network element 2 can generate message 2 including the identification of the available areas and send message 2 to network element 1, so that network element 1 can subsequently notify UE 3 of the identification of the available areas.

[0133] The implementation method of network element 2 determining the available area from multiple areas can be found in the description of the relevant aspects of determining the available area in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0134] Exemplarily, message 2 sent by network element 2 to network element 1 may be, for example, a public alarm notification message sent to network element 1 via the NG-C interface, or may be an MBS configuration message sent to network element 1 via the NG-C interface, or may be other types of messages, which are not limited to this.

[0135] S304: Network element 1 sends message 3 to UE 3, where message 3 includes an identifier of at least one available area.

[0136] In this embodiment, after receiving the identifier of the available area provided by the network element 2, the network element 1 may forward it to the UE 3, specifically by sending a message 3 including the identifier of the available area to the UE 3.

[0137] Exemplarily, the message 3 sent by network element 1 may be, for example, a dedicated signaling sent based on the RRC connection; or, the message 3 may be a broadcast system message, such as SIB, SIB11, or a newly defined SIB in the communication standard; or, the message 3 may be a message broadcast through the MCCH channel; or, the message 3 may be a paging message; or, the network element 1 may send the message 3 to the UE 3 in other ways, which is not limited to this.

[0138] S305: UE3 receives data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service according to the received message 3.

[0139] Among them, since UE3 has already obtained the area division result sent by network element 2 before receiving message 3, UE3 can identify the geographical range corresponding to the available area in the cell based on the identifier of the available area carried in message 3 and the locally cached area division result, so that UE3 can determine whether it is within the range of the available area based on its own physical location.

[0140] In this embodiment, assuming that the physical location of UE3 is within the available area, UE3 can determine, based on the available area indicated in Message 3, that UE3 can use the multicast broadcast service and receive data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service on the MTCH channel. The specific implementation process of step S305 can be found in the relevant description of step S205 above and is not further described here. UEs that are not within the available area of ​​the cell may not receive data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service, i.e., may not use the multicast broadcast service.

[0141] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the geographical scope and identification of each area are sent in advance by network element 2 to UE3 as an example. In other embodiments, the area division result determined by network element 2 may include the geographical scope of the area, so that network element 2 may not send the area division result to UE3. In this case, message 2 sent by network element 2 to network element 1 and message 3 sent by network element 1 to UE3 may include the geographical scope of at least one available area, so that UE3 can judge whether UE3 is within the scope of the available area based on the geographical scope of the available area. Alternatively, based on the technical solution in the embodiment shown in FIG3 , there may also be other technical solutions that can be used to notify UE3 of the available area, and this is not limited to this.

[0142] Furthermore, message 3 sent by network element 1 to UE 3 may also indicate a service within the multicast broadcast service or the type of service. Thus, UEs within the available area can only use the service or service type indicated by message 3 within the available area, and cannot use other services or other types of services. This further improves the effectiveness of providing differentiated multicast broadcast services for different UEs. Message 3 may also indicate a valid time period for UE 3 to use the multicast broadcast service. Within this valid time period, UE 3 can use the multicast broadcast service, but beyond this valid time period, UE 3 cannot use the multicast broadcast service.

[0143] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3 above, the area division result is determined by the network element on the network side. In other possible implementations, the area division result can also be provided to UE 3 by an application on UE 3. Next, in conjunction with Figure 4, a flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application is introduced.

[0144] As shown in FIG4 , the method may specifically include:

[0145] S401: UE3 obtains area division results using the application running thereon.

[0146] The application running on the UE3 may be a client, or may be a background program running on the UE3 or other application related to the multicast broadcast service, which is not limited thereto.

[0147] In a possible implementation, after UE3 accesses the network through wireless communication technologies such as wireless fidelity (WIFI), applications on UE3 can obtain the regional division results for the cell where UE3 is located from the network. For example, operation and maintenance personnel can pre-configure the regional division results of each cell in the network, so that after UE3 accesses the network through technologies such as WIFI (not through network element 1), it can obtain information such as the geographical scope and regional identification of each area included in the cell from the network. At this time, the ground area corresponding to the cell configured by network element 1 is a static area. The cell can be a cell in a TN network, or a fixed earth cell in an NTN network, etc., and this is not limited.

[0148] Alternatively, the application on the UE3 may obtain the area division result for the specified area from the network.

[0149] The area division result obtained by UE3 may include, for example, the geographical range of each area block and the identifier of each area block.

[0150] S402: Network element 2 sends message 1 to network element 1, where message 1 includes an identifier of at least one available area.

[0151] The personnel may configure the area division results in advance in the core network, or may configure the rules for dividing each cell or designated area (and the rules for assigning area identifiers), so that the network element 2 can determine multiple areas. Then, the network element 2 can determine one or more available areas from the multiple areas included in the cell.

[0152] S403: Network element 1 sends message 2 to UE3, where message 2 includes an identifier of at least one available area.

[0153] S404: UE3 receives data corresponding to the MBS according to the received message 2.

[0154] The specific implementation of steps S402 to S404 can be found in the relevant descriptions of the aforementioned embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0155] The embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4 above primarily describe the process by which the network notifies UE3 of the available areas in a cell. In actual application scenarios, the available areas in a cell may change dynamically. For example, some areas within a cell may be changed to available areas based on service needs. For example, in scenarios such as disaster warnings, all areas within a cell may be configured as available areas. In this case, the network can update the available areas in the cell and notify UE3 of the updated available areas. The following describes the process by which the network updates the available areas, in conjunction with Figure 5.

[0156] Referring to Figure 5, a flow chart of another communication method is shown. As shown in Figure 5, the method may specifically include:

[0157] S501: Network element 2 sends an available area update request to network element 1.

[0158] In this embodiment, after network element 2 notifies UE 3 of the available areas in the cell through network element 1, network element 2 can adjust the configuration of whether each of the multiple areas is an available area based on the service requirements of the multicast broadcast service. At this time, network element 2 can generate an available area update request for the corresponding area and send it to network element 1, such as sending it to network element 1 via the NG-C interface.

[0159] In the first implementation example, the available area update request may include the identifiers of all available areas in the cell, or include the identifiers of each available area in the area specified by the operation and maintenance personnel. At this time, based on the available area update request, the information of all available areas previously known by UE3 can be replaced.

[0160] In a second implementation example, an available zone update request may include an update operation type and an identifier of the zone to be updated. The update operation type may include an add operation or a delete operation. An add operation indicates that the zone indicated by the identifier is to be configured as an available zone; a delete operation indicates that the zone indicated by the identifier is to be configured as a non-available zone.

[0161] In other embodiments, when a geographical range is used to indicate different block areas within a cell, the information for indicating the area communicated between network element 2, network element 1 and UE3 is specifically the geographical range of the area.

[0162] S502: Network element 1 sends an update message to UE3, where the update message is used to indicate the updated available area.

[0163] Exemplarily, the network element 1 may send an update message to the UE 3 in the following manner to notify the UE 3 of the available area in the updated cell.

[0164] In example 1, network element 1 may broadcast a system message (ie, an update message), such as broadcasting SIB1, SIB11, etc., and carry an identifier of the available area in the updated cell in the system message.

[0165] In a second example, the network element 1 may broadcast a message (ie, an update message) through the MCCH channel, and the message may carry an identifier of the available area in the updated cell.

[0166] Example 3: Network element 1 may send a paging-related message (ie, an update message) to UE 3 via a paging channel, and the paging-related message may carry an identifier of the updated available area in the cell. The paging-related information may be, for example, a short message or a paging message.

[0167] Example 4: Network element 1 may send dedicated signaling (ie, an update message) to UE3 based on the RRC connection, and carry the identifier of the available area in the updated cell, or carry the identifier of the update operation and the updated area in the dedicated signaling.

[0168] In actual application, the network element 1 may also send the update message to the UE 3 in other ways, which is not limited.

[0169] S503: UE3 re-determines the available area according to the update message.

[0170] S504: UE3 receives data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service according to the newly determined available area.

[0171] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the updated available area is notified to UE3 when the area division result remains unchanged. When the network side re-divides the multiple areas obtained by division (which are different from the multiple areas divided before), such as merging part of the originally divided areas into one area, or further splitting the originally divided area into multiple areas, etc., at this time, the available area update request sent by network element 2 and the update message sent by network element 1 may also include information such as the geographical scope of the updated available area, so that UE3 can promptly know the actual geographical scope of the available area in the cell.

[0172] In this way, the network side can dynamically configure whether different UEs can use multicast broadcast services by dynamically updating the available areas within the cell, thereby being able to more flexibly meet the needs of actual applications and provide better differentiated services for multicast broadcast services for different UEs.

[0173] Furthermore, the network side can not only update the available area, but also update the services or service types in the multicast broadcast service that can be used by UEs located in the updated available area, thereby further achieving the effect of providing differentiated multicast broadcast services for different UEs.

[0174] 6 and 7 , the hardware implementation of the network element and the UE will be further described.

[0175] Referring to Figure 6, a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a network element is shown. The network element shown in Figure 6 includes at least one processor 111, at least one memory 112, at least one transceiver 113, at least one network interface 114 and one or more antennas 115. The processor 111, the memory 112, the transceiver 113 and the network interface 114 are connected, for example, via a bus. In an embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. The antenna 115 is connected to the transceiver 113. The network interface 114 is used to connect the network element to other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 114 may include a network interface between the network element and a network element in the core network, such as an S1 interface. The network interface may include a network interface between the network element and other network elements, such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0176] Among them, the processor 111 shown in Figure 6 can specifically complete the network element processing actions in the above method, the memory 112 can complete the storage actions in the above method, the transceiver 113 and the antenna 115 can perform the sending and receiving actions on the air interface in the above method, and the network interface 114 can complete the actions of interacting with the network element or other network elements in the above method.

[0177] The processor in the embodiments of the present application, such as processor 111, may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., which are various types of computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor can be a separate semiconductor chip or integrated into a semiconductor chip together with other circuits. For example, it can form an SoC (system on chip) with other circuits (such as a codec circuit, a hardware acceleration circuit, or various bus and interface circuits), or it can be integrated into the ASIC as a built-in processor of the ASIC. The ASIC with the integrated processor can be packaged separately or with other circuits. In addition to the core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a PLD (programmable logic device), or a logic circuit that implements dedicated logic operations.

[0178] The memory in the embodiments of the present application may include at least one of the following types: read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some scenarios, the memory may also be a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0179] The memory 112 can be independent and connected to the processor 111. Optionally, the memory 112 can be integrated with the processor 111, for example, integrated into a single chip. The memory 112 can store program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 111. The various computer program codes executed can also be regarded as drivers for the processor 111. For example, the processor 111 is used to execute the computer program codes stored in the memory 112, thereby implementing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0180] The transceiver 113 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the network element and other devices. The transceiver 113 can be connected to the antenna 115. The transceiver 113 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 115 can receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 113 is used to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna, convert the radio frequency signal into a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and provide the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to the processor 111 so that the processor 111 can further process the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 113 is also used to receive a modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal from the processor 111, convert the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal into a radio frequency signal, and send the radio frequency signal through one or more antennas 115. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal. The order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal. The order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processes is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal may be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0181] Figure 7 shows an example of the components of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application. The UE may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smart wearable device (such as a smartwatch), etc. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the UE may include a processor 310, an external memory interface 320, an internal memory 321, a display 330, a camera 340, antenna 1, antenna 2, a mobile communication module 350, and a wireless communication module 360.

[0182] It should be understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the UE. In other embodiments, the UE may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined or separated, or arranged differently. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0183] The processor 310 may include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 310 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a time-frequency codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU). The different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0184] It is understood that the interface connection relationship between the modules illustrated in this embodiment is only for illustrative purposes and does not constitute a structural limitation on the UE. In other embodiments of the present application, the UE may also adopt different interface connection methods in the above embodiments, or a combination of multiple interface connection methods.

[0185] The external memory interface 320 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the UE's storage capacity. The external memory card communicates with the processor 310 via the external memory interface 320 to implement data storage. For example, files such as music and time and frequency files can be stored on the external memory card.

[0186] The internal memory 321 can be used to store computer executable program codes, and the executable program codes include instructions. The processor 310 executes various functional applications and data processing of the UE by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 321. The internal memory 321 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area may store data created during the use of the UE (such as time-frequency stream data), etc. In addition, the internal memory 321 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash storage (UFS), etc. The processor 310 executes various functions and data processing of the UE by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 321, and / or the instructions stored in the memory provided in the processor.

[0187] The wireless communication function of the UE can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 350, wireless communication module 360, modem processor and baseband processor.

[0188] Antenna 1 and Antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the UE can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch.

[0189] The mobile communication module 350 can provide solutions for wireless communications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G applied on the UE. The mobile communication module 350 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 350 can receive electromagnetic waves from the antenna 1, and filter, amplify, and process the received electromagnetic waves, and transmit them to the modulation and demodulation processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 350 can also amplify the signal modulated by the modulation and demodulation processor, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the processor 310. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the same device as at least some of the modules of the processor 310.

[0190] In some embodiments, the UE initiates or receives a call request via the mobile communication module 350 and the antenna 1 .

[0191] Furthermore, an operating system runs on the above-mentioned components. Examples include the iOS operating system, the Android operating system, and the Windows operating system. Applications can be installed and run on the operating system. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for ease of description and brevity, the explanation and beneficial effects of the relevant contents of any of the above-mentioned UEs can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be further elaborated here.

[0192] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices execute the communication method described in the above embodiment.

[0193] In addition, embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices perform any of the aforementioned communication methods. The computer program product may be a software installation package. When any of the aforementioned communication methods is required, the computer program product may be downloaded and executed on a computer.

[0194] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present application can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general hardware, and of course can also be implemented by special hardware including application-specific integrated circuits, special CPUs, special memories, special components, etc. In general, all functions performed by computer programs can be easily implemented with corresponding hardware, and the specific hardware structures used to implement the same function can also be diverse, such as analog circuits, digital circuits or special circuits, etc. However, for the present application, software program implementation is a better implementation method in most cases. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer's floppy disk, USB flash drive, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk, etc., and includes a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, training equipment, or network equipment, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0195] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product.

[0196] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, a computer, a training device or a data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website, a computer, a training device or a data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a training device, a data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)).

[0197] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: generating a first message, where the first message is used to indicate at least one available area, wherein a user equipment (UE) located in the at least one available area can use a multicast broadcast service; The first message is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one available area is a partial area among multiple areas included in at least one cell.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Acquire first configuration information for the at least one cell, and determine the multiple areas included in the at least one cell according to the first configuration information; Alternatively, a division rule is obtained, and the at least one cell is divided into the multiple areas according to the division rule.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Acquire second configuration information, and determine the at least one available area from the multiple areas according to the second configuration information; Alternatively, a screening rule is obtained, and the at least one available area is determined from the multiple areas according to the screening rule.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first message includes an identifier of each of the at least one available area, and the method further includes: Before sending the first message, a second message is sent, where the second message includes the geographical range of each area in the plurality of areas and an identifier of each area.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: After sending the first message, obtaining a third message, where the third message is used to indicate updating of the at least one available area included in the at least one cell; A fourth message is sent, where the fourth message is used to indicate an updated available area in the at least one cell.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first message includes a geographical range of each of the at least one available area.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The sending the first message includes: broadcasting a system message, wherein the system message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, broadcasting an MCCH message, where the MCCH message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, sending a paging-related message to the UE, where the paging-related message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, dedicated signaling is sent to the UE, where the dedicated signaling includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first message is further used to indicate that each available area in the at least one available area corresponds to a service type, where the service type is a type of service included in the multicast broadcast service, and a UE located in the available area can use a service of the service type corresponding to the available area; Alternatively, the first message is further used to indicate the service corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, where the service is at least one of the multiple services included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service corresponding to the available area.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The first message is further used to indicate a valid time corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, wherein a UE located in the available area can use the multicast broadcast service within the valid time.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The at least one cell is a cell carried by a satellite in a non-terrestrial network.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to user equipment UE, and the method includes: Obtaining a first message, where the first message is used to indicate at least one available area; According to the first message, data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service is received, and the UE is located in the at least one available area.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The at least one available area is a partial area among multiple areas included in at least one cell.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first message includes an identifier of each of the at least one available area, and the method further includes: Before obtaining the first message, a second message is obtained, where the second message includes the geographical range of each area in the plurality of areas and an identifier of each area.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: A fourth message is obtained, where the fourth message is used to indicate the updated available area.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first message includes a geographical range of each of the at least one available area.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that The obtaining of the first message includes: Obtaining a system message, where the system message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, a common warning notification message is obtained through a multicast control channel MCCH, where the common warning notification message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, receiving a paging-related message through a paging channel, where the paging-related message includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area; Alternatively, dedicated signaling is received, where the dedicated signaling includes indication information of each available area in the at least one available area.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that The first message is further used to indicate a service type corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, where the service type is a type of service included in the multicast broadcast service, and a UE located in the available area can use a service of the service type corresponding to the available area; Alternatively, the first message is further used to indicate the service corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, where the service is at least one of the multiple services included in the multicast broadcast service, and the UE located in the available area can use the service corresponding to the available area.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that The first message is further used to indicate a valid time corresponding to each available area in the at least one available area, wherein a UE located in the available area can use the multicast broadcast service within the valid time.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein The at least one cell is a cell carried by a satellite in a non-terrestrial network.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining the physical location of the UE; The receiving data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service according to the first message includes: Determining, according to a physical location of the UE and the first message, that the UE is located in one of the at least one available areas; Receive data corresponding to the multicast broadcast service transmitted in the available area where the UE is located.

22. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to user equipment UE, and the method includes: Acquire first information, where the first information is used to indicate at least one available area; Data corresponding to a multicast broadcast service is received according to the first information, and the UE is located in the at least one available area.

23. A network element, characterized in that: include: A transceiver, configured to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11; A processor, configured to perform other operations except the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

24. A user equipment UE, characterized in that include: A transceiver, configured to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method according to any one of claims 12 to 21; A processor for executing other operations except the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in any one of claims 12-21.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes a first network element and a user equipment UE, wherein the first network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the UE is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

26. A computer storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed, it is used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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