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

Abstract

The method is executed by a first core network device, and the method comprises: determining first radio measurement configuration information according to first information, the first radio measurement configuration being used for instructing a terminal to perform radio measurement in an access network providing a service, the first information being provided by a second core network device, and the first information being used for indicating a radio coverage quality requirement of the access network. In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the core network determines the radio measurement configuration for the terminal, so that the terminal can perform radio measurement in the access network according to the radio measurement configuration, and then the core network can guide, switch and split data streams according to the radio coverage quality indicated by the measurement result, thereby improving the throughput, reliability and robustness of the data streams.

Description

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

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of communication technology, a terminal can access the core network simultaneously through multiple access networks, enabling data exchange between the terminal and the data network (DN) to use one or more access networks. This allows for the guidance, switching, and distribution of access data streams, thereby improving the throughput, reliability, and robustness of the data streams. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem that needs to be solved is how to combine the wireless coverage quality of the access network to guide, switch and offload data streams.

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

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a first core network device, the method comprising: determining first wireless measurement configuration information based on first information, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct a terminal to perform wireless measurements in an access network providing services, the first information being provided by a second core network device, the first information being used to instruct the access network on wireless coverage quality requirements.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving first wireless measurement configuration information sent by a first core network device, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurement in an access network providing services.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a second core network device, the method comprising: sending first information to a first core network device, the first information being used by the first core network device to determine first wireless measurement configuration information, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct a terminal to perform wireless measurement in an access network providing services, and the first information being further used to instruct the access network on wireless coverage quality requirements.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, the method comprising: a second core network device sending first information to a first core network device, the first information indicating a wireless coverage quality requirement of an access network, the access network providing services to a terminal; the first core network device determining first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information; and the first core network device sending the first wireless measurement configuration information to a terminal, the first wireless measurement configuration information instructing the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the services.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device is used to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a terminal, a first core network device and a second core network device, the first core network device is configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect, the terminal is configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the second core network device is configured to implement the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

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

[0013] In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this disclosure, the core network determines the wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, so that the terminal can perform wireless measurement in the access network according to the wireless measurement configuration. In this way, the core network can guide, switch and distribute the data stream according to the wireless coverage quality indicated by the measurement results, thereby improving the throughput, reliability and robustness of the data stream.

[0014] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of an ATSSS architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 4B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0031] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, wherein the method is executed by a first core network device, the method comprising: determining first wireless measurement configuration information based on first information, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct a terminal to perform wireless measurement in an access network providing services, the first information being provided by a second core network device, the first information being used to instruct the access network on wireless coverage quality requirements.

[0032] In the above embodiments, the core network determines the wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, enabling the terminal to perform wireless measurements within the access network according to the wireless measurement configuration. This allows the core network to guide, switch, and offload data streams based on the wireless coverage quality indicated by the measurement results, thereby improving the throughput, reliability, and robustness of the data streams.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct a second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0034] The above embodiments provide two methods for determining the first wireless measurement configuration information, which improves the flexibility of the first core network device in determining the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: updating the first rule based on second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0036] In the above embodiments, the first core network device can update the first rule according to the second radio measurement configuration information provided by the second core network device. As a result, the first core network device can subsequently use the updated first rule to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. This is beneficial because the first rule referenced by the first core network device when making decisions on controlling the terminal's downlink data stream can be adapted to the measurement results obtained by the terminal performing radio measurements based on the measurement configuration provided by the core network. This is also beneficial for the first core network device to quickly decide on the transmission path of the downlink data stream.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0038] In the above embodiments, after determining the first wireless measurement configuration information, the first core network device can send the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal so that the terminal can perform wireless measurement in the access network providing services based on the first wireless measurement configuration information determined by the first core network device. This enables the core network to determine the measurement configuration for the terminal to perform wireless measurement, thereby allowing the core network to control the terminal's wireless measurement behavior in the access network.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the access network providing services to the terminal may include at least one of a first access network and a second access network, so that the downlink data stream of the terminal can be carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network. Thus, the first core network device can send first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal so that the terminal can perform wireless measurement in the first access network and / or the second access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information, so that the first core network device can know the wireless coverage of the first access network and / or the second access network through the wireless measurement of the terminal.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a measurement report sent by a terminal, wherein the measurement report contains wireless measurement results, the wireless measurement results being obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the first core network device can receive a measurement report sent by the terminal. The measurement report includes the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal performing wireless measurement according to the first wireless measurement configuration information issued by the first core network device. This enables the first core network device to obtain the wireless measurement results it needs from the measurement report reported by the terminal, so that the first core network device can perform subsequent control based on the wireless measurement results.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: controlling the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal based on wireless measurement results and a first rule.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the first core network device can determine a control method adapted to the wireless measurement results based on the wireless measurement results in the measurement report reported by the terminal and the first rule, so as to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal. This is beneficial for the first core network device to make quick decisions on how to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal is controlled according to the wireless measurement results and the first rule, including one of the following: determining whether the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path or a second transmission path according to the wireless measurement results and the first rule; switching the transmission path of the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path according to the wireless measurement results and the first rule; and splitting the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path according to the wireless measurement results and the first rule; wherein the first transmission path is associated with a first access network, and the second transmission path is associated with a second access network.

[0046] In the above embodiments, the first core network device can control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream in different ways according to the different adaptation of the terminal's wireless measurement results and the first rule. This not only improves the flexibility of control, but also makes full use of the network resources of the first access network and the second access network.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on at least one of the following: the received strength of the reference signal; the received quality of the reference signal; and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the reference signal.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network providing services to the terminal can be determined from at least one of the three aspects: the received strength of the reference signal, the received quality of the reference signal, and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the reference signal. By measuring the wireless coverage quality of the access network from different perspectives, the first core network device can more accurately know the actual wireless coverage of the access network associated with different transmission paths when controlling the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein, the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0050] In the above embodiments, when the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information for the terminal, it can configure wireless measurement configurations for the first access network and / or the second access network that provides services to the terminal respectively. This allows the terminal to use the corresponding wireless measurement configuration when performing wireless measurements in different access networks, thereby enabling more accurate measurement of the wireless coverage quality of different access networks. This is beneficial for the first core network device to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration configured by the first core network device for the terminal in the first access network and / or the second access network may include at least one of measurement parameters, measurement report events, and measurement report thresholds. This allows the first core network device to control the measurement parameters obtained by the terminal performing wireless measurements, the measurement report events that trigger the terminal to report measurement reports, and the measurement report thresholds. This enables the first core network device to obtain the information it needs from the measurement reports reported by the terminal, facilitating the first core network device to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream based on the wireless measurement results in the measurement reports.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is carried in a measurement request message, which is used to request the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network, and the measurement request message is sent through the user plane.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information sent by the first core network device to the terminal can be carried in a measurement request message. Thus, the first core network device can send a measurement request message containing the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal to request the terminal to perform wireless measurement in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information. This enables the core network to control the wireless measurement behavior of the terminal in the access network. Furthermore, the measurement request message can be sent through the user plane, thereby utilizing the user plane connection between the first core network device and the terminal for communication and reducing the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0055] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, wherein the method is executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving first wireless measurement configuration information sent by a first core network device, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurement in an access network providing services.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the terminal can receive first radio measurement configuration information sent by the first core network device, so that the terminal can perform radio measurement in the access network according to the radio measurement configuration, thereby enabling the core network to guide, switch and distribute the data stream according to the radio coverage quality indicated by the measurement results, thereby improving the throughput, reliability and robustness of the data stream.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: performing wireless measurements in the access network according to first wireless measurement configuration information; sending a measurement report to a first core network device, wherein the measurement report contains wireless measurement results, the wireless measurement results being obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream is carried in the first access network and / or the second access network.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein, the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is determined by a first core network device based on first information provided by a second core network device, the first information being used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct the second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information is determined by the second core network device based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information can be determined by the second core network device based on the terminal's measurement capabilities, thereby enabling the core network to consider the terminal's measurement capabilities when determining the wireless measurement configuration for the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network, so that the terminal can perform effective measurements in the access network.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the terminal's measurement capabilities can be provided to the second core network device by the access network device, or the terminal can provide the second core network device with the measurement capabilities, thus making the ways for the second core network device to obtain the terminal's measurement capabilities more diverse.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving second information sent by an access network device, the second information being used to indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal; and sending the second information to a second core network device.

[0068] In the above embodiments, the terminal can receive second information sent by the access network device to learn about the terminal's measurement capabilities, and provide the terminal's measurement capabilities to the second core network device by sending the second information, so that the second core network device can determine the wireless measurement configuration for the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network based on the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving third information sent by a second core network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the terminal can receive third information sent by the second core network device. This third information can be used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities. In response to the third information sent by the second core network device, the terminal can provide the second core network device with the terminal's measurement capabilities so that the second core network device can determine the wireless measurement configuration for the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network based on the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0071] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, which is executed by a second core network device. The method includes: sending first information to a first core network device, wherein the first information is used by the first core network device to determine first wireless measurement configuration information, the first wireless measurement configuration is used to instruct a terminal to perform wireless measurement in an access network providing services, and the first information is also used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0072] In the above embodiments, the second core network device can send first information to the first core network device so that the first core network device can determine first radio measurement configuration information based on the first information, so that the terminal can perform radio measurement in the access network according to the radio measurement configuration, thereby enabling the core network to guide, switch and divert data streams according to the radio coverage quality indicated by the measurement results, thereby improving the throughput, reliability and robustness of the data streams.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein, the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct the second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining second wireless measurement configuration information based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the measurement capability of the terminal is indicated by second information, which is sent from the access network device to the terminal and then from the terminal to the second core network device.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending third information to a terminal or access network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirements are determined based on at least one of the following: the received strength of the reference signal; the received quality of the reference signal; and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the reference signal.

[0082] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, the method comprising: a second core network device sending first information to a first core network device, the first information indicating a wireless coverage quality requirement of an access network, the access network providing services to a terminal; the first core network device determining first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information; and the first core network device sending the first wireless measurement configuration information to a terminal, the first wireless measurement configuration information instructing the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the services.

[0083] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device is used to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0084] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a terminal, a first core network device, and a second core network device, the first core network device being configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect, the terminal being configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the second core network device being configured to implement the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0085] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0086] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method described in an optional implementation of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0088] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0089] This disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, information indication method, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0090] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0091] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0092] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0093] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0095] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0096] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0097] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0098] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0099] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0100] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0101] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0102] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0103] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0104] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0105] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0106] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0107] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0108] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0109] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0110] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0111] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0112] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in Wi-Fi system.

[0114] In some embodiments, the access network device may include access network devices deployed in multiple access networks. In one embodiment, the access network device may include a first access network device deployed in a first access network and a second access network device deployed in a second access network.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first access network and the second access network may employ different radio access technologies (RATs). In one example, the first access network may use a non-terrestrial network (NTN) access, and the second access network may use a terrestrial NR access. In one example, the first access network may use NR access, and the second access network may use 6G access. In one example, the first access network may use Wi-Fi access, and the second access network may use NR access.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first access network and the second access network may use the same RAT. In one example, both the first and second access networks may use NTN access, and the first and second access networks may be provided by different satellites or operators. In one example, both the first and second access networks may use NR access, and the first and second access networks may be provided by different NR base stations or operators. In one example, both the first and second access networks may use 6G access, and the first and second access networks may be provided by different 6G base stations or operators. In one example, both the first and second access networks may use Wi-Fi access, and the first and second access networks may be provided by different access points (APs) or operators.

[0117] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0118] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0119] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network functions, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of one or more network functions. Network functions may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the following: evolved packet core (EPC), 5G core network (5GCN), 6G core network (6GCN), and next-generation core (NGC).

[0120] In some embodiments, if the access network uses 5G access technology, the core network can be 5GC. In some embodiments, if the access network uses 6G access technology, the core network can be 6GC.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first core network device can be used to handle the transmission of user data. For example, the first core network device can be used to transmit uplink data streams and / or downlink data streams. In one example, the first core network device can be a user plane function (UPF), a serving gateway (SGW), or a packet data network gateway (PGW), etc.

[0122] In some embodiments, the second core network device can be used for data session management, such as data session creation and data session release. In one example, the second core network device can be a session management function (SMF) or a mobility management entity (MME), etc.

[0123] In some embodiments, the core network may also include other core network devices, such as at least one of the access and mobility management function (AMF) and the policy control function (PCF).

[0124] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0125] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0126] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), Super 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th Generation Mobile Communication System (4G), 5G, 5G New Radio (NR), 6G, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and public terrestrial mobile communication networks. Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0127] In some embodiments, a terminal can access a core network (e.g., at least one of 5GC and 6GC) by simultaneously using two access networks (e.g., NR and 6G access networks, respectively; or, for example, an NR access network and an NR NTN access network, respectively; or, for example, a 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access network, respectively). In this case, the data flow between the terminal and the data network is controlled; for example, the data flow can be controlled to be transmitted using one of the two access networks, or the data flow can be controlled to switch from one access network to the other, or the data flow can be controlled to be transmitted simultaneously in both access networks. In one embodiment, a typical application of data flow control is access traffic steering, switching, splitting (ATSSS).

[0128] In some embodiments, ATSSS supports multi-access protocol data unit (MA PDU) connectivity services. ATSSS can simultaneously utilize two access networks and two independent N3 or N9 tunnels located between the packet data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA) and the access networks to exchange PDUs between the terminal and the data network. MA PDU connectivity is implemented by establishing MA PDU sessions, meaning a single PDU session can have user plane resources on two access networks. Figure 1B illustrates the architecture of a communication system supporting ATSSS according to an exemplary embodiment. In an ATSSS-supporting communication system, the terminal accesses the data network through one access network (e.g., a 3GPP access network) and another access network (e.g., a non-3GPP access network). Specifically, N1 is the interface between the terminal and the AMF, used to transmit non-access stratum (NAS) messages; N2 is the control plane interface between the access network (e.g., 3GPP or non-3GPP access network) and the AMF, used to transmit control plane information; N3 is the interface between the access network (e.g., 3GPP or non-3GPP access network) and the UPF, mainly used to transmit user plane data; N4 is the interface between the UPF and the SMF, used to issue policy rules for control data flow transmission paths and quality of service (QoS) rules for data transmission to the UPF; N6 is the interface between the UPF and the external data network, used to transmit user plane data flows; N7 is the interface between the SMF and the PCF, used to transmit policy information; and N11 is the interface between the SMF and the AMF, used to transmit control plane information between the AMF and the SMF.

[0129] In ATSSS-enabled communication systems, terminals support multiple steering functionalities, such as at least one of the following: multi-path transmission control protocol (MPTCP), multi-path quick UDP internet connections (MPQUIC), and access traffic steering, switching, and splitting low layer (ATSSS-LL). Each steering function in the terminal can perform data traffic steering, switching, and splitting across multiple access networks, according to the ATSSS rules provided by the network.

[0130] In some embodiments, the UPF may support performance measurement functionality (PMF), and may also support at least one of MPTCP proxy functionality and MPQUIC proxy functionality. In one embodiment, the MPTCP proxy functionality communicates with the MPTCP function in the terminal using the MPTCP protocol, and the MPQUIC proxy functionality communicates with the MPQUIC function in the terminal using the MPQUIC protocol. In one embodiment, the UPF may support ATSSS-LL functionality, which is similar to the ATSSS-LL functionality defined for the terminal. No user plane protocol is defined between the ATSSS-LL functionality in the terminal and the ATSSS-LL functionality in the UPF.

[0131] In some embodiments, after an MA PDU session is established and both access networks have user-plane resources, the terminal can determine how to allocate uplink data traffic between the two access networks based on network-provided policies (i.e., ATSSS rules) and local conditions (e.g., network interface availability, signal loss conditions, user preferences, etc.). Similarly, the UPF anchor point of the MA PDU session can determine how to allocate uplink data traffic between two N3 or N9 tunnels and two access networks based on network-provided policies (i.e., N4 rules) and feedback information received from the terminal via the user plane (e.g., access network unavailability or availability). When user-plane resources exist only on one access network, the terminal triggers the establishment or activation of user-plane resources on the other access network based on ATSSS rules and local conditions.

[0132] In some embodiments, when an MA PDU session is established, the network may provide the terminal with measurement assistance information. This measurement assistance information can be used by the terminal to determine which access performance measurements to perform on the two access networks and whether a measurement report needs to be sent to the network. In some embodiments, access performance measurements mainly include round-trip time (RTT) measurement, packet loss rate (PLR) measurement, and access availability / unavailability measurement.

[0133] In some embodiments, based on measurement results and in conjunction with ATSSS or N4 rules, a terminal or network can adjust the data traffic carried on two access networks. In one example, the ATSSS rule indicates: "Traffic Descriptor: Application 1 is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) traffic," "Control Mode: Load Balancing, 20% of the application's traffic is transmitted via the 3GPP access network, and 80% via the non-3GPP access network," "Packet Loss Rate Threshold: 1%," and "Control Function: MPTCP." This rule means that if the packet loss rate (PLR) of both access networks does not exceed 1%, 20% of the TCP traffic for Application 1 is transmitted via the 3GPP access network, and 80% is transmitted via the non-3GPP access network. This traffic splitting is implemented using the MPTCP function on the terminal and the UPF. If the measured packet loss rate of one access network exceeds 1%, the TCP traffic for Application 1 transmitted on that access network is reduced, and the amount transmitted via the other access network is increased.

[0134] As mentioned above, for data traffic control, terminals and UPFs can combine access network performance measurement results. However, access network performance measurement results only consider round-trip time (RTT), packet loss rate (PLR), and access availability / unavailability. Therefore, to enrich data traffic control across multiple access networks, the radio coverage quality of the access networks can also be considered. In this case, how to combine the radio coverage quality of the access networks to achieve data traffic control is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0135] Based on this, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product. The terminal performs wireless measurement based on the wireless measurement configuration determined by the core network. The measurement result can reflect the wireless coverage quality of the access network. If the core network decides on data traffic control based on the measurement result, data traffic control based on the wireless coverage quality of the access network can be achieved, thereby improving the throughput, reliability, and robustness of data traffic.

[0136] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2A, this disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2101 to S2108.

[0137] In some embodiments, the core network may include a first core network and a second core network, which may be the same or different. In one embodiment, when the first and second core networks are different, they may be deployed independently or centrally. In one embodiment, a centrally deployed first and second core network may share one or more network devices. In one example, the first core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC, and the second core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC. In one example, the first core network may be 5GC, and the second core network may be 6GC. In one example, the centrally deployed 5GC and 6GC may share one or more core network devices, such as SMF, AMF, UPF, etc. In one example, the first core network device may be UPF, and the second core network device may be SMF.

[0138] In some embodiments, the access network may include a first access network and a second access network. In one embodiment, the terminal accesses a first core network through the first access network and a second core network through the second access network. In one example, the terminal accesses the 5GC through a 5G access network, and can also access the 6GC through a 6G access network. In one example, both the first and second core networks are 5GCs, and the terminal accesses the 5GC through an NR terrestrial access network, and can also access the 5GC through an NR NTN access network. In one example, the first access network is an NR terrestrial access network, the first access network device is a gNB, the second access network is an NR NTN access network, and the second access network device is a spaceborne gNB.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terminal triggers the MA PDU establishment process through a first access network or a second access network.

[0140] In some embodiments, after the MA PDU is successfully established, the terminal simultaneously accesses the first core network through the first access network and the second core network through the second access network. At this time, both the first and second access networks provide services to the terminal and serve as the terminal's service access networks.

[0141] It should be noted that the above is merely an exemplary description of the first access network, the second access network, the first core network, and the second core network, and is not intended to limit them. The communication method described in this disclosure can also be applied to other access networks and their evolution, and core networks and their evolution, and this disclosure does not specifically limit them in this regard.

[0142] In step S2101, the second core network device (such as UPF) receives the second information.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second information may indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal. In one embodiment, the second information may indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal in a first access network (such as a 5G access network). In another embodiment, the second information may indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal in a second access network (such as a 6G access network).

[0144] In some embodiments, the second information may be provided by the terminal to a second core network device (such as an SMF). In one embodiment, the terminal may receive the second information sent by the access network device and send the second information to the second core network device. In one embodiment, the second information may be third radio measurement configuration information, which may be a radio measurement configuration determined by the access network device for the terminal. In one embodiment, the terminal may receive the third radio measurement configuration information sent by the access network device and actively send the third radio measurement configuration information to the second core network device so that the second core network device can determine the terminal's measurement capabilities based on the third radio measurement configuration.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second information may be provided by the access network device to the second core network device. In one embodiment, the access network device may send the second information to the second core network device. In one embodiment, the second information may be capability reporting information, which can be used to indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal. In one embodiment, the access network device may proactively send capability reporting information to the second core network device so that the second core network device can determine the measurement capabilities of the terminal based on the capability reporting information.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second core network device may send third information to the terminal or access network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities. In one embodiment, the terminal may receive the third information sent by the second core network device, and in response to the third information, the terminal may send second information received from the access network device to the second core network device. In one embodiment, the access network device may receive the third information sent by the second core network device, and in response to the third information, the access network device may send second information to the second core network device.

[0147] In some embodiments, the access network may include at least one of a first access network and a second access network. In one embodiment, the terminal's measurement capability may be the terminal's measurement capability in the first access network. In another embodiment, the terminal's measurement capability may be the terminal's measurement capability in the second access network.

[0148] In some embodiments, the terminal's measurement capabilities can be used to indicate measurement-related information about the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network. In one embodiment, the measurement-related information about the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network can be used to determine the measurement configuration that the terminal supports for performing wireless measurements within the access network.

[0149] In some embodiments, the measurement-related information of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network includes at least one of the following: the measurement frequency band of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network, and the measurement configuration of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network.

[0150] In some embodiments, the measurement frequency band for wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network may be determined by the operating frequency band of the access network. In one embodiment, the measurement frequency band for wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network is the same as the operating frequency band of the access network. In another embodiment, the measurement frequency band for wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network may be a portion of the operating frequency band of the access network.

[0151] In some embodiments, the measurement configuration of wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network may include, but is not limited to: measurement parameters, measurement period, measurement frequency, measurement threshold, and beam configuration of the reference signal.

[0152] In step S2102, the second core network device determines the second wireless measurement configuration information based on the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second radio measurement configuration information can be used to instruct a second core network device to determine a radio measurement configuration for the terminal. In one embodiment, the radio measurement configuration is used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second core network device can determine measurement-related information of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network based on the terminal's measurement capabilities, and determine second wireless measurement configuration information based on the measurement-related information of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement configuration of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network based on the measurement-related information of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network, and determine second wireless measurement configuration information based on the measurement configuration of the wireless measurements supported by the terminal in the access network.

[0155] In some embodiments, the second core network device may determine second wireless measurement configuration information based on at least one of the measurement frequency band and measurement configuration of the wireless measurement supported by the access network in the measurement-related information.

[0156] In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement frequency band for the wireless measurement of the terminal based on the measurement frequency band of the wireless measurement supported by the access network in the measurement-related information. In one embodiment, the measurement frequency band for the wireless measurement of the terminal determined by the second core network device can be the same as the measurement frequency band of the wireless measurement supported by the access network. In one embodiment, the measurement frequency band for the wireless measurement of the terminal determined by the second core network device can be included within the measurement frequency band of the wireless measurement supported by the access network. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement configuration for the wireless measurement of the terminal based on the measurement configuration of the wireless measurement supported by the access network in the measurement-related information. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement parameters for performing the wireless measurement in the access network for the terminal based on the measurement parameters supported by the access network. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement period for performing the wireless measurement in the access network for the terminal based on the measurement period supported by the access network. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement frequency for performing the wireless measurement in the access network for the terminal based on the measurement frequency supported by the access network. In one embodiment, the second core network device can determine the measurement threshold for the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network based on the measurement threshold supported by the access network.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information may include at least one of third and fourth configuration information. In one embodiment, the third configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network as determined by the second core network device. In one embodiment, the fourth configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network as determined by the second core network device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the third configuration information may be determined by the second core network device based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the first access network. In one embodiment, after determining the terminal's measurement capabilities in the first access network, the second core network device may determine the terminal's radio measurement configuration in the first access network, i.e., the third configuration information, based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the first access network. In one embodiment, the third configuration information may differ from the radio measurement configuration determined by the first access network for the terminal.

[0159] In some embodiments, the fourth configuration information may be determined by the second core network device based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the second access network. In one embodiment, after determining the terminal's measurement capabilities in the second access network, the second core network device may determine the terminal's radio measurement configuration in the second access network, i.e., the fourth configuration information, based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the second access network. In one embodiment, the fourth configuration information may differ from the radio measurement configuration determined by the second access network for the terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration described above may include at least one of the following: measurement parameters, measurement reporting events, and measurement reporting thresholds. In one embodiment, the measurement parameter may also be referred to as a quantity, which is the object measured by the terminal. In one example, the measurement parameter may be at least one of reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). In one embodiment, the measurement reporting event may be an event used to trigger a measurement report. When the measurement reporting event is satisfied, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, where the measurement result is the parameter value of one or more measured parameters. In one example, in the third configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the NR measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one example, in the fourth configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the 6G measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting threshold may be a threshold used to trigger a measurement report. When the parameter value of the measured parameter satisfies the corresponding measurement reporting threshold, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, which is the parameter value of the measurement parameter.

[0161] In some embodiments, the reference signal may be at least one of a synchronization signal (SS), channel status information (CSI), reference signal (RS), and sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0162] It should be noted that the above wireless measurement configuration may also include other measurement parameters, as long as their measurement values ​​can reflect the wireless coverage quality of the access network. This disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0163] In some embodiments, if the second core network device only obtains the terminal's measurement capabilities in the first access network, the second core network device can determine the third configuration information based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the first access network. In this case, the second wireless measurement configuration information only includes the third configuration information.

[0164] In some embodiments, if the second core network device only obtains the terminal's measurement capabilities in the second access network, the second core network device can determine the fourth configuration information based on the terminal's measurement capabilities in the second access network. In this case, the second wireless measurement configuration information only includes the fourth configuration information.

[0165] In some embodiments, when the second core network device obtains the measurement capabilities of the terminal in the first access network and the measurement capabilities of the terminal in the second access network, the second core network device can determine third configuration information based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal in the first access network and determine fourth configuration information based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal in the second access network. In this case, the second wireless measurement configuration information includes the third configuration information and the fourth configuration information.

[0166] In step S2103, the second core network device updates the first rule based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first rule can be used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0168] In some embodiments, the name of the first rule is not limited; for example, it may be an N4 rule, a data flow control rule, etc.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second core network device may store a first rule, which may be determined by the second core network device based on session management-related subscription information during the establishment of an MA PDU session. In one embodiment, the first rule is an N4 rule determined by the second core network device during the MA PDU session establishment process. In one embodiment, the N4 rule includes one or more conditions (such as the first condition). These conditions are used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0170] In some embodiments, when the second core network device determines the second radio measurement configuration information, the second core network device can update its stored first rule based on the second radio measurement configuration information to obtain an updated first rule. In one embodiment, after the second core network device determines the radio measurement configuration (i.e., the second radio measurement configuration information) for the terminal based on the terminal's measurement capabilities, the second core network device can update the original first rule based on the second radio measurement configuration information, so that the updated first rule can be adapted to the measurement results obtained by the terminal through radio measurement based on the second radio measurement configuration information. This helps the core network side to better decide the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream based on the updated first rule.

[0171] In some embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirement may be determined based on at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR. In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRP, the first condition in the first rule may be RSRP greater than or equal to a first threshold. In one example, when the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In one example, when the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0172] In one embodiment, the first threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the first threshold can be agreed upon by the protocol. In one example, the value of the first threshold can be -85dBm. In one embodiment, the RSRP value ranges from approximately -156dBm to -31dBm, and the higher the RSRP value, the higher the signal level of the reference signal received by the terminal, i.e., the higher the actual received power. When the RSRP value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is high, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the RSRP value measured by the terminal is less than -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is a need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0173] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRQ, the first condition in the first rule can be that the RSRQ is greater than or equal to a second threshold. In one example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0174] In one embodiment, the second threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the second threshold can be agreed upon by a protocol. In one example, the value of the second threshold can be -15dB. In one embodiment, the RSRQ value ranges from approximately -43dB to 20dB, and the smaller the RSRQ value, the worse the signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal and the more interference from the wireless environment. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is less than -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is a need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0175] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on SINR, the first condition can be that SINR is greater than or equal to a third threshold. In one example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0176] In one embodiment, the third threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the third threshold can be agreed upon by a protocol. In one example, the value of the third threshold can be 10dB. In one embodiment, the SINR value ranges from approximately -23dB to 40dB, and the larger the SINR value, the better the signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal. When the SINR value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to 10dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the SINR value measured by the terminal is less than 10dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is a need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0177] In step S2104, the second core network device sends the first information to the first core network device.

[0178] In one embodiment, the second core network device can send first information to the first core network device via the N4 interface.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first core network device receives first information sent by the second core network device. In one embodiment, the first core network device can receive the first information sent by the second core network device through the N4 interface.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first rule. In one embodiment, the first rule may be a first rule updated by the second core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, the description of the first rule can be found in the description of the first rule in step S2103, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first rule can be used by the first core network device to determine first radio measurement configuration information. The first radio measurement configuration information can be a radio measurement configuration determined by the first core network device for the terminal. In one embodiment, the first radio measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform radio measurements in the access network providing the service. In one embodiment, when the second core network device sends the first rule to the first core network device, the first core network device can determine the first radio measurement configuration information based on the received first rule.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first information may further include second wireless measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, when the second core network device sends the first rule and the second wireless measurement configuration information to the first core network device, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the second wireless measurement configuration information. In this case, the first rule is not used to determine the first wireless measurement configuration information. In some embodiments, the first rule can also be used by the first core network device to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. In one embodiment, when the second core network device sends the first rule and the second wireless measurement configuration information to the first core network device, the first core network device can determine the second wireless measurement configuration information as the first wireless measurement configuration information and send it to the terminal. The first core network device can also store the first rule so that it can subsequently control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream based on the first rule. In one embodiment, the first wireless measurement configuration information is the same as the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0184] In step S2105, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may be a wireless measurement configuration determined by a first core network device for a terminal. In one embodiment, the first wireless measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service. In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may include at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0186] In one embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, as determined by the first core network device. In another embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, as determined by the first core network device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration described above may include at least one of the following: measurement parameters, measurement reporting events, and measurement reporting thresholds. In one embodiment, the measurement parameter may also be referred to as the quantity, which is the object measured by the terminal. In one example, the measurement parameter may be at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting event may be an event used to trigger a measurement report. When the measurement reporting event is satisfied, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, where the measurement result is the parameter value of one or more measured parameters. In one example, in the first configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the NR measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one example, in the second configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the 6G measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting threshold may be a threshold used to trigger a measurement report. When the parameter value of the measured measurement parameter satisfies the corresponding measurement reporting threshold, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, which is the parameter value of the measurement parameter.

[0188] In some embodiments, the reference signal may be at least one of SS, CSI, RS, and SRS.

[0189] It should be noted that the above-mentioned wireless measurement configuration may also include other measurement parameters, as long as their measured values ​​can reflect the wireless coverage quality of the access network. This disclosure does not specifically limit this. In some embodiments, when the first information includes a first rule, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first rule. In one embodiment, when the first core network device receives a first rule sent by a second core network device, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on a first condition in the first rule.

[0190] In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine the measurement parameters and measurement thresholds in the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the wireless coverage quality requirements indicated by the first condition in the first rule.

[0191] In one embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on RSRP. The first core network device can determine RSRP as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the first threshold corresponding to RSRP as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on RSRQ. The first core network device can determine RSRQ as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the second threshold corresponding to RSRQ as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In yet another embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on SINR. The first core network device can determine SINR as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the third threshold corresponding to SINR as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0192] In some embodiments, when the first information includes a first rule and second wireless measurement configuration information, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the second wireless measurement configuration information. In this case, the first rule is not used to determine the first wireless measurement configuration information. In some embodiments, the first rule can also be used by the first core network device to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. In one embodiment, when the second core network device sends the first rule and the second wireless measurement configuration information to the first core network device, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the second wireless measurement configuration information, and the first core network device can store the first rule so that the first core network device can subsequently control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream based on the first rule.

[0193] In one embodiment, when the first core network device receives the first rule and the second wireless measurement configuration information sent by the second core network device, the first core network device can determine the second wireless measurement configuration information as the first wireless measurement configuration information. In this case, the first wireless measurement configuration information is the same as the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0194] In one embodiment, when a first core network device receives first rules and second wireless measurement configuration information sent by a second core network device, the first core network device can determine first wireless measurement configuration information based on at least a portion of the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second wireless measurement configuration information. In this case, the first wireless measurement configuration information and the second wireless measurement configuration information may be different. In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on at least one of measurement parameters, measurement report events, and measurement report thresholds within the third configuration information of the second wireless measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine the first wireless measurement configuration information based on at least one of measurement parameters, measurement report events, and measurement report thresholds within the fourth configuration information of the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0195] In step S2106, the first core network device sends the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first core network device may send first radio measurement configuration information to other entities, and the other entities may then send the first radio measurement configuration information to the terminal. In one embodiment, the first core network device may send the first radio measurement configuration information to the gNB, and the gNB may then send the first radio measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0197] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first radio measurement configuration information sent by the first core network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the terminal may receive first radio measurement configuration information forwarded by the gNB from the first core network device.

[0198] In one embodiment, the first core network device can send first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal via a user.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first core network device can send a measurement request message to the terminal via a user, and the measurement request message may include first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0200] In some embodiments, a measurement request message may be used to request a terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network based on first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0201] In some embodiments, where the first wireless measurement configuration information includes first configuration information, the measurement request message can be used to request the terminal to perform wireless measurement in the first access network according to the first configuration information.

[0202] In some embodiments, where the first wireless measurement configuration information includes second configuration information, the measurement request message can be used to request the terminal to perform wireless measurement in the second access network according to the second configuration information.

[0203] In some embodiments, when the first wireless measurement configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the measurement request message can be used by the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the first access network and the second access network respectively, based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0204] In some embodiments, when a first core network device sends a measurement request message to a first access network device and a second access network device, the first configuration information may be carried in the measurement request message sent to the first access network device, and the second configuration information may be carried in the measurement request message sent to the second access network device. In some embodiments, when a first core network device sends a measurement request message to either the first or second access network device, the first configuration information may first be carried in the measurement request message sent to the second access network device, and then carried in the measurement request message sent by the second access network device to the first access network device. In one embodiment, the second configuration information may first be carried in the measurement request message sent to the first access network device, and then carried in the measurement request message sent by the first access network device to the base station of the second access network device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the measurement request message can be sent via the user plane. In some embodiments, the message can be a message sent over the user plane connection between the terminal and the first core network device. In one example, the message can be a PMFP RSRP measurement request message.

[0206] In step S2107, the terminal performs wireless measurement in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may include at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information.

[0208] In one embodiment, the description of the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be found in the description of the first configuration information and the second configuration information in step S2105, and will not be repeated here.

[0209] In some embodiments, when the first wireless measurement configuration information includes first configuration information, the terminal can perform wireless measurements in the first access network according to the first configuration information.

[0210] In some embodiments, where the first wireless measurement configuration information includes second configuration information, the terminal can perform wireless measurements in the second access network based on the second configuration information.

[0211] In some embodiments, when the first wireless measurement configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the terminal can perform wireless measurements in the first access network and the second access network respectively according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0212] It should be noted that the wireless measurement performed by the terminal in the first access network and the wireless measurement performed by the terminal in the second access network are two independent processes, and they do not affect each other.

[0213] In step S2108, the terminal sends a measurement report to the first core network device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the terminal can send measurement reports to other entities, which then forward the measurement reports to the first core network device. In one embodiment, the terminal can send measurement reports to the AMF, which then forwards the measurement reports to the first core network device.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first core network device may receive measurement reports sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first core network device may receive measurement reports from the terminal forwarded by the AMF.

[0216] In some embodiments, the measurement report may include wireless measurement results.

[0217] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement result may be the result obtained by the terminal performing the measurement according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0218] In some embodiments, when a terminal determines, based on wireless measurement results, that it has detected a measurement report event indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device. In one embodiment, the terminal determining that it has detected a measurement report event based on wireless measurement results may be that the wireless measurement results satisfy the measurement report event in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the terminal determining that it has detected a measurement report event based on wireless measurement results may be that the wireless measurement results conform to the measurement report event in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In yet another embodiment, the terminal determining that it has detected a measurement report event based on wireless measurement results may be that the terminal determines that a measurement report event has occurred based on the wireless measurement results.

[0219] In one embodiment, if the terminal determines, based on wireless measurement results, that a measurement report event indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information has been detected, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device. In another embodiment, if the terminal determines, based on wireless measurement results obtained in the first access network, that a measurement report event indicated by the first configuration information has been detected, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device; this measurement report may include the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal in the first access network. In yet another embodiment, if the terminal determines, based on wireless measurement results obtained in the second access network, that a measurement report event indicated by second configuration information has been detected, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device; this measurement report may include the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal in the second access network.

[0220] In some embodiments, if the terminal determines that no measurement report event was detected based on the wireless measurement results, the terminal may not send a measurement report to the first core network device. In one embodiment, the terminal determining that no measurement report event was detected based on the wireless measurement results may be that the wireless measurement results do not satisfy the measurement report event in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the terminal determining that no measurement report event was detected based on the wireless measurement results may be that the wireless measurement results do not conform to the measurement report event in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In yet another embodiment, the terminal determining that no measurement report event was detected based on the wireless measurement results may be that the terminal determined that no measurement report event occurred. In one embodiment, if the terminal determines that no measurement report event was detected, steps S2108 and S2109 may be omitted.

[0221] In one embodiment, where the measurement report is reported by the terminal based on a measurement report event, the measurement report may also include the detected measurement report event.

[0222] In some embodiments, if the terminal's wireless measurement result meets the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device. In one embodiment, the wireless measurement result meeting the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information may be that the wireless measurement result is less than the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0223] In one embodiment, if the wireless measurement result is less than the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device. In another embodiment, if the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the first access network is less than the measurement report threshold indicated by the first configuration information, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device, which may include the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the first access network. In yet another embodiment, if the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the second access network is less than the measurement report threshold indicated by the second configuration information, the terminal may send a measurement report to the first core network device, which may include the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the second access network.

[0224] In some embodiments, if the wireless measurement result does not meet the measurement report threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information, the terminal may not send a measurement report to the first core network device. In one embodiment, the wireless measurement result not meeting the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information may be that the wireless measurement result is greater than or equal to the measurement report threshold indicated by the first wireless measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, steps S2108 and S2109 may be omitted if the wireless measurement result does not meet the measurement report threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0225] In step S2109, the first core network device controls the transmission path of the downlink data stream based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule.

[0226] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement result may be the measurement result obtained by the terminal performing the measurement according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0227] In some embodiments, the downlink data stream of the terminal may be carried in at least one of a first access network and a second access network. In some embodiments, the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal may include at least one of a first transmission path (such as a 5G transmission path) and a second transmission path (such as a 6G transmission path).

[0228] In one embodiment, the first transmission path may be associated with a first access network. In another embodiment, the first transmission path may consist of a user plane path between a first core network device and a first access network device, and a user plane path between the first access network device and a terminal.

[0229] In one embodiment, the second transmission path may be associated with a second access network. In another embodiment, the second transmission path may consist of a user plane path between a first core network device and a second access network device, and a user plane path between the second access network device and a terminal.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first core network device may determine the transmission path used by the downlink data stream based on radio measurement results and a first rule. In one embodiment, the first core network device may determine the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream as at least one of a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on radio measurement results obtained by the terminal in a first access network, radio measurement results obtained by the terminal in a second access network, and the first rule.

[0231] In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine that the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path based on radio measurement results and a first rule. In this case, the first core network device can determine the first transmission path as the initial transmission path for the terminal's downlink data stream. In another embodiment, the first core network device can determine that the downlink data stream uses a second transmission path based on radio measurement results and the first rule. In this case, the first core network device can determine the second transmission path as the initial transmission path for the terminal's downlink data stream. In yet another embodiment, the first core network device can determine that the downlink data stream uses both a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on radio measurement results and the first rule. In this case, the first core network device can jointly determine the first and second transmission paths as the initial transmission path for the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first core network device may switch the transmission path of the downlink data stream between a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on wireless measurement results and a first rule.

[0233] In one embodiment, when the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream is the first transmission path, the first core network device can determine, based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, to switch the transmission path of the downlink data stream from the first transmission path to the second transmission path.

[0234] In one embodiment, if the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream is the second transmission path, the first core network device can determine, based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, to switch the transmission path of the downlink data stream from the second transmission path to the first transmission path.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first core network device may split the transmission path of the downlink data stream between a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on wireless measurement results and a first rule.

[0236] In one embodiment, when the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream is the first transmission path, the first core network device can, based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, divert a portion of the downlink data stream carried by the first transmission path to the second transmission path. In this case, the terminal's downlink data stream is carried in both the first and second transmission paths.

[0237] In one embodiment, when the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream is the second transmission path, the first core network device can, based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, divert a portion of the downlink data stream carried by the second transmission path to the first transmission path. In this case, the terminal's downlink data stream is carried in both the first and second transmission paths.

[0238] In one embodiment, when the initial transmission path of the downlink data stream is a first transmission path and a second transmission path, the first core network device can adjust the traffic of the downlink data stream carried by the first transmission path and the traffic of the downlink data stream carried by the second transmission path according to the wireless measurement results and the first rule.

[0239] In some embodiments, if the wireless measurement results meet the first condition in the first rule, the first core network device may control the transmission path of the downlink data stream. In one embodiment, if the wireless measurement results meet the wireless coverage quality requirements indicated by the first condition, the first access network device may control the transmission path of the downlink data stream.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first condition may include at least one of the following: a second condition; a third condition; and a fourth condition. Different conditions may be associated with different control operations for the downlink data stream.

[0241] In some embodiments, the second condition is associated with the operation of determining the transmission path used by the downlink data stream. In one embodiment, the second condition is used to trigger a first core network device to determine whether the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path or a second transmission path. In some embodiments, the first core network device may determine whether the downlink data stream uses the first transmission path or the second transmission path if the wireless measurement result meets the second condition. In one example, if the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the first access network meets the second condition, the first core network device may determine that the terminal's downlink data stream uses the first transmission path. In one example, if the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the second access network meets the second condition, the first core network device may determine that the terminal's downlink data stream uses the second transmission path. In one example, if both the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the first access network and the wireless measurement result obtained by the terminal in the second access network meet the second condition, the terminal may use either the first transmission path or the second transmission path as the transmission path used by the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0242] In some embodiments, the third condition is associated with determining the transmission path for switching downlink data streams. In one embodiment, the third condition triggers the first core network device to determine whether to switch the downlink data stream between a first transmission path and a second transmission path. In some embodiments, the first core network device may switch the downlink data stream between the first and second transmission paths if the wireless measurement results satisfy the third condition. In one example, if the terminal's downlink data stream uses the first transmission path, and the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal in the first access network satisfy the third condition, the first core network device may switch the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream from the first transmission path to the second transmission path. In another example, if the terminal's downlink data stream uses the second transmission path, and the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal in the second access network satisfy the third condition, the first core network device may switch the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream from the second transmission path back to the first transmission path.

[0243] In some embodiments, the fourth condition is associated with determining to offload the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path. In one embodiment, the fourth condition triggers the first core network device to determine to offload the downlink data stream between the first and second transmission paths. In some embodiments, the first core network device may offload the downlink data stream between the first and second transmission paths if the wireless measurement results satisfy the fourth condition. In one example, when the terminal's downlink data stream uses the first and second transmission paths, if the wireless measurement results obtained by the terminal in the first or second access network satisfy the fourth condition, the first core network device may carry a portion of the terminal's downlink data stream on the first transmission path and carry the remaining portion of the terminal's downlink data stream on the second transmission path.

[0244] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0245] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0246] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2109. For example, steps S2104 to S2106 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2104 to S2109 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2101 to S2106 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2101 to S2102 and steps S2104 to S2109 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2101 to S2107 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0247] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2103 and steps S2107 to S2109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0248] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0249] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0250] In some embodiments, steps S2108 and S2109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0251] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0252] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2B, this disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2201 to S2209.

[0253] In some embodiments, the core network may include a first core network and a second core network, which may be the same or different. In one embodiment, when the first and second core networks are different, they may be deployed independently or centrally. In one embodiment, a centrally deployed first and second core network may share one or more network devices. In one example, the first core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC, and the second core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC. In one example, the first core network may be 5GC, and the second core network may be 6GC. In one example, the centrally deployed 5GC and 6GC may share one or more core network devices, such as SMF, AMF, UPF, etc. In one example, the first core network device may be UPF, and the second core network device may be SMF.

[0254] In some embodiments, the access network may include a first access network and a second access network. In one embodiment, the terminal accesses a first core network through the first access network and a second core network through the second access network. In one example, the terminal accesses the 5GC through a 5G access network, and can also access the 6GC through a 6G access network. In one example, both the first and second core networks are 5GCs, and the terminal accesses the 5GC through an NR terrestrial access network, and can also access the 5GC through an NR NTN access network. In one example, the first access network is an NR terrestrial access network, the first access network device is a gNB, the second access network is an NR NTN access network, and the second access network device is a spaceborne gNB.

[0255] In some embodiments, the terminal triggers the MA PDU establishment process through a first access network or a second access network.

[0256] In some embodiments, after the MA PDU is successfully established, the terminal simultaneously accesses the first core network through the first access network and the second core network through the second access network. At this time, both the first and second access networks provide services to the terminal and serve as the terminal's service access networks.

[0257] It should be noted that the above is merely an exemplary description of the first access network, the second access network, the first core network, and the second core network, and is not intended to limit them. The communication method described in this disclosure can also be applied to other access networks and their evolution, and core networks and their evolution, and this disclosure does not specifically limit them in this regard.

[0258] In step S2201, the second core network device (such as SMF) receives the second information.

[0259] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2201 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] In step S2202, the second core network device determines the second wireless measurement configuration information based on the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0261] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2202 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] In step S2203, the second core network device sends the first information to the first core network device (such as UPF).

[0263] In one embodiment, the second core network device can send first information to the first core network device via an interface such as N4.

[0264] In some embodiments, a first core network device receives first information sent by a second core network device. In one embodiment, the first core network device may receive the first information sent by the second core network device via an interface such as N4.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first information may include second wireless measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, a description of the second wireless measurement configuration information can be found in step S2102 of FIG2A, and will not be repeated here.

[0266] In step S2204, the first core network device updates the first rule based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0267] In some embodiments, when the first information includes second wireless measurement configuration information, the first core network device updates the first rule based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first rule can be used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0269] In some embodiments, the name of the first rule is not limited; for example, it may be an N4 rule, a data flow control rule, etc.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first core network device may store a first rule, which may be sent to the first core network device by the second core network device. This first rule may be determined by the second core network device based on session management-related subscription information during the establishment of an MA PDU session. In one embodiment, the first rule is an N4 rule determined by the second core network device during the MA PDU session establishment process. In one embodiment, the N4 rule includes one or more conditions (such as the first condition). These conditions are used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0271] In some embodiments, when the first core network device receives second radio measurement configuration information sent by the second core network device, the first core network device can update its stored first rule based on the second radio measurement configuration information to obtain an updated first rule. In one embodiment, the second radio measurement configuration information is a radio measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal. When the terminal performs radio measurement based on the radio measurement configuration determined by the second core network device, in order to enable the first core network device to better decide the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream based on the first rule, the first core network device can update the original first rule based on the second radio measurement configuration information, so that the updated first rule can be adapted to the measurement results obtained by the terminal performing radio measurement based on the second radio measurement configuration information.

[0272] In some embodiments, wireless coverage quality requirements may be determined based on at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, SINR.

[0273] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRP, the first condition in the first rule can be that RSRP is greater than or equal to a first threshold. In one example, if the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, if the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0274] In one embodiment, the first threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the first threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the measurement threshold in the second radio measurement configuration information. In one example, the value of the first threshold may be -85dBm. In one embodiment, the RSRP value ranges from approximately -156dBm to -31dBm, and a higher RSRP value indicates a higher signal level of the reference signal received by the terminal, i.e., a higher actual received power. When the RSRP measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the radio signal in the terminal's serving cell is high, and no adjustment to the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream is required. When the RSRP measured by the terminal is less than -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the radio signal in the terminal's serving cell is poor, and the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream needs to be adjusted.

[0275] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRQ, the first condition in the first rule can be that the RSRQ is greater than or equal to a second threshold. In one example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0276] In one embodiment, the second threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the second threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the measurement threshold in the second radio measurement configuration information. In one example, the value of the second threshold may be -15dB. In one embodiment, since the RSRQ value ranges from approximately -43dB to 20dB, and the smaller the RSRQ value, the worse the signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal and the more interference from the wireless environment. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and in this case, there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is less than -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and in this case, it is necessary to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0277] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on SINR, the first condition can be that SINR is greater than or equal to a third threshold. In one example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0278] In one embodiment, the third threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the third threshold may be determined by the first core network device based on the measurement threshold in the second radio measurement configuration information. In one example, the value of the third threshold may be 10 dB. In one embodiment, since the SINR value ranges from approximately -23 dB to 40 dB, and a larger SINR value indicates better signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal, when the SINR value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to 10 dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the radio signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and no adjustment to the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream is required. When the SINR value measured by the terminal is less than 10 dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the radio signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream needs to be adjusted.

[0279] In step S2205, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information.

[0280] In some embodiments, when the first information includes second wireless measurement configuration information, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may be a wireless measurement configuration determined by a first core network device for the terminal. In one embodiment, the first wireless measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may include at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information.

[0283] In one embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, as determined by the first core network device. In another embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, as determined by the first core network device.

[0284] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration described above may include at least one of the following: measurement parameters, measurement reporting events, and measurement reporting thresholds. In one embodiment, the measurement parameter may also be referred to as the quantity, which is the object measured by the terminal. In one example, the measurement parameter may be at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting event may be an event used to trigger a measurement report. When the measurement reporting event is satisfied, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, where the measurement result is the parameter value of one or more measured parameters. In one example, in the first configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the NR measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one example, in the second configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the 6G measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting threshold may be a threshold used to trigger a measurement report. When the parameter value of the measured measurement parameter satisfies the corresponding measurement reporting threshold, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, which is the parameter value of the measurement parameter.

[0285] In some embodiments, the reference signal may be at least one of SS, CSI, RS, and SRS.

[0286] It should be noted that the above wireless measurement configuration may also include other measurement parameters, as long as their measurement values ​​can reflect the wireless coverage quality of the access network. This disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0287] In some embodiments, when the first core network device receives second radio measurement configuration information sent by the second core network device, the first core network device may determine the second radio measurement configuration information as the first radio measurement configuration information. In this case, the first radio measurement configuration information is the same as the second radio measurement configuration information.

[0288] In one embodiment, when a first core network device receives second radio measurement configuration information sent by a second core network device, the first core network device can determine first radio measurement configuration information based on at least a portion of the radio measurement configuration indicated by the second radio measurement configuration information. In this case, the first radio measurement configuration information and the second radio measurement configuration information may be different. In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine the first radio measurement configuration information based on at least one of measurement parameters, measurement report events, and measurement report thresholds within the third configuration information of the second radio measurement configuration information. In one embodiment, the first core network device can determine the first radio measurement configuration information based on at least one of measurement parameters, measurement report events, and measurement report thresholds within the fourth configuration information of the second radio measurement configuration information.

[0289] In step S2206, the first core network device sends the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0290] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2206 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2106 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0291] In step S2207, the terminal performs wireless measurement in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0292] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2207 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2107 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0293] In step S2208, the terminal sends a measurement report to the first core network device.

[0294] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2208 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2108 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0295] In step S2209, the first core network device controls the transmission path of the downlink data stream based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule.

[0296] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2209 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2109 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0297] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2209. For example, steps S2201 to S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2201 to S2203 combined with steps S2205 to S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2201 to S2203 combined with steps S2205 to S2209 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2203 to S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2203 combined with steps S2205 to S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on. However, it is not limited to these embodiments.

[0298] In some embodiments, steps S2201 to S2202 and steps S2207 to S2209 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0299] In some embodiments, step S2204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, steps S2201, S2202, and S2204 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0301] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0302] Figure 2C is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2C, this disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2301 to S2306.

[0303] In some embodiments, the core network may include a first core network and a second core network, which may be the same or different. In one embodiment, when the first and second core networks are different, they may be deployed independently or centrally. In one embodiment, a centrally deployed first and second core network may share one or more network devices. In one example, the first core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC, and the second core network may be at least one of EPC, 5GC, and 6GC. In one example, the first core network may be 5GC, and the second core network may be 6GC. In one example, the centrally deployed 5GC and 6GC may share one or more core network devices, such as SMF, AMF, UPF, etc. In one example, the first core network device may be UPF, and the second core network device may be SMF.

[0304] In some embodiments, the access network may include a first access network and a second access network. In one embodiment, the terminal accesses a first core network through the first access network and a second core network through the second access network. In one example, the terminal accesses the 5GC through a 5G access network, and can also access the 6GC through a 6G access network. In one example, both the first and second core networks are 5GCs, and the terminal accesses the 5GC through an NR terrestrial access network, and can also access the 5GC through an NR NTN access network. In one example, the first access network is an NR terrestrial access network, the first access network device is a gNB, the second access network is an NR NTN access network, and the second access network device is a spaceborne gNB.

[0305] In some embodiments, the terminal triggers the MA PDU establishment process through a first access network or a second access network.

[0306] In some embodiments, after the MA PDU is successfully established, the terminal simultaneously accesses the first core network through the first access network and the second core network through the second access network. At this time, both the first and second access networks provide services to the terminal and serve as the terminal's service access networks.

[0307] It should be noted that the above is merely an exemplary description of the first access network, the second access network, the first core network, and the second core network, and is not intended to limit them. The communication method described in this disclosure can also be applied to other access networks and their evolution, and core networks and their evolution, and this disclosure does not specifically limit them in this regard.

[0308] In step S2301, the second core network device (such as SMF) sends the first information to the first core network device (UPF).

[0309] In some embodiments, the second core network device may send first information to other entities, and the other entities may send the first information to the first core network device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first core network device receives first information sent by the second core network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first core network device may receive first information forwarded by the AMF from the second core network device.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first rule, which may be determined by the second core network device based on session management-related subscription information. In one embodiment, during the establishment of an MA PDU session, the second core network device may determine the first rule based on session management-related subscription information and send the first rule to the first core network device. In this case, the first rule is not updated.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first rule can be used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0313] In some embodiments, the name of the first rule is not limited; for example, it may be an N4 rule, a data flow control rule, etc.

[0314] In some embodiments, the second core network device may store a first rule, which may be determined by the second core network device based on session management-related subscription information during the establishment of an MA PDU session. In one embodiment, the first rule is an N4 rule determined by the second core network device during the MA PDU session establishment process. In one embodiment, the N4 rule includes one or more conditions (such as the first condition). These conditions are used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0315] In some embodiments, wireless coverage quality requirements may be determined based on at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, SINR.

[0316] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRP, the first condition in the first rule can be that RSRP is greater than or equal to a first threshold. In one example, if the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, if the RSRP measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the first threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0317] In one embodiment, the first threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the first threshold can be agreed upon by the protocol. In one example, the value of the first threshold can be -85dBm. In one embodiment, the RSRP value ranges from approximately -156dBm to -31dBm, and the higher the RSRP value, the higher the signal level of the reference signal received by the terminal, i.e., the higher the actual received power. When the RSRP value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is high, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the RSRP value measured by the terminal is less than -85dBm, it indicates that the coverage strength of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0318] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on RSRQ, the first condition in the first rule can be that the RSRQ is greater than or equal to a second threshold. In one example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, if the RSRQ measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the second threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0319] In one embodiment, the second threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the second threshold can be agreed upon by a protocol. In one example, the value of the second threshold can be -15dB. In one embodiment, since the RSRQ value ranges from approximately -43dB to 20dB, and the smaller the RSRQ value, the worse the signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal and the more interference from the wireless environment. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the RSRQ value measured by the terminal is less than -15dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is a need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0320] In one embodiment, when the wireless coverage quality requirement is determined based on SINR, the first condition can be that SINR is greater than or equal to a third threshold. In one example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is greater than or equal to the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal meets the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition. In another example, when the SINR measured by the terminal in the access network is less than the third threshold, it can be determined that the access network serving the terminal does not meet the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition.

[0321] In one embodiment, the third threshold can be determined by the second core network device itself. In another embodiment, the third threshold can be agreed upon by the protocol. In one example, the value of the third threshold can be 10dB. In one embodiment, since the SINR value ranges from approximately -23dB to 40dB, and the larger the SINR value, the better the signal quality of the reference signal received by the terminal. When the SINR value measured by the terminal is greater than or equal to 10dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is good, and there is no need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream. When the SINR value measured by the terminal is less than 10dB, it indicates that the signal quality of the wireless signal of the terminal's serving cell is poor, and there is a need to adjust the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream.

[0322] In step S2302, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information.

[0323] In some embodiments, when the first information includes a first rule, the first core network device determines first radio measurement configuration information based on the first rule. In some embodiments, the first radio measurement configuration information may be a radio measurement configuration determined by the first core network device for the terminal. In one embodiment, the first radio measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform radio measurements in the access network providing the service.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information may include at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information.

[0325] In one embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, as determined by the first core network device. In another embodiment, the first configuration information indicates the radio measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, as determined by the first core network device.

[0326] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration described above may include at least one of the following: measurement parameters, measurement reporting events, and measurement reporting thresholds. In one embodiment, the measurement parameter may also be referred to as the quantity, which is the object measured by the terminal. In one example, the measurement parameter may be at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting event may be an event used to trigger a measurement report. When the measurement reporting event is satisfied, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, where the measurement result is the parameter value of one or more measured parameters. In one example, in the first configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the NR measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one example, in the second configuration information, the measurement reporting event may be one or more of the 6G measurement reporting events specified in the protocol. In one embodiment, the measurement reporting threshold may be a threshold used to trigger a measurement report. When the parameter value of the measured measurement parameter satisfies the corresponding measurement reporting threshold, the terminal reports the measurement result to the network, which is the parameter value of the measurement parameter.

[0327] In some embodiments, the reference signal may be at least one of SS, CSI, RS, and SRS.

[0328] It should be noted that the above wireless measurement configuration may also include other measurement parameters, as long as their measurement values ​​can reflect the wireless coverage quality of the access network. This disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0329] In some embodiments, when the first core network device receives a first rule sent by the second core network device, the first core network device may determine the first radio measurement configuration information based on the first rule.

[0330] In one embodiment, when the first core network device receives a first rule sent by the second core network device, the first core network device can determine the first radio measurement configuration information based on the first condition in the first rule.

[0331] In some embodiments, the first core network device may determine the measurement parameters and measurement thresholds in the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the wireless coverage quality requirements indicated by the first condition in the first rule.

[0332] In one embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on RSRP. The first core network device can determine RSRP as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the first threshold corresponding to RSRP as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In another embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on RSRQ. The first core network device can determine RSRQ as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the second threshold corresponding to RSRQ as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information. In yet another embodiment, the wireless coverage quality requirement indicated by the first condition in the first rule is determined based on SINR. The first core network device can determine SINR as a measurement parameter in the first wireless measurement configuration information, and determine the third threshold corresponding to SINR as a measurement threshold in the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0333] In step S2303, the first core network device sends the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0334] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2303 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2106 in FIG2A, step S2206 in FIG2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A and FIG2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] In step S2304, the terminal performs wireless measurement in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0336] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2304 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2107 in FIG2A, step S2207 in FIG2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A and FIG2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0337] In step S2305, the terminal sends a measurement report to the first core network device.

[0338] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2305 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2108 in FIG2A, step S2208 in FIG2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A and FIG2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0339] In step S2306, the first core network device controls the transmission path of the downlink data stream based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule.

[0340] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2306 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2109 in FIG2A, step S2209 in FIG2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A and FIG2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0341] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2306. For example, steps S2301 to S2303 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2301 to S2304 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0342] In some embodiments, steps S2304 to S2306 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0343] In some embodiments, steps S2305 and S2306 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0344] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0345] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes steps S3101 and S3103.

[0346] In step S3101, the second core network device sends the first information to the first core network device.

[0347] In some embodiments, the first core network device receives first information sent by the second core network device.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information; a first rule.

[0350] In some embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information may indicate a wireless measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first rule is used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0352] In some embodiments, the first rule includes a first condition, which indicates the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network serving the terminal.

[0353] In some embodiments, the first rule is determined by the second core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information.

[0354] In some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0355] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2104 in FIG2A, step S2203 in FIG2B, step S2301 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0356] In step S3102, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information.

[0357] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service.

[0358] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3102 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2105 in FIG2A, step S2205 in FIG2B, step S2302 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] In step S3103, the first core network device sends the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first wireless measurement configuration information sent by the first core network device.

[0361] In some embodiments, the terminal performs wireless measurements in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information and sends a measurement report to the first core network device, wherein the measurement report includes wireless measurement results, which are the results obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0362] In some embodiments, the first core network device determines, based on wireless measurement results and a first rule, whether the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path or a second transmission path.

[0363] In some embodiments, the first core network device switches the transmission path of the downlink data stream between a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on the wireless measurement results and a first rule.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first core network device splits the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule;

[0365] In some embodiments, the first transmission path is associated with a first access network, and the second transmission path is associated with a second access network.

[0366] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3103 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2106 in FIG2A, step S2206 in FIG2B, step S2303 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0367] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0368] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3B, this disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes steps S3201 and S3206.

[0369] In step S3201, the second core network device sends the first information to the first core network device.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first core network device receives first information sent by the second core network device.

[0371] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0372] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information; a first rule.

[0373] In some embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information may indicate a wireless measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first rule is used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal.

[0375] In some embodiments, the first rule includes a first condition, which indicates the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network serving the terminal.

[0376] In some embodiments, the first rule is determined by the second core network device based on the second radio measurement configuration information.

[0377] In some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0378] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3201 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2104 in FIG2A, step S2203 in FIG2B, step S2301 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0379] In step S3202, the first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service.

[0381] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3202 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2105 in FIG2A, step S2205 in FIG2B, step S2302 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0382] In step S3203, the first core network device sends the first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0383] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first wireless measurement configuration information sent by the first core network device.

[0384] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3203 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2106 in FIG2A, step S2206 in FIG2B, step S2303 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] In step S3204, the terminal performs wireless measurement in the access network according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0386] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3204 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2107 in FIG2A, step S2207 in FIG2B, step S2303 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0387] In step S3205, the terminal sends a measurement report to the first core network device.

[0388] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3205 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2108 in FIG2A, step S2208 in FIG2B, step S2305 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0389] In step S3206, the first core network device controls the transmission path of the downlink data stream based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule.

[0390] In some embodiments, the transmission path of the downlink data stream may include at least one of a first transmission path and a second transmission path.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first transmission path is associated with a first access network, and the second transmission path is associated with a second access network.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first core network device determines, based on wireless measurement results and a first rule, whether the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path or a second transmission path.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first core network device switches the transmission path of the downlink data stream between a first transmission path and a second transmission path based on the wireless measurement results and a first rule.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first core network device splits the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule;

[0395] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3206 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2109 in FIG2A, step S2209 in FIG2B, step S2306 in FIG2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, and FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0397] To better understand the embodiments of this disclosure, the following exemplary embodiments will be used to further illustrate this disclosure.

[0398] In some embodiments, the SMF determines the data flow control rules.

[0399] In one embodiment, the data flow control rule is used to control the transmission path used by the data flow when a first condition is met.

[0400] In one embodiment, the transmission path used by the control data stream when the first condition is met includes one of the following: the transmission path initially used by the data stream; splitting the data stream between two transmission paths; or switching between two transmission paths.

[0401] In one embodiment, the first condition indicates the coverage quality requirements of the wireless network serving the user.

[0402] In some embodiments, the coverage quality requirement of a wireless network serving a user refers to the requirement that a parameter value measuring the coverage quality of the wireless network meets a specified requirement. In one embodiment, the first condition includes at least one of the following: RSRP is greater than or less than a threshold; RSRQ is greater than or less than a threshold; SINR is greater than or less than a threshold.

[0403] In some embodiments, before determining the data flow control rules, the SMF determines first wireless measurement configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting event types; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0404] In some embodiments, before determining the first wireless measurement configuration information, the SMF receives second measurement configuration information that the terminal is executing from the terminal, wherein the second measurement configuration information is sent to the terminal by the wireless network, which includes 5G RAN and 6G RAN.

[0405] In some embodiments, the SMF determines the first measurement configuration information based on the second measurement configuration information.

[0406] In some embodiments, the SMF sends data flow control rules containing a first condition to the UPF or PMF.

[0407] In some embodiments, according to data flow control rules, the UPF or PMF sends a first wireless measurement configuration request to the terminal. The first wireless measurement configuration request includes a measurement reporting event type and a measurement reporting threshold.

[0408] In some embodiments, the terminal performs wireless measurements according to first wireless measurement configuration information, wherein the first wireless measurement configuration information is different from second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0409] In some embodiments, when the measurement result meets a threshold condition, the terminal performs a first wireless measurement report.

[0410] In some embodiments, the UPF or PMF performs data stream transmission path adjustment based on the first wireless measurement reporting results and data stream control rules.

[0411] In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a communication method, as shown in FIG4A, which is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The terminal simultaneously accesses 5GC and 6GC via 5G RAN and 6G RAN. The method may include steps 1 to 11.

[0412] Step 1. The terminal registers with the network using both 5G-RAN and 6G-RAN.

[0413] In some embodiments, the terminal performs registration with 5GC or 6GC using 5G-RAN and 6G-RAN respectively.

[0414] Step 2. The terminal sends an MA PDU session establishment request to AMF1.

[0415] In some embodiments, the terminal carries a PDU session establishment request of request type "MA PDU request" in the uplink (UL) NAS transport message, and provides the terminal's ATSSS capability in the PDU session establishment request.

[0416] In some embodiments, the PDU session establishment request can be sent via 5G-RAN or 6G-RAN. In this procedure, it is assumed that the PDU session establishment request is sent via 5G-RAN.

[0417] In some embodiments, the request type "MA PDU Request" can be used to indicate to the network that the PDU session establishment request is a request to establish a new MA PDU session, and to apply one or more routing functions to direct the traffic of the MA PDU session across multiple access networks.

[0418] Step 3. AMF1 selects an SMF that supports MA PDU sessions and sends an MA PDU session context creation request (Nsmf_MAPDUSession_CreateSMContext request) to the SMF.

[0419] In some embodiments, AMF1 can notify SMF that the request is for an MA PDU session by sending a PDU session context creation request, including an "MA PDU request" indication. In one embodiment, AMF1 also indicates to SMF whether the terminal is registered on both access networks.

[0420] Step 4. The SMF determines whether to allow the MA PDU session based on the session management subscription information. The SMF derives an N4 rule for the MA PDU session and sends the N4 rule to the UPF.

[0421] In some embodiments, the N4 rule can be used by the UPF to control traffic redirection, switching, and offloading in the downlink direction.

[0422] In some embodiments, the N4 rule may specify: "traffic descriptor: TCP, destination port: 8080", "steering mode: priority-based", and "threshold for event A2 is -80dBm". This N4 rule means that TCP traffic destined for port 8080 should be switched to the best quality serving cell; that is, if the serving cell's RSRP is less than -80dBm, the traffic should be switched from the current access network to another access network.

[0423] Step 5. UPF stores N4 rules.

[0424] Step 6. The SMF sends an N1N2 message transfer message (Namf_Communication_N1N2Message Transfer) to AMF1. This N1N2 message transfer message includes MA PDU session establishment accept information. Furthermore, the SMF instructs AMF1 that the N2SM information included in this N1N2 message transfer message should be sent through the 3GPP access network. AMF1 can mark the PDU session as an MA PDU session based on the received information indicating that the MA PDU session has been accepted.

[0425] Step 7. The terminal receives a PDU session establishment acceptance message, which indicates that the MA PDU session requested by the terminal has been successfully established.

[0426] Step 8. If the SMF was informed in Step 3 that the terminal has registered on both access networks, the SMF initiates the establishment of user plane resources on the 6G-RAN. The SMF sends an N1N2 message transfer message (Namf_Communication_N1N2Message Transfer) to AMF2. This N1N2 message transfer message includes information for N2SM, and the SMF instructs AMF2 that the N2SM information included in the N1N2 message transfer message should be sent through the 6G access network.

[0427] The N1N2 message transmission message does not include the N1SM container because the N1SM container is sent to the terminal in step 7.

[0428] Step 9. AMF2 sends N2PDU session establishment information to 6G-RAN to establish user plane resources on 6G-RAN.

[0429] Step 10. When the N2PDU session establishment information is received, the 6G-RAN initiates the RRC reconfiguration procedure to modify the RRC connection.

[0430] In some embodiments, after an MA PDU session is established, the terminal can use the MA PDU session for data exchange. For example, 5G-RAN has better coverage and quality than 6G-RAN, and based on the N4 rule, the terminal's downlink services are transmitted on the 5G-RAN user plane.

[0431] Step 11. When the N4 rule is received in step 4, the PMF in the UPF sends a PMFP RSRP measurement request to the terminal based on the measurement threshold. This PMFP RSRP measurement request may include measurement configuration.

[0432] In some embodiments, the measurement configuration may include: measurement reporting events (e.g., A1 events), RSRP thresholds, and other measurement information.

[0433] Step 12. Based on the received measurement configuration, the terminal performs RSRP measurement on the serving cell. If the RSRP measurement result is less than the RSRP threshold (e.g., -80dBm), the terminal should use the PMFP RSRP measurement report to report the measurement result to the UPF.

[0434] For example, since the serving cell of 5G-RAN provides better coverage, the terminal's downlink services use 5G-RAN as the transmission path. If the terminal receives the measurement configuration, it can measure the serving cells of both 5G-RAN and 6G-RAN. If the RSRP measurement result of the serving cell of 5G-RAN is less than -80dBm, it indicates that the coverage quality of the 5G-RAN serving cell has deteriorated, and the terminal should report a PMFP RSRP measurement report. After receiving the PMFP RSRP measurement report reported by the terminal, the UPF can switch the downlink service from 5G-RAN to 6G-RAN transmission based on the N4 rule.

[0435] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of the various steps in the communication method shown in this disclosure can be found in the related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, FIG2C, FIG3A and FIG3B, and will not be repeated here.

[0436] In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a communication method, as shown in FIG4B, which is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The terminal simultaneously accesses 5GC and 6GC via 5G RAN and 6G RAN. The method may include steps 1 to 11.

[0437] Step 1. The terminal registers with 5GC or 6GC using 5G-RAN and 6G-RAN respectively.

[0438] Steps 2 to 9: The terminal requests the network to establish an MA PDU session.

[0439] In some embodiments, the description of steps 2 to 9 can be found in the description of steps 2 to 10 in Figure 4A, and will not be repeated here.

[0440] Step 10. After the terminal successfully registers in both access networks, 5G-RAN and 6G-RAN can send access network measurement configurations to the terminal respectively.

[0441] Step 11. Based on the access network measurement configuration received from step 10, the terminal can send the access network measurement configuration to the SMF.

[0442] Step 12. The SMF determines the terminal's measurement capabilities based on the received access network measurement configuration, and determines the core network measurement configuration based on the terminal's measurement capabilities. The SMF updates the N4 rules based on the core network measurement configuration.

[0443] In some embodiments, the core network measurement configuration differs from the access network measurement configuration. For example, the RSRP threshold in the core network measurement configuration differs from the RSRP threshold in the access network measurement configuration.

[0444] In some embodiments, the RSRP threshold may be included in the N4 rule.

[0445] In some embodiments, the SMF can initiate an N4 session modification process to send the updated N4 rules to the UPF, thereby enabling the UPF to store the updated N4 rules.

[0446] Step 13. Based on the updated N4 rule, the PMF in the UPF sends a PMFP RSRP measurement request to the terminal to trigger the terminal to perform RSRP measurement. This PMFP RSRP measurement request may include a measurement configuration, which may include the measurement event type and the RSRP threshold.

[0447] Step 14. Based on the received measurement configuration, the terminal performs RSRP measurement on the serving cell. If the RSRP measurement result is less than the RSRP threshold (e.g., -80dBm), the terminal should use the PMFP RSRP measurement report to report the measurement result to the UPF.

[0448] In some embodiments, the description of step 14 can be found in the description of step 12 in FIG4A, and will not be repeated here.

[0449] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of the various steps in the communication method shown in this disclosure can be found in the related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG2A, FIG2B, FIG2C, FIG3A, FIG3B and FIG4A, and will not be repeated here.

[0450] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0451] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0452] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a CPU, microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0453] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 5100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the network device 5100 may include: a processing module 5101; the processing module 5101 is configured to determine first wireless measurement configuration information according to first information, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct a terminal to perform wireless measurements in an access network providing services, the first information being provided by a second core network device, and the first information being used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network. Optionally, the above processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first core network device in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2105, S2109, S2204, S2205, S2209, S2302, S2306, S3102, S3202, S3206, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the network device 5100 may further include a transceiver module, which is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first core network device in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2104, S2106, S2108, S2203, S2206, S2208, S2301, S2303, S2305, S3101, S3103, S3201, S3203, S3205, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0454] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct a second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for the terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of the terminal's downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, and the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0455] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to update the first rule based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0456] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0457] In some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0458] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a measurement report sent by the terminal, wherein the measurement report contains wireless measurement results, which are obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0459] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to perform one of the following: determining, based on wireless measurement results and a first rule, whether the downlink data stream uses a first transmission path or a second transmission path; switching the transmission path of the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path based on wireless measurement results and the first rule; and splitting the downlink data stream between the first transmission path and the second transmission path based on wireless measurement results and the first rule; wherein the first transmission path is associated with a first access network, and the second transmission path is associated with a second access network.

[0460] In some embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirements are determined based on at least one of the following: the received strength of the reference signal; the received quality of the reference signal; and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the reference signal.

[0461] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0462] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0463] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is carried in a measurement request message, which is used to request the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network. The measurement request message is sent through the user plane.

[0464] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a terminal structure according to an exemplary embodiment. Terminal 5200 may include a transceiver module 5201, configured to receive first radio measurement configuration information sent by a first core network device. The first radio measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform radio measurements in the access network providing the service. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2106, S2108, S2206, S2208, S2303, S2305, S3103, S3203, S3205, etc., but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated further here. Optionally, terminal 5200 may also include a processing module, which is used to perform at least one of other steps (e.g., S2107, S2207, S2304, S3204, etc., but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0465] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform wireless measurements in the access network according to first wireless measurement configuration information; the transceiver module is configured to send a measurement report to a first core network device, wherein the measurement report includes wireless measurement results, which are the results obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

[0466] In some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream is carried in the first access network and / or the second access network.

[0467] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0468] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0469] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information is determined by a first core network device based on first information provided by a second core network device, the first information being used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

[0470] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct a second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for a terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of a downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0471] In some embodiments, the second wireless measurement configuration information is determined by the second core network device based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

[0472] In some embodiments, the terminal's measurement capabilities are provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the terminal's measurement capabilities are provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

[0473] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to receive second information sent by an access network device, the second information being used to indicate the measurement capabilities of the terminal; and to send the second information to a second core network device.

[0474] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to receive third information sent by the second core network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0475] Figure 5C is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 5300 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5C, the network device 5300 may include a transceiver module 5301, configured to send first information to a first core network device. The first information is used by the first core network device to determine first radio measurement configuration information. The first radio measurement configuration information is used to instruct a terminal to perform radio measurements in the access network providing services. The first information is also used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2201, S2204, S2301, S3101, S3201, but not limited thereto) performed by the second core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated further here. Optionally, the network device 5300 may also include a processing module for performing at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, S2202, but not limited thereto) performed by the second core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0476] In some embodiments, the access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

[0477] In some embodiments, the first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of first configuration information and second configuration information; wherein the first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; the second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

[0478] In some embodiments, the wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: measurement parameters; measurement reporting events; and measurement reporting thresholds.

[0479] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: second wireless measurement configuration information, which is used to instruct a second core network device to determine a wireless measurement configuration for a terminal, the wireless measurement configuration being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; and a first rule, which is used to control the transmission path of a downlink data stream, the first rule including a first condition, the first condition being used to instruct the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, the first rule being determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

[0480] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to determine second wireless measurement configuration information based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

[0481] In some embodiments, the terminal's measurement capabilities are provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the terminal's measurement capabilities are provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

[0482] In some embodiments, the terminal's measurement capabilities are indicated by second information, which is sent from the access network device to the terminal and then from the terminal to the second core network device.

[0483] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send third information to the terminal or access network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

[0484] In some embodiments, the wireless coverage quality requirements are determined based on at least one of the following: the received strength of the reference signal; the received quality of the reference signal; and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the reference signal.

[0485] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0486] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0487] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceivers 6103 perform communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2106, S2108, S2201, S2203, S2206, S2208, S2301, S2303, S2305, S3101, S3103, S3201, S3203, S3204). At least one of the following steps (but not limited to) is performed by the processor 6101: Step S2102, Step S2103, Step S2105, Step S2107, Step S2109, Step S2202, Step S2204, Step S2205, Step S2207, Step S2209, Step S2302, Step S2304, Step S2306, Step S3102, Step S3202, Step S3204, Step S3206, but not limited to. In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0488] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6102 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0489] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0490] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of a chip structure according to an exemplary embodiment. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0491] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0492] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0493] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps 2101, S2104, S2106, S2108, S2201, S2203, S2206, S2208, S2301, S2303, S2305, S3101, S3103, S3201, S3203, S3205, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 6202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, S2105, S2107, S2109, S2202, S2204, S2205, S2207, S2209, S2302, S2304, S2306, S3102, S3202, S3204, S3206, but not limited thereto).

[0494] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0495] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0496] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0497] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0498] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0499] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, executed by a first core network device, the method comprising: Based on the first information, first wireless measurement configuration information is determined. The first wireless measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service. The first information is provided by the second core network device and is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: The second wireless measurement configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal, and the wireless measurement configuration is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; The first rule is used to control the transmission path of the downlink data stream of the terminal. The first rule includes a first condition, which is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network. The first rule is determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The method further includes: The first rule is updated based on the second wireless measurement configuration information, wherein the first information includes the second wireless measurement configuration information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The method further includes: The first wireless measurement configuration information is sent to the terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal receives a measurement report, wherein the measurement report contains wireless measurement results, which are obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The method also includes one of the following: Based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, it is determined whether the downlink data stream uses the first transmission path or the second transmission path; Based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, the transmission path of the downlink data stream is switched between the first transmission path and the second transmission path; Based on the wireless measurement results and the first rule, the downlink data stream is split between the first transmission path and the second transmission path; The first transmission path is associated with the first access network, and the second transmission path is associated with the second access network.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The wireless coverage quality requirements are determined based on at least one of the following: The received strength of the reference signal; The quality of the reference signal reception; The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SIR) of the reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information; wherein, The first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; The second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: Measurement parameters; Measurement report event; Measurement report threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The first wireless measurement configuration information is carried in a measurement request message, which is used to request the terminal to perform wireless measurement in the access network. The measurement request message is sent through the user plane.

12. A communication method, executed by a terminal, the method comprising: The terminal receives first wireless measurement configuration information sent by a first core network device, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The method further includes: Based on the first wireless measurement configuration information, perform wireless measurement in the access network; A measurement report is sent to the first core network device, wherein the measurement report includes wireless measurement results, which are obtained by the terminal performing measurements according to the first wireless measurement configuration information.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream is carried in the first access network and / or the second access network.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, The first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information; wherein, The first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; The second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: Measurement parameters; Measurement report event; Measurement report threshold.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, The first wireless measurement configuration information is determined by the first core network device based on the first information provided by the second core network device, and the first information is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: The second wireless measurement configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal, and the wireless measurement configuration is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; The first rule, which controls the transmission path of downlink data streams, includes a first condition indicating the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network. The first rule is determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The second wireless measurement configuration information is determined by the second core network device based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal receives second information sent by the access network device, the second information being used to indicate the terminal's measurement capabilities; Send the second information to the second core network device.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal receives a third message sent by the second core network device, the third message being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

23. A communication method, executed by a second core network device, the method comprising: Send first information to a first core network device. The first information is used by the first core network device to determine first radio measurement configuration information. The first radio measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to perform radio measurements in the access network providing services. The first information is also used to indicate the radio coverage quality requirements of the access network.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The access network includes at least one of a first access network and a second access network, and the downlink data stream of the terminal is carried in at least one of the first access network and the second access network.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein, The first wireless measurement configuration information includes at least one of a first configuration information and a second configuration information; wherein, The first configuration information indicates the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the first access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the first configuration information is determined by the first core network device; The second configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration of the terminal in the second access network, and the wireless measurement configuration indicated by the second configuration information is determined by the first core network device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The wireless measurement configuration includes at least one of the following: Measurement parameters; Measurement report event; Measurement report threshold.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: The second wireless measurement configuration information is used to indicate the wireless measurement configuration determined by the second core network device for the terminal, and the wireless measurement configuration is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network; The first rule, which controls the transmission path of downlink data streams, includes a first condition indicating the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network. The first rule is determined by the second core network device based on the second wireless measurement configuration information.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein, The method further includes: The second wireless measurement configuration information is determined based on the measurement capabilities of the terminal.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the access network device to the second core network device, or the measurement capability of the terminal is provided by the terminal to the second core network device.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein, The measurement capability of the terminal is indicated by second information, which is sent to the terminal by the access network device and then sent by the terminal to the second core network device.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein, The method further includes: Send third information to the terminal or the access network device, the third information being used to request the terminal's measurement capabilities.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein, The wireless coverage quality requirements are determined based on at least one of the following: The received strength of the reference signal; The quality of the reference signal reception; The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SIR) of the reference signal.

33. A communication method, wherein, For use in a communication system, the method includes: The second core network device sends first information to the first core network device. The first information is used to indicate the wireless coverage quality requirements of the access network, which provides services to the terminal. The first core network device determines the first wireless measurement configuration information based on the first information; The first core network device sends first wireless measurement configuration information to the terminal, the first wireless measurement configuration information being used to instruct the terminal to perform wireless measurements in the access network providing the service.

34. A communication device, wherein, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, 12 to 22, and 23 to 32.

35. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal, a first core network device, and a second core network device, wherein the first core network device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 11, the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 12 to 22, and the second core network device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 23 to 32.

36. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, 12 to 22, and 23 to 32.

37. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by the communication device, it implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, 12 to 22, and 23 to 32.

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