Communication methods and devices

Abstract

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus. The method includes the following: After a terminal device receives a first message from a first network device, a second message transmitted by the terminal device to a second network device includes instruction information when a first condition is met. According to this method, the second network device obtains the instruction information only once, rather than multiple times, thereby avoiding problems such as the waste of air interface resources caused by the occupation of numerous air interface resources between the terminal device and the network device. Furthermore, since communication between the terminal device and the network device can be reduced, communication interference to other terminal devices can be reduced, and power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310309453.1, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on March 17, 2023, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202311506878.8, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on November 10, 2023. The entire contents of both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field] The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and particularly to communication methods and apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have attracted much attention due to their small size, high mobility, and low cost. With the maturity of unmanned operation technology, UAVs can fly based on multiple flight modes. The fixed mode is one of the multiple flight modes. When a UAV flies in the fixed mode, the UAV needs to determine the flight path of the UAV in advance and report the flight path to a network device. The network device executes network configuration based on the flight path to manage and control the UAV and ensure the safe flight of the UAV.

[0003] During the flight process, the UAV passes through the coverage areas of multiple network devices, and as a result, handovers occur between different network devices. How to enable the network device to which the UAV is handed over to obtain the latest flight path is an urgent problem to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for solving the problem that network devices cannot acquire the latest flight path after a handover.

[0005] According to a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a terminal device or a module or chip within a terminal device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a terminal device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: a terminal device receives a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device; the terminal device sends a second message to the second network device, the second message including instruction information, which indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly.

[0006] In this method, when the first condition is met, the second message transmitted by the terminal device to the second network device includes instruction information, thereby effectively ensuring that the second network device can acquire the flight path of the terminal device in a timely manner. Furthermore, the second network device acquires the instruction information only once, rather than multiple times, avoiding problems such as the waste of air interface resources caused by the occupation of numerous air interface resources between the terminal device and the network device. In addition, since communication between the terminal device and the network device can be reduced, communication interference to other terminal devices can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0007] In a possible design, the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit instruction information to the first network device, or the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device. This design provides a method for determining the first condition.

[0008] In a possible design, the condition that a terminal device does not send instruction information to a first network device may include the following: The terminal device does not send instruction information to the first network device before it receives a first message from the first network device. This design provides a method for determining the first condition.

[0009] In a possible design, the inclusion of instructional information in the second message when the first condition is met may include the following: When the first and second conditions are met, the second message includes instructional information, and the second condition may include the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path being within a predetermined range, where the first flight path is the flight path obtained by updating the second flight path. This design provides a mechanism for determining whether or not the second message includes instructional information.

[0010] In possible designs, the condition that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range may include the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the arrival time difference between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range. The method provides multiple solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0011] In a possible design, the method may further include: a terminal device sends a third message to a second network device, and when the second message contains instructional information, the third message does not contain instructional information.

[0012] In a possible design, the method may further include: a terminal device sends a third message to a second network device, and if the second message does not contain instructional information, the third message contains instructional information.

[0013] In possible designs, the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration using a first network device or a configuration using a second network device. This design provides a configuration method for the second condition.

[0014] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message. This design provides a method for determining the first message and a method for determining the second message.

[0015] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a second network device or a module or chip within a second network device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a second network device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: the second network device sends a first message to the first network device, the first message indicating that a terminal device is being handed over to the second network device; the second network device receives a second message from the terminal device, and when a first condition is met, the second message includes instruction information, the instruction information indicating that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly; the method, when the first condition is met, includes instruction information, thereby effectively ensuring that the second network device can acquire the flight path of the terminal device in a timely manner. Furthermore, the second network device acquires instruction information only once, rather than multiple times, avoiding problems such as the waste of air interface resources caused by the occupation of numerous air interface resources between the terminal device and the network device. In addition, since communication between the terminal device and the network device can be reduced, communication interference to other terminal devices can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0016] In a possible design, the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit instruction information to the first network device, or the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device. This design provides a method for determining the first condition.

[0017] In a possible design, the inclusion of instructional information in the second message when the first condition is met may include the following: When the first and second conditions are met, the second message includes instructional information, and the second condition may include the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path being within a predetermined range, where the first flight path is the flight path obtained by updating the second flight path. This design provides a mechanism for determining whether or not the second message includes instructional information.

[0018] In possible designs, the condition that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range may include the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the arrival time difference between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range. The method provides multiple solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0019] In a possible design, the method may further include: a second network device receives a third message from a terminal device, and if the second message contains instructional information, the third message does not contain instructional information.

[0020] In a possible design, the method may further include: a second network device receives a third message from a terminal device, and if the second message does not contain instructional information, the third message contains instructional information.

[0021] In possible designs, the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration using a first network device or a configuration using a second network device. This design provides a configuration method for the second condition.

[0022] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message. This design provides a method for determining the first message and a method for determining the second message.

[0023] According to a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a terminal device or a module or chip within a terminal device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a terminal device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: the terminal device transmits instruction information to a first network device, which indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device. The terminal device then receives a first message from the first network device, which indicates that the terminal device should be handed over to a second network device, which includes request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report a flight path to the second network device, and the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path. Finally, the terminal device transmits a second message to a second network device, which includes a first flight path, the first flight path being the path that the terminal device should fly. In this method, after receiving instruction information, the second network device sends a first message to the first network device containing request information and / or a second condition. The terminal device sends a first flight path to the second network device based on the first message. It can be seen that the second network device can acquire the first flight path during the network device handover procedure, rather than only after the network device handover is complete. This effectively ensures that the second network device acquires the flight path in a timely manner and performs network configuration based on the flight path.

[0024] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range, and that the first flight path is obtained by updating the second flight path. This design provides a solution for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0025] In a possible design, that the change range between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range may include that the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within a first preset range, that the positional deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second preset range, and / or that the arrival time deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third preset range. The method provides a plurality of solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0026] In a possible design, the configuration method of the second condition includes a method configured by the first network device or a method configured by the second network device. This design provides the configuration method of the second condition.

[0027] In a possible design, the first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message. This design provides the determination method of the first message and the determination method of the second message.

[0028] In a possible design, the indication information includes at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path. In this method, the second network device determines whether to upload the flight path based on at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path in the indication information, so that the terminal device does not need to determine whether to upload the flight path, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. Furthermore, generally, the computing power of the terminal device is much lower than that of the network device. The second network device determines whether to upload the flight path, so that the communication efficiency can be further improved.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method. The method is executed by a first network device or a module or chip within the first network device. Here, an example where the method is executed by the first network device is used for illustration. The method includes the following. The first network device receives indication information from a terminal device, and the indication information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device. Next, the first network device transmits a first message to the terminal device, and the first message indicates handing over the terminal device to a second network device. The first message includes request information and / or a second condition. The request information instructs the terminal device to report the flight path to the second network device, and the second condition is a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path. The first message further instructs the terminal device to transmit a second message to the second network device, and the second message includes the first flight path, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly along. In this method, after receiving the indication information, the second network device transmits a first message including the request information and / or the second condition to the first network device. The terminal device transmits the first flight path to the second network device based on the first message. It can be seen that the second network device can obtain the first flight path not only after the network device handover is completed, but also in the network device handover procedure. This can effectively ensure that the second network device obtains the flight path in a timely manner and executes network configuration based on the flight path.

[0030] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the change range between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path. This design provides a solution for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0031] In possible designs, the condition that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range may include the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the arrival time difference between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range. The method provides multiple solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0032] In possible designs, the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration using a first network device or a configuration using a second network device. This design provides a configuration method for the second condition.

[0033] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message. This design provides a method for determining the first message and a method for determining the second message.

[0034] In a possible design, the instruction information includes information on at least one changed intermediate point in the first flight path. In this method, the second network device decides whether or not to upload the flight path based on the information on at least one changed intermediate point in the first flight path within the instruction information, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device by not having to decide whether or not to upload the flight path. Furthermore, generally, the computing power of the terminal device is much lower than that of the network device. The second network device decides whether or not to upload the flight path, thereby allowing for further improvement in communication speed.

[0035] According to a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a second network device or a module or chip within a second network device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a second network device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: the second network device obtains a second condition from a first network device and updates the second condition when the second network device satisfies a third condition; the second network device then sends a first message to the first network device, the first message indicating a handover of a terminal device to the second network device, the first message including request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report a flight path to the second network device, the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report a flight path, and the configuration of the second condition includes a configuration by the second network device. Finally, the second network device receives a second message from the terminal device, the second message containing the first flight path, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly.

[0036] In this method, after receiving instruction information, the second network device sends a first message to the first network device containing request information and / or a second condition. The terminal device sends a first flight path to the second network device based on the first message. It can be seen that the second network device can acquire the first flight path during the network device handover procedure, rather than only after the network device handover is complete. This effectively ensures that the second network device acquires the flight path in a timely manner and performs network configuration based on the flight path.

[0037] In a possible design, the method may further include: when the second network device does not satisfy the third condition, the first message includes request information, and the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration method by the first network device. This design provides a method for configuring the second condition.

[0038] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range, and that the first flight path is obtained by updating the second flight path. This design provides a solution for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0039] In possible designs, the condition that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range may include the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the arrival time difference between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range. The method provides multiple solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0040] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message. This design provides a method for determining the first message and a method for determining the second message.

[0041] According to a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a terminal device or a module or chip within a terminal device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a terminal device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: the terminal device receives a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device; the terminal device sends a third message to the second network device, the third message is used to transmit first support information for the terminal device, the third message does not include instruction information, the instruction information indicating that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly.

[0042] In this method, the third message sent by the terminal device to the second network device does not contain instruction information, thereby avoiding the problem of the second network device repeatedly receiving instruction information.

[0043] In a possible design, the terminal device sending a third message to a second network device may include the following: The terminal device sends a third message to the second network device when the fifth condition is met.

[0044] In a possible design, the fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the fourth message is sent to the second network device within a first period of time, or the terminal device is configured to provide the fourth message, the fourth message being used to transmit the first support information of the terminal device.

[0045] In a possible design, the fourth message is determined based on the first configuration information.

[0046] In possible designs, the first configuration information includes cell group and / or instruction information.

[0047] In a possible design, the first period is determined based on a first message received by a terminal device from a first network device.

[0048] According to a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is performed by a terminal device or a module or chip within a terminal device. Herein, an example in which the method is performed by a terminal device is used for illustrative purposes. The method includes: the terminal device receives a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device; if the fifth condition is met, the terminal device does not send a third message to the second network device, the third message being used to transmit first support information of the terminal device.

[0049] This method prevents the terminal device from sending a third message to the second network device, thereby avoiding the problem of the second network device repeatedly receiving instruction information.

[0050] In a possible design, the fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the fourth message is sent to the second network device within a first period of time, or the terminal device is configured to provide the fourth message, the fourth message being used to transmit the first support information of the terminal device.

[0051] In a possible design, the fourth message is determined based on the first configuration information.

[0052] In possible designs, the first configuration information includes cell group and / or instruction information.

[0053] In a possible design, the first period is determined based on a first message received by a terminal device from a first network device.

[0054] According to the eighth aspect, the application further provides a communication device. The communication device implements any method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects. The communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0055] In possible designs, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions performed by terminal devices, first network devices, or second network devices in the manner described above. The communication device may further include memory. The memory may be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data required by the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry. The interface circuitry is configured to support communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0056] In possible designs, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each configured to perform the steps in the method described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0057] In possible designs, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit, a transmitting unit, and a receiving unit. These units may perform the corresponding functions in the examples of the methods described above. For further details, refer to the descriptions of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh embodiments. Further details are not described herein.

[0058] According to the ninth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device. The communication device includes modules / units for performing any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects. These modules / units may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software.

[0059] According to the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device including memory and a processor. The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0060] According to the eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is running on a communication device, the computer-readable storage medium becomes capable of implementing any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0061] According to a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is operated on a communication device, the communication device can implement a method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and the possible designs of the first to seventh aspects.

[0062] According to the 13th aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and may further include memory, and is configured to implement a method in any one of the first to seventh aspects and a possible implementation of any one of these aspects. The chip may include a chip, or may include a chip and other separate devices.

[0063] According to the 14th embodiment, a communication system is provided that includes a terminal device and a second network device.

[0064] The terminal device is configured to implement the method in the first embodiment and in any possible implementation of the first embodiment. The second network device is configured to implement the method in the second embodiment and in any possible implementation of the second embodiment.

[0065] According to the 15th embodiment, a communication system is provided that includes a terminal device, a first network device, and a second network device.

[0066] The terminal device is configured to implement the method in the third embodiment and any possible implementation of the third embodiment. The first network device is configured to implement the method in the fourth embodiment and any possible implementation of the fourth embodiment. The second network device is configured to implement the method in the fifth embodiment and any possible implementation of the fifth embodiment.

[0067] These or other aspects of this application are more concisely and readily understood in the following description of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0068] [Figure 1] This is a schematic flowchart of the connection setup method according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the method for acquiring a flight path according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the flight structure of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 4A] This is a schematic flowchart of a network device handover method according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 4B] This is a schematic flowchart of a network device handover method according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0069] To further clarify the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of this application, the application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific operating methods in the embodiments of the method may also be applied to embodiments of apparatus or systems.

[0070] Embodiments of this application may be applied to various mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, global system of mobile communication (GSM) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, general packet radio service (GPRS) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, evolved long term evolution (eLTE) systems, and other communication systems such as future communication systems. Further details are not limited herein.

[0071] The user equipment in this application may also be called a terminal device, and is a device having wireless transceiver functionality, and may be deployed on land, on water (e.g., on a ship), or in the air (e.g., on an aircraft, balloon, or satellite), including indoor or outdoor terminal devices, handheld or in-vehicle terminal devices. Specifically, terminal devices may include mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver functionality, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving (e.g., remote control or unmanned aerial vehicle), wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. The terminal devices in this application mainly relate to unmanned aerial vehicles or other aircraft.

[0072] Terminal devices may establish a connection to the operator network through an interface provided by the operator network and use data and / or voice-like services provided by the operator network. Terminal devices may further access the data network (DN) via the operator network and use operator services and / or services provided by third parties deployed on the DN. Third parties may be service parties other than the operator network and terminal devices, and may provide data and / or voice-like services to terminal devices. The specific form of representation of third parties may be determined specifically based on the actual application scenario and is not limited herein.

[0073] A RAN is a subnet of an operator network and is an implementation system between service nodes and terminal devices in the operator network. To access the operator network, a terminal device may first access the RAN and then connect to a service node in the operator network via the RAN. In this application, a RAN device is a device that provides wireless communication capabilities to a terminal device, and a RAN device is also called an access network device. In this application, a RAN device includes, but is not limited to, next-generation base stations (g NodeB, gNB), evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), NodeB (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB or home NodeB, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc.

[0074] User plane network elements function as interfaces to the data network, enabling functions such as user plane data transfer, session / flow level billing statistics, and bandwidth throttling, i.e., packet routing and forwarding, and quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data. In 5G communication systems, user plane network elements may also be UPF network elements.

[0075] Mobility management network elements are primarily configured to perform mobility management, access management, etc. In 5G communication systems, the mobility management network element may also be an AMF network element, which primarily performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication / authorization. Furthermore, the AMF network element is also responsible for transporting user policies between the terminal and the PCF network element.

[0076] In this application, network elements may also be referred to as devices. For example, an AMF network element may be referred to as an AMF device, and a UPF network element may be referred to as a UPF device. Further details are not described herein.

[0077] In this application, when an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies in a fixed mode, the UAV generally uploads its flight path to a network device, which then ensures high reliability and security in the UAV's flight process based on the flight path. Furthermore, the network device may implement access control to the UAV's flight path, thereby preventing the UAV from flying within no-fly zones.

[0078] A flight path includes at least one intermediate point information. The first intermediate point information in the flight path may include location information corresponding to the takeoff point of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the current time, or it may include information about the location to which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly in a future period and the time corresponding to its arrival at that location. Intermediate point information other than the first intermediate point information in the flight path may include information about the location to which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly and pass in a future period and the time corresponding to its arrival at that location information. Each intermediate point information may further include the number of intermediate point information in the flight path. For example, the number included in the first intermediate point information in the flight path is 1. It should be understood that the location information may be location information in a longitude and latitude coordinate system, location information in a city coordinate system, or location information in a Cartesian coordinate system, etc. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0079] For illustrative purposes, an example is used in which each intermediate point in the flight path is information about the position that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) should fly through in the future and the time corresponding to its arrival at that position. For example, the flight path determined by the UAV is Shanghai (10:00:00) - Suzhou (12:00:00) - Beijing (16:00:00), and the flight path includes three intermediate point pieces. For a concrete explanation, an example is used in which the first intermediate point piece is Shanghai (10:00:00). The UAV will arrive in Shanghai at 10:00:00. Understanding the second and third intermediate point pieces is similar to understanding the first intermediate point piece, and the details will not be explained below.

[0080] In the following, for illustrative purposes, we will use an example in a 5G network where the network device (i.e., gNB) is the network device and the unmanned aerial vehicle is the user equipment. The same applies to network devices such as eNodeB in a 4G network or other devices in a 6G network. This is not limited to this application.

[0081] Before a user device can upload its flight path to a network device, it must set up a connection to the network device. A scenario in which the user device is not connected to a network device is used as an example for explanation. The user device first sets up a radio resource control (RRC) connection to the network device, and then reports the flight path to the network device. The connection setup procedure may be as shown in Figure 1.

[0082] S101: The user device sends an RRC setup request (radio resource control setup request, RRC Setup Request) message to the network device.

[0083] S102: The network device sends an RRC setup (radio resource control setup) message to the user's device.

[0084] S103: The user device sends an RRC setup complete message (radio resource control setup complete, RRC Setup Complete) to the network device.

[0085] By executing S101 to S103, a connection is set up between the user device and the network device, enabling the user device and the network device to communicate with each other.

[0086] To ensure that the user device can upload the flight path to the network device, the user device must send flight path info available to the network device. Flight path info available indicates that the flight path is available to the user device. In this embodiment of the application, flight path info available may be included in the RRC setup complete message. Alternatively, the user device may send flight path info available to the network device separately after the connection between the user device and the network device has been set up. That is, flight path info available is not included in the RRC setup complete message.

[0087] When flight path availability information is included in the RRC setup completion message, the number of communications between the user device and the network device is effectively reduced, thereby shortening the time it takes for the user device to report the flight path to the network device.

[0088] An example in which flight path availability information is included in the RRC setup completion message is used for illustrative purposes. Embodiments of this application provide a method for acquiring a flight path, as shown in Figure 2.

[0089] S201: The network device sends a UE information request message to the user's equipment.

[0090] In this embodiment of the application, the UE information request message includes flight path info request information, which is used to request the user device to report the flight path.

[0091] S202: The user device sends a UE information response message to the network device.

[0092] In this embodiment of the application, the UE information response message includes flight path info report information, the flight path info report information includes the flight path.

[0093] In some other embodiments, for example, in a scenario where user equipment and network devices perform a connection resume, the flight path availability information may be included in the RRC Resume Complete message. Alternatively, after the connection between the user equipment and the network device is resumed, the user equipment may separately send the flight path availability information to the network device. That is, the flight path availability information is not included in the RRC Resume Complete message. The detailed process for sending the flight path availability information in this scenario is not described below.

[0094] When flying, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) traverses the coverage areas of different network devices. In this case, the UAV needs to communicate with different network devices within the coverage areas of different network devices. As shown in Figure 3, there is one flight path. The flight path may be determined based on three intermediate point pieces of information in Figure 3. That is, the flight path includes three intermediate point pieces of information. It should be understood that the three intermediate point pieces of information may be used to determine the flight path corresponding to the dashed line in Figure 3, or they may be used to determine other flight paths. Other determined flight paths also include the three intermediate point pieces of information mentioned above.

[0095] For the purposes of this detailed explanation, the flight path corresponding to the dashed line in Figure 3 will be used as the flight path used in this embodiment of this application. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is currently flying within the coverage area of ​​the source network device. The UAV communicates with the source network device and uploads its flight path to the source network device. The source network device performs network configuration based on the flight path. In Figure 3, the coverage area of ​​the source network device is represented by a dashed area containing the source network device. When the UAV flies out of the coverage area of ​​the source network device and into the coverage area of ​​the target network device, the network devices connected to the UAV are handed over from the source network device to the target network device, and the UAV communicates with the target network device. In Figure 3, the coverage area of ​​the target network device is represented by a dashed area containing the target network device. Specifically, the network device handover procedure is shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The network device handover method is performed through the interaction of user equipment, source network devices, target network devices, AMF network elements, and UPF network elements, and may include the following steps:

[0096] S401: The source network device transmits measurement and control information to the user equipment.

[0097] In this embodiment of the application, measurement control information is determined by the source network device based on information such as roaming and access restrictions.

[0098] After receiving measurement and control information, the user device generates a measurement report based on that information.

[0099] S402: The user device sends the measurement report to the source network device.

[0100] S403: Based on the measurement report and wireless resource measurement information, the source network device determines whether the user equipment should be handed over to the network device. If a handover should be performed, it executes S404; otherwise, the procedure terminates.

[0101] S404: The source network device sends a handover request message to the target network device.

[0102] In this embodiment of the application, the handover request message includes information such as target cell identification information (identity, ID).

[0103] S405: The target network device performs access control.

[0104] S406: The target network device sends a handover request acknowledgment message to the source network device.

[0105] In this embodiment of the application, the handover request confirmation message includes an RRC reconfiguration message that needs to be sent to the user equipment by the target network device.

[0106] After receiving a handover request acknowledgment message, the source network device obtains an RRC reconfiguration message from the handover request acknowledgment message.

[0107] S407: The source network device sends an RRC (radio resource control reconfiguration) message to the user device.

[0108] In this embodiment of the application, the RRC reconstruction message further includes information such as a target cell ID.

[0109] S408: The source network device sends a digital sequence number message to the target network device.

[0110] In this embodiment of the application, a digital sequence number message is used to notify a target network device of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) sequence number.

[0111] S409: The user device sends an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the target network device.

[0112] S410: The target network device sends a handover complete message to the source network device.

[0113] S411: The source network device sends a digital sequence number message to the target network device.

[0114] S412: The target network device sends a route switching request message to the AMF network element.

[0115] S413: The AMF network element performs route switching in the UPF network element.

[0116] S414: The AMF network element sends a route switching request acknowledgment message to the target network device.

[0117] S415: The target network device sends a context release message to the source network device.

[0118] In the network device handover scenario described above, if the user device reports flight path availability information or a flight path to the source network device before the network device handover, the source network device encapsulates the flight path availability information or flight path in a handover request message and sends the handover request message to the target network device. The target network device may determine the flight path of the user device based on the handover request message after the handover is complete. Specifically, if the handover request message includes flight path availability information, the target network device determines the flight path of the user device based on the flight path availability information, or if the handover request message includes a flight path, the target network device directly obtains the flight path from the handover request message.

[0119] In the procedure described above, if the user device encapsulates the flight path availability information in an RRC reconfiguration complete message and sends the RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target network device, the target network device obtains the flight path availability information from the RRC reconfiguration complete message. The target network device determines that the flight path availability information or flight path received from the source network device is not up-to-date, and therefore discards the flight path availability information or flight path received from the source network device. Instead, it obtains the user device's flight path based on the flight path availability information in the RRC reconfiguration complete message. Since the target network device can obtain the flight path availability information twice, unnecessary communication exists between the user device and the second network device, occupying a large number of air interface resources and causing waste of air interface resources. Furthermore, communication between other user devices and the second network device is also interfered with. In addition, the power consumption of the user device increases due to the unnecessary communication between the user device and the second network device.

[0120] If the target network device can only acquire the flight path of the user device after the handover is complete, the target network device will not be able to acquire the flight path of the user device in a timely manner and will not be able to perform network configuration based on the flight path of the user device. As a result, the user device will easily enter a no-fly zone.

[0121] The above network device handover scenario has other problems. If the user device does not report its flight path to the source network device before the network device handover, the handover request message sent by the source network device to the target network device will not include the flight path. Therefore, the target network device cannot obtain the user device's flight path from the source network device. If the target network device can only obtain the user device's flight path after the handover is complete, the target network device cannot obtain the user device's flight path in a timely manner and cannot perform network configuration based on the user device's flight path. As a result, the user device can easily enter a no-fly zone.

[0122] Referring to the above description, this application proposes a communication method. The method provided in this application may be applied to the network handover procedure shown in Figures 4A and 4B. A terminal device may perform the steps performed by the user device in Figures 4A and 4B, a first network device may perform the steps performed by the source network device in Figures 4A and 4B, and a second network device may perform the steps performed by the target network device in Figures 4A and 4B. The method may include the following steps shown in Figure 5.

[0123] S501: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0124] In possible implementations, the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device. The first message may also be an RRC message. For example, the first message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, or the first message may be a transport layer message. This is not limited herein. When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, the first message may also be the RRC reconfiguration message in S407 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0125] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device may send a third message to the first network device before receiving a first message from the first network device, or it may send a third message to the second network device after receiving a first message from the first network device. The following discussion will primarily focus on the case where the terminal device sends a third message to the second network device after receiving a first message.

[0126] It should be understood that the third message may be a UE assistance information (UAI) message, or it may be a transport layer message. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0127] When the third message is a UAI message, the third message may be used to transmit first support information for the terminal device. The first support information may include at least one of the following: terminal device power information, terminal device battery level information, or terminal device overheating warning information.

[0128] Optionally, the terminal device power information may include the terminal device's current power information and / or the terminal device's rated power information. This is not limited to this specification. The terminal device battery level information may include information about the terminal device's remaining battery level and / or information about the terminal device's rated battery level. This is not limited to this specification.

[0129] After the terminal device has received the first message, this embodiment of the application may include the following two possible implementations for determining a third message.

[0130] Implementation Method 1: The terminal device may directly send a third message to the second network device. The third message may include first support information, but the third message may not include instruction information, which indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly.

[0131] Implementation Method 2: When the fifth condition is met, the terminal device may send the third message to the second network device. The fifth condition includes at least one of the following: the fourth message is sent to the second network device within the first period, or the terminal device is configured to provide the fourth message.

[0132] It should be understood that the fourth message may be a UAI message, or it may be a transport layer message. This is not limited to the foregoing. The third and fourth messages are messages of the same type. If the third message is a UAI message, then the fourth message is also a UAI message.

[0133] When the fourth message is a UAI message, the fourth message is used to transmit first support information for the terminal device, and the fourth message may or may not include the first support information. The fourth message may or may not include instruction information. This is not limited herein.

[0134] In this embodiment of the application, the fourth message may be determined based on first configuration information, the first configuration information includes cell group and / or instruction information.

[0135] The first period may be determined based on a first message received by a terminal device from a first network device. For example, the end point of the first period is when the terminal device receives the first message, and the duration corresponding to the first period is a first time threshold. For example, the first time threshold is 1 second.

[0136] In the above method, if the fourth message sent by the terminal device to the second network device within the first period contains instruction information, the terminal device may send a third message to the second network device, which does not contain instruction information. This avoids the problem of the second network device repeatedly receiving instruction information.

[0137] Implementation method 3: When the fifth condition is met, the terminal device does not send the third message to the second network device.

[0138] In the method described above, if the fourth message sent by the terminal device to the second network device within the first period contains instruction information, the terminal device does not need to send the third message to the second network device. Regardless of whether the third message contains instruction information or not, the problem of the second network device repeatedly receiving instruction information can be avoided.

[0139] S502: The terminal device sends a second message to the second network device.

[0140] In possible implementations, the second message may be an RRC message. For example, the second message may be an RRC reconstruction complete message, or the second message may be a transport layer message. This is not limited herein. When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, the second message may be the RRC reconstruction complete message in S409 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0141] This embodiment of the application may include the following two possible implementations for determining a second message.

[0142] In the first possible implementation, the second message may contain instructional information when the first condition is met. The fact that the second message may contain instructional information can also be expressed as follows: The second message may carry instructional information.

[0143] When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may include instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration complete message may carry instruction information. The instruction information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly. It should be understood that the instruction information indicating that a first flight path is available to the terminal device may be expressed as follows: The instruction information indicates that the terminal device has a first flight path that can be reported.

[0144] In this embodiment of the application, if a terminal device has received a first message from a first network device and the first condition is met, then if a second message transmitted by the terminal device includes instruction information, then a third message transmitted by the terminal device to the second network device does not include instruction information. If the first condition is met and the second message transmitted by the terminal device does not include instruction information, then a third message transmitted by the terminal device to the second network device includes instruction information.

[0145] In the network device handover procedure, the second network device may further obtain the first configuration file from the first network device, parse the first configuration file, and generate a second configuration file. The first configuration file may include at least one of the RRC configurations, and the second configuration file may also include at least one of the RRC configurations.

[0146] The first condition may include the following two possible cases: In the first case, if the second network device cannot successfully parse the first configuration file, the first condition is that the terminal device receives full configuration information from the second network device. The terminal device obtains the full configuration information from the second network device through the first network device, and the full configuration information is generated by the second network device.

[0147] When the first condition is that the terminal device receives all configuration information from the second network device, the second message includes instruction information, regardless of whether the terminal device has transmitted instruction information or a flight path to the first network device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message, the RRC reconfiguration completion message may include instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message may carry instruction information.

[0148] In the second case, if the second network device can successfully parse the first configuration file, the first condition is that the terminal device does not send instruction information to the first network device. In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device does not send instruction information to the first network device before receiving the first message from the first network device.

[0149] It should be understood that the failure of a terminal device to send instruction information to a first network device may be expressed as follows: The terminal device does not report any instruction information to the first network device, or the terminal device does not send instruction information to the first network device, or the terminal device does not report instruction information to the first network device.

[0150] The first condition may further include other cases. For example, the first condition may be that the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device. In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device before receiving the first message from the first network device.

[0151] When the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit instruction information to the first network device, the instruction information may be distinguished for different types of first flight paths.

[0152] The first flight path may be of one of three different types, the details of which are as follows:

[0153] Case 1: The first flight path may also be the initial path, and the initial path may also be called the first path. The initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device. It should be understood that a network device will not receive any other flight paths reported by the terminal device before it receives the first flight path reported by the terminal device. The network device may be any network device that provides services to the terminal device.

[0154] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is the initial path, the instruction information may be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the initial path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconstruction completion message may include flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconstruction completion message may carry flight path availability instruction information.

[0155] Case 2: The first flight path may, alternatively, be an updated path, which may also be called the second path. The updated path is the flight path determined by the terminal device after the terminal device has reported the initial path, and the initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device.

[0156] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an update path, the instruction information may also be flight path update availability instruction information, which indicates that the update path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message and the instruction information is flight path update availability instruction information, the RRC reconstruction completion message may include flight path update availability instruction information, or the RRC reconstruction completion message may carry flight path update availability instruction information.

[0157] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an updated path, the instruction information may also be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the updated path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message may include flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message may carry flight path availability instruction information.

[0158] Case 3: The first flight path may be the initial path or the updated path. In this case, the instruction information may be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the flight path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message may include the flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message may carry the flight path availability instruction information.

[0159] In this embodiment of the application, when the first condition is met, the second message transmitted by the terminal device to the second network device includes instruction information, thereby effectively ensuring that the second network device can acquire the flight path of the terminal device in a timely manner. More importantly, the second network device acquires the instruction information only once rather than multiple times, avoiding problems such as the waste of air interface resources caused by the occupation of numerous air interface resources between the terminal device and the network device. Furthermore, the above procedure can effectively reduce communication between the terminal device and the network device, thereby reducing communication interference to other terminal devices and also reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0160] In the implementation, when the first flight path is an update path, whether or not the second message contains instruction information may be further determined based on the second condition. Possible implementations may be as follows:

[0161] The terminal device sends a second message to a second network device. When the first and second conditions are met, the second message may contain instructional information. The fact that the second message may contain instructional information can also be expressed as follows: The second message may carry instructional information.

[0162] When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message, the RRC reconstruction completion message may include instruction information, or the RRC reconstruction completion message may carry instruction information.

[0163] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an update path, the instruction information may also be flight path update availability instruction information, which indicates that the update path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message and the instruction information is flight path update availability instruction information, the RRC reconstruction completion message may include flight path update availability instruction information, or the RRC reconstruction completion message may carry flight path update availability instruction information.

[0164] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an updated path, the instruction information may also be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the updated path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message may include flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message may carry flight path availability instruction information.

[0165] In this embodiment of the application, when the first flight path is an updated path, the second message includes instruction information only when both the first and second conditions are met. This effectively reduces the frequency of reporting instruction information, thereby reducing unnecessary communication between terminal devices and network devices and effectively avoiding problems such as wasting air interface resources.

[0166] The second condition may be configured in two ways. In the first way, the configuration of the second condition may be configured by a first network device, which can also be understood as the second condition being configured by the first network device. In the second way, the configuration of the second condition may be configured by a second network device, which can also be understood as the second condition being configured by a second network device.

[0167] If the second condition is configured by the first network device, the second condition is configured by the first network device and sent to the terminal device before the terminal device receives the first message from the first network device.

[0168] If the second condition is comprised of a second network device, the second condition is comprised of a second network device and is sent to the terminal device after the terminal device has received the first message from the first network device.

[0169] The second condition should be understood to mean that the data may be stored on the terminal device or on another device accessible by the terminal device. This is not limited herein.

[0170] The configuration of the second condition will be further explained below by using an example in which the second condition is stored in the terminal device. The configuration may include the following possible implementations.

[0171] If the second network device can successfully parse the first configuration file after obtaining the first configuration file from the first network device, the second network device may obtain the second condition in the first configuration file. Based on the third condition, the second network device decides whether or not to update the second condition in the first configuration file. If the second network device updates the second condition in the first configuration file, it may send the updated second condition to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is configured by the second network device. If the second network device does not update the second condition in the first configuration file, it does not need to send the second condition to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is still configured by the first network device. The third condition may be stored in the second network device, or in another device accessible by the second network device. This is not limited herein. The third condition may be at least one of the following: positional accuracy, load conditions, etc. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0172] If the second network device obtains the first configuration file from the first network device, but is unable to successfully parse the first configuration file, then the second network device may not be able to obtain the second condition in the first configuration file, or the second condition obtained by the second network device from the first configuration file may be unavailable. In this case, the second network device may send the second condition stored in the second network device to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is configured by the second network device. Alternatively, the second network device does not have to send the second condition stored in the second network device to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is still configured by the first network device.

[0173] In a network device handover procedure, if the second network device does not send the second condition to the terminal device, it should be understood that the second condition is still constituted by the first network device. In this case, the terminal device may use the second condition or ignore it.

[0174] In possible implementations, the second condition may include that the range of variation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range. In this embodiment of this application, the relationship between the first flight path and the second flight path may be as follows: the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path; the second flight path is any path generated before the first flight path; the second flight path is another preset path; or the second flight path is a path obtained from another network device. This is not limited herein. The second condition may also be called the update condition.

[0175] The optional requirement that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths falls within a predetermined range may include the following possible implementation methods.

[0176] Implementation method 1: The difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within the first predetermined range.

[0177] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device has determined a second flight path and is not yet flying according to the second flight path, the terminal device determines a first flight path. In this case, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the first preset range may be a range greater than the first threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the difference between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the first threshold.

[0178] In possible implementations, when a terminal device determines a second flight path and is flying according to the second flight path, the terminal device determines a first flight path. In this case, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the first preset range may be a range greater than the first threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the difference between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the first threshold.

[0179] Alternatively, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the number of unflyed intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the first predetermined range may be a range greater than the second threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the difference between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of unflyed intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the second threshold.

[0180] Implementation method 2: The positional difference between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second predetermined range.

[0181] In possible implementations, the positional difference between the first flight path and the second flight path may be the positional difference between the positional information in the first intermediate point information of the first flight path and the positional information in the first intermediate point information of the second flight path, and the second preset range may be a range greater than the third threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the positional difference between the positional information in the first intermediate point information of the first flight path and the positional information in the first intermediate point information of the second flight path is greater than the third threshold.

[0182] The first intermediate point information in the first flight path may be any intermediate point information in the first flight path, and it should be understood that the number in the first intermediate point information in the first flight path is the same as the number in the first intermediate point information in the second flight path. For example, if the first intermediate point information in the first flight path corresponds to the first intermediate point in the first flight path, then the first intermediate point information in the second flight path corresponds to the first intermediate point in the second flight path.

[0183] The positional deviation may be the distance between the first midpoint in the first flight path and the first midpoint in the second flight path, and the distance between the first midpoint in the first flight path and the first midpoint in the second flight path may be directly determined based on the positional information in the first midpoint information in the first flight path and the positional information in the first midpoint information in the second flight path. For example, when the positional information in the midpoint information is expressed in orthogonal coordinates, if the positional information in the first midpoint information in the first flight path is (20,20) and the positional information in the first midpoint information in the second flight path is (30,20), then the positional deviation between the positional information in the first midpoint information in the first flight path and the positional information in the first midpoint information in the second flight path is

number

[0184] Implementation method 3: The time difference in arrival between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third predetermined range.

[0185] In possible implementations, the time difference in arrival between the first flight path and the second flight path may be the time difference between the time point in the first intermediate point information for the first flight path and the time point in the first intermediate point information for the second flight path, and the third predetermined range may be a range greater than the fourth threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the time difference between the time point in the first intermediate point information for the first flight path and the time point in the first intermediate point information for the second flight path is greater than the fourth threshold.

[0186] The first intermediate point information in the first flight path may be any intermediate point information in the first flight path, and it should be understood that the number in the first intermediate point information in the first flight path is the same as the number in the first intermediate point information in the second flight path. For example, if the first intermediate point information in the first flight path corresponds to the first intermediate point in the first flight path, then the first intermediate point information in the second flight path corresponds to the first intermediate point in the second flight path.

[0187] The time difference may also be the difference between the time at the first intermediate point information on the first flight path and the time at the first intermediate point information on the second flight path. For example, if the time at the first intermediate point information on the first flight path is 01:00:00 and the time at the first intermediate point information on the second flight path is 02:00:00, the time difference between the time at the first intermediate point information on the first flight path and the time at the first intermediate point information on the second flight path is 1 hour.

[0188] Implementation method 4: The ratio between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within the fourth predetermined range.

[0189] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device has determined a second flight path and is not yet flying according to the second flight path, the terminal device determines a first flight path. In this case, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the fourth predetermined range may be a range greater than the fifth threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the ratio between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0190] In possible implementations, the terminal device determines a second flight path, and when the terminal device is flying according to the second flight path, the terminal device determines a first flight path. In this case, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the fourth predetermined range may be a range greater than the fifth threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the ratio between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the total number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0191] Alternatively, the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path may be the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path, the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path may be the number of unflyed intermediate points included in the second flight path, and the fourth predetermined range may be a range greater than the sixth threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the ratio between the total number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of unflyed intermediate points included in the second flight path is greater than the sixth threshold.

[0192] Implementation method 5: The changed intermediate point information in the first flight path relative to the second flight path satisfies the fifth predetermined range.

[0193] In possible implementations, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may be the number of the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path, and the fifth preset range may be at least one preset number. Therefore, the second condition may be that the number of the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is within at least one preset number.

[0194] For example, at least one of the preset numbers includes 2 and 4. If the number of the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is 2, then the number of the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is within at least one of the preset numbers.

[0195] In possible implementations, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may also be the position information in the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path, and the fifth pre-set range may also be the radiation range of the network device. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the position information in the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is within the radiation range of the network device.

[0196] In possible implementations, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may be the number of times the first flight path changed, and the fifth predetermined range may be a range greater than the seventh threshold. Therefore, the second condition may also be that the number of times the first flight path changed is greater than the seventh threshold.

[0197] Alternatively, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may be the ratio of the number of changed time points in the first flight path to the total number of time points in the first flight path, and the fifth predetermined range may be a range greater than the eighth threshold. Therefore, the second condition may be that the ratio of the number of changed time points in the first flight path to the total number of time points in the first flight path is greater than the eighth threshold.

[0198] In possible implementations, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may be the number of the intermediate point information corresponding to the point in time of change in the first flight path, and the fifth preset range may be at least one preset number. Therefore, the second condition may be that the number of the intermediate point information corresponding to the point in time of change in the first flight path is within at least one preset number.

[0199] For example, at least one of the preset numbers includes 2. If the intermediate point information number corresponding to the point of change in the first flight path is 2, then the intermediate point information number corresponding to the point of change in the first flight path is within at least one of the preset numbers.

[0200] In possible implementations, the changed intermediate point information in the first flight path may be the time of change in the first flight path, and the fifth preset range may be a preset period. The preset period may be a high-load period or a low-load period. The preset period may be determined by other means, as is not limited herein. Therefore, the second condition may be that the time of change in the first flight path falls within the preset period.

[0201] This embodiment of the application provides several solutions for efficiently determining the second condition.

[0202] In the second possible implementation, if the first condition is not met, the second message does not contain instructional information. The absence of instructional information in the second message may also be expressed as follows: the second message does not carry instructional information, or the second message excludes instructional information.

[0203] When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message, the RRC reconfiguration complete message either does not contain instruction information, does not carry instruction information, or excludes instruction information. The instruction information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly. It should be understood that the instruction information indicating that a first flight path is available to the terminal device may also be expressed as follows: The instruction information indicates that the terminal device has a first flight path that can be reported.

[0204] Optionally, in the above case where the first condition is not met, it may be understood as follows: The terminal device has sent instruction information to the first network device before receiving the first message from the first network device, or the terminal device has sent a flight path to the first network device before receiving the first message from the first network device.

[0205] In the following, the instruction information is distinguished for different types of first flight paths.

[0206] The first flight path may be of one of three different types, the details of which are as follows:

[0207] Case 1: The first flight path may also be the initial path, and the initial path may also be called the first path. The initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device. It should be understood that a network device will not receive any other flight paths reported by the terminal device before it receives the first flight path reported by the terminal device. The network device may be any network device that provides services to the terminal device.

[0208] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is the initial path, the instruction information may also be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the initial path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not include the flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not carry the flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message excludes the flight path availability instruction information.

[0209] Case 2: The first flight path may, alternatively, be an updated path, which may also be called the second path. The updated path is the flight path determined by the terminal device after the terminal device has reported the initial path, and the initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device.

[0210] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an update path, the instruction information may also be flight path update availability instruction information, which indicates that the update path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path update availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not include the flight path update availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not carry the flight path update availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message excludes the flight path update availability instruction information.

[0211] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an updated path, the instruction information may also be a flight path availability instruction, which indicates that the updated path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message and the instruction information is a flight path availability instruction, the RRC reconfiguration complete message does not include the flight path availability instruction, or the RRC reconfiguration complete message does not carry the flight path availability instruction, or the RRC reconfiguration complete message excludes the flight path update availability instruction.

[0212] Case 3: The first flight path may be the initial path or the updated path. In this case, the instruction information may be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the flight path is available to the terminal device. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message and the instruction information is flight path availability instruction information, the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not include the flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message does not carry the flight path availability instruction information, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message excludes the flight path availability instruction information.

[0213] From the above embodiment, it can be seen that, prior to network device handover, the terminal device reports instruction information or flight path to the first network device, the first network device encapsulates the instruction information or flight path in a handover request message, and sends the handover request message to the second network device. The instruction information is excluded from the second message sent by the terminal device to the second network device, thereby effectively ensuring that the second network device acquires the instruction information only once and acquires the flight path based on the instruction information. This prevents the target network device from acquiring the instruction information twice, as in the prior art, and avoids problems such as the waste of air interface resources caused by the occupation of multiple air interface resources between the terminal device and the network device. Furthermore, since communication between the terminal device and the network device can be reduced, communication interference to other terminal devices can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0214] In other cases, prior to the network device handover, the terminal device does not report its flight path to the first network device, and the second message sent by the terminal device to the second network device contains instructional information. This effectively ensures that the second network device obtains the terminal device's flight path in a timely manner.

[0215] Referring to the above description, this application proposes other communication methods. The method provided in this application may be applied to the handover procedure in Figures 4A and 4B. A terminal device may perform the steps performed by the user equipment in Figures 4A and 4B, a first network device may perform the steps performed by the source network device in Figures 4A and 4B, and a second network device may perform the steps performed by the target network device in Figures 4A and 4B. The method may include the following steps shown in Figure 6.

[0216] S601: The terminal device transmits instruction information to the first network device.

[0217] In a possible implementation, the instruction information indicates that the first flight path is available to the terminal device. When this application is applied to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, S601 should be performed before S401 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0218] The first flight path can take three forms, the details of which are as follows:

[0219] Case 1: The first flight path may also be the initial path, and the initial path may also be called the first path. The initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device. It should be understood that a network device will not receive any other flight paths reported by the terminal device before it receives the first flight path reported by the terminal device. The network device may be any network device that provides services to the terminal device.

[0220] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is the initial path, the instruction information may also be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the initial path is available to the terminal device.

[0221] Case 2: The first flight path may, alternatively, be an updated path, which may also be called the second path. The updated path is the flight path determined by the terminal device after the terminal device has reported the initial path, and the initial path is the flight path first reported by the terminal device.

[0222] Correspondingly, when the first flight path is an update path, the instruction information may also be flight path update availability instruction information, which indicates that the update path is available to the terminal device.

[0223] Case 3: The first flight path may be the initial path or the updated path. In this case, the instruction information may be flight path availability instruction information, which indicates that the flight path is available to the terminal device.

[0224] S602: The first network device sends a handover request message to the second network device.

[0225] When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, S602 may also be S404 in Figures 4A and 4B. The handover request message includes instruction information.

[0226] When the first flight path is the initial path, the handover request message includes information indicating the availability of the flight path.

[0227] When the first flight path is an update path, the handover request message includes information indicating that the flight path update is available.

[0228] When the first flight path may be either the initial path or an updated path, the handover request message includes information indicating the availability of the flight path.

[0229] S603: The second network device sends a handover request acknowledgment message to the first network device.

[0230] When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, S603 may also be S406 in Figures 4A and 4B. The handover request acknowledgment message includes a first message, which may also be the RRC reconstruction message in S406 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0231] S604: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0232] In possible implementations, the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device. The first message may also be an RRC message. For example, the first message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, or the first message may be a transport layer message. This is not limited herein. When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, the first message may also be the RRC reconfiguration message in S407 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0233] In a possible implementation, the first message includes request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report the flight path to a second network device, and the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path. The request information may also be the flight path request information in S201 in Figure 2.

[0234] When the first message is an RRC reconfiguration message and the request information is flight path request information, the RRC reconfiguration message contains the flight path request information and / or the second condition, or the RRC reconfiguration message carries the flight path request information and / or the second condition.

[0235] The second condition may be configured in two ways. In the first way, the configuration of the second condition may be configured by a first network device, which can also be understood as the second condition being configured by the first network device. In the second way, the configuration of the second condition may be configured by a second network device, which can also be understood as the second condition being configured by a second network device.

[0236] If the second condition is configured by the first network device, the second condition is configured by the first network device and sent to the terminal device before the terminal device receives the first message from the first network device. If the second condition is configured by the second network device, the second condition is configured by the second network device and sent to the terminal device after the terminal device receives the first message from the first network device. It should be understood that the second condition may be stored in the terminal device or in another device accessible by the terminal device. This is not limited herein.

[0237] The configuration of the second condition will be further explained below by using an example in which the second condition is stored in the terminal device. The configuration may include the following possible implementations.

[0238] If the second network device can successfully parse the first configuration file after obtaining the first configuration file from the first network device, the second network device may obtain the second condition in the first configuration file. Based on the third condition, the second network device decides whether or not to update the second condition in the first configuration file. If the second network device updates the second condition in the first configuration file, it may send the updated second condition to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is configured by the second network device. If the second network device does not update the second condition in the first configuration file, it does not need to send the second condition to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is still configured by the first network device. The third condition may be stored in the second network device, or in another device accessible by the second network device. This is not limited herein. The third condition may be at least one of the following: positional accuracy, load conditions, etc. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0239] If the second network device obtains the first configuration file from the first network device, but is unable to successfully parse the first configuration file, then the second network device may not be able to obtain the second condition in the first configuration file, or the second condition obtained by the second network device from the first configuration file may be unavailable. In this case, the second network device may send the second condition stored in the second network device to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is configured by the second network device. Alternatively, the second network device does not have to send the second condition stored in the second network device to the terminal device. Thus, the second condition stored in the terminal device is still configured by the first network device.

[0240] In possible implementations, the second condition may include that the range of variation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range. In this embodiment of this application, the relationship between the first flight path and the second flight path may be as follows: the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path; the second flight path is any path generated before the first flight path; the second flight path is another preset path; or the second flight path is a path obtained from another network device. This is not limited herein. The second condition may also be called the update condition.

[0241] The optional requirement that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths falls within a predetermined range may include the following possible implementation methods.

[0242] Implementation method 1: The difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within the first predetermined range.

[0243] Implementation method 2: The positional difference between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second predetermined range.

[0244] Implementation method 3: The time difference in arrival between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third predetermined range.

[0245] Implementation method 4: The ratio between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within the fourth predetermined range.

[0246] Implementation method 5: The changed intermediate point information in the first flight path relative to the second flight path satisfies the fifth predetermined range.

[0247] For the three cases of the first flight path, the terminal device may determine the second message in the following possible implementations:

[0248] In the first case, when the first flight path is the initial path, after receiving the first message transmitted by the first network device, the terminal device may determine the second message in the following implementation.

[0249] Implementation method 1: When the first message contains request information, the terminal device determines a first flight path based on the request information and adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0250] Implementation method 2: When the first message includes request information and a second condition, the terminal device determines a first flight path based on the request information and adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0251] In the second case, when the first flight path is an updated path, after receiving the first message transmitted by the first network device, the terminal device may determine the second message in the following implementation.

[0252] Implementation method 1: When the first message contains request information, the terminal device determines a first flight path based on the request information and adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0253] Implementation method 2: When the first message includes the second condition, the terminal device determines whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition, and if the first flight path satisfies the second condition, the terminal device adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0254] Implementation method 3: When the first message includes request information and a second condition, the terminal device determines a first flight path based on the request information, determines whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition, and if the first flight path satisfies the second condition, the terminal device adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0255] Implementation method 4: When the first message includes request information and the second condition, the terminal device determines the first flight path based on the request information, and adds the first flight path to the second message regardless of whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition.

[0256] In the third case, when the first flight path may be the initial path or the updated path, the terminal device may determine the second message in the following implementation method after receiving the first message transmitted by the first network device.

[0257] Implementation method 1: When the first message contains request information, the terminal device determines a first flight path based on the request information and adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0258] Implementation method 2: When the first message includes the second condition, and the first flight path is an updated path, the terminal device determines whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition, and if the first flight path satisfies the second condition, the terminal device adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0259] Implementation method 3: When the first message includes request information and the second condition, and the first flight path is an update path, the terminal device determines the first flight path based on the request information, determines whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition, and if the first flight path satisfies the second condition, the terminal device adds the first flight path to the second message.

[0260] Implementation method 4: When the first message includes request information and the second condition, and the first flight path is an update path, the terminal device determines the first flight path based on the request information, and adds the first flight path to the second message regardless of whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition.

[0261] In a possible implementation, if the first message received by the terminal device contains request information, the terminal device may ignore the first condition.

[0262] S605: The terminal device sends a second message to the second network device.

[0263] In possible implementations, the second message may be an RRC message. For example, the second message may be an RRC reconstruction complete message, or the second message may be a transport layer message. This is not limited herein. When this application applies to the procedure in Figures 4A and 4B, the second message may be the RRC reconstruction complete message in S409 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0264] The second message may include the first flight path. When the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message, the RRC reconfiguration completion message may include the first flight path, or the RRC reconfiguration completion message may carry the first flight path. The first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly.

[0265] If the second message optionally includes the first flight path, the second message does not include instructional information.

[0266] When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message and the instruction information is a flight path availability instruction, if the RRC reconstruction completion message includes the first flight path, the RRC reconstruction completion message will not include the flight path availability instruction, or the RRC reconstruction completion message will not carry the flight path availability instruction, or the RRC reconstruction completion message will exclude the flight path availability instruction.

[0267] When the second message is an RRC reconstruction completion message and the instruction information is a flight path update available instruction, if the RRC reconstruction completion message includes the first flight path, the RRC reconstruction completion message will not include the flight path update available instruction, or the RRC reconstruction completion message will not carry the flight path update available instruction, or the RRC reconstruction completion message will exclude the flight path update available instruction.

[0268] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving instruction information, the second network device sends a first message to the first network device containing request information and / or a second condition. The terminal device sends a first flight path to the second network device based on the first message. It is found that the second network device can acquire the first flight path during the network device handover procedure, rather than only after the network device handover is complete. This effectively ensures that the second network device acquires the flight path in a timely manner and performs network configuration based on the flight path.

[0269] With respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, this application proposes a third communication method. When the first flight path is the second path or an updated path, the instruction information transmitted by the terminal device to the first network device in S601 includes information of at least one changed intermediate point in the first flight path.

[0270] In S602, the second network device receives a handover request message from the first network device. The handover request message contains instruction information.

[0271] The second network device obtains instruction information from the handover request message and obtains information on at least one changed intermediate point in the first flight path from the instruction information. The second network device determines whether the information on at least one changed intermediate point in the first flight path satisfies the fourth condition.

[0272] If the fourth condition is met, S603 is executed in which the second network device sends a handover request acknowledgment message to the first network device. The handover request acknowledgment message includes the first message. S604 is executed in which the first network device sends the first message to the terminal device. The first message may include request information and / or the second condition. S605 is executed in which the terminal device sends the second message to the second network device. The second message may include the first flight path.

[0273] If the fourth condition is not met, S603 is executed in which the second network device sends a handover request acknowledgment message to the first network device. The handover request acknowledgment message includes the first message. S604 is executed in which the first network device sends the first message to the terminal device. The first message does not include the request information and / or the second condition. S605 is executed in which the terminal device sends the second message to the second network device. The second message does not include the first flight path.

[0274] It should be understood that the fourth condition may include a pre-set number. For example, if the number corresponding to at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is a pre-set number, the fourth condition is satisfied; or if the number corresponding to at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path is not a pre-set number, the fourth condition is not satisfied. Alternatively, the fourth condition may be a rule determined in another manner, and is not limited herein. The fourth condition may be stored in the second network device, or in another device accessible by the second network device, and is not limited herein.

[0275] In the third communication method proposed in this application, in the process of performing the third communication method, the terminal device may or may not store the second condition. When the terminal device stores the second condition, the terminal device does not need to determine whether the first flight path satisfies the second condition.

[0276] In this embodiment of the application, the second network device determines whether or not to upload the flight path based on at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path within the instruction information, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption by not having to decide whether or not to upload the flight path. Furthermore, generally, the computing power of a terminal device is much lower than that of a network device. The second network device determines whether or not to upload the flight path, thereby further improving communication efficiency.

[0277] In the embodiments provided in this application, the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described in terms of the interaction between devices. To realize the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and the functions may be realized by using the hardware structure, the software module, or a combination of the hardware structure and the software module. Whether the functions in the functions are performed by the hardware structure, the software module, or a combination of the hardware structure and the software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0278] In this embodiment of the application, the division into modules is merely an example and represents a logical functional division. Other division methods may be used in actual implementations. Furthermore, the functional modules in the embodiments of the application may be integrated into a single processor, exist physically independently, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module.

[0279] Similar to the concepts described above, as shown in Figure 7, embodiments of this application further provide a communication device 700 configured to implement the functions of a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device in the method described above. For example, the communication device may be a software module or a chip system. In this embodiment of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and other individual devices. The communication device 700 may include a receiving unit 701 and a transmitting unit 702.

[0280] In this embodiment of the application, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit included in the communication device 700 are configured to perform the transmitting and receiving steps of the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the embodiment of the method described above. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be a single unit integrated together, or they may be two separate units.

[0281] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 and 8. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments. For brevity, further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0282] In this implementation, the communication device 700 may perform the following functions:

[0283] The receiving unit 701 is configured to receive a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device.

[0284] The transmitting unit 702 is configured to transmit a second message to a second network device. When the first condition is satisfied, the second message includes indication information, and the indication information indicates that the first flight path is available to the terminal device. The first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly along.

[0285] The communication device may further include other units, for example, a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform processes such as analyzing the first message. The processing unit may be further configured to perform functions such as generating the second message. This is not limited in this application.

[0286] In a possible design, the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the indication information to the first network device.

[0287] In a possible design, the transmitting unit 702 is specifically configured to skip transmitting the indication information to the first network device before receiving the first message from the first network device.

[0288] In a possible design, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the second message includes indication information. The second condition includes that the change range between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range. The first flight path is obtained by updating the second flight path, and the transmitting unit 702 is specifically configured as such. [[ID=?]]

[0289] In a possible design, that the change range between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range may include that the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within a first preset range, the positional deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second preset range, and / or the arrival time deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third preset range.

[0290] In a possible design, the configuration method of the second condition includes a method configured by the first network device or a method configured by the second network device.

[0291] In a possible design, the first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0292] In an implementation manner, the communication device 700 may perform the following functions.

[0293] The transmission unit 702 is configured to transmit the first message to the first network device, and the first message indicates that the terminal device is to be handed over to the second network device.

[0294] The reception unit 701 is configured to receive the second message from the terminal device. When the first condition is satisfied, the second message includes indication information, and the indication information indicates that the first flight path is available to the terminal device. The first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly along.

[0295] The communication device may further include other units, such as a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform functions such as generating the first message. The processing unit may be further configured to perform processes such as analyzing the second message. This is not limited in this application.

[0296] In a possible design, the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the indication information to the first network device.

[0297] In a possible design, the receiving unit 701 is specifically configured such that, when the first and second conditions are met, the second message includes instructional information, the second condition includes that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

[0298] In a possible design, the variation range between the first and second flight paths being within a predetermined range includes the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the time difference of arrival between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range.

[0299] In possible designs, the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration using a first network device or a configuration using a second network device.

[0300] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0301] In this implementation, the communication device 700 may perform the following functions:

[0302] The transmitting unit 702 is configured to transmit instruction information to a first network device, which indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device.

[0303] The receiving unit 701 is configured to receive a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating a handover of a terminal device to a second network device, the first message including request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report the flight path to the second network device, and the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path.

[0304] The transmitting unit 702 is further configured to transmit a second message to a second network device, the second message including a first flight path, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly.

[0305] The communication device may further include other units, such as a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform functions such as parsing a first message. The processing unit may be further configured to perform processing such as generating a second message. This is not limited to this application.

[0306] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range, and that the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

[0307] In a possible design, the variation range between the first and second flight paths being within a predetermined range includes the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the time difference of arrival between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range.

[0308] In a possible design, the configuration method of the second condition includes a method configured by the first network device or a method configured by the second network device.

[0309] In a possible design, the first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0310] In a possible design, the indication information includes at least one changed intermediate point information on the first flight path.

[0311] In an implementation manner, the communication device 700 may perform the following functions.

[0312] The receiving unit 701 is configured to receive indication information from the terminal device, and the indication information indicates that the first flight path is available to the terminal device.

[0313] The transmitting unit 702 is configured to transmit a first message to the terminal device. The first message indicates that the terminal device is to be handed over to a second network device. The first message includes request information and / or a second condition. The request information instructs the terminal device to report the flight path to the second network device. The second condition is a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path. The first message further instructs the terminal device to transmit a second message to the second network device. The second message includes the first flight path, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly.

[0314] The communication device may further include other units, such as a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform functions such as analyzing the indication information. The processing unit may be further configured to perform processes such as generating the first message. This is not limited in this application.

[0315] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range, and that the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

[0316] In a possible design, the variation range between the first and second flight paths being within a predetermined range includes the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the time difference of arrival between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range.

[0317] In possible designs, the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration using a first network device or a configuration using a second network device.

[0318] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0319] In a possible design, the instruction information includes information on at least one changed intermediate point along the first flight path.

[0320] In this implementation, the communication device 700 may perform the following functions:

[0321] The receiving unit 701 is configured to obtain a second condition from the first network device and update the second condition when the second network device satisfies a third condition.

[0322] The transmitting unit 702 is configured to transmit a first message to a first network device, the first message indicating a handover of a terminal device to a second network device, the first message including request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report a flight path to the second network device, the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report a flight path, and the configuration of the second condition includes a configuration by the second network device.

[0323] The receiving unit 701 is further configured to receive a second message from a terminal device, the second message including a first flight path, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly.

[0324] The communication device may further include other units, such as a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform functions such as parsing a second condition and a second message. The processing unit may be further configured to perform processing such as generating a first message. This is not limited to this application.

[0325] In a possible design, when the second network device does not satisfy the third condition, the first message includes request information, and the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration method performed by the first network device.

[0326] In a possible design, the second condition includes that the range of variation between the first and second flight paths is within a predetermined range, and that the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

[0327] In a possible design, the variation range between the first and second flight paths being within a predetermined range includes the difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path being within a first predetermined range, the positional deviation between the first and second flight paths being within a second predetermined range, and / or the time difference of arrival between the first and second flight paths being within a third predetermined range.

[0328] In a possible design, the first message is a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message, and the second message is an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0329] The above is merely an example. The transmitting and receiving units within the communication device 700 may perform other functions. For a more detailed explanation, refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments of the above method. Further details are not described herein.

[0330] In the embodiments provided in this application, the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described in terms of a communication device as the implementing entity. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the communication device may include a hardware structure and / or software modules, and the functions may be implemented by using the hardware structure, the software modules, or a combination of the hardware structure and the software modules. Whether the functions in the functions are performed by the hardware structure, the software modules, or a combination of the hardware structure and the software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0331] For example, when hardware is used in the implementation method, refer to Figure 8 and the related explanations therein for the hardware implementation method of the communication device.

[0332] Refer to Figure 8. The communication device includes one or more processors 802, memory 803, one or more applications (not shown), and one or more computer programs 804. The above components may be connected through one or more communication buses 801. One or more computer programs 804 are stored in memory 803 and configured to be executed by one or more processors 802. One or more computer programs 804 include instructions, which may be used to perform the method in any one of the above embodiments. One or more processors 802 may perform the functions of a receiving unit 701 and a transmitting unit 702.

[0333] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When computer instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device can implement the communication method in the above embodiment.

[0334] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing the communication method in the above embodiment.

[0335] All communication devices, computer-readable storage media, computer program products, or chips provided in embodiments of this application are configured to perform the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by communication devices, computer-readable storage media, computer program products, and chips, refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods provided above. Further details are not described herein.

[0336] Based on the above description of the implementation, a person skilled in the art will understand that, for the purpose of convenience and concise explanation, the division into functional modules described above is used merely as an example for illustrative purposes. In actual application, the above functions may be assigned to different functional modules for the implementation based on requirements, i.e., the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to implement all or some of the above functions.

[0337] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the described apparatus are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may exist in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined, or integrated into other apparatuses, or some features may be ignored or not performed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection indicated or discussed may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0338] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in different places. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0339] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0340] When an integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored on a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application may be implemented essentially, or in part, of the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or processor to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes a variety of media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, removable hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0341] The above description merely outlines the specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection. Any modification or substitution that is readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical knowledge disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applicable to terminal devices, The steps include receiving a first message from a first network device, wherein the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device, and The steps include sending a second message to the second network device, wherein, when the first condition is met, the second message includes instruction information, the instruction information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly. A method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the instruction information to the first network device, or the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device.

3. The terminal device not transmitting the instruction information to the first network device means that The method according to claim 2, wherein the instruction information is not transmitted to the first network device before the first message is received from the first network device.

4. When the first condition is met, the second message includes the instruction information. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the first and second conditions are met, the second message includes the instruction information, the second condition includes that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

5. The fact that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within the preset range is, The difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within a first predetermined range. The positional deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second predetermined range, and / or The difference in arrival times between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third predetermined range. The method according to claim 4, including the method described in claim 4.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step of sending a third message to the second network device, wherein if the second message includes the instruction information, the third message does not include the instruction information.

7. A communication method applicable to a second network device, The steps include sending a first message to a first network device, wherein the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to the second network device, and The steps include receiving a second message from the terminal device, wherein, when the first condition is met, the second message includes instruction information, the instruction information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path is the path that the terminal device should fly. A method that includes this.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the instruction information to the first network device, or the first condition is that the terminal device does not transmit the first flight path to the first network device.

9. When the first condition is met, the second message includes the instruction information. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when the first and second conditions are met, the second message includes the instruction information, the second condition includes that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

10. The fact that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within the preset range is, The difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within a first predetermined range. The positional deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second predetermined range, and / or The difference in arrival times between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third predetermined range. The method according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising the step of receiving a third message from the terminal device, wherein if the second message includes the instruction information, the third message does not include the instruction information.

12. A communication method applicable to a first network device, The steps include receiving instruction information from a terminal device, wherein the instruction information indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, The steps include sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message indicating a handover of the terminal device to a second network device, the first message including request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report a flight path to the second network device, the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report the flight path, the first message instructing the terminal device to send a second message to the second network device, the second message including the first flight path, the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly, and A method that includes this.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second condition includes that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

14. The fact that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within the preset range is, The difference between the number of intermediate points included in the first flight path and the number of intermediate points included in the second flight path is within a first predetermined range. The positional deviation between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a second predetermined range, and / or The difference in arrival times between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a third predetermined range. The method according to claim 13, including the method described in claim 13.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the instruction information includes at least one changed intermediate point information in the first flight path.

16. A communication method applicable to a second network device, The steps include obtaining a second condition from a first network device, and updating the second condition when the second network device satisfies a third condition, The steps include: sending a first message to the first network device, the first message indicating a handover of the terminal device to the second network device, the first message including request information and / or a second condition, the request information instructing the terminal device to report a flight path to the second network device, the second condition being a trigger condition for the terminal device to report a flight path, and the configuration of the second condition including a configuration by the second network device; The steps include receiving a second message from the terminal device, the second message including a first flight path, and the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly. A method that includes this.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the fact that when the second network device does not satisfy the third condition, the first message includes the request information, and the configuration method for the second condition includes a configuration method by the first network device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the second condition includes that the range of change between the first flight path and the second flight path is within a preset range, and the first flight path is a flight path obtained by updating the second flight path.

19. A communication method applicable to terminal devices, The steps include receiving a first message from a first network device, wherein the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device, and The steps include sending a third message to the second network device, the third message being used to transmit first support information for the terminal device, the third message not containing instruction information which indicates that a first flight path is available to the terminal device, and the first flight path being the path the terminal device should fly, and A method that includes this.

20. Sending the third message to the second network device means The method according to claim 19, comprising sending the third message to the second network device when the fifth condition is met.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the fifth condition includes at least one of the following: that the fourth message is transmitted to the second network device within a first period of time, or that the terminal device is configured to provide the fourth message, and the fourth message is used to transmit the first support information of the terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fourth message is determined based on the first configuration information.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first configuration information includes a cell group and / or the instruction information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the first period is determined based on the first message received by the terminal device from the first network device.

25. A communication method applicable to terminal devices, The steps include receiving a first message from a first network device, wherein the first message indicates that the terminal device is being handed over to a second network device, and If the fifth condition is met, the terminal device skips sending the third message to the second network device, the third message is used to transmit the first support information of the terminal device, and A method that includes this.

26. A communication device including a processor and memory, A communication device wherein the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, thereby enabling the communication device to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions, A computer-readable storage medium that, when the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, enables the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. A chip including a processor, The processor is coupled to a memory and is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, enabling the chip to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

29. A communication system including a terminal device and a second network device, The terminal device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method described in any one of claims 19 to 24, or the method described in claim 25. A communication system wherein the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 7 to 11.

30. A communication system including a first network device and a second network device, The first network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 12 to 15, A communication system wherein the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 16 to 18.

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