Time indicating method, apparatus, device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application discloses a time indication method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium, which relate to the field of mobile communications. The method is performed by a first access network device, and the first access network device provides a serving cell to a terminal. The method includes a step of the first access network device transmitting first information to a neighboring cell, the first information being used to indicate a time for the terminal to switch to the neighboring cell. In a solution provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the serving cell provides a strategy for the time for the terminal to switch to the neighboring cell to the neighboring cell, and notifies the neighboring cell of the time required for the terminal to switch, thereby reserving a switching time for the terminal, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal handover, and ensuring communication reliability.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular to a time indication method, apparatus, device and storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In mobile communication systems, NTN (Non-terrestrial Network) network communication systems have been proposed. These NTN networks use satellites as access network devices to provide terminals with a communication transmission network. However, because the location of access network devices within the NTN network may change, a large number of terminals must initiate random access to complete cell switching, which may cause congestion and lead to random access failure. Therefore, a cell switching method based on the NTN network is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a time indication method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium that eliminate congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improve the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensure the reliability of communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indication method, the method being performed by a first access network device, the first access network device providing a serving cell to a terminal, the method comprising: transmitting first information to a neighboring cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indication method, the method being performed by a second access network device, the second access network device covering a neighboring cell corresponding to a serving cell; The method comprises: receiving first information transmitted from the serving cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indication method, the method being executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell; and monitoring uplink scheduling information transmitted from a neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information; Here, the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell will transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell will transmit the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indication apparatus, the apparatus being disposed in a first access network device, the first access network device providing a serving cell to a terminal; The apparatus comprises: a transmitting module configured to transmit first information to a neighboring cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indication apparatus, the apparatus being disposed in a second access network device, the second access network device covering a neighboring cell corresponding to a serving cell; the apparatus comprises: a receiving module configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell. According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a time indicating device, said device being arranged in a terminal, a receiving module configured to receive the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell; and a monitoring module configured to monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information; Here, the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell will transmit the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell will transmit the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a terminal comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory storing executable instructions for the processor, the processor being configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided an access network device comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory storing executable instructions for the processor, the processor being configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication system including a terminal and an access network device, wherein the terminal is used to implement the time indication method described in the above aspect, and the access network device is used to implement the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having executable program code stored thereon, the executable program code being loaded and executed by a processor to implement the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip including programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, which, when executed on a terminal or an access network device, implements the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor of a terminal or an access network device, realises the time indication method described in the above aspect.

[0015] In the solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the serving cell provides the neighboring cell with a plan for the time for the terminal to switch to the neighboring cell, and notifies the neighboring cell of the time required for the terminal to switch, thereby reserving switching time for the terminal, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring communication reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that need to be used to describe the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present application. Anyone ordinary skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative efforts. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of another time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of another time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of another time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When referring to the drawings in the following description, unless otherwise noted, like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. On the contrary, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0019] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the term "and / or," as used herein, means the inclusion of any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0020] It should be understood that although the present application may use terms such as first, second, and third to describe various pieces of information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish between the same types of information. For example, first information may be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of the present application. Depending on the context, the word "if" used herein may be interpreted as "when," "at," or "depending on," or "depending on the decision."

[0021] Please note that all information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.), data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) and signals related to this application have been authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of related data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant countries and regions.

[0022] The application scenario of this application is described as follows.

[0023] 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which includes a terminal device 10 and a network device, which may include at least one of an access network device 20.

[0024] The terminal device 10 may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a 5th Generation System (5GS) terminal device, or a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) terminal device, although non-limiting examples of the present application may be such. For ease of explanation, the above devices will be collectively referred to as a terminal device. The number of terminal devices 10 is usually plural, and one or more terminal devices 10 may be distributed within a cell managed by each access network device 20.

[0025] The access network device 20 is a device disposed in an access network to provide wireless communication functions to the terminal device 10. The access network equipment 20 includes various types of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, etc. In systems using different radio access technologies, the name of a device having access network device functions may differ. For example, in a 5G NR system, it is called a gNodeB or gNB. As communication technologies evolve, the name "access network device" may also change. For convenience of explanation, in the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned devices providing wireless communication functions to the terminal device 10 are collectively referred to as access network devices. Optionally, a communication relationship can be established between the terminal device 10 and a core network device 21 via the access network device 20. For example, in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the access network device 20 may be an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) or one or more eNodeBs in the EUTRAN. In a 5G NR system, the access network device 20 may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) or one or more gNBs in the RAN.

[0026] Illustratively, each access network device 20 includes one or more Transmission Reference Points (TRPs), each of which can be referred to as a positioning node, and the terminal device receives downlink positioning signals transmitted from the positioning nodes and measures and reports the downlink positioning signals.

[0027] The "5G NR system" in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a 5G system or an NR system, and those skilled in the art will understand the meaning thereof. The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to the 5G NR system and also to subsequent evolution systems of the 5G NR system.

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in a Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, an Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, a New Radio (NR) system, an evolution system of the NR system, an LTE based access to Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, an NR-U system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIM) system, a LTE-based access to Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, a NR-U system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), a LTE-based access to Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U), a NR-U system, ... The present invention can be applied to various communication systems such as WiMAX (Wireless Access) communication systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), next generation communication systems, and other communication systems.

[0029] In some embodiments, the communication system shown in Figure 1 is applied to an NTN network architecture. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the NTN network architecture includes a terminal 10, a forwarding device 30, and a ground station 40.

[0030] Among them, the forwarding device 30 and the ground station 40 can be understood as the access network device 20 in the above embodiment, and the access network device 20 includes a control module providing gNB functionality, and the forwarding device 30 and the ground station 40 communicate via a feeder link to form an NTN service link issuing system. The forwarding device 30 and the ground station 40 are controlled by an NTN control module connected to the control module providing gNB functionality, and the terminal 10 communicates with the forwarding device 30 via an NR-Uu (communication interface), and the control module providing gNB functionality communicates with the 5GC network via an NG (communication interface).

[0031] In the embodiment of the present application, when a signal needs to be transmitted to the terminal 10 , the signal is first transmitted to the forwarding device 30 and the ground station 40 , and the forwarding device 30 and the ground station 40 forward the received signal to the terminal 10 .

[0032] Alternatively, the transfer device 30 may be a satellite, a drone, or other device with transfer capabilities, and examples of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0033] In some embodiments, there may be multiple forwarding devices 30, and each forwarding device 30 manages at least one cell, i.e., the forwarding device 30 needs to configure the parameter settings of each cell for the terminal. For details, please refer to the following examples.

[0034] For example, the forwarding device 30 is a satellite. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, satellite 1 and satellite 2 are connected to the gNB functional module via one satellite gateway, that is, satellite 1 and satellite 2 use the same parameter settings to set up cells for terminals, so that the cells managed by satellite 1 and satellite 2 can use the same parameter settings.

[0035] Different satellites serve different cells, e.g. the cell served by satellite 1 is cell 1 and the cell served by satellite 2 is cell 2.

[0036] Alternatively, in addition to what is shown in Figure 3, satellite 1 and satellite 2 are each connected to the Gnb functional module via two satellite gateways, that is, satellite 1 and satellite 2 use different parameter settings.

[0037] It should be noted that the NTN network architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only, and the present application is not limited to the network architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, and other types of network structures are also applicable.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be illustratively applied to the access network device shown in FIG. 1, and which includes at least part of the following content:

[0039] Step 401: A first access network device sends first information to a neighboring cell, which is used to indicate when a terminal switches to the neighboring cell. Here, the first access network device provides a serving cell for the terminal, which is a cell that the terminal currently accesses and can provide service to the terminal.

[0040] In addition, the neighboring cell is a target cell to which the terminal needs to switch. In the embodiment of the present application, the number of neighboring cells may be multiple, and the multiple neighboring cells are all candidate target cells to which the terminal may switch. That is, the first access network device sends first information to each of the multiple neighboring cells to notify each neighboring cell of the time when the terminal will switch to the neighboring cell.

[0041] In addition, the embodiments of the present application are described by taking an example in which a first access network device transmits first information to a neighboring cell. In another embodiment, the first access network device covers a serving cell, and the first access network device transmitting the first information to a neighboring cell can also be understood as the serving cell transmitting the first information to the neighboring cell. Alternatively, the first access network device transmitting the first information to a second access network device can also be understood as the first access network device transmitting the first information to a second access network device.

[0042] Step 402: A second access network device receives first information sent from a serving cell.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present application, when a first access network device (also referred to as a serving cell) transmits first information to a second access network device (neighboring cell), the second access network device (neighboring cell) can receive the first information transmitted from the first access network device (serving cell).

[0044] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the steps performed by the terminal can independently form a new embodiment, the steps performed by the access network device can independently form a new embodiment, and the steps performed by the core network device can also independently form a new embodiment.

[0045] In the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, the serving cell provides the neighboring cell with a scheme for the time for the terminal to switch to the neighboring cell, and notifies the neighboring cell of the time required for the terminal to switch, thereby reserving switching time for the terminal, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring communication reliability.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be illustratively applied to the access network device shown in FIG. 1, and which includes at least part of the following content:

[0047] Step 501: The first access network device sends second information to a neighboring cell, where the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for the neighboring cell to transmit uplink scheduling information to a terminal.

[0048] Step 502: A second access network device receives second information sent from a serving cell.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device (serving cell) transmits second information to a neighboring cell (second access network device), which is used to indicate a desired duration for the neighboring cell to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the neighboring cell (second access network device) receives the second information transmitted from the serving cell (first access network device).

[0050] The uplink scheduling information is used by the terminal to switch to the neighboring cell, so that the terminal does not need to access the neighboring cell through random access, and the terminal directly transmits data to the neighboring cell (target cell) based on the uplink scheduling information, thereby saving the terminal the process of switching to the neighboring cell, saving the terminal overhead, and improving switching efficiency.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device predicts the time when the terminal will switch to a neighboring cell, and also indicates to the neighboring cell a desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal, so that the time length used by the neighboring cell to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal can refer to the desired duration.

[0052] For example, the desired duration may be 2 ms (milliseconds), 3 ms, or other values, but is not limited to these in the examples of this application.

[0053] In the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device indicates to a neighboring cell a desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to a terminal, and the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information based on the indicated desired duration, so as to reserve switching time for the terminal, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring communication reliability.

[0054]

[0023] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application are described by taking an example in which the serving cell transmits the second information to the neighboring cell. In another embodiment, the neighboring cell may also report an actual duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the serving cell. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the access network device shown in Figure 1, and which includes at least a part of the following content:

[0055] Step 601: A second access network device sends third information to a serving cell, which is used to indicate an actual duration for which a neighboring cell sends uplink scheduling information to a terminal.

[0056] Step 602: The first access network device receives second information transmitted from a neighboring cell.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present application, the neighboring cell (second access network device) transmits third information to the first access network device (serving cell), which is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the serving cell (first access network device) receives the third information transmitted from the neighboring cell (second access network device).

[0058] In an embodiment of the present application, the neighboring cell actually records the length of time required to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal and also reports the actual duration of transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0059] For example, this actual duration may be 2 ms (milliseconds), 3 ms, or other values, but is not limited to these in the examples of this application.

[0060] It should be noted that data transmission between the serving cell and the neighboring cell may occur in any of the following situations:

[0061] First type: After the serving cell transmits the first information to the neighboring cell, the neighboring cell can report the third information to the serving cell.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present application, the serving cell does not indicate to the neighboring cells the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information, so the neighboring cells can determine the duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal by themselves and report the actual duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0063] Second type: After the serving cell transmits the first information and the second information to the neighboring cell, the neighboring cell can report the third information to the serving cell.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, the serving cell indicates the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the neighboring cells, so that the neighboring cells can determine the duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal by themselves or according to the desired duration, and report the actual duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0065] Third type: The serving cell transmits the first information and the second information to the neighboring cell, and the neighboring cell does not report the third information to the serving cell.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present application, the serving cell indicates the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the neighboring cells, so that the neighboring cells can determine the duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal by themselves or according to the desired duration, and the neighboring cells do not need to report the actual duration for transmitting the uplink scheduling information to the serving cell.

[0067] 4 illustrates the first information transmitted from the serving cell to the neighboring cells. Hereinafter, the information specifically included in the first information will be described.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first time period, where the first information is used to indicate when the neighboring cell and the terminal perform the switchover, and the first time point or any time point within the first time period can also be understood as when the neighboring cell and the terminal start to perform the switchover.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal does not need to switch to the neighboring cell by random access, but is directly switched to the neighboring cell by direct scheduling by the neighboring cell, so this first information indicates the time when the neighboring cell starts scheduling the terminal.

[0070] Optionally, the first information includes a first time point, which is used to indicate a time point at which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, i.e., the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at the first time point.

[0071] Optionally, the first information includes a first period, and the first period is used to indicate that the time when the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal belongs to the first period, i.e., the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first period.

[0072] In addition, the embodiments of the present application describe the timing at which a neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal, and the neighboring cell continues to transmit the uplink scheduling information for a certain period of time, so that the neighboring cell continues to transmit the uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the certain period of time.

[0073] In some embodiments, the duration for which the neighbor cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal is the desired duration indicated by the second information.

[0074] Here, the desired duration indicated by the second information is the same as in the above embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0075] Also, in an embodiment of the present application, when the serving cell sets the second information to the neighboring cell, i.e., when the serving cell sets the desired duration length of the serving cell to the neighboring cell, the neighboring cell can transmit uplink scheduling information according to the desired duration length desired by the serving cell.

[0076] In some embodiments, the duration for which the neighbor cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal is the actual duration indicated by the third information.

[0077] Here, the actual duration indicated by the third information is the same as in the above embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0078] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the serving cell may or may not configure the second information for the neighboring cells, but all the neighboring cells transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to their own needs. In addition, the neighboring cells can transmit the uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the actual duration of their needs. Furthermore, the neighboring cells can also report the actual duration for transmitting the uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the second information and the third information are described, and for a neighboring cell, the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal based on the time indicated by the first information and the duration indicated by the second information or the third information. Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be exemplarily applied to the access network device and the terminal shown in Figure 1. The method includes at least part of the following contents:

[0080] Step 701: A second access network device sends uplink scheduling information to a terminal based on a time indicated by the first information and a duration indicated by the second information or the third information.

[0081] Step 702: The terminal receives uplink scheduling information sent from a second access network device.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information indicates the time when the terminal switches to the neighboring cell. Specifically, the second access network device determines a time to transmit uplink scheduling information based on the first information, transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at this time, and transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the duration indicated by the second information or the third information.

[0083] Optionally, the first information includes a first time point, which is used to indicate a time point at which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, i.e., the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at the first time point.

[0084] Optionally, the first information includes a first period, and the first period is used to indicate that the time when the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal belongs to the first period, i.e., the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first period.

[0085] Furthermore, after transmitting the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at a predetermined time, the second access network device transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to a duration indicated by the second information or the third information.

[0086] Optionally, the second access network device transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the desired duration indicated by the second information.

[0087] Optionally, the second access network device transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the actual duration length indicated by the third information.

[0088] It should be noted that the second access network device in the embodiments of the present application corresponds to a neighboring cell, that is, the embodiments of the present application can be understood as the neighboring cell transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal based on the time indicated by the first information and the duration indicated by the second information or the third information.

[0089] The above embodiments describe information transmitted between a serving cell and a neighboring cell, and the serving cell may further transmit second information or third information to the terminal so that the terminal can monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell.

[0090] 8 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be exemplarily applied to the access network device and the terminal shown in FIG. 1. The method includes at least part of the following contents:

[0091] Step 801: The first access network device sends second information or third information to the terminal, where the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0092] Step 802: The terminal receives the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell.

[0093] In an embodiment of the present application, after the first access network device determines the second information or the third information, the first access network device can transmit the determined second information or the third information to the terminal. The second information or the third information indicates the duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information after receiving the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell.

[0094] In some embodiments, after the serving cell transmits the first information to the neighboring cell, the neighboring cell can report the third information to the serving cell, i.e., the neighboring cell reports the third information, the serving cell obtains the third information, and thus the serving cell can transmit the third information to the terminal.

[0095] In another embodiment, after the serving cell transmits the first information and the second information to the neighboring cell, the neighboring cell reports the third information to the serving cell, that is, the serving cell not only obtains the second information but also obtains the third information, and the information transmitted from the serving cell to the terminal includes any of the following situations:

[0096] (1) The serving cell transmits third information to the terminal, where the second information is a desired duration for which the serving cell desires that the neighboring cell transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is an actual duration for which the neighboring cell actually transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, so that the serving cell transmits the third information to the terminal, and the terminal can monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell within the actual duration.

[0097] (2) The serving cell transmits second information to the terminal, where the second information is a desired duration for which the serving cell desires that the neighboring cell transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is an actual duration for which the neighboring cell actually transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, so that the serving cell transmits the second information to the terminal, and the terminal can monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell according to the desired duration.

[0098] Step 803: The terminal monitors uplink scheduling information sent from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information.

[0099] In an embodiment of the present application, the serving cell notifies the terminal of the duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information, and the terminal can monitor the uplink scheduling information based on the duration indicated by the determined second information or third information.

[0100] In some embodiments, the uplink scheduling information is carried on a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), so that the terminal monitors the PDCCH based on the second information or the third information, and further monitors and obtains uplink scheduling information transmitted from neighboring cells.

[0101] In the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal monitors uplink scheduling information transmitted from neighboring cells according to a time length indicated by the serving cell, and then the terminal can switch to the neighboring cell according to the monitored uplink scheduling information, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring communication reliability.

[0102] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application are described with reference to an example in which the terminal can monitor uplink scheduling information. In another embodiment, the terminal may not be able to monitor uplink scheduling information within a duration. In this case, if the terminal does not monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from a neighboring cell within a time period corresponding to the second information or the third information, the terminal initiates a random access process. That is, the terminal switches to the neighboring cell through the random access process.

[0103] It should be noted that the above embodiments can be divided into new embodiments or combined with other embodiments to form new embodiments, and the present application does not limit the combination of embodiments. 9 shows a block diagram of a time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the device is disposed in a first access network device, and the first access network device covers a serving cell. Referring to FIG. 9, the device includes: The method includes the steps of: providing a transmitting module 901 configured to transmit first information to a neighboring cell, the first information being used to indicate when a terminal should switch to the neighboring cell;

[0104] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 901 is further configured to transmit second information to the neighboring cell; The second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0105] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 10, the device further comprises: a receiving module 902 configured to receive third information transmitted from the neighboring cell; The third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 901 further comprises: configured to transmit second information or third information to the terminal; The terminal is configured to monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first time period.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first information includes the first time point, and the first time point is used to indicate a time point when the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal; or The first information includes a first period, and the first period is used to indicate that a time when the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal belongs to the first period.

[0109] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiments uses the above functional module division as an example only to realize its functions. In actual applications, the above functions can be allocated to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to realize all or part of the above functions. Furthermore, the device and method embodiments provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and their specific implementation processes are detailed in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0110] 11 shows a block diagram of a time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the device is disposed in a second access network device, and the second access network device covers a neighboring cell corresponding to a serving cell. Referring to FIG. 11, the device comprises: The terminal includes a receiving module 1101 configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell, the first information being used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell.

[0111] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1101 is further configured to receive second information transmitted from the serving cell; The second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0112] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 12, the device further comprises: a transmitting module 1102 configured to transmit third information to the serving cell; The third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first time period.

[0114] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 12, the apparatus further includes a transmitting module 1102 .

[0115] The first information includes a first time point, and the transmitting module 1102 transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at the first time point; or or The first information includes a first time period, and the transmitting module 1102 transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first time period.

[0116] In some embodiments, the duration for transmitting the uplink scheduling information is a desired duration indicated by the second information or an actual duration indicated by the third information.

[0117] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiments uses the above functional module division as an example only to realize its functions. In actual applications, the above functions can be allocated to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to realize all or part of the above functions. Furthermore, the device and method embodiments provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and their specific implementation processes are detailed in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0118] 13 shows a block diagram of a time indicating device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 13, the device includes: a receiving module 1301 configured to receive second information or third information transmitted from a serving cell, wherein the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0119] Based on the second information or the third information, uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell is monitored.

[0120] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 14, the device further comprises: a processing module 1302 configured to initiate a random access procedure if the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell is not monitored within a time length corresponding to the second information or the third information.

[0121] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiments uses the above functional module division as an example only to realize its functions. In actual applications, the above functions can be allocated to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to realize all or part of the above functions. Furthermore, the device and method embodiments provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and their specific implementation processes are detailed in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0122] 15 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes a processor 1501, a receiver 1502, a transmitter 1503, a memory 1504, and a bus 1505.

[0123] The processor 1501 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 1501 executes software programs and modules to perform various functional applications and information processing.

[0124] The receiver 1502 and the transmitter 1503 may be implemented as communication components such as a communication chip.

[0125] The memory 1504 is connected to the processor 1501 via a bus 1505 .

[0126] The memory 1504 is used to store at least one program code, and the processor 1501 executes the at least one program code to implement each step of the above method embodiments.

[0127] The communication device may also be a terminal or an access network device. The memory 1504 may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device, including, but not limited to, a magnetic or optical disk, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a programmable read-only memory (PROM), or a combination thereof.

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, the computer-readable storage medium storing executable program code, the executable program code being loaded and executed by a processor to realize the time indication method performed by a communication device provided by each of the above method embodiments. In exemplary embodiments, a chip is provided that includes programmable logic circuitry and / or program instructions that, when executed on a terminal or access network device, implement the time indication method provided by each method embodiment.

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment, a communication system is provided, including a terminal, an access network device, and a core network device, wherein the terminal implements the aforementioned time indication method and the access network device implements the aforementioned time indication method.

[0130] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor of a terminal or an access network device, implements the time indication method provided by each of the method embodiments above.

[0131] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps for implementing the above embodiments can be achieved by hardware or by instructing relevant hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may be a read-only memory, a disk, an optical disk, etc.

[0132] The above description is only an arbitrary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A time indication method performed by a first access network device, comprising: the first access network device provides a serving cell to the terminal; The method comprises: transmitting first information to a neighboring cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell. A time indication method.

2. transmitting second information to the neighboring cell; The second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 .

3. receiving third information transmitted from the neighboring cell; The third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. further comprising the step of transmitting second information or third information to the terminal; The terminal is configured to monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first time period.

2. The method of claim 1 .

6. The first information includes the first time point, and the first time point is used to indicate a time point when the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal; or The first information includes the first period, and the first period is used to indicate that a time point at which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal belongs to the first period.

6. The method of claim 5.

7. A time indication method performed by a second access network device, comprising: the second access network device covers a neighboring cell corresponding to the serving cell; The method comprises: receiving first information transmitted from the serving cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell. A time indication method.

8. receiving second information transmitted from the serving cell; The second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

8. The method of claim 7.

9. transmitting third information to the serving cell; The third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first time period.

8. The method of claim 7.

11. the first information includes the first time point, and transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal at the first time point; or The first information includes the first period, and transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first period.

11. The method of claim 10.

12. The duration for transmitting the uplink scheduling information is a desired duration indicated by the second information or an actual duration indicated by the third information.

12. The method of claim 11 .

13. A time indication method executed by a terminal, comprising: receiving the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell; and monitoring uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information; Here, the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal. A time indication method.

14. and initiating a random access procedure if the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell is not monitored within a time period corresponding to the second information or the third information.

14. The method of claim 13.

15. A time indicating device disposed in a first access network device, comprising: the first access network device provides a serving cell to the terminal; The apparatus comprises a transmitting module configured to transmit first information to a neighboring cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell. A time indicating device characterized by:

16. a time indicating device disposed in a second access network device, the time indicating device comprising: the second access network device covers a neighboring cell corresponding to the serving cell; the apparatus comprises: a receiving module configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell; The first information is used to indicate when the terminal should switch to the neighboring cell. A time indicating device characterized by:

17. A time indicating device disposed in a terminal, a receiving module configured to receive the second information or the third information transmitted from the serving cell; and a monitoring module configured to monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from the neighboring cell based on the second information or the third information; Here, the second information is used to indicate a desired duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate an actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal. A time indicating device characterized by:

18. A terminal, processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor; The processor is configured to load and execute executable instructions to implement the time indication method of any one of claims 13 to 14. A terminal characterized by:

19. 1. An access network device, comprising: processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor; The processor is configured to load and execute executable instructions to implement the time indication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

1. An access network device comprising:

20. 1. A communication system comprising: The communication system includes a terminal, an access network device and a core network device, the terminal being used to implement the time indication method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, and the access network device being used to implement the time indication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A communication system comprising:

21. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer-readable storage medium stores executable program code, and the executable program code is loaded and executed by a processor to realize the time indication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising:

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