Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method includes: a first network device receiving at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, wherein the first piece of information indicates the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell is a cell managed by a second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device; and the first network device transmitting second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell. Network communication quality can be improved.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically to communication methods and communication devices. [Background technology]

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311096901.0, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Administration of China on 28 August 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Satellite communications, by utilizing high, medium, and low orbit satellites, can achieve wide-area or global coverage and provide undifferentiated communication services to global users. A key direction of current research is to integrate satellite communication systems and mobile communication networks to jointly build integrated, comprehensive maritime, land, and air communication networks with global, seamless coverage, meeting the ubiquitous and diverse service requirements of terminals.

[0004] To ensure continuous coverage in the equatorial region during the deployment of a satellite network, a sufficient satellite orbital plane is required. As a result, the satellite orbital plane is denser in the mid-to-high latitude regions of the Earth, and the coverage areas of multiple satellites overlap significantly. Consequently, signals from multiple satellites interfere with each other, leading to a problem of degraded communication quality for terminals. [Overview of the project]

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a communication device that can improve network communication quality.

[0006] According to a first embodiment, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a first network device or a module (e.g., a chip) located within (or used within) the first network device. Hereafter, an example in which the first network device performs the method will be used for illustrative purposes.

[0007] The method includes a first network device receiving at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, wherein the first piece of information indicates the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell is managed by a second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device, and the first network device transmitting second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell.

[0008] According to the aforementioned solution, a network device can obtain the signal quality measurement results of adjacent cells by a terminal in a serving cell and negotiate with the adjacent network device managing the adjacent cell to adjust the cell's coverage range. This can reduce signal interference from adjacent network devices or reduce the amount of vulnerability in network coverage, thereby ensuring network coverage, providing terminals with high-quality network communication services, and improving network communication quality.

[0009] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second information includes at least one piece of the first information.

[0010] According to the solution described above, the second information that can be transmitted from the first network device to the second network device may include the signal quality of the second cell, which is collected by the first network device and obtained by measurement by at least one terminal in the first cell, enabling the second network device to perform coverage range adjustments based on the signal quality of the second cell in the first cell, thereby reducing signal interference from neighboring network devices or mitigating network coverage vulnerabilities.

[0011] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the method further includes the first network device receiving fourth information from the second network device, the fourth information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

[0012] According to the solution described above, after adjusting the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information, the second network device may instruct the first network device through the fourth information so that the first and second network devices reach an agreement on the coverage range of the second cell.

[0013] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second information includes the first indication information, where the first indication information indicates the average signal quality of the second cell.

[0014] According to the solution described above, the first network device can determine the average signal quality of the second cell based on the signal quality of the second cell obtained through measurements by at least one terminal, and instruct the second network device through the second information, thereby the average signal quality serving as a criterion for the second network device to adjust the coverage range.

[0015] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second information includes the second indication information, and the second indication information adjusts the coverage range of the second cell in the following way, namely, This indicates one of the following: expand the coverage range, shrink the coverage range, maintain the coverage range, or turn off some or all of the coverage range for the second cell.

[0016] According to the solution described above, the first network device is of the second cell and can determine how to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the signal quality obtained through measurements by the terminals of the first cell, and can instruct the second network device through second information so that the second network device can adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information. In this way, the first and second network devices reach an agreement on the coverage range of the second cell, reducing the amount of signal interference problems and coverage vulnerability problems.

[0017] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second information includes third indication information, the third indication information indicates the coverage range parameter or the amount of variation of the coverage range parameter.

[0018] For example, the coverage range parameter is: Includes one of the following: off-axis angle of the coverage edge, elevation angle of the coverage edge, coverage radius, lateral length of the coverage edge, or coverage area.

[0019] According to the solution described above, the first network device can specifically instruct the second network device on the coverage range parameters of the second cell or the amount of variation of the coverage range parameters, thereby enabling the second network device to precisely adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the third indication information.

[0020] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second information specifically instructs a second network device to adjust a coverage range corresponding to a reference signal of a second cell, and the second information includes information about the reference signal, or the second information specifically instructs to adjust a coverage range of a beam of the second cell, and the second information includes information about the beam.

[0021] According to the foregoing solution, the first network device may specifically instruct the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the reference signal or the beam of the second cell, so that the second network device can adjust the coverage range of the second cell at a fine granularity.

[0022] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, that a first network device receives at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal includes that the first network device receives the at least one piece of first information from the at least one terminal within a first duration, and the first duration is a period of a signal quality detection period of a neighboring cell of the first network device.

[0023] According to the foregoing solution, the first network device can obtain signal quality of a neighboring cell obtained through measurement by a terminal in the first cell within a specific period, and periodically determine the coverage range of the neighboring cell to perform timely adjustment, so as to ensure network communication quality.

[0024] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, that a first network device sends second information to a second network device based on at least one piece of first information includes: the first network device determines an average signal quality difference between signal quality of a second cell and signal quality of a first cell based on the at least one piece of first information; and sends the second information to the second network device based on the average signal quality difference.

[0025] According to the aforementioned solution, the first network device can specifically determine whether it is necessary to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the mean difference in signal quality between the signal quality of the first cell and the signal quality of the second cell. This provides a criterion for determining whether to adjust the cell's coverage range.

[0026] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first information includes the signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell.

[0027] According to the solution described above, the terminal determines the signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell and notifies the first network device, thereby determining whether the first network device needs to adjust the coverage range of the second cell through the signal quality difference between the first cell and the second cell, which is determined by at least one terminal.

[0028] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the average signal quality of the first cell is determined based on the signal quality of the first cell from at least one terminal.

[0029] For example, the first piece of information further indicates the signal quality of the first cell.

[0030] According to the solution described above, the first network device may further obtain the signal quality of the first cell from at least one terminal, and the first network device may compare the signal quality of the first cell with the signal quality of the second cell to obtain the average signal quality difference in order to determine whether the coverage range of the second cell needs to be adjusted.

[0031] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the method further includes the first network device deciding to instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell if the average signal quality of the second cell is greater than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average difference in signal quality is greater than a first threshold, wherein the second information specifically instructs the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell, or the first network device deciding to instruct the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell if the average signal quality of the second cell is less than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average difference in signal quality is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second information specifically instructs the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell.

[0032] According to a second embodiment, a data transmission method is provided. The method may be carried out by a second network device or a module (e.g., a chip) located within (or used within) the second network device. Hereinafter, an example in which the second network device carries out the method will be used for illustrative purposes.

[0033] The method includes a second network device receiving second information from a first network device, the second information instructing the second network device to adjust the coverage range of a second cell, the second cell being a cell managed by the second network device and being an adjacent cell to a first cell managed by the first network device, and adjusting the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information.

[0034] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information includes indicating at least one piece of the first information, or the second information includes the first indication information, where the first indication information indicates the average signal quality of the second cell.

[0035] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes the second network device transmitting fourth information to the first network device, the fourth information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

[0036] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information includes the second indication information, and the second indication information adjusts the coverage range of the second cell in the following way, namely, This indicates one of the following: expand the coverage range, shrink the coverage range, maintain the coverage range, or turn off some or all of the coverage range for the second cell.

[0037] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information includes third indication information, the third indication information indicates the coverage range parameter or the amount of variation of the coverage range parameter.

[0038] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the parameter is, Includes one of the following: off-axis angle of the coverage edge, elevation angle of the coverage edge, coverage radius, lateral length of the coverage edge, or coverage area.

[0039] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information specifically instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range corresponding to the reference signal of the second cell, and the second information includes information about the reference signal; or the second information specifically instructs the device to adjust the coverage range of the beam of the second cell, and the second information includes information about the beam.

[0040] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. In the design, the device may include a module that corresponds one-to-one with a method / operation / step / action according to any one of the first aspects or an implementation of the first aspect. The module may be implemented by hardware circuitry, software, or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. In the design, the device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, wherein the first information indicates the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell being a cell managed by a second network device, and the second cell being an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device; and a processing unit configured to transmit second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information, wherein the second information is shown to the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell.

[0041] In the third aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect for specific content included in the first and second information, as well as the indication method. Further details will not be explained again here.

[0042] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information from a second network device, the fourth information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

[0043] Referring to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive at least one first piece of information from at least one terminal within a first duration, the first duration being the periodic duration of the signal quality detection cycle of adjacent cells of a first network device.

[0044] Referring to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the mean signal quality difference between the signal quality of a second cell and the signal quality of a first cell based on at least one piece of first information, and the transceiver unit is specifically configured to transmit the second information to a second network device based on the mean signal quality difference.

[0045] Referring to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, if the average signal quality of the second cell is higher than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average signal quality difference is greater than a first threshold, the processing unit is further configured to decide to instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell, with the second information specifically instructing the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell; or, if the average signal quality of the second cell is lower than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average signal quality difference is greater than a second threshold, the processing unit is further configured to decide to instruct the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell, with the second information specifically instructing the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell.

[0046] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. In the design, the device may include a module that corresponds one-to-one with a method / operation / step / action according to any one of the first aspects or an implementation of the first aspect. The module may be implemented by hardware circuitry, software, or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. In the design, the device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive second information from a first network device, the second information instructing the second network device to adjust the coverage range of a second cell, the second cell being a cell managed by the second network device and being an adjacent cell to a first cell managed by the first network device; and a processing unit configured to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information.

[0047] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit fourth information to the first network device, the fourth information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

[0048] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor. The processor may implement a method according to any one of the first or second aspects described above, and possible implementations of the first or second aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes memory. The processor may be coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions in memory in order to implement a method according to any one of the first or second aspects described above, and possible implementations of the first or second aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface. In this embodiment of the application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module, or another type of communication interface; however, it is not limited thereto.

[0049] In one implementation, a communication device is a communication device (e.g., a network device). If the communication device is a communication device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0050] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured within the communication device. If the communication device is a chip configured within the communication device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0051] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0052] According to the sixth aspect, a processor is provided, the processor including an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, thereby the processor performs a method according to any one of the first or second aspects described above, and possible implementations of the first or second aspects.

[0053] In a particular implementation process, the aforementioned processor may be one or more chips, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input by a receiver, for example, but not limited to; the signal output by the output circuit may be output to a transmitter, for example, but not limited to; the input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, and the circuit may be used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different moments. Specific implementations of the processor and various circuits are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0054] According to the seventh aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. The computer program product includes a computer program (which may also be called code or instructions). When the computer program is executed, the computer can perform any one of the methods described in the first or second aspect above, and any possible implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0055] According to the eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program (which may also be called code or instructions). When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer can perform any one of the methods described in the first or second aspect, and any possible implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0056] According to the ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the aforementioned at least one first network device and the aforementioned at least one second network device. Optionally, the communication system further includes the aforementioned at least one terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0057] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the NTN network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of another NTN network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram of an example of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a structural diagram of another example of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0058] The technical solution of this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0059] In embodiments of this application, “ / ” may represent an “or” relationship between associated objects. For example, A / B may represent A or B. “And / or” may indicate that there are three relationships between associated objects. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: when only A exists, when both A and B exist, and when only B exists, and A and B may be singular or plural. To facilitate the description of the technical solutions in embodiments of this application, terms such as “first” and “second” may be used for differentiation in embodiments of this application. Terms such as “first” and “second” do not limit the number or order of execution, and terms such as “first” and “second” do not necessarily indicate a clear difference. In embodiments of this application, words such as “example” or “for example” represent an example, evidence, or explanation. Any embodiment or design solution described as “example” or “for example” should not be described as being preferable or having more advantages than another embodiment or design solution. Words such as “example” or “for example” are used to present related concepts in a particular way to facilitate understanding. In embodiments of this application, “at least one (type)” may be alternatively described as “one (type) or more (types),” and “more (types)” may be two (types), three (types), four (types), or more (types). This is not limited to this application.

[0060] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G systems, or new radio (NR), non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and future communication systems such as sixth-generation mobile communication systems. This is not limited to these applications.

[0061] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 applicable to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one access network device (e.g., 110a, 110b, and 110c in Figure 1) and may further include at least one terminal (e.g., 120a to 120g in Figure 1). The access network devices may be connected to each other by wire or wireless means. Figure 1 is merely a diagram. The communication system may further include other network devices, for example, a wireless relay device and a wireless backhaul device.

[0062] Within the NTN network, satellites can perform transparent payload transmission or regenerative payload transmission.

[0063] Figure 2 is a diagram of an NTN network architecture applicable to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, user equipment (UE) communicates with ground base stations via a universal terrestrial radio access network-user (Uu) interface. Satellites can perform transparent payload transmission between users and ground base stations. Satellites and NTN gateways can be considered remote radio units of ground base stations and perform transparent signal transmission. That is, satellites only support functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification without altering the signal waveform. Satellite transmission is transparent to terminals. Ground base stations can communicate with the core network (CN) via a next-generation (NG) interface and exchange non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and service data of the UE via the NG interface.

[0064] Figure 3 is a diagram of another architecture of an NTN network applicable to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, a satellite may have some or all the functions of an access network device, may be called a satellite base station, may provide radio access services, and may schedule radio resources for terminals accessing the network via the satellite base station. The satellite base station communicates with the UE via the Uu interface. The satellite base station may communicate with the CN via the NG interface, and the satellite base station and the core network may exchange NAS signaling and UE service data via the NG interface. The satellite radio interface (SRI) is a feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. In Figure 3, the SRI interface may function as part of the NG interface to carry out communication and interaction between the satellite and the core network.

[0065] The network devices provided in the embodiments of this application include access network devices such as base stations, satellites, Node B, evolved Node B (eNode B, or eNB), and fifth-generation (5 th Transmission reception point (TRP) in 5G mobile communication systems, next-generation node B (gNB), access network node in open radio access network (O-RAN), 6th generation (6 th The network device may be a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. Alternatively, the network device may be a module or unit that implements some of the functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a central unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a central unit user plane (CU-UP) module. The network device may be a satellite (e.g., 110a in Figure 1 or a satellite base station in Figure 2) or a macro base station (e.g., 110b in Figure 1). Alternatively, the access network device may be a micro base station or an indoor base station (e.g., 110c in Figure 1), or a relay node or a donor node. The specific technologies and specific device forms used by the access network device are not limited in this application.

[0066] In embodiments of this application, some or all functions of the network device may reside on a non-terrestrial network (NTN) platform (wherein the NTN platform includes, but is not limited to, satellites, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc.), or some or all functions of the network device may reside on the ground, with the NTN platform responsible for transmitting signals between the UE and the access network device.

[0067] The terminals provided in the embodiments of this application may also be called terminal devices and include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, and mobile terminals. Terminals can be widely used in a variety of scenarios for communication. For example, scenarios include, but are not limited to, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. The terminals may include mobile phones (e.g., mobile phones 120a, 120d, and 120f in Figure 1), tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver functionality (e.g., computer 120g in Figure 1), wearable devices, vehicles (e.g., 120b in Figure 1), unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, airplanes (e.g., 120c in Figure 1), ships, robots, mechanical arms, smart home devices (e.g., printer 120e in Figure 1), and the like. The specific technologies and device forms used by the terminals are not limited in this application.

[0068] Access network devices and / or terminals may be in a fixed location or may be mobile. Access network devices and / or terminals may be installed indoors or outdoors, on land including handheld or vehicle-mounted devices, on water, or on airplanes, balloons, and aerial satellites. The environments / scenarios in which access network devices and terminals are deployed are not limited in this application. Access network devices and terminals may be deployed in the same environment / scenarios or in different environments / scenarios. For example, both access network devices and terminals may be installed on land, or the access network device may be installed on land and the terminal on water. Examples are not provided individually.

[0069] In this application, “transmitting information / data to…(e.g., a terminal)” may be understood as the destination end of the information being the terminal, and may include transmitting information / data directly or indirectly to the terminal. “receiving information / data from (e.g., a terminal)” may be understood as the source end of the information being the terminal, and may include receiving information / data directly or indirectly from the terminal. The information / data may undergo necessary processing between the source end and the destination end for transmitting the information / data, such as changing the format. However, the destination end may understand valid information / data from the source end. Similar expressions in this application may be understood similarly, and further details are not provided again here.

[0070] In this application, “transmission of information / data” refers only to the direction of information / data transfer. The direction includes direct transmission via the air interface, as well as indirect transmission by a processing unit via the air interface. “Transmission” may also be understood as the “output” of the module interface. “Reception of information / data” refers only to the direction of information / data transfer. The direction includes direct reception via the air interface, as well as indirect reception by a processing unit via the air interface. “Reception” may also be understood as the “input” of the module interface.

[0071] In this application, it may be understood that examples of network devices and terminals being used as entities to illustrate interactions are used for illustrative purposes. However, entities to illustrate interactions are not limited in this application. Functions / steps performed by a network device in the methods of this application may also be performed by modules used in the network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of performing all or some of the network device functions. In the methods of this application, a terminal may also be a module used in the terminal (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of performing all or some of the terminal functions.

[0072] Satellite constellation deployments in the NTN network can be either quasi-polar orbit constellations (Walker-star constellation) or oblique-circular orbit constellations (Walker-star-Delta constellation). Regardless of whether a quasi-polar or oblique-circular orbit constellation is used as the satellite deployment method, sufficient orbital planes are required to ensure continuous coverage in the equatorial region. However, this can lead to a concentration of orbital planes in the mid-to-high latitude regions of the Earth, potentially causing overlapping satellite coverage areas. Such overlapping coverage areas worsen with increasing latitude and can cause signal interference between satellites. A simple solution is to turn off some satellites in the overlapping coverage areas of mid-to-high latitudes to mitigate the overlap and reduce signal interference. However, this method may introduce coverage vulnerability issues, making it impossible to implement globally seamless coverage, and leaving some terminals unable to access network communication services.

[0073] Regarding the aforementioned problem of overlapping satellite coverage, this application proposes that a serving satellite may obtain the results of signal quality measurements of adjacent cells taken by terminals within the serving cell, and negotiate with adjacent satellites managing the adjacent cells to adjust the coverage range of the cells. This can reduce signal interference from adjacent network devices or reduce the amount of vulnerability in network coverage, thereby improving the communication quality of terminals.

[0074] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 400 includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0075] S401: The terminal transmits first information to the first network device, and the first information indicates the signal quality of the second cell.

[0076] In response, the first network device receives the first information from the terminal.

[0077] A first network device may transmit configuration information to at least one terminal in a first cell, the configuration information being used to configure at least one terminal to measure the signal quality of a second cell and report the measurement results. The terminal receives the configuration information from the first network device, performs a measurement of the signal quality of the second cell based on the configuration information, and transmits the first information to the first network device to report to the first network device the signal quality of the second cell obtained through the measurement by the terminal.

[0078] Optionally, the configuration information may be for configuring at least one terminal to periodically measure and report the signal quality of the second cell. The terminal may periodically measure the signal quality of the second cell based on the configuration information and report the signal quality to the first network device.

[0079] In one implementation, the first piece of information includes the signal quality of a second cell, which is acquired through measurement by the terminal.

[0080] For example, signal quality may include one or more of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal strength indication (RSSI), or signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

[0081] Optionally, the first information may further include the signal quality of the first cell, obtained through measurement by the terminal.

[0082] The first network device may, through first information, know the signal quality of the first cell and the signal quality of the second cell. In this way, the first network device may compare the signal quality of the first cell with the signal quality of the second cell obtained through measurement by a terminal to determine whether the signals of the first and second cells are interfering with each other, and whether the coverage range of the first cell needs to be adjusted, or may instruct the second network device managing the second cell to adjust the coverage range of the second cell. However, the application is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the terminal may report the signal quality of the first cell to the first network device through other information.

[0083] In another implementation, the first piece of information includes the signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell.

[0084] In other words, the terminal notifies the first network device of the signal quality of the second cell in such a way that the first information includes the signal quality difference between the second cell and the first cell. Based on the first information, the first network device may determine the difference condition between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell.

[0085] Specifically, the first information may indicate that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than, less than, or equal to that of the second cell, and may indicate the signal quality difference between the signal quality of the first cell and the signal quality of the second cell. In other words, the terminal uses the first information to indicate whether the signal quality of the first cell is inferior to, better than, or the same as the signal quality of the second cell, and to indicate the magnitude of the difference.

[0086] In one implementation, a first network device receives at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal within a first duration, the first duration being the periodic duration of the signal quality detection cycle of the adjacent cell of the first network device.

[0087] For example, the first network device may determine whether the cell coverage range needs to be adjusted by collecting statistics on the signal quality of the second cell obtained through measurements by terminals within the first cell during each period, based on the signal quality detection period of the adjacent cell.

[0088] S402: The first network device transmits second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information, and the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell.

[0089] Correspondingly, the second network device receives second information from the first network device. Specifically, this may include, but is not limited to, the following methods 1 and 2.

[0090] Method 1: The first network device determines whether the second network device needs to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on at least one piece of first information from a terminal in the first cell, in order to transmit second information to the second network device.

[0091] The first network device may determine the mean signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell based on at least one piece of first information acquired. The first network device transmits second information to the second network device based on the mean signal quality difference.

[0092] For example, the first information includes the signal quality of a second cell, and the first network device may obtain the signal quality of the first cell, obtained through measurements by at least one terminal, by using the first information or other information from at least one terminal. The first network device may determine the average signal quality of the second cell based on the signal quality of the second cell obtained through measurements by at least one terminal, and may determine the average signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the second cell obtained through measurements by at least one terminal. The first network device may then determine the average signal quality difference between the average signal quality of the second cell and the average signal quality of the first cell. Based on the average signal quality difference, the first network device may determine whether the second network device needs to adjust the coverage range of the second cell in order to reduce signal interference.

[0093] In another example, the first information may include the signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell, and the first information may specifically indicate the magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell. The first network device may determine the mean signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell based on at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, in order to determine whether the second network device needs to adjust the coverage range of the second cell.

[0094] In one implementation, if the average signal quality of the second cell is greater than that of the first cell, and the average difference in signal quality is greater than the first threshold, the first network device decides to instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell, and the second information specifically instructs the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell. Alternatively, if the average signal quality of the second cell is less than that of the first cell, and the average difference in signal quality is greater than the second threshold, the first network device decides to instruct the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell, and the second information specifically instructs the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell. Otherwise, the first network device decides to maintain the coverage range of the second cell without change.

[0095] For example, the first network device determines, based on at least one piece of first information, that the signal quality of the second cell is greater than that of the first cell. For example, the average signal quality of the second cell is greater than that of the first cell, and the average signal quality difference is greater than a first threshold. The first network device may then determine that there is strong signal interference between the first and second cells. Thus, the first network device may transmit second information to the second network device, and the second indication information within the second information may instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell.

[0096] If the average signal quality of the second cell is greater than that of the first cell, and the average difference in signal quality is below the first threshold, the first network device may consider the signal interference between the first and second cells to be weak. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the coverage range of the second cell, and the first network device may decide to maintain the coverage range of the second cell without changing it.

[0097] In another example, the first network device determines, based on at least one piece of first information, that the signal quality of the second cell is lower than that of the first cell. For example, the average signal quality of the second cell is lower than that of the first cell, and the average signal quality difference is greater than a second threshold. The first network device may consider that a coverage vulnerability may exist between the first and second cells, and that there may be cases where the terminal cannot be successfully handed over to maintain communication continuity. Therefore, the first network device may send second information to the second network device, and the second indication information in the second information may instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell.

[0098] If the average signal quality of the second cell is lower than that of the first cell, and the average difference in signal quality is below the second threshold, the first network device may consider that there is weak signal interference between the first and second cells and no coverage vulnerability issue. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the coverage range of the second cell, and the first network device may decide to maintain the coverage range of the second cell without changing it.

[0099] In one implementation, the second information may include the second indication information, and the second indication information adjusts the coverage range of the second cell in the following way, namely, This indicates one of the following: expand the coverage range, shrink the coverage range, maintain the coverage range, or turn off some or all of the coverage range for the second cell.

[0100] In one example, the second information may include at least one piece of first information obtained from a terminal by the first network device. Based on the indication of at least one piece of first information and the second information, the second network device may expand, shrink, or maintain the coverage range of the second cell, or turn off some or all of the coverage range of the second cell.

[0101] In another example, the second piece of information may further include a third piece of indication information, which indicates the coverage range parameter of the second cell or the amount of variation in the coverage range parameter.

[0102] For example, the coverage range parameter is: This may include one or more of the following: the off-axis angle of the coverage edge, the elevation angle of the coverage edge, the coverage radius, the lateral length of the coverage edge, or the coverage area.

[0103] For example, if the second cell has circular coverage, the third indication information may indicate the off-axis angle or elevation angle of the coverage edge, the coverage radius, or the variation of one or more parameters of the coverage range. Alternatively, if the second cell is within rectangular coverage, the third indication information may indicate the off-axis angle and / or lateral length of the coverage edge of the coverage range of the second cell, or the variation of the off-axis angle and / or the variation of the lateral length of the coverage edge. Alternatively, the third indication information may indicate the coverage area of ​​the second cell or the variation of the coverage area of ​​the second cell.

[0104] The second network device expands, shrinks, or maintains the coverage range of the second cell, or turns off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell, based on the second indication information and the third indication information within the second information.

[0105] Optionally, the second information may specifically instruct the second network device to adjust the coverage range corresponding to the reference signal of the second cell, and the second information may include information about the reference signal. Alternatively, the second information may specifically instruct the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the beam of the second cell, and the second information may include information about the beam of the second cell.

[0106] For example, a second network device may indicate to the first network device one or more reference signals (or beams) of the second cell that are adjacent to or overlap with the coverage range of the first cell. The first network device may configure a terminal within the first cell to measure the signal quality of one or more reference signals (or beams), and the first information specifically includes the signal quality of one or more reference signals (or beams). The first network device transmits second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, and the second information may include an identifier for a reference signal (or beam) of the second cell. In one method, the second information further includes at least one piece of first information, and the second network device may expand, contract, or maintain the coverage range of one or more reference signals (or beams) based on at least one piece of first information. Alternatively, the second information may further include a third indication information, the third indication information specifically indicating a parameter or parameter variation of the coverage range of a reference signal (or beam), and the second network device may adjust the coverage range of the reference signal (or beam) based on the third indication information.

[0107] For example, if both the first and second network devices are satellites, the second information may be called satellite coverage information. For example, the second information may be represented as SatCoverageInfo. The format of the second information may be expressed as follows: SatCoverageInfo::=SEQUENCE{ Satindex pci beamindex Beam-index CoverageInfo ...}

[0108] The second piece of information may include satellite identification information, such as the aforementioned Satindex. The satellite identification information indicates the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the second cell, i.e., the aforementioned pci. Alternatively, if one satellite can manage one cell, the satellite identification information may indicate the identifier of the second network device. For example, the aforementioned pci may be replaced by satindex. The second piece of information may further include beam identifier information, such as the aforementioned beamindex. The beam identifier information indicates the identifier of the beam whose coverage range needs to be adjusted. For example, the beam identifier information indicates the identifier of one or more beams, i.e., the aforementioned Beam-index. Alternatively, the beam identifier information may be replaced by reference signal identifier information, for example, indicated as RSindex. The reference signal identifier information may indicate that the synchronization signal block (SSB) identifier is indicated, for example, as SSB-index and / or reference signal identifier. For example, the reference signal identifier may be indicated as an RS-index, or the reference signal may be a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), and the reference signal identifier may be indicated as a CSI-RS-index. Coverage information, i.e., the aforementioned coverageinfo, may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the above-mentioned first information, second indication information, or third indication information.

[0109] In another implementation, the second information may include a third indication information that shows the coverage range parameters of the second cell, but not the second indication information. The first network device may adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the coverage range parameters indicated by the third indication information.

[0110] The above describes Method 1 provided in this embodiment of the present application. A first network device may decide to instruct a second network device to expand, contract, maintain, or turn off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell by using second information, based on results obtained through measurements by terminals in the second cell and collected within the first cell. Alternatively, the first network device may decide to indicate coverage range parameters via second information, based on results obtained through measurements by terminals in the second cell and collected within the first cell, and the second network device adjusts the coverage range of the second cell based on a method for adjusting the coverage range of the second cell determined by the first network device.

[0111] Optionally, in Method 1, the first network device may determine how to adjust the coverage ranges of the first and second cells based on at least one piece of first information to reduce signal interference between the first and second cells or to reduce the amount of coverage vulnerability issues. For example, the first network device may decide to expand the coverage range of the first cell based on measurement results fed back by a terminal, and by using second information, instruct the second network device to reduce or maintain the coverage range of the second cell, or to turn off part or all of the coverage range. Alternatively, the first network device may decide to reduce the coverage range of the first cell based on measurement results fed back by a terminal, and by using second information, instruct the second network device to expand or maintain the coverage range of the second cell. This is not limited to the present application.

[0112] The following describes Method 2 provided in this embodiment of the present application.

[0113] Method 2: After the first network device obtains at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, the first network device transmits second information to the second network device, the second information including at least one piece of first information. The second network device adjusts the coverage range of the second cell based on at least one piece of second information in the second information.

[0114] In this way, the first network device collects first information from terminals in the first cell, obtains the results of signal quality measurements of the second cell by the terminals in the first cell, and transmits the results to the second network device using the second information. Based on the results of signal quality measurements of the second cell by the terminals in the first cell, the second network device decides whether to adjust the coverage range of the second cell and how to adjust the coverage range of the second cell, for example, whether to expand, reduce, or maintain the coverage range of the second cell, or whether to turn off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell.

[0115] In one implementation, after receiving the second piece of information, the second network device may send the fourth piece of information to the first network device, indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

[0116] The fourth piece of information may indicate the result of the adjustment of the second cell. For example, the fourth piece of information may instruct the second network device to expand, shrink, or maintain the coverage range of the second cell, or to turn off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell, and / or the fourth piece of information may indicate the coverage range parameters obtained by the adjustment of the coverage range of the second cell by the second network device, or the amount of variation in the coverage range parameters. Based on the fourth piece of information, the first network device may determine the result of the adjustment of the coverage range of the second cell by the second network device.

[0117] Optionally, after determining the result of the second network device's adjustment of the coverage range of the second cell, the first network device may further adjust the coverage range of the first cell to reduce signal interference between the first and second cells, or to reduce the amount of network coverage vulnerability, thereby ensuring the communication quality of terminals within the first cell.

[0118] According to the aforementioned solution, a network device can obtain the signal quality measurement results of adjacent cells by the terminal in a serving cell and negotiate with the adjacent network device managing the adjacent cell to adjust the cell's coverage range. This can reduce signal interference from adjacent network devices or reduce the amount of vulnerability in network coverage in order to ensure the communication quality of the terminal.

[0119] In the implementation of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first information may represent the signal quality of multiple adjacent cells of a first cell, acquired by a terminal through measurement. The first network device receives multiple pieces of first information from multiple terminals within a first duration, the first duration being the periodic duration of the signal quality detection cycle of the adjacent cells of the first network device. The first network device receives the average number N of adjacent cells included in the multiple pieces of first information and the average signal quality Q of each adjacent cell. N The first network device can determine the average signal quality Q of the first cell based on multiple pieces of first information or other information from multiple terminals. S Further decisions can be made.

[0120] The average quantity N of adjacent cells is equal to the allowable quantity N of adjacent cells. th When it is less than [value], the first network device may determine whether it is necessary to adjust the coverage range of adjacent cells using the following determination method:

[0121] Average signal quality Q of multiple adjacent cells N Maximum Average Signal Quality QN max Q is the average signal quality of the first cell. s Larger than QNmax -Q s ≧Q th If yes, the first network device may determine to reduce the coverage ranges of adjacent cells among the plurality of adjacent cells other than the adjacent cell with the maximum average signal quality, and the first network device may indicate, via second information, the network device corresponding to the adjacent cell whose coverage range needs to be reduced. Otherwise, the first network device may determine that there is no need to adjust the coverage ranges of the first cell and the plurality of adjacent cells.

[0122] When the average number N of adjacent cells is the allowable number N of adjacent cells th or more, the first network device may determine whether the coverage range of adjacent cells needs to be adjusted by the following determination method.

[0123] Average signal quality Q of a plurality of adjacent cells N wherein the maximum average signal quality QN max is the average signal quality Q of the first cell s is greater than, and QN max -Q s ≧Q th If yes, the first network device may determine to reduce the coverage ranges of adjacent cells among the plurality of adjacent cells other than the adjacent cell with the maximum average signal quality, and the first network device may indicate, via the second information, the network device corresponding to the adjacent cell whose coverage range needs to be reduced. Otherwise, the first network device may determine to reduce the coverage range of each of the plurality of adjacent cells, and the first network device may indicate, via the second information, the network device corresponding to each of the plurality of adjacent cells.

[0124] According to the aforementioned solution, network devices can obtain the results of signal quality measurements of multiple neighboring cells by the terminal in the serving cell in order to negotiate with neighboring satellites that manage neighboring cells in order to adjust the cell's coverage range. This can reduce signal interference from neighboring network devices or reduce the amount of vulnerability in network coverage in order to ensure the communication quality of the terminal.

[0125] To implement the functions in the embodiments described above, it can be understood that base stations and terminals include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing various functions. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that the units and method steps in the examples described with reference to the embodiments disclosed in this application may be implemented in hardware or in combination with hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and the design constraints of the technical solution.

[0126] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the structure of possible communication devices according to embodiments of the present application. These communication devices may be configured to implement the functions of a terminal, a first network device, or a second network device in the embodiments of the method described above, and thus may achieve the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the method described above. In embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be one of the terminals 120a to 120j as shown in Figure 1, or a network device 110a or 110b as shown in Figure 1, or a module (e.g., a chip or chip system) used in a terminal or network device.

[0127] The communication device 500 includes a transceiver unit 520, which may be configured to receive or transmit information. The communication device 500 may further include a processing unit 510, which may be configured to process instructions or data in order to perform a corresponding operation.

[0128] If the communication device 500 is a chip located within (or used within) a communication device, it should be further understood that the transceiver unit 520 within the communication device 500 may be an input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 510 within the communication device 500 may be a processor within the chip.

[0129] Optionally, the communication device 500 may further include a storage unit 530. The storage unit 530 may be configured to store instructions or data. The processing unit 510 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the corresponding operation.

[0130] The communication device 500 may be configured to perform the functions of the first or second network device in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4.

[0131] When the communication device 500 is configured to perform the functions of the first network device in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4, the transceiver unit 520 is configured to receive at least one first piece of information from at least one terminal, the first piece of information indicating the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell being a cell managed by a second network device and being an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device, and the processing unit 510 is configured to transmit second information to the second network device based on at least one piece of first information, the second information instructing the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell.

[0132] When the communication device 500 is configured to perform the functions of the second network device in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4, the transceiver unit 520 is configured to receive second information from the first network device, the second information instructing the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell, the second cell being a cell managed by the second network device and being an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device, and the processing unit 510 is configured to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information.

[0133] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 510 and the transceiver unit 520 described above, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4.

[0134] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 520 within the communication device 500 may be implemented by using a communication interface (e.g., a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, or pins). If the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The processing unit 510 within the communication device 500 may be implemented by using at least one processor, or alternatively, by using at least one logic circuit. Optionally, the communication device 500 may further include a storage unit, which may be implemented by memory.

[0135] As shown in Figure 6, the communication device 600 includes a processor 610 and an interface circuit 620. The processor 610 and the interface circuit 620 are connected to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 620 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a memory 630 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 610, or input data required by the processor 610 to execute an instruction, or data generated after the processor 610 has executed an instruction.

[0136] In one implementation, the memory 630 may, alternatively, be integrated into the processor 610 or be independent of the processor 610.

[0137] When the communication device 600 is configured to perform the method shown in Figure 4, the processor 610 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 610 described above, and the interface circuit 620 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 620 described above.

[0138] If the aforementioned communication device is a chip used within a terminal, the chip within the terminal performs the functions of the terminal in the embodiment of the method described above. The chip within the terminal receives information from another module within the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to the terminal by a network device. Alternatively, the chip within the terminal transmits information to another module within the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by the terminal.

[0139] If the aforementioned communication device is a module used within a network device, the module in the network device may perform the functions of the first or second network device in the embodiments of the method described above. The module in the network device receives information from another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by a terminal. Alternatively, the module in the network device transmits information to another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to a terminal by the network device. The module in the network device as described herein may be the baseband chip of the network device, a DU, or another module. The DU as described herein may be a DU in an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0140] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0141] The method steps in embodiments of this application may be implemented in hardware or by software instructions that can be executed by a processor. Software instructions may include corresponding software modules. Software modules may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. For example, the storage medium is connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located within an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC may be located within an access network device or terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist within the access network device or terminal as separate components.

[0142] According to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the embodiments further provide a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed by one or more processors, a device including the processors can perform the methods in the embodiments shown in Figure 4.

[0143] All or some of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. Where software is used to implement an embodiment, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When a computer program or instruction is loaded into a computer and executed, all or some of the procedures or functions in the embodiments of this application are performed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, user equipment, or another programmable device.

[0144] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, the embodiments further provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by one or more processors, a device including the processors can perform the method in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0145] Computer programs or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer programs or instructions may be transmitted by wired or wireless means from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes; optical media, such as digital video discs; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state drives. The computer-readable storage medium may be volatile or non-volatile storage media, or may include both types of storage media, volatile and non-volatile.

[0146] According to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, embodiments of this application further provide a communication system including one or more of the aforementioned first network devices and one or more of the aforementioned second network devices. The system may further include one or more of the aforementioned terminals.

[0147] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the aforementioned apparatus described is merely an example. For example, the division into units is merely a division of logical functions, and in actual implementation, other divisions may be possible. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some functions may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or described may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0148] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements in order to achieve the objectives of the solution.

[0149] In some embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or unless there is a logical inconsistency, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to one another, and the technical features of different embodiments can be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0150] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution readily understood by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall be included within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein the method is applied to a first network device or a chip within the first network device, and the method is Receiving at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, wherein the first information indicates the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell is managed by a second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to the first cell managed by the first network device, Transmitting second information to the second network device based on at least one first piece of information, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell. A method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second information includes at least one of the first pieces of information, or the second information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating the average signal quality of the second cell.

3. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 2, further comprising receiving fourth information from the second network device, the fourth information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

4. The second information includes second indication information, which adjusts the coverage range of the second cell in the following way, i.e., The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the following is performed: expanding the coverage range, reducing the coverage range, maintaining the coverage range, or turning off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second information includes a third indication information, the third indication information indicating the parameter of the coverage range or the amount of variation of the parameter of the coverage range.

6. The aforementioned parameters are, The method according to claim 5, comprising one or more of the following: the off-axis angle of the coverage edge, the elevation angle of the coverage edge, the coverage radius, the lateral length of the coverage edge, or the coverage area.

7. The second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range corresponding to the reference signal of the second cell, and the second information includes information about the reference signal, or The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second information instructs to adjust the coverage range of the beam of the second cell, and the second information includes information relating to the beam.

8. Receiving the at least one piece of first information from the at least one terminal means The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising receiving the at least one first piece of information from the at least one terminal within a first duration, wherein the first duration is the periodic duration of the signal quality detection cycle of the adjacent cell of the first network device.

9. Transmitting the second information to the second network device based on the at least one first piece of information is: Based on the at least one piece of first information, determine the average signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell. The second information is transmitted to the second network device based on the average difference in signal quality. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first information includes a signal quality difference between the signal quality of the second cell and the signal quality of the first cell.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the average signal quality of the first cell is determined based on the signal quality of the first cell from at least one terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first information further indicates the signal quality of the first cell.

13. The aforementioned method, The second information is to determine to instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell if the average signal quality of the second cell is greater than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average difference in signal quality is greater than a first threshold, wherein the second information is to instruct the second network device to reduce the coverage range of the second cell, or The second information is to decide to instruct the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell if the average signal quality of the second cell is less than the average signal quality of the first cell and the average difference in signal quality is greater than the second threshold, wherein the second information is to instruct the second network device to expand the coverage range of the second cell. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising:

14. A communication method, wherein the method is applied to a second network device or a chip within the second network device, and the method is Receiving second information from a first network device, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of a second cell, the second cell is a cell managed by the second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to a first cell managed by the first network device. Based on the second information, adjust the coverage range of the second cell. A method that includes this.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second information includes at least one piece of first information, or the second information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating the average signal quality of the second cell.

16. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 15, further comprising transmitting a fourth piece of information to the first network device, the fourth piece of information indicating that the coverage range of the second cell has already been adjusted.

17. The second information includes second indication information, which adjusts the coverage range of the second cell in the following way, i.e., The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein one of the following is performed: expanding the coverage range, reducing the coverage range, maintaining the coverage range, or turning off part or all of the coverage range of the second cell.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the second information includes a third indication information, the third indication information indicating the parameter of the coverage range or the amount of variation of the parameter of the coverage range.

19. The aforementioned parameters are, The method according to claim 18, comprising one or more of the following: the off-axis angle of the coverage edge, the elevation angle of the coverage edge, the coverage radius, the lateral length of the coverage edge, or the coverage area.

20. The second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range corresponding to the reference signal of the second cell, and the second information includes information about the reference signal, or The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the second information instructs to adjust the coverage range of the beam of the second cell, and the second information includes information relating to the beam.

21. A communication device, A transceiver unit configured to receive at least one piece of first information from at least one terminal, wherein the first piece of information indicates the signal quality of a second cell, the second cell is a cell managed by a second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to a first cell managed by the first network device, A processing unit configured to determine second information based on at least one first piece of information, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of the second cell, and Equipped with, The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second network device.

22. A communication device, A transceiver unit configured to receive second information from a first network device, wherein the second information instructs the second network device to adjust the coverage range of a second cell, the second cell is a cell managed by the second network device, and the second cell is an adjacent cell to a first cell managed by the first network device, and the transceiver unit A processing unit configured to adjust the coverage range of the second cell based on the second information, A device equipped with.

23. A communication device comprising at least one processor coupled to memory, The memory is configured to store a program or instruction, The apparatus wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the program or the instructions, enabling the apparatus to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

24. A chip comprising at least one processor and a communication interface, A chip wherein the communication interface is configured to receive a signal from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device, and the processor is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 by using logic circuits or executing code instructions.

25. A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is able to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

26. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is able to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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