Time indication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a mobile communication system, a Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) network communication system has been proposed. This NTN network uses satellites as access network devices to provide a communication transmission network to terminals. However, since the positions of the access network devices in the NTN network may change, in order to complete cell switching, a large number of terminals need to start random access, which may cause congestion and random access may fail. Therefore, a cell switching method based on the NTN network is urgently needed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a time indication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium that eliminate congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improve the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensure the reliability of communication. The technical solutions are as follows.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to one aspect of this application, a time indication method is provided. The method is executed by a first access network device that provides a serving cell to a terminal. The method includes: transmitting first information to an adjacent cell, where the first information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell.

[0005] According to another aspect of this application, a time instruction method is provided, the method being performed by a second access network device, the second access network device covering adjacent cells corresponding to a serving cell, The aforementioned method, The step includes receiving first information transmitted from the serving cell, The first piece of information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell.

[0006] According to another aspect of this application, a time instruction method is provided, the method being performed by a terminal, and the method is The steps include receiving a second or third piece of information transmitted from the serving cell, and The step of monitoring uplink scheduling information transmitted from an adjacent cell based on the second or third information is included: Here, the second information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0007] According to another aspect of this application, a time indicator device is provided, the device is located in a first access network device, and the first access network device provides a serving cell to a terminal. The device includes a transmission module configured to transmit first information to an adjacent cell. The first piece of information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell.

[0008] According to another aspect of this application, a time indicator is provided, the device being located in a second access network device, the second access network device covering adjacent cells corresponding to a serving cell, The device includes a receiving module configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell, The first piece of information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell. According to another aspect of this application, a time indicator device is provided, the device being located at a terminal, A receiving module configured to receive a second or third piece of information transmitted from a serving cell, and A monitoring module is provided which is configured to monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell based on the second or third information, Here, the second piece of information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third piece of information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0009] According to another aspect of this application, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor, a transceiver connected to the processor, and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor, wherein the processor is configured to load and execute executable instructions and to implement the time instruction method described in the above aspect.

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

[0011] According to another aspect of this application, a communication system is provided which includes a terminal and an access network device, wherein the terminal is used to implement the time instruction method described in the above aspect, and the access network device is used to implement the time instruction method described in the above aspect.

[0012] According to another aspect of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided which stores executable program code, and the executable program code is loaded and executed by a processor to realize the time instruction method described in the above aspect.

[0013] According to another aspect of this application, a chip is provided which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is executed on a terminal or access network device, the time instruction method described in the above aspect is realized.

[0014] According to another aspect of this application, a computer program product is provided, and when the computer program product is executed by a processor of a terminal or access network device, the time instruction method described in the above aspect is realized.

[0015] In the solutions provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, a serving cell can reserve switching time for a terminal by providing an adjacent cell with a plan for the time it takes for the terminal to switch, and by notifying the adjacent cell of the time required for the terminal to switch. This can alleviate congestion caused by the simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improve the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensure the reliability of communication. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings necessary for describing the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Clearly, the drawings described below represent only a portion of the embodiments of this application. A person of ordinary skill in the art could obtain other drawings based on these without expending any creative effort. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of another communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of another time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of another time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of another time indication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] To further clarify the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of this application, embodiments of this application are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The following description will refer in detail to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where drawings are referenced in the following description, unless otherwise noted, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Conversely, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application described in the accompanying claims.

[0019] The terminology used in this application is for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit this application. The singular forms “one,” “the said,” and “the said” used in this application and the appended claims are intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein means including any or all possible combinations of one or more of the related enumerated items.

[0020] It should be noted that while this application may use terms such as "first," "second," and "third" to describe various types of information, it should be understood that this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, as long as it does not deviate from the scope of this application, first information may be called second information, and similarly, second information may be called first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "at the time," or "depending on the decision."

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

[0022] The application scenarios for this application are as follows:

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

[0024] The terminal device 10 may also be called User Equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. Optionally, the terminal device 10 may be a mobile phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device for a 5th Generation System (5GS), or terminal device for a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For convenience of explanation, each of the above devices is collectively referred to as a terminal device. The number of terminal devices 10 is usually multiple, and one or more terminal devices 10 may be distributed within the cells managed by each access network device 20.

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

[0026] Exemplary, each access network device 20 includes one or more transmission reference points (TRPs), each TRP may be called a positioning node, and terminal devices receive downlink positioning signals transmitted from positioning nodes, measure the downlink positioning signals, and report them.

[0027] In the embodiments of this application, the "5G NR system" is also referred to as a 5G system or an NR system, and the meaning will be understood by those skilled in the art. The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application can be applied to 5G NR systems and also to subsequent evolutionary systems of 5G NR systems.

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application include 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), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE A) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, NR system evolution systems, LTE-based access to Unlicensed spectrum (LTE U) systems, NR-U systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It can be applied to various communication systems such as Access (WiMAX), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), next-generation communication systems, and other communication systems.

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

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

[0031] In the embodiments of this application, when it is necessary to transmit a signal to terminal 10, the signal is first transmitted to the transfer device 30 and the ground station 40, and the transfer device 30 and the ground station 40 then transfer the received signal to terminal 10.

[0032] Selectively, the transfer device 30 may be a satellite, a drone, or any other device with transfer capabilities, and is not limited to these in the embodiments of this application.

[0033] In some embodiments, there may be multiple transfer devices 30, each managing at least one cell. That is, the transfer device 30 needs to set the parameter settings for each cell for the terminal. For details, please refer to the following embodiments.

[0034] For example, the transfer device 30 is a satellite. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, satellites 1 and 2 are connected to the gNB function module via a single satellite gateway, meaning that satellites 1 and 2 use the same parameter settings to configure cells to the terminal, and therefore the same parameter settings can be used for cells managed by satellites 1 and 2.

[0035] Different satellites manage different cells. For example, the cell managed by satellite 1 is cell 1, and the cell managed by satellite 2 is cell 2.

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

[0037] The NTN network architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only, and this application is not limited to the network architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3; other types of network structures are also applicable.

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

[0039] Step 401: The first access network device transmits first information to the neighboring cell. This first information is used to instruct the terminal on when to switch to the neighboring cell. Here, this first access network device provides a serving cell to the terminal. This serving cell is the cell that the terminal is currently accessing and can provide services to the terminal.

[0040] Furthermore, adjacent cells are target cells that the terminal needs to switch to. In the embodiments of this application, there may be multiple adjacent cells, and all of the multiple adjacent cells are candidate target cells that the terminal may switch to. In other words, the first access network device transmits the first information to each of the multiple adjacent cells and notifies each adjacent cell of the time when the terminal will switch to an adjacent cell.

[0041] In this application, the embodiments are described using an example in which a first access network device transmits first information to an adjacent cell. In another embodiment, the first access network device covers a serving cell, and the first access network device transmitting first information to an adjacent cell can be understood as the serving cell transmitting first information to an adjacent cell. Alternatively, it can be understood as the first access network device transmitting first information to a second access network device.

[0042] Step 402: The second access network device receives the first information transmitted from the serving cell.

[0043] In the embodiments of this application, when a first access network device (also called a serving cell) transmits first information to a second access network device (adjacent cell), the second access network device (adjacent cell) can receive the first information transmitted from the first access network device (serving cell).

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

[0045] In the solution provided in the embodiment of this application, a serving cell can reserve switching time for a terminal by providing an adjacent cell with a plan for the time it takes for the terminal to switch and notifying the adjacent cell of the time required for the terminal to switch, thereby eliminating congestion caused by the simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring the reliability of communication.

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

[0047] Step 501: The first access network device transmits second information to the neighboring cell. This second information is used to instruct the neighboring cell on the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0048] Step 502: The second access network device receives the second piece of information sent from the serving cell.

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

[0050] This uplink scheduling information is used by the terminal to switch to an adjacent cell. The terminal does not need to access the adjacent cell through random access; instead, it sends data directly to the adjacent cell (target cell) based on the uplink scheduling information. This saves the process of the terminal switching to an adjacent cell, reduces terminal overhead, and improves switching efficiency.

[0051] In embodiments of the present application, the first access network device predicts the time it will take for a terminal to switch to an adjacent cell and instructs the adjacent cell on a desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal, so that the duration used by the adjacent cell to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal can refer to the desired duration.

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

[0053] In the solution provided in the embodiment of this application, a first access network device can instruct an adjacent cell for a desired duration length for transmitting uplink scheduling information to a terminal, and the adjacent cell can transmit uplink scheduling information based on the instructed desired duration length and reserve a switching time for the terminal, thereby eliminating congestion caused by the simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring the reliability of communication.

[0054] The embodiments of this application are described using an example in which a serving cell transmits second information to an adjacent cell. In another embodiment, the adjacent cell may also report the actual duration for which it transmits uplink scheduling information to the serving cell. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a time indication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of this application, which can be applied to the access network device shown in Figure 1, and which includes at least some of the following:

[0055] Step 601: The second access network device transmits third information to the serving cell. This third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the neighboring cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0056] Step 602: The first access network device receives the second piece of information transmitted from the adjacent cell.

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

[0058] In the embodiments of this application, an adjacent cell actually records the duration required to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal and reports to the serving cell the actual duration of transmission of uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

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

[0060] Furthermore, data transmission between a serving cell and an adjacent cell includes one of the following situations:

[0061] Type 1: After a serving cell sends a first piece of information to an adjacent cell, the adjacent cell can report a third piece of information to the serving cell.

[0062] In the embodiments of this application, since the serving cell does not instruct the neighboring cell on the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information, the neighboring cell can determine for itself the duration for which it transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal and report the actual duration for which it transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0063] Type 2: After a service cell sends the first and second pieces of information to an adjacent cell, the adjacent cell can report a third piece of information to the service cell.

[0064] In the embodiments of this application, the serving cell instructs the neighboring cell on the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information, so that the neighboring cell can determine the duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal itself, or determine it according to the desired duration, and report the actual duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal to the serving cell.

[0065] Third type: The service cell sends the first and second pieces of information to the neighboring cell, and the neighboring cell does not report the third piece of information to the serving cell.

[0066] In the embodiments of this application, the serving cell instructs the neighboring cell on the desired duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information, so that the neighboring cell can determine the duration for transmitting uplink scheduling information to the terminal itself or according to the desired duration, and the neighboring cell does not need to report to the serving cell the actual duration for which it transmits uplink scheduling information.

[0067] Figure 4 illustrates how a serving cell transmits the first piece of information to an adjacent cell. The specific information included in the first piece of information is described below.

[0068] In some embodiments, this first information includes at least one of a first time point and a first period, where this first information is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell and terminal perform the switch. Alternatively, the first time point, or any time point within the first period, can be understood as the time when the adjacent cell and terminal begin performing the switch.

[0069] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal does not need to switch to an adjacent cell by random access, but is directly switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. Therefore, this first information indicates the point in time when the adjacent cell begins scheduling the terminal.

[0070] Selectively, this first information includes a first time point, which is used to indicate when an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal; that is, the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at this first time point.

[0071] Selectively, this first information includes a first period, which is used to indicate that the time when an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal belongs to this first period, i.e., the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first period.

[0072] The embodiment of this application describes the point in time when an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal. Since the adjacent cell continues to transmit uplink scheduling information for a certain period of time, the adjacent cell continues to transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the length of that period of time.

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

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

[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, if a serving cell sets second information for an adjacent cell, that is, if a serving cell sets a desired duration length for an adjacent cell, the adjacent cell can transmit uplink scheduling information according to the desired duration length desired by the serving cell.

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

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

[0078] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, a serving cell may or may not set second information for its neighboring cells, but all neighboring cells transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to their own needs. In addition, neighboring cells can transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the actual duration of their needs. Moreover, neighboring cells can also report to the serving cell the actual duration for which they transmit uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

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

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

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

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, the first piece of information indicates the time for the terminal to switch to an adjacent cell. Specifically, the second access network device determines when to transmit uplink scheduling information based on this first piece of information, transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal at this time, and transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal according to the duration length indicated by the second or third piece of information.

[0083] Selectively, this first information includes a first time point, which is used to indicate when an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal; that is, the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at this first time point.

[0084] Selectively, this first information includes a first period, which is used to indicate that the time when an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to a terminal belongs to this first period, i.e., the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal at any time within the first period.

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

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

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

[0088] In the embodiment of this application, the second access network device corresponds to an adjacent cell, and in other words, the embodiment of this application can be understood as an adjacent cell transmitting uplink scheduling information to a terminal based on the time indicated by the first information and the duration indicated by the second or third information.

[0089] The above embodiment describes information transmitted between a serving cell and an adjacent cell. The serving cell may further transmit second or third information to the terminal so that the terminal can monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell.

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

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

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

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, after the first access network device determines the second or third information, the first access network device can transmit the determined second or third information to a terminal. Since the second or third information indicates the duration for which an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, the terminal can determine the duration for which an adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information after receiving the second or third information transmitted from the serving cell.

[0094] In some embodiments, after a serving cell transmits first information to an adjacent cell, the adjacent cell may report third information to the serving cell. That is, the adjacent cell reports the third information, the serving cell receives the third information, and therefore the serving cell can transmit the third information to the terminal.

[0095] In other embodiments, after the serving cell transmits the first and second pieces of information to an adjacent cell, the adjacent cell reports a third piece of information to the serving cell. That is, the serving cell not only receives the second piece of information but also the third piece of information, and the information transmitted from the serving cell to the terminal includes one of the following situations:

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

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

[0098] Step 803: The terminal monitors the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell based on the second or third piece of information.

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

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

[0101] In the solution provided in the embodiment of this application, a terminal monitors uplink scheduling information transmitted from an adjacent cell according to a time duration specified by the serving cell, and then the terminal can switch to an adjacent cell according to the monitored uplink scheduling information, thereby eliminating congestion caused by simultaneous switching of multiple terminals, improving the accuracy of terminal switching, and ensuring the reliability of communication.

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

[0103] Furthermore, the above embodiments can be divided into new embodiments or combined with other embodiments to form new embodiments, and this application does not limit the combinations between embodiments. Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a time indicator device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the device being located in a first access network device, which covers a serving cell. Referring to Figure 9, the device is, The system includes a transmission module 901 configured to transmit first information to an adjacent cell, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell.

[0104] In some embodiments, the transmission module 901 is further configured to transmit second information to the adjacent cell. The second piece of information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0105] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 10, the apparatus further includes: The receiving module 902 is configured to receive third information transmitted from the adjacent cell, The third piece of information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 901 further, The terminal is configured to transmit a second or third piece of information to the aforementioned terminal. The terminal is configured to monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell based on the second or third information.

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

[0108] In some embodiments, the first information includes the first time point, which is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal, or The first information includes a first period, which is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period.

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

[0110] Figure 11 shows a block diagram of a time indicator provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the device being located in a second access network device, the second access network device covering adjacent cells corresponding to a serving cell. Referring to Figure 11, the device is, The system includes a receiving module 1101 configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell.

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

[0112] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 12, the apparatus further includes: The system includes a transmission module 1102 configured to transmit a third piece of information to the serving cell, The third piece of information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0120] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 14, the apparatus further includes: The system includes a processing module 1302 configured to initiate a random access procedure if the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell is not monitored within the time length corresponding to the second or third piece of information.

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

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

[0123] The processor 1501 contains one or more processing cores. The processor 1501 performs various functional applications and information processing by executing software programs and modules.

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

[0125] Memory 1504 is connected to processor 1501 via bus 1505.

[0126] Memory 1504 is used to store at least one program code, and processor 1501 executes at least one program code to realize each step of the embodiment of the method described above.

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

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

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

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

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

[0132] The above description is merely an example of any embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application shall be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A time instruction method performed by a first access network device, The first access network device provides a serving cell to the terminal, The aforementioned method, The process includes the step of sending first information to an adjacent cell, The first information described above is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A method for indicating time, characterized by the features described above.

2. The step further includes transmitting a second piece of information to the adjacent cell, The second piece of information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The method according to feature 1.

3. The step further includes receiving a third piece of information transmitted from the adjacent cell, The third piece of information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The method according to feature 2.

4. The process further includes the step of transmitting a second or third piece of information to the aforementioned terminal. The terminal is configured to monitor the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell based on the second or third information. The method according to feature 3.

5. A time instruction method performed by a second access network device, The second access network device covers adjacent cells corresponding to the serving cell, The aforementioned method, The step includes receiving first information transmitted from the serving cell, The first piece of information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A method for indicating time, characterized by the features described above.

6. The step further includes receiving a second piece of information transmitted from the serving cell, The second piece of information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The method according to specification 5.

7. The step further includes transmitting a third piece of information to the serving cell, The third piece of information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The method according to feature 6.

8. The duration for transmitting the uplink scheduling information is either the desired duration indicated by the second piece of information, or the actual duration indicated by the third piece of information. The method according to specification 5.

9. A time instruction method performed by a terminal, The steps include receiving a second or third piece of information transmitted from a serving cell, and The step of monitoring uplink scheduling information transmitted from an adjacent cell based on the second or third information is included: Here, the second information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal. A serving cell transmits first information to an adjacent cell, and the first information is used to instruct the terminal on the time to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A method for indicating time, characterized by the features described above.

10. If the uplink scheduling information transmitted from the adjacent cell is not monitored within the time length corresponding to the second or third piece of information, the procedure further includes initiating a random access procedure. The method according to feature 9.

11. A time indicator device located on a first access network device, The first access network device provides a serving cell to the terminal, The device includes a transmission module configured to transmit first information to an adjacent cell. The first information described above is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A time indicator device characterized by the following features.

12. A time indicator device located on a second access network device, The second access network device covers adjacent cells corresponding to the serving cell, The device includes a receiving module configured to receive first information transmitted from the serving cell, The first piece of information is used to indicate the time for the terminal to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A time indicator device characterized by the following features.

13. A time indicator device placed on a terminal, A receiving module configured to receive a second or third piece of information transmitted from a serving cell, and A monitoring module is provided which is configured to monitor uplink scheduling information transmitted from an adjacent cell based on the second or third information, Here, the second information is used to indicate the desired duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate the actual duration for which the adjacent cell transmits the uplink scheduling information to the terminal. A serving cell transmits first information to an adjacent cell, and the first information is used to instruct the terminal on the time to switch to the adjacent cell. The aforementioned terminal is switched to an adjacent cell by direct scheduling by the adjacent cell. The first information includes at least one of a first point in time and a first period, The first time point is used to indicate the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal. The first period is used to indicate that the time when the adjacent cell transmits uplink scheduling information to the terminal falls within the first period. A time indicator device characterized by the following features.

14. It is a terminal, Processor, and The transceiver connected to the aforementioned processor is provided, The processor is configured to load and execute instructions that can be executed to implement the time instruction method described in any one of claims 9 to 10. A terminal characterized by the following features.

15. Access network device, Processor, and The transceiver connected to the aforementioned processor is provided, The processor is configured to load and execute instructions that can be executed in order to implement the time instruction method described in any one of claims 1 to 8. An access network device characterized by the following features.

16. It is a communication system, The communication system includes a terminal, an access network device, and a core network device, wherein the terminal is used to implement the time instruction method described in any one of claims 9 to 10, and the access network device is used to implement the time instruction method described in any one of claims 1 to 8. A communication system characterized by the following features.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, The computer-readable storage medium stores executable program code, and the time instruction method described in any one of claims 1 to 10 is realized when the executable program code is loaded and executed by a processor. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following features.

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