Multi-access or multi-connection indication method and apparatus, core network function, and terminal device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a multi-access or multi-connection indication method and apparatus, a core network function, and a terminal device. The method comprises: when the number of access network devices connected to a terminal device changes and / or a terminal device accesses a plurality of access network devices, a core network function executes at least one of the following operations: sending first information to the terminal device, and sending second information to a first access network device; and sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to a second access network device, and forwarding, to the second access network device, fifth information sent by the first access network device. The first information is used for indicating a capability allocation policy when the terminal device accesses one or more access network devices, and / or capability configuration information when the terminal device accesses the first access network device; the second information is used for configuration of the terminal device; the third information is used for indicating a capability configured for the terminal device by the first access network device; the fourth information is used for indicating a capability configured for the terminal device by the second access network device; and the fifth information is information of the first access network device forwarded to another access network device by means of the core network function.

Description

Multi-access or multi-connection indication method and device, core network function and terminal equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310923690.7 filed in China on July 25, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a multi-access or multi-connection indication method and apparatus, core network functions, and terminal equipment. Background Art

[0004] In some scenarios, the terminal device can support multiple accesses or multiple connections, that is, the terminal device can access or connect to multiple access network devices at the same time. Furthermore, the connection status between the terminal device and the access network device may also change. When the connection status between the terminal device and the access network device changes and / or the terminal device is connected or accesses multiple access network devices, how to allocate the capabilities of the terminal device to ensure the normal operation of the terminal is an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a multi-access or multi-connection indication method and apparatus, core network functions and terminal equipment, which can realize effective dynamic allocation of terminal equipment capabilities in multi-access or multi-connection scenarios.

[0007] In a first aspect, a method for indicating multiple access or multiple connections is provided, including:

[0008] When a first condition is met, the core network function performs a first operation; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0009] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes;

[0010] The terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices;

[0011] The first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0012] In a case where the access network device connected to or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device, sending first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or sending second information to the first access network device;

[0013] When the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to the second access network device, and / or receiving fifth information sent by the first access network device and sending the fifth information to the second access network device;

[0014] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0015] A capability allocation strategy for the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices;

[0016] Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0017] The second information is used for configuration of the terminal device;

[0018] The third information is used to indicate the capability configured by the first access network device for the terminal device;

[0019] The fourth information is used to indicate the capability configured by the second access network device for the terminal device;

[0020] The fifth information is information of the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the core network function.

[0021] In a second aspect, a multi-access or multi-connection indication method is provided, including:

[0022] The terminal device sends fourth indication information to the core network function, or sends sixth information to the core network function;

[0023] The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection;

[0024] The sixth information is used to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and capability allocation-related preference information.

[0025] In a third aspect, a multi-access or multi-connection indication device is provided, including:

[0026] a communication unit, configured to perform a first operation when a first condition is met;

[0027] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0028] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes;

[0029] The terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices;

[0030] The first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0031] In a case where the access network device connected to or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device, sending first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or sending second information to the first access network device;

[0032] When the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to the second access network device, and / or receiving fifth information sent by the first access network device and sending the fifth information to the second access network device;

[0033] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0034] A capability allocation strategy for the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices;

[0035] Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0036] The second information is used for configuration of the terminal device;

[0037] The third information is used to indicate the capability configured by the first access network device for the terminal device;

[0038] The fourth information is used to indicate the capability configured by the second access network device for the terminal device;

[0039] The fifth information is information about the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the indication device.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, a multi-access or multi-connection indication device is provided, including:

[0041] A communication unit, configured to send a fourth indication message to a core network function, or to send a sixth message to a core network function; the fourth indication message is configured to indicate that the indication device supports multi-access or multi-connection; and the sixth information is configured to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and preference information related to capability allocation.

[0042] In the fifth aspect, a core network function is provided, including a processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and run the computer programs stored in the memory to execute the methods in the above-mentioned first aspect or its various implementation methods.

[0043] In the sixth aspect, a terminal device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and run the computer programs stored in the memory to execute the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or its various implementation methods.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided for implementing the method described in any one of the first and second aspects above, or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes a processor configured to load and execute a computer program from a memory, causing a device equipped with the chip to perform the method described in any one of the first and second aspects above, or their respective implementations.

[0045] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program, which enables a computer to execute the method of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0046] In the ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the core network function as described in the fifth aspect and the terminal device as described in the sixth aspect.

[0047] Based on the above technical solution, when the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes or the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state, the core network function can perform a first operation related to the capability allocation of the terminal device, so that the capabilities of the terminal device can be effectively and dynamically allocated according to the state of the terminal device, which is conducive to ensuring normal communication between the terminal device and the access network device that is connected or connected. In addition, in scenarios where the terminal device accesses or connects to multiple access network devices (including the terminal device connecting or accessing multiple access network devices after the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes, and the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state (that is, the connection status between the terminal device and the access network device has not changed)), the capabilities of the terminal device can be effectively and dynamically allocated, which can improve the stability of the connection or access between the terminal device and the access network device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0049] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a dual access or dual connection provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of another dual access or dual connection provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-SIM terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0057] FIG9 is a schematic interaction diagram of a multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] FIG10 is a schematic interaction diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] FIG11 is a schematic interaction diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0060] FIG12 is a schematic interaction diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-access or multi-connection indication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of another multi-access or multi-connection indication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0063] FIG15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0064] FIG16 is a schematic block diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. With respect to the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0067] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. The terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" in the specification and claims of the present application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. In addition, the use of "and / or" in the specification and claims represents at least one of the connected objects, such as A and / or B and / or C, which means including 7 situations including single A, single B, single C, and both A and B exist, both B and C exist, both A and C exist, and both A, B and C exist.

[0068] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A, or for example, A includes B; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0069] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0070] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Fifth Generation Communication (5G) system, Sixth Generation Communication (6G) system or other evolved communication systems.

[0071] For example, a communication system 100 used in an embodiment of the present application may be as shown in FIG1 . The communication system 100 may include a terminal device 110, an access network device 120, and a core network function 130. The terminal device 110 may be connected to the core network function 130 via the access network device 120. The access network device 120 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with terminal devices within the coverage area. Specifically, for example, the terminal device 110 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), a terminal, or other similar names.

[0072] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile Internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, a flight vehicle, a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a shipborne device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home appliances with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines or furniture, etc.), a game console, a personal computer (PC), an ATM or a self-service machine, and other terminal-side devices. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, vehicle-mounted devices can also be called vehicle-mounted terminals, vehicle-mounted controllers, vehicle-mounted modules, vehicle-mounted components, vehicle-mounted chips, or vehicle-mounted units.

[0073] In some embodiments, the access network device 120 may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network node, a radio access network function, or a radio access network unit. The access network device may include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AS), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node. Among them, the base station can be called Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the relevant field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary.

[0074] In some embodiments, the access network device 120 may be mobile. For example, the access network device 120 may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. In some embodiments, the access network device 120 may also be a base station located on land or in water.

[0075] In some embodiments, the core network function 130 may also be referred to as a core network (CN) device, a core network node, or a core network unit, etc. For example, the core network function 130 may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), Binding Support Function (BSF), Application Function (AF), etc.

[0076] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, dual access (DA) or dual connection (DC) or dual steering technology is described below.

[0077] Dual access, dual connectivity, or dual steering refers to devices that support dual radio capabilities and can simultaneously access or connect to two 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks. Dual access or dual connectivity technology can provide terminals with improved throughput and service continuity.

[0078] In some scenarios, the two 3GPP networks are the same Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), or different PLMNs, or one is a PLMN and the other is a non-public network (NPN). Figures 2 and 3 show two dual access or dual connection scenarios. In Figure 2, the terminal accesses or connects to the RAN1 node and the RAN2 node, and the RAN1 node and the RAN2 node are connected to the CN node in the same PLMN, and are further connected to the data network (DN) through the CN node. In Figure 3, the terminal accesses or connects to the RAN1 node, and the RAN1 node is connected to the CN node in PLMN1 (denoted as PLMN1-CN), and the terminal accesses or connects to the RAN2 node through the NTN, and the RAN2 node is connected to the CN node in PLMN2 (denoted as PLMN2-CN). The PLMN1-CN can serve as an anchor CN node, and the UE can connect to the DN through the PLMN1-CN.

[0079] It should be understood that the radio access types (RAN) of the two 3GPP networks to which the terminal is connected may be the same or different. For example, the RAT of the 3GPP network may be NR, LTE, E-UTRA, etc., and the NR may be a new radio terrestrial communication network (New Radio TN, NR-TN), or may be a new radio non-terrestrial communication network (New Radio NTN, NR-NTN), for example, the terminal accesses the NR network using a satellite.

[0080] As an example, the combination of the two 3GPP networks may be a combination of NR and NR, a combination of NR and E-UTRA, a combination of NR-TN and NR-NTN, a combination of NR-NTN and NR-NTN, and the like.

[0081] With the development of communication technology, multi-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) terminals (eg, dual-SIM terminals) have shown more technical advantages and commercial prospects than traditional single-SIM terminals.

[0082] As shown in Figure 4, a dual-SIM terminal may refer to a terminal device that has two SIM cards registered at the same time, and the terminal can access or connect to two networks through the two SIM cards. Optionally, the two networks may correspond to different RATs, or they may correspond to the same RAT.

[0083] When a terminal device supports multiple accesses or multiple connections, the connection status of the terminal device on the access network device will change. For example, the terminal device changes from single access or single connection to multiple accesses or multiple connections, or from multiple accesses or multiple connections to single access or single connection. In this case, how to achieve dynamic allocation of terminal device capabilities is an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

[0084] For example, for a dual-SIM terminal, the two SIM cards of the terminal (recorded as the first SIM card and the second SIM card) share some hardware modules. When the second SIM card is pulled out, the capabilities on the second SIM card need to be reallocated to the first SIM. When the second SIM card establishes or restores a connection, part of the capabilities need to be allocated to the second SIM card. Since the network device corresponding to the first SIM card is unaware of the recovery of the second SIM card, the network devices corresponding to the two SIM cards will configure the capabilities of the terminal device that exceed the maximum capabilities supported by the terminal device, thereby causing the terminal device to lose data of the network device corresponding to the first SIM card or causing waste of network resources.

[0085] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined arbitrarily with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0086] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a method 500 for indicating multiple access or multiple connections according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the method 500 for indicating multiple access or multiple connections may include at least part of the following contents:

[0087] S510: When a first condition is met, the core network function performs a first operation.

[0088] In some embodiments, core network functions may include but are not limited to at least one of the following:

[0089] MME, AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, PCRF, EASDF, UDM, UDR, HSS, CNC, NRF, NEF, L-NEF, BSF, AF, or other core network functions introduced as the standard evolves, which is not limited in this application.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first condition may be a condition that triggers a change in terminal capabilities, or a condition that triggers the reallocation of capabilities of the terminal device. The terminal capability change here may refer to a change in the capabilities of the terminal device on an access or a connection (or a leg).

[0091] In some embodiments, the capabilities of the terminal device include but are not limited to at least one of the following:

[0092] Support dual access or multi-access;

[0093] Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) capability;

[0094] Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability;

[0095] measurement capabilities;

[0096] Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) switching capability;

[0097] DC or carrier aggregation (CA) capability;

[0098] Bandwidth capabilities;

[0099] Power capability;

[0100] Supported sending and receiving capabilities;

[0101] Maximum supported rate, such as the maximum supported data transmission rate.

[0102] In some embodiments, the MIMO capability may include uplink MIMO capability (eg, the number of uplink transmission layers) and / or downlink MIMO capability (eg, the number of downlink transmission layers).

[0103] In some embodiments, MIMO capabilities may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0104] The maximum, minimum, or restricted uplink MIMO capabilities supported by the terminal device;

[0105] The maximum, minimum, or restricted downlink MIMO capability supported by the terminal device.

[0106] In some embodiments, the frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability may include:

[0107] The frequency bands or frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, or the frequency bands or frequency band combinations to which the terminal device is restricted.

[0108] In some embodiments, the measurement capability may include but is not limited to measurement interval information supported by the terminal.

[0109] In some embodiments, DC or CA capabilities may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0110] the maximum, minimum or restricted number of secondary cells supported by the terminal device;

[0111] The terminal device's preference information for secondary cell configuration;

[0112] Whether the terminal device supports a secondary cell group (SCG);

[0113] The terminal device's preference information for SCG configuration.

[0114] In some embodiments, the bandwidth capability includes uplink bandwidth capability and / or downlink bandwidth capability.

[0115] In some embodiments, the bandwidth capability may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0116] The maximum, minimum, or restricted uplink bandwidth supported by the terminal device;

[0117] The maximum, minimum, or restricted downlink bandwidth supported by the terminal device.

[0118] In some embodiments, the power capability includes a maximum, minimum, or limited power supported by the terminal device, which may include transmit power and / or receive power.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0120] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes;

[0121] The terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices.

[0122] Optionally, the change in the number of access network devices connected to or accessed by the terminal device includes at least one of the following situations:

[0123] Case 1: The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device increases, for example, the terminal device changes from being connected or accessed to M access network devices to being connected or accessed to N access network devices, where M is less than M.

[0124] Optionally, M=1, N=2, that is, the terminal device changes from single access or single connection (or, one leg) to dual access or dual connection (or, two legs).

[0125] Exemplarily, when the terminal device accesses or connects to the first access network device (i.e., there is only one leg), it initiates access to the second access network device, or establishes a connection with the second access network device, or establishes a (Protocol Data Unit, PDU) session with the core network function through the second access network device, that is, a leg is added, and the terminal device changes from single access or single connection to dual access or dual connection.

[0126] Case 2: The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device decreases, for example, the terminal device changes from being connected or accessed to P access network devices to being connected or accessed to Q access network devices, where P is greater than Q.

[0127] Optionally, P=2, Q=1, that is, the terminal device changes from dual access or dual connection (or, two legs) to single access or single connection (or, one leg).

[0128] Exemplarily, when the terminal device accesses or connects to the first access network device and the second access network device, the connection between the terminal device and the second access network device is released or the PDU session established by the terminal device through the second access network device is released, that is, one leg is reduced, and the terminal device changes from dual access or dual connection (or two legs) to single access or single connection (or one leg).

[0129] In some specific embodiments, for a multi-SIM terminal, for example, the terminal includes a first SIM card and a second SIM card, when the first SIM card and the second SIM card are both in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state, the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal can be considered to be 2. When the second SIM card is removed or deactivated, the second SIM card enters an RRC unconnected state, and the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device decreases to 1. In other cases, when the first SIM card is in an RRC connected state and the second SIM card is removed or deactivated, the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal can be considered to be 1. When the second SIM card is inserted or activated, the second SIM card enters an RRC connected state. In this case, the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device can be considered to increase to 2. Optionally, the above-mentioned SIM card can be a virtual SIM card or a physical SIM card.

[0130] In some embodiments, a terminal device being connected to or accessing multiple access network devices may mean that the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state, that is, the terminal device has multiple legs.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first operation may be an operation related to capability allocation of the terminal device, or in other words, the first operation is used to reallocate capabilities of the terminal device.

[0132] For example, when the number of access network devices accessed or connected to the terminal device increases, the core network function can perform a first operation, such as reallocating the capabilities of the terminal device based on the increased number of access network devices, so that data transmission between the terminal device and the access network device can proceed normally and avoid losing data from the newly accessed or newly connected access network device.

[0133] For another example, when the number of access network devices accessed or connected to the terminal device decreases, the core network function can perform a first operation, such as reallocating the capabilities of the terminal device based on the reduced number of access network devices. For example, in the case of changing from dual access or dual connection (or two legs) to single access or single connection (or one leg), all the capabilities of the terminal device can be allocated to the single access or single connection (or one leg), which can avoid wasting network resources.

[0134] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of allocating capabilities to terminal devices. For example, the core network function can allocate capabilities to terminal devices, and then send the capability allocation results to the terminal devices, or send them to the terminal devices through access network devices. For another example, the core network function can also send auxiliary information for capability allocation to the terminal devices (for example, directly to the terminal devices, or through the access network devices), and the terminal devices can allocate capabilities based on the auxiliary information. For another example, the core network function can also send auxiliary information for capability allocation to the terminal devices to the access network devices, and the access network devices can allocate capabilities to the terminal devices based on the auxiliary information, and then send the energy allocation results to the terminal devices.

[0135] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information used for capability allocation of the terminal device may include terminal-related information, such as the globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI) of the terminal device, capability information of the terminal device, such as whether the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections, or may also include information of a second access network device, such as identification information of the second access network device and / or capability information of the second access network device. The capability information of the second access network device may include, for example, frequency information of the second access network device, support for multiple access or multiple connections, etc.

[0136] 6 and 7 , specific operations included in the first operation are described below.

[0137] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG6 and FIG7 , the first operation includes one or more of the following operations:

[0138] S610: When the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed includes a first access network device, first information is sent to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or second information is sent to the first access network device.

[0139] S710, when the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sends third information to the first access network device and sends fourth information to the second access network device, and / or, receives fifth information sent by the first access network device and sends fifth information to the second access network device.

[0140] In some embodiments, S610 may include:

[0141] When the number of access network devices connected to or accessed by the terminal device changes, and after the change, the access network devices connected to or accessed by the terminal device include the first access network device, the core network function sends the first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or the core network function sends the second information to the first access network device; and / or

[0142] When the terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, and the multiple access network devices include a first access network device, the core network function sends first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or the core network function sends second information to the first access network device.

[0143] Optionally, the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed after the change includes a first access network device, which may refer to:

[0144] After the change, the access network device connected or accessed by the terminal device only includes the first access network device, that is, the terminal device is in a single access or single connection (or one leg) state; or,

[0145] After the change, the access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device include the first access network device and one or more other access network devices (such as the second access network device), that is, the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection (or multi-leg) state.

[0146] In some embodiments, S710 may include:

[0147] When the number of access network devices connected to or accessed by the terminal device changes, and after the change the terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, and the multiple access network devices include a first access network device and a second access network device, the core network function sends the third information to the first access network device and sends the fourth information to the second access network device, and / or the core network function receives the fifth information sent by the first access network device and sends the fifth information to the second access network device; and / or

[0148] When the terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, and the multiple access network devices include a first access network device and a second access network device, the core network function sends the third information to the first access network device and the fourth information to the second access network device, and / or the core network function receives the fifth information sent by the first access network device and sends the fifth information to the second access network device.

[0149] In some embodiments, the core network function sending the first information to the terminal device through the first access network device may include:

[0150] The core network function sends the first information to the first access network device, and the first access network device sends the first information to the terminal device. For example, the first access network device sends the first information to the terminal device through an RRC message.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first information may include capability configuration information corresponding to one access network device, or may include capability allocation information corresponding to multiple access network devices, or may include auxiliary information for capability allocation of terminal devices.

[0152] That is, the core network function may indicate to the terminal device, through an access network device, the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the access network device. In this way, the terminal device can use the capability configuration information to access or connect to the access network device. Alternatively, the core network function may also indicate to the terminal device, through an access network device, capability allocation information corresponding to multiple access network devices. The terminal device can then use the corresponding capability allocation information when accessing or connecting to the multiple access network devices. Alternatively, the core network function may also indicate to the terminal device, through an access network device, auxiliary information for capability allocation of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can perform capability allocation based on the auxiliary information when accessing or connecting to one or more access network devices.

[0153] In some specific embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0154] The capability allocation strategy (referred to as the first capability allocation strategy) of the terminal device when it connects to or accesses one or more access network devices, or in other words, the capability allocation mode;

[0155] Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device (referred to as first capability configuration information).

[0156] In some embodiments, the first capability allocation strategy includes capability allocation information corresponding to one or more access network devices when the terminal device is connected to or accesses one or more access network devices, that is, the capability allocation information is related to the access network device, or in other words, the capability allocation information is per access network device.

[0157] Optionally, the capability allocation information related to the access network device may refer to:

[0158] The capability allocation information is directly related to the access network device, for example, the capability allocation information is related to the identifier of the access network device; or

[0159] The capability allocation information is indirectly related to the access network device. For example, the capability allocation information is related to the wireless standard (such as 4G, 5G or beyond 5G, etc.) or RAT (such as NTN, TN, LTE, NR, etc.) or PLMN of the access network device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the capability allocation information includes but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0161] The first indication information is used to indicate an allocation ratio of the capabilities of the terminal device (for example, the maximum capabilities supported by the terminal device);

[0162] First identification information, used to identify the capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device;

[0163] The first capability information includes a capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first indication information may indicate an allocation ratio for the capabilities of the terminal device when the terminal device accesses or connects to an access network device. For example, the first indication information may indicate an allocation ratio that applies to all capabilities of the terminal device, that is, a unified allocation ratio is used for all capabilities of the terminal device, or may indicate multiple allocation ratios, with each capability of the terminal device corresponding to a separate allocation ratio. This application does not limit the specific indication method.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first identification information can be considered as a capability identification (Identity, ID), different capability IDs correspond to different capabilities or capability sets, and the first identification information is used to identify the capability or capability set assigned to the access network device for access or connection by the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the core network function and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the correspondence between the capability ID and the corresponding capability or capability set. Therefore, the core network function indicates the capability or capability set assigned to the access network device for access or connection by the terminal device through the capability ID, which is conducive to reducing signaling overhead.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first capability information may include a capability or capability set allocated for the terminal device to access or connect to the access network device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the capabilities or capability sets assigned to a terminal device when accessing or connecting to an access network device may include some or all of the aforementioned capabilities of the terminal device. For example, the capabilities or capability sets assigned to a terminal device when accessing or connecting to an access network device may include one or more of the following capabilities:

[0168] Support dual access or multiple access, MIMO capability, frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability, measurement capability, SRS switching capability, DC or CA capability, bandwidth capability, power capability, supported feature sets, supported feature set combinations, supported transmission and reception capabilities, and supported maximum rate.

[0169] It should be understood that the content included in the above-mentioned first capability allocation strategy is only an example, but the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the capability allocation strategy of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices may also be auxiliary information for capability allocation of the terminal device. Then, when accessing or connecting to one or more access network devices, the terminal device can allocate the capabilities of the terminal device according to the capability allocation strategy, and further use the corresponding capabilities to access or connect to the corresponding access network device. As an example, the first capability allocation strategy may also include one or more of the following:

[0170] The terminal device uses the maximum capability supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing an access network device;

[0171] The ability of terminal devices to evenly distribute terminal devices when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices;

[0172] When a terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, the terminal device's capabilities are allocated according to a certain ratio. This ratio may be related to information such as the number of access network devices connected or accessed, wireless standard, RAT, PLMN, and Quality of Service (QoS).

[0173] For example, due to the higher stability of the TN network, when the RAT of multiple access network devices includes NR-TN type and NR-TNT type, the NR-TN type access network device can correspond to a larger capacity allocation ratio, and the NR-NTN type access network device can correspond to a smaller capacity allocation ratio.

[0174] For another example, an access network device with high QoS corresponds to a larger capacity allocation ratio, and an access network device with high QoS corresponds to a smaller capacity allocation ratio.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first capability configuration information is determined by the core network function and is used to configure the capability of the terminal device when it accesses or connects to the first access network device. Optionally, the core network function can send capability configuration information for connecting to or accessing the access network device to the terminal device through each access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed. For example, in the case where the terminal device is also connected to or accesses a second access network device, the core network function can also send capability configuration information for the terminal device to access or connect to the second access network device to the terminal device through the second access network device. The following is explained by taking the first capability configuration information as an example. The specific implementation of the capability configuration information for the terminal device to access or connect to the second access network device is similar to that of the first capability configuration information.

[0176] Optionally, the capability configuration information (i.e., the first capability configuration information) of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device can be used to configure at least one of the following:

[0177] MIMO capabilities of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0178] The frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0179] The measurement capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0180] The SRS switching capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0181] DC or CA capabilities of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0182] The bandwidth capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0183] The power capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0184] A feature set supported by the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0185] The feature set combination supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0186] The sending and receiving capabilities supported by the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0187] The maximum rate supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device, such as the maximum supported data transmission rate.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second information is used to configure the terminal device. For example, the first access network device may configure the terminal device based on the second information. Specifically, for example, the first access network device may configure capability configuration information for the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the first access network device based on the second information, or in other words, configure the capabilities used by the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the first access network device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the second information may directly indicate the capability configuration information of the terminal device to connect to or access the first access network device, or may also indicate auxiliary information used to determine the capability configuration information of the terminal device to connect to or access the first access network device. This application does not limit this.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0191] A capability allocation policy (referred to as a second capability allocation policy) when a terminal device is connected to or accesses one or more access network devices;

[0192] Capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device (referred to as second capability configuration information);

[0193] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by terminal devices increases;

[0194] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device is reduced;

[0195] The first access network device is an added access network device;

[0196] The first access network device is a reduced access network device;

[0197] When the terminal device is connected to or accesses the second access network device, information of the second access network device;

[0198] An indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections;

[0199] Capability information;

[0200] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second capability allocation policy includes capability allocation information corresponding to one or more access network devices when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the one or more access network devices. That is, the capability allocation information may be per access network device. After the first access network device receives the capability allocation information corresponding to the one or more access network devices, it may forward the capability allocation information corresponding to the other access network devices to other access network devices, so that the other access network devices can configure the terminal device based on the capability allocation information.

[0202] For example, the first capability allocation strategy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the first access network device and capability allocation information corresponding to the second access network device. After the first access network device receives the first capability allocation strategy, it can send the capability allocation information corresponding to the second access network device to the second access network device, and the second access network device can configure the terminal device based on the capability allocation information.

[0203] In some embodiments, the second capability allocation policy may also include auxiliary information for allocating capabilities to the terminal device. The first access network device may then determine, based on the second capability allocation policy, capability configuration information for the terminal device when accessing one or more access network devices. When the terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, the first access network device may forward capability configuration information corresponding to the other access network devices to the other access network devices so that the other access network devices can configure the terminal device based on the capability configuration information.

[0204] It should be understood that the specific content included in the second capability allocation strategy can refer to the specific implementation of the first capability allocation strategy, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second information includes capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device, i.e., second capability configuration information. The second capability configuration information may be determined by a core network function and is used to configure the terminal device for the first access network device. After receiving the second capability configuration information, the first access network device may configure the terminal device according to the second capability configuration information. The specific content included in the second capability configuration information can refer to the specific implementation of the first capability configuration information and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device increases, and the first access network device is the added access network device, it can be considered that certain capabilities need to be allocated to the terminal device to access or connect to the first access network device. In this case, the second information can indicate a second capability allocation strategy or second capability configuration information, so that the first access network device configures the terminal device according to the second capability allocation strategy or the second capability configuration information.

[0207] In some embodiments, when the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device decreases, and the first access network device is one of the access network devices that has been reduced, it may be considered necessary to reclaim the capacity allocated to the terminal device for accessing or connecting to the first access network device. The reclaimed capacity may be used for the terminal device to access or connect to other access network devices, thereby avoiding waste of terminal device capacity. In this case, the second information may also indicate a second capacity allocation strategy or second capacity configuration information, so that the first access network device may send the capacity configuration information of the first access network device to other access network devices (e.g., a second access network device, i.e., an access network device that remains connected, or an unreleased access network device) according to the second capacity allocation strategy or the second capacity configuration information, so that other access network devices (e.g., the second access network device) adjust the capacity configuration information for the terminal device according to the second capacity allocation strategy or the second capacity configuration information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the information of the second access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0209] Identification information of the second access network device, such as the gNB ID;

[0210] frequency information of the second access network device;

[0211] Support multi-access or multi-connection indication;

[0212] Supports the session steering mode adopted by multiple access or multiple connections (also known as Multi-Access PDU Session steering mode).

[0213] In some embodiments, the information of the second access network device may also include capability configuration information of the second access network device for the terminal device, for example, the capability of the terminal device occupied by the terminal device to access or connect to the second access network device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the conversation steering mode may include but is not limited to one or more of the following:

[0215] Active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, and redundant mode.

[0216] In Active-Standby mode, when the active access becomes unavailable, the service data flow (SDF) is switched to another available access. When the active access becomes available again, it is switched back to the active access.

[0217] For the Smallest-Delay mode, the SDF is switched to access with the shortest round trip time (RTT), which can be obtained through measurements by the UE or UPF.

[0218] In load-balance mode, when both access points are available, data can be split between the two access points, and data is transferred between the two access points based on the SDF congestion rate (traffic percentage).

[0219] In Priority-based mode, data is transmitted on high-priority access. When congestion occurs on that access, data can be split and transmitted on low-priority access.

[0220] In Redundant mode, data is transmitted repeatedly on two accesses.

[0221] The Smallest-Delay mode, Load-balance mode, and Priority-based mode are only used for non-guaranteed bit rate (Non-GBR) SDF. When the preferred access is unavailable, another access is used.

[0222] In some embodiments, the information of the second access network device can be used by the first access network device to determine the capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device and / or the capability configuration information of the second access network device for the terminal device.

[0223] For example, the first access network device may determine, based on information about the second access network device, capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device and capability configuration information of the second access network device for the terminal device. Further, the first access network device may send, to the second access network device, the capability configuration information of the second access network device for the terminal device determined by the first access network device.

[0224] In some embodiments, the number of access network devices connected to or accessed by a terminal device changes, including the following scenarios:

[0225] The terminal device changes from being connected to or accessed by a first access network device and a second access network device to being connected to or accessed by a first access network device. That is, the terminal device is no longer connected to or accessed by the second access network device, and the terminal device is connected to or accessed by the first access network device.

[0226] In this case, if the first information and / or the second information includes capability configuration information, the capability configuration information is determined based on the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the second access network device, or the capability configuration information is used to configure the capability used by the terminal device when connecting or accessing the first access network device to be the capability of the terminal device, such as the maximum capability supported by the terminal device; and / or

[0227] If the first information and / or the second information includes a capability allocation policy, and the capability allocation policy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the first access network device, then the capability allocation information is determined based on the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the second access network device, or, the capability allocation information is the capability allocated to the terminal device when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the first access network device, such as the maximum capability supported by the terminal device.

[0228] That is, when a terminal device changes from dual access or dual connection to single access or single connection, the capabilities allocated to the terminal device on the single access or single connection reclaim the capabilities allocated to the terminal device on the released access or connection. In other words, the capabilities of the terminal device on a single access or single connection are the sum of the capabilities of the terminal device on the dual access or dual connection before the change. Alternatively, the capabilities of the terminal device on a single access or single connection can be configured to the maximum capabilities supported by the terminal device.

[0229] In some embodiments, the capability information may include capability information of a terminal device, or may also include capability information of an access network device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0231] Support for dual access or multiple access, MIMO capability, frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability, measurement capability, SRS switching capability, DC or CA capability, bandwidth capability, power capability, supported transmission and reception capabilities, and supported maximum rate.

[0232] In some embodiments, the capability allocation-related preference information may include the terminal device's preference information for capability allocation, for example, it may include the capability allocation preference when the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes (for example, increases or decreases), or the capability allocation preference when multiple access network devices are connected or accessed, or it may also include capability allocation preferences in other scenarios that trigger terminal capability changes, which is not limited in this application.

[0233] In some embodiments, the capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate, but not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0234] Capability allocation preferences of terminal devices when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices;

[0235] There is no need to perform capability allocation instructions on the capabilities of the terminal equipment;

[0236] Capability allocation preference when the terminal device leaves the radio resource control (RRC) connected state;

[0237] There is no need to indicate capability allocation for the terminal device when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state;

[0238] The second indication information is used to indicate a target PLMN and / or a target NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

[0239] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of a terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following:

[0240] When connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio that the terminal device expects corresponding to the multiple access network devices;

[0241] Fourth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices;

[0242] The fourth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

[0243] In some embodiments, when connecting or accessing multiple access network devices, the capability allocation ratios corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device may include multiple capability allocation ratio groups, each capability allocation ratio group corresponding to one of the multiple access network devices, and the capability allocation ratios in the capability allocation ratio group are used to indicate the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the corresponding access network device. Optionally, a capability allocation ratio group may include a capability allocation ratio that applies to all capabilities of the terminal device, that is, the terminal device adopts a unified capability allocation ratio when accessing or connecting to the access network device, or it may also include multiple capability allocation ratios, and each capability of the terminal device corresponds to its own capability allocation ratio. This application does not limit the specific indication method.

[0244] In some embodiments, the fourth identification information may include multiple capability IDs, each capability ID is associated with (or corresponds to) an access network device, and the capability ID is used to identify the capability or capability set allocated for the terminal device to access or connect to the corresponding access network device. The core network function and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the correspondence between the capability ID and the corresponding capability or capability set. Therefore, the terminal device indicates the capability or capability set allocated to the access network device that the terminal device expects through the capability ID, which is conducive to reducing signaling overhead.

[0245] Optionally, the capability ID associated with an access network device may refer to:

[0246] The capability ID is directly related to the access network device, for example, the capability ID is related to the identification of the access network device, or,

[0247] The capability ID is indirectly related to the access network device. For example, the capability ID is related to the wireless standard (such as 4G, 5G or beyond 5G, etc.) or RAT (such as NTN, TN, LTE, NR, etc.) or PLMN information of the access network device.

[0248] In some embodiments, the fourth capability information may include multiple expected capability information, each expected capability information is related to (or corresponds to) an access network device, and the expected capability information is used to indicate the allocated capability or capability set that the terminal device expects to correspond to the access network device.

[0249] Optionally, the desired capability information associated with an access network device may refer to:

[0250] The expected capability information is directly related to the access network device, for example, the expected capability information is related to the identification of the access network device, or,

[0251] The expected capability information is indirectly related to the access network device. For example, the expected capability information is related to the wireless standard (such as 4G, 5G or beyond 5G, etc.) or RAT (such as NTN, TN, LTE, NR, etc.) or PLMN of the access network device.

[0252] In some embodiments, when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices, the capabilities or capability sets expected by the terminal device and corresponding to the access network devices may include some or all of the capabilities of the aforementioned terminal devices. For example, the capabilities or capability sets expected by the terminal device and corresponding to the access network devices may include one or more of the following capabilities: support for dual access or multiple access, MIMO capability, frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability, measurement capability, SRS switching capability, DC or CA capability, bandwidth capability, power capability, supported transmission and reception capabilities, and supported maximum rate.

[0253] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes at least one of the following:

[0254] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the terminal device expects the corresponding capacity allocation ratio of one or more access network devices;

[0255] Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state;

[0256] The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

[0257] In some embodiments, the one or more access network devices may only include access network devices whose terminal device has not left the RRC state, or in other words, access network devices that continue to maintain a connection, or may also include access network devices whose terminal device has left the RRC state.

[0258] For example, the access network devices to which the terminal device is connected or accessed include a first access network device and a second access network device. Based on a certain event (such as the removal of the SIM card), the terminal device no longer accesses or connects to the second access network device, that is, the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state on the second access network device. In this case, the capability allocation ratio expected by the terminal device may include the capability allocation ratio corresponding to the first access network device, or may also include the capability allocation ratio corresponding to the first access network device and the capability allocation ratio corresponding to the second access network device.

[0259] In some embodiments, when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state, the capability allocation ratio that the terminal device expects to correspond to one or more access network devices may include one or more capability allocation ratio groups, each capability allocation ratio group corresponds to an access network device, and the capability allocation ratio in the capability allocation ratio group is used to indicate the capability allocated to the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the corresponding access network device. Optionally, a capability allocation ratio group may include a capability allocation ratio that applies to all capabilities of the terminal device, that is, the terminal device uses a unified capability allocation ratio when accessing or connecting to the access network device, or it may also include multiple capability allocation ratios, and each capability of the terminal device corresponds to its own capability allocation ratio. This application does not limit the specific indication method.

[0260] In some embodiments, the fifth identification information may include one or more capability IDs, each capability ID is associated with (or corresponds to) an access network device, and the capability ID is used to identify the capability or capability set allocated for the terminal device to access or connect to the corresponding access network device. The core network function and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the correspondence between the capability ID and the corresponding capability or capability set. Therefore, the terminal device indicates the capability or capability set allocated to the access network device that the terminal device expects through the capability ID, which is conducive to reducing signaling overhead.

[0261] Optionally, the meaning of the capability ID associated with an access network device can be found in the relevant description of the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0262] In some embodiments, the fifth capability information may include one or more expected capability information, each expected capability information is related to (or corresponds to) an access network device, and the expected capability information is used to indicate the allocated capability or capability set that the terminal device expects to correspond to the access network device.

[0263] Optionally, the meaning of the expected capability information associated with an access network device is as described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the second information includes an indication that capability allocation is not required for the terminal device, it can be understood that the terminal device does not require the network side (e.g., core network function or access network equipment) to allocate the capabilities of the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device can allocate the capabilities of the terminal device on its own.

[0265] In some embodiments, when the second information includes an indication that capability allocation does not need to be performed on the capabilities of the terminal device when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, it can be understood that when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state on one or more access network devices, the network side (e.g., core network function or access network device) does not need to perform capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device can allocate the capabilities of the terminal device on its own.

[0266] In some embodiments, the target PLMN can be understood as an access network device belonging to the target PLMN that the terminal device tends to access or connect to, and the target NPN can be understood as an access network device belonging to the target NPN that the terminal device tends to access or connect to.

[0267] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate the capabilities configured by the first access network device for the terminal device, and the fourth information is used to indicate the capabilities configured by the second access network device for the terminal device.

[0268] That is, when a terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, the core network function can respectively indicate to the corresponding access network device the capabilities allocated for connecting or accessing the access network device, or in other words, the core network function can respectively indicate to the corresponding access network device the capability configuration information for the access network device to the terminal device.

[0269] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0270] The second identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device;

[0271] The second capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device.

[0272] Among them, the specific implementation of the second identification information refers to the relevant description of the first identification information, and the specific implementation of the second capability information refers to the relevant description of the first capability information. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0273] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0274] MIMO capabilities of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0275] The frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0276] The measurement capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0277] The SRS switching capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0278] DC or CA capabilities of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0279] The bandwidth capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0280] The power capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0281] The sending and receiving capabilities supported by the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0282] The maximum rate supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device, such as the maximum supported data transmission rate.

[0283] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0284] The third identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0285] The third capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device.

[0286] Among them, the specific implementation of the third identification information refers to the relevant description of the first identification information, and the specific implementation of the third capability information refers to the relevant description of the first capability information. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0287] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0288] MIMO capabilities of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0289] Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0290] The measurement capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0291] The SRS switching capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing a second access network device;

[0292] DC or CA capabilities of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0293] The bandwidth capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0294] The power capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the second access network device;

[0295] The sending and receiving capabilities supported by the terminal device when connected to or accessing the second access network device;

[0296] The maximum rate supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device, such as the maximum supported data transmission rate.

[0297] In some embodiments, the fifth information is information about the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices via a core network function. In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to allocate capabilities to terminal devices. That is, the fifth information is information for allocating capabilities to terminal devices, forwarded by the core network function as a relay.

[0298] Optionally, the fifth information may carry capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the second access network device. This capability configuration information may be determined by the first access network device. That is, the first access network device may determine the capability configuration information for the terminal device for the second access network device. After determining this capability configuration information, the first access network device may forward this capability configuration information to the second access network device via core network functions, so that the second access network device can configure the terminal device based on this capability configuration information.

[0299] In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes:

[0300] The core network function receives target information sent by the first access network device, where the target information indicates that the target of the fifth information is the second access network device;

[0301] The core network function sends fifth information to the second access network device based on the target information.

[0302] For example, when the first condition is met and the target information sent by the first access network device is received, the core network function can forward the fifth information sent by the first access network device to the second access network device according to the target information.

[0303] In some embodiments of the present application, before S510, the method 500 further includes:

[0304] The core network function obtains sixth information, where the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0305] executive capacity allocation;

[0306] Capability information;

[0307] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0308] It should be understood that the specific implementation of capability information and capability allocation-related preference information can be found in the relevant description of the aforementioned embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0309] In some embodiments, when the sixth information indicates to perform capability allocation, it can be understood that the terminal device expects the core network function to perform capability allocation on the terminal device, or to perform capability allocation on the terminal device immediately.

[0310] In some embodiments, the S510 includes:

[0311] The core network function performs the first operation based on the sixth information.

[0312] For example, the core network function may determine the first information based on the sixth information. For example, the core network function may determine the first capability allocation strategy or the first capability configuration information based on the sixth information.

[0313] For another example, the core network function may determine the second information based on the sixth information, for example, determine the second capability allocation strategy or the second capability configuration information based on the sixth information.

[0314] For another example, the core network function may determine the third information and the fourth information based on the sixth information.

[0315] For another example, the core network function may forward the fifth information to the second access network device based on the sixth information when receiving the fifth information from the first access network device.

[0316] For another example, when the sixth information indicates to perform capability allocation, the core network function performs the first operation.

[0317] It should be noted that each information in the sixth information may be obtained from one device, or may be obtained from multiple devices, and may be obtained through one signaling, or may be obtained through multiple signalings, and this application does not limit this. For example, the sixth information may be obtained from a terminal device, such as directly from the terminal device, or obtained from the terminal device through one or more access network devices, or may be obtained from one or more access network devices.

[0318] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0319] The core network function receives the sixth information sent by the terminal device.

[0320] That is, the core network function can obtain all the information in the sixth information directly from the terminal device.

[0321] For example, the terminal device may carry the sixth information through terminal auxiliary information, or carry the sixth information through terminal capability information, or carry the sixth information through capability limitation signaling, which is used to report the capability limitation status when the capability of the terminal device is limited.

[0322] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0323] The core network function receives all the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device.

[0324] For example, the terminal device may send the sixth information to an access network device (eg, a connected or accessed access network device), and further, the access network device may send the sixth information to the core network function.

[0325] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0326] The core network function receives all the sixth information sent by an access network device.

[0327] That is, the core network function can directly obtain all the information in the sixth information from an access network device.

[0328] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0329] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through multiple access network devices (e.g., connected or accessed access network devices). For example, the terminal device may send part of the sixth information to multiple access network devices respectively. Further, the multiple access network devices may send part of the received sixth information to the core network function, and the core network function combines the information sent by the multiple access network devices to obtain the sixth information.

[0330] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0331] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively.

[0332] That is, the core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively, and further combines the received information to obtain the sixth information.

[0333] In some embodiments, before S510, the method 500 further includes:

[0334] The core network function receives third indication information sent by the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection. Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, smallest-delay mode, priority-based mode, or redundant mode.

[0335] In this case, the S510 includes:

[0336] The core network function performs the first operation based on the third indication information.

[0337] For example, the core network function performs the first operation when the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections and meets the first condition.

[0338] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, information exchange can be carried out between the core network function and the terminal device through non-access stratum (NAS) messages, and information exchange can be carried out between the access network device and the terminal device through RRC messages or other uplink and downlink signaling. This application does not limit the specific signaling.

[0339] In summary, in an embodiment of the present application, when the number of access network devices connected or accessed by a terminal device changes or the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state, the core network function can perform a first operation related to the capacity allocation of the terminal device, which can realize effective dynamic allocation of the capacity of the terminal device, which is conducive to ensuring normal communication between the terminal device and the access network device connected or connected, while avoiding the problem that the capacity allocated by the terminal device on multiple access network devices exceeds the maximum capacity supported by the terminal device, affecting the normal operation of the terminal device. In addition, in the scenario where the terminal device accesses or connects to multiple access network devices (including the terminal device connecting or accessing multiple access network devices after the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes, and the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state (that is, the connection status between the terminal device and the access network device has not changed)), the capacity of the terminal device is effectively dynamically allocated, which can improve the stability of the connection or access between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0340] In some implementations, the core network function may indicate capability allocation information corresponding to one or more access network devices to the terminal device through an access network device, or may also indicate capability configuration information for accessing or connecting to the access network device.

[0341] In other implementations, the core network function may also indicate capability allocation information corresponding to one or more access network devices to an access network device, or may also indicate capability configuration information when a terminal device accesses or connects to the access network device.

[0342] In some further implementations, when a terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, the core network function may send capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the access network device to each of the multiple access network devices respectively.

[0343] In some further implementations, the core network function may serve as a relay node for forwarding the interactive capability configuration information between the multiple access network devices, and negotiate the allocation of the capabilities of the terminal device among the multiple access network devices.

[0344] The above, in combination with Figures 5 to 7, describes in detail the core network function side embodiment of the present application. The following, in combination with Figure 8, describes in detail the terminal device side embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the core network function side embodiment and the terminal device side embodiment correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the core network function side embodiment.

[0345] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart of a method 800 for indicating multiple access or multiple connections according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the method 800 for indicating multiple access or multiple connections may include at least part of the following contents:

[0346] S810, the terminal device sends third indication information to the core network function, or sends sixth information to the core network function;

[0347] The third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection;

[0348] The sixth information is used to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and capability allocation-related preference information.

[0349] Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, redundant mode, etc.

[0350] In some embodiments, the sixth information can be used by the core network function to perform the first operation. The specific implementation of the first operation refers to the relevant description in method 500, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0351] For example, the core network function may determine the first information based on the sixth information. For example, the core network function may determine the first capability allocation strategy or the first capability configuration information based on the sixth information.

[0352] For another example, the core network function may determine the second information based on the sixth information, for example, determine the second capability allocation strategy or the second capability configuration information based on the sixth information.

[0353] For another example, the core network function may determine the third information and the fourth information based on the sixth information.

[0354] For another example, the core network function may forward the fifth information to the second access network device based on the sixth information when receiving the fifth information from the first access network device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0356] Indication of support for dual access or multi-access;

[0357] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capability;

[0358] Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability;

[0359] measurement capabilities;

[0360] Sounding reference signal SRS switching capability;

[0361] Dual connectivity DC or carrier aggregation CA capability;

[0362] Bandwidth capabilities;

[0363] Power capability;

[0364] Supported sending and receiving capabilities;

[0365] Maximum supported rate.

[0366] In some embodiments, the capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0367] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices;

[0368] There is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0369] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state;

[0370] When a terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, there is no need to perform capability allocation instructions on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0371] The second indication information is used to indicate a target public land mobile network PLMN and / or a target non-public network NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

[0372] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following:

[0373] When connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device;

[0374] Fourth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices;

[0375] The fourth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

[0376] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes at least one of the following:

[0377] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the terminal device expects the distribution ratio of the capabilities corresponding to the multiple access network devices;

[0378] Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state;

[0379] The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capabilities or capability sets corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

[0380] It should be understood that the specific implementation of the above-mentioned capability information, capability allocation-related preference information, first information, second information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information refers to the relevant description in method 500, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0381] The following describes the multi-access or multi-connection indication method provided in the embodiments of the present application in combination with the specific embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12.

[0382] Example 1

[0383] As shown in FIG9 , the multi-access or multi-connection indication method may include the following steps:

[0384] In the example of FIG9 , the terminal device has accessed or connected to the first access network device, and optionally, may also access or connect to other access network devices, such as the second access network device. That is, the terminal device may be in a single access or single connection state, or may be in a multi-access or multi-connection state.

[0385] S910 (optional step): The core network device obtains sixth information.

[0386] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0387] executive capacity allocation;

[0388] Capability information;

[0389] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0390] The specific implementation of the capability information and the preference information related to capability allocation is described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0391] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0392] The core network function receives the sixth information sent by the terminal device; or

[0393] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device; or

[0394] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information; or

[0395] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by an access network device, or

[0396] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information.

[0397] S920 (optional step), the terminal device sends third indication information to the core network function, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections.

[0398] Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, redundant mode, etc.

[0399] In some embodiments, when the capability information in the sixth information indicates that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection, S920 may be omitted, or may not be omitted.

[0400] S930: When the first condition is met, the core network function sends the first information to the terminal device through the first access network device.

[0401] Optionally, when the sixth information indicates execution of capability allocation and the first condition is met, the core network function sends the first information to the terminal device through the first access network device.

[0402] Optionally, the first information may be determined according to the sixth information and / or the third indication information.

[0403] In some specific embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0404] The capability allocation strategy (referred to as the first capability allocation strategy) of the terminal device when it connects to or accesses one or more access network devices, or in other words, the capability allocation mode;

[0405] Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device (referred to as first capability configuration information).

[0406] In some embodiments, the first capability allocation strategy and / or the first capability configuration information is determined according to the sixth information, for example, according to the capability information and / or capability allocation-related preference information in the sixth information.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first capability allocation policy includes capability allocation information corresponding to one or more access network devices when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the one or more access network devices. That is, the capability allocation information is related to the access network devices, or in other words, the capability allocation information is per access network device.

[0408] In some embodiments, the capability allocation information includes but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0409] The first indication information is used to indicate an allocation ratio of the capabilities of the terminal device (for example, the maximum capabilities supported by the terminal device);

[0410] First identification information, used to identify the capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device;

[0411] The first capability information includes a capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first capability configuration information may be used to configure at least one of the following:

[0413] MIMO capabilities of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0414] The frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0415] The measurement capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0416] The SRS switching capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0417] DC or CA capabilities of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0418] The bandwidth capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0419] The power capability of the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0420] The sending and receiving capabilities supported by the terminal device when connected to or accessing the first access network device;

[0421] The maximum rate supported by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device, such as the maximum supported data transmission rate.

[0422] In summary, in Example 1, the core network function can indicate to the terminal device through an access network device the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the access network device, so that the terminal device can use the capability configuration information to configure access or connection to the access network device. Optionally, when the terminal device accesses or connects to multiple access network devices, the core network device can also indicate to the terminal device through multiple access network devices the capability configuration information when accessing or connecting to the corresponding access network devices. For example, the capability configuration information when accessing or connecting to the first access network device is indicated to the terminal device through the first access network device, and the capability configuration information when accessing or connecting to the second access network device is indicated to the terminal device through the second access network device. Alternatively, the core network function can also indicate to the terminal device capability allocation information corresponding to multiple access network devices through an access network device, and the terminal device can use the corresponding capability allocation information when accessing or connecting to the multiple access network devices.

[0423] Example 2

[0424] As shown in FIG10 , the method for indicating multiple access or multiple connections may include the following steps:

[0425] In the example of FIG10 , the terminal device has accessed or connected to the first access network device, and optionally, may also access or connect to other access network devices, such as the second access network device. That is, the terminal device may be in a single access or single connection state, or may be in a multi-access or multi-connection state.

[0426] S1010 (optional step): The core network device obtains the sixth information.

[0427] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0428] executive capacity allocation;

[0429] Capability information;

[0430] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0431] The specific implementation of the capability information and the preference information related to capability allocation is described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0432] In some embodiments, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0433] The core network function receives the sixth information sent by the terminal device; or

[0434] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device; or

[0435] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information; or

[0436] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by an access network device, or

[0437] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information.

[0438] S1020 (optional step), the terminal device sends a third indication message to the core network function, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections.

[0439] Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, redundant mode, etc.

[0440] In some embodiments, when the capability information in the sixth information indicates that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection, S1020 may be omitted, or may not be omitted.

[0441] S1030: When the first condition is met, the core network function sends second information to the first access network device.

[0442] Optionally, when the sixth information indicates execution of capability allocation and the first condition is met, the core network function sends second information to the first access network device.

[0443] Optionally, the second information may be determined according to the sixth information and / or the third indication information.

[0444] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0445] A capability allocation policy (referred to as a second capability allocation policy) when a terminal device is connected to or accesses one or more access network devices;

[0446] Capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device (referred to as second capability configuration information);

[0447] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by terminal devices increases;

[0448] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device is reduced;

[0449] The first access network device is an added access network device;

[0450] The first access network device is a reduced access network device;

[0451] When the terminal device is connected to or accesses the second access network device, information of the second access network device;

[0452] An indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections;

[0453] Capability information;

[0454] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0455] Among them, the specific implementation of the second capability allocation strategy, the second capability configuration information, the capability information and the capability allocation-related preference information refers to the relevant description of the aforementioned embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it is not repeated here.

[0456] In some embodiments, the indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections, capability information, and preference information related to capability allocation can be obtained from the sixth information, and the indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections can also be obtained from the third indication information.

[0457] In summary, in Example 2, the core network function can indicate to an access network device the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the access network device, so that the access network device can use the capability configuration information to configure the terminal device. Optionally, when the terminal device accesses or connects to multiple access network devices, the core network device can respectively indicate to the multiple access network devices the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the corresponding access network devices, for example, indicating to the first access network device the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the first access network device, and indicating to the second access network device the capability configuration information of the terminal device when accessing or connecting to the second access network device. Alternatively, the core network function can also indicate to an access network device the capability allocation information corresponding to multiple access network devices. In this case, the access network device can forward the capability allocation information corresponding to other access network devices to other access network devices, so that the other access network devices can configure the terminal device according to the corresponding capability allocation information.

[0458] Example 3

[0459] As shown in FIG11 , the multi-access or multi-connection indication method may include the following steps:

[0460] In the example of FIG11 , the terminal device has accessed or connected to the first access network device and the second access network device, that is, the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state.

[0461] S1110 (optional step): The core network device obtains the sixth information.

[0462] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0463] executive capacity allocation;

[0464] Capability information;

[0465] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0466] The specific implementation of the capability information and the preference information related to capability allocation is described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0467] For example, the core network function obtains the sixth information, including:

[0468] The core network function receives the sixth information sent by the terminal device; or

[0469] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device; or

[0470] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information; or

[0471] The core network function receives all the information in the sixth information sent by an access network device, or

[0472] The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively, and combines them to obtain the sixth information.

[0473] S1120 (optional step), the terminal device sends a third indication message to the core network function, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections.

[0474] Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, redundant mode, etc.

[0475] In some embodiments, when the capability information in the sixth information indicates that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection, S1120 may be omitted, or may not be omitted.

[0476] S1130: If the first condition is met, the core network function sends third information to the first access network device and fourth information to the second access network device. The third information indicates the capabilities configured by the first access network device for the terminal device, and the fourth information indicates the capabilities configured by the second access network device for the terminal device.

[0477] Optionally, when the sixth information indicates that capability allocation is to be performed and the first condition is met, the core network function sends third information to the first access network device and fourth information to the second access network device. The third information indicates the capabilities configured by the first access network device for the terminal device, and the fourth information indicates the capabilities configured by the second access network device for the terminal device.

[0478] Optionally, the third information and the fourth information may be determined according to the sixth information and / or the third indication information.

[0479] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0480] The second identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device;

[0481] The second capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device.

[0482] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0483] The third identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0484] The third capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device.

[0485] Among them, the specific implementation of the third information and the fourth information refers to the relevant description of the aforementioned embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0486] In summary, in Example 3, when a terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices, the core network function can separately indicate to each of the multiple access network devices the capabilities allocated when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the access network device, or in other words, the core network function can separately indicate to each of the multiple access network devices the capability configuration information used for the terminal device to access or connect to the access network device.

[0487] Example 4

[0488] As shown in FIG12 , the multi-access or multi-connection indication method may include the following steps:

[0489] In the example of FIG12 , the terminal device has accessed or connected to the first access network device and the second access network device, that is, the terminal device is in a multi-access or multi-connection state.

[0490] S1210 (optional step): The core network device obtains the sixth information.

[0491] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0492] executive capacity allocation;

[0493] Capability information;

[0494] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0495] The specific implementation of the capability information and the preference information related to capability allocation is described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0496] S1220 (optional step), the terminal device sends a third indication message to the core network function, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections.

[0497] Optionally, the third indication information may further indicate a session steering mode supported by the terminal device, such as active-standby mode, load-balance mode, small-delay mode, priority-based mode, redundant mode, etc.

[0498] In some embodiments, when the capability information in the sixth information indicates that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection, S1220 may be omitted, or may not be omitted.

[0499] S1230: The core network function receives fifth information sent by the first access network device.

[0500] S1240: Send fifth information to the second access network device.

[0501] Among them, the fifth information is the information of the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the core network function.

[0502] Optionally, the fifth information is information for capability allocation of the terminal device.

[0503] For example, when the first condition is met, the core network function can act as a relay to negotiate the capability configuration information of the terminal device among multiple access network devices.

[0504] In summary, in Example 4, when a terminal device connects to or accesses multiple access network devices, the core network function can serve as a relay node for negotiating capability configuration information between the multiple access network devices. For example, the fifth message can carry capability configuration information of the terminal device when it connects to or accesses the second access network device, and this capability configuration information is determined by the first access network device. In other words, the first access network device can configure the capabilities of the terminal device for the second access network device.

[0505] The above text, in combination with Figures 5 to 12, describes in detail the method embodiment of the present application. The following text, in combination with Figures 13 to 17, describes in detail the device embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the device embodiment and the method embodiment correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiment.

[0506] FIG13 shows a schematic block diagram of a multi-access or multi-connection indication device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the indication device 1300 includes:

[0507] The communication unit 1310 is configured to perform a first operation when a first condition is met;

[0508] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0509] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes;

[0510] The terminal device is connected to or accesses multiple access network devices;

[0511] The first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0512] In a case where the access network device connected to or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device, sending first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or sending second information to the first access network device;

[0513] When the access network device to which the terminal device is connected or accessed includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to the second access network device, and / or receiving fifth information sent by the first access network device and sending the fifth information to the second access network device;

[0514] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0515] A capability allocation strategy for the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices;

[0516] Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0517] The second information is used for configuration of the terminal device;

[0518] The third information is used to indicate the capability configured by the first access network device for the terminal device;

[0519] The fourth information is used to indicate the capability configured by the second access network device for the terminal device;

[0520] The fifth information is information about the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the indication device.

[0521] In some embodiments, the capability allocation policy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the one or more access network devices when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the one or more access network devices, and the capability allocation information includes at least one of the following:

[0522] The first indication information is used to indicate the allocation ratio of the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0523] First identification information, used to identify the capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device;

[0524] The first capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device.

[0525] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0526] A capability allocation strategy when the terminal device is connected to or accesses one or more access network devices;

[0527] Capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device;

[0528] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device increases;

[0529] The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device is reduced;

[0530] The first access network device is an added access network device;

[0531] The first access network device is a reduced access network device;

[0532] When the terminal device is connected to or accesses a second access network device, information of the second access network device;

[0533] An indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections;

[0534] Capability information;

[0535] Preference information related to capability allocation.

[0536] In some embodiments, the capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0537] Support dual access or multi-access;

[0538] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capability;

[0539] Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability;

[0540] measurement capabilities;

[0541] Sounding reference signal SRS switching capability;

[0542] Dual connectivity DC or carrier aggregation CA capability;

[0543] Bandwidth capabilities;

[0544] Power capability;

[0545] Supported sending and receiving capabilities;

[0546] Maximum supported rate.

[0547] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0548] Second identification information, used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device;

[0549] The second capability information includes the capability allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device.

[0550] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0551] The third identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device;

[0552] The third capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the second access network device.

[0553] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0554] Receive target information sent by the first access network device, where the target information indicates that the target of the fifth information is the second access network device.

[0555] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0556] Acquire sixth information, where the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0557] executive capacity allocation;

[0558] Capability information;

[0559] Preference information related to capability allocation;

[0560] The communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0561] The first operation is performed based on the sixth information.

[0562] In some embodiments, the capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0563] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices;

[0564] There is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0565] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state;

[0566] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, there is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0567] The second indication information is used to indicate a target public land mobile network PLMN and / or a target non-public network NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

[0568] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0569] receiving the sixth information sent by the terminal device; or

[0570] Receiving all of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device; or

[0571] Receiving part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through a plurality of access network devices respectively; or

[0572] receiving all the sixth information sent by an access network device, or

[0573] Part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices is received respectively.

[0574] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following:

[0575] When connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device;

[0576] Fourth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices;

[0577] The fourth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

[0578] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes at least one of the following:

[0579] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the terminal device expects the distribution ratio of the capabilities corresponding to the multiple access network devices;

[0580] Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state;

[0581] The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capabilities or capability sets corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

[0582] In some embodiments, when the first condition includes a change in the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device, and the terminal device is no longer connected to or accessed to the second access network device, and the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the first access network device, at least one of the first information and the second information includes capability configuration information; wherein the capability configuration information is determined based on the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the second access network device, or the capability configuration information is used to configure the capability used by the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device to be the capability of the terminal device; and / or

[0583] When the first condition includes a change in the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device, and the terminal device is no longer connected to or accessed to the second access network device, and the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the first access network device, at least one of the first information and the second information includes a capability allocation strategy; wherein the capability allocation strategy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the first access network device, the capability allocation information is determined based on the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the second access network device, or the capability allocation information is the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accessed to the first access network device.

[0584] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0585] receiving third indication information sent by the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection;

[0586] The communication unit 1310 is further configured to:

[0587] The first operation is performed based on the third indication information.

[0588] It should be understood that the indication device 1300 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the core network function in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the indication device 1300 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the core network function in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 12. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0589] FIG14 shows a schematic block diagram of a multi-access or multi-connection indication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG14 , the indication device 1400 includes:

[0590] The communication unit 1410 is configured to send fourth indication information to the core network function, or send sixth information to the core network function;

[0591] The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the indication device supports multi-access or multi-connection;

[0592] The sixth information is used to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and capability allocation-related preference information.

[0593] In some embodiments, the capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0594] Support dual access or multi-access;

[0595] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capability;

[0596] Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability;

[0597] measurement capabilities;

[0598] Sounding reference signal SRS switching capability;

[0599] Dual connectivity DC or carrier aggregation CA capability;

[0600] Bandwidth capabilities;

[0601] Power capability;

[0602] Supported sending and receiving capabilities;

[0603] Maximum supported rate.

[0604] In some embodiments, the capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0605] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices;

[0606] There is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0607] The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state;

[0608] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, there is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device;

[0609] The second indication information is used to indicate a target public land mobile network PLMN and / or a target non-public network NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

[0610] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following:

[0611] When connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device;

[0612] Fourth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices;

[0613] The fourth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

[0614] In some embodiments, the capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes at least one of the following:

[0615] When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the terminal device expects the corresponding capacity allocation ratio of one or more access network devices;

[0616] Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state;

[0617] The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

[0618] It should be understood that the indicating device 1400 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the indicating device 1400 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 12. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0619] Figure 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 shown in Figure 15 includes a processor 1510, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0620] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15 , the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1520. The processor 1510 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1520 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0621] The memory 1520 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1510 , or may be integrated into the processor 1510 .

[0622] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15 , the communication device 1500 may further include a transceiver 1530 , and the processor 1510 may control the transceiver 1530 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 1530 may send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0623] The transceiver 1530 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1530 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0624] In some embodiments, the transceiver 1530 may implement the functions of the communication unit in the core network function, which will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0625] In some embodiments, the transceiver 1530 may implement the functions of a communication unit in a terminal device, which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0626] In some embodiments, the communication device 1500 may specifically be the core network function of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1500 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the core network function in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0627] In some embodiments, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a terminal device of an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1500 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0628] Figure 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 1600 shown in Figure 16 includes a processor 1610, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0629] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG16 , the chip 1600 may further include a memory 1620. The processor 1610 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1620 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0630] The memory 1620 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1610 , or may be integrated into the processor 1610 .

[0631] In some embodiments, the chip 1600 may further include an input interface 1630. The processor 1610 may control the input interface 1630 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips. Optionally, the processor 1610 may be located inside or outside the chip.

[0632] In some embodiments, the chip 1600 may further include an output interface 1640. The processor 1610 may control the output interface 1640 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to output information or data to other devices or chips. Optionally, the processor 1610 may be located inside or outside the chip.

[0633] In some embodiments, the input interface 1630 and the output interface 1640 may implement the function of a communication unit in a terminal device.

[0634] In some embodiments, the input interface 1630 and the output interface 1640 may implement the functions of a communication unit in a core network function.

[0635] In some embodiments, the chip can be applied to the core network function in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the core network function in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0636] In some embodiments, the chip can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0637] In some embodiments, the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be a chip, for example, a system-on-chip, a system-on-chip, a chip system, or a system-on-chip chip.

[0638] FIG17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 1700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG17 , the communication system 1700 includes a terminal device 1710 , an access network device 1720 , and a core network function 1730 .

[0639] Among them, the terminal device 1710 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the terminal device in the above method, the access network device 1720 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the access network device (for example, the first access network device, the second access network device) in the above method, and the core network device 1730 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the core network function in the above method. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0640] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or software instructions. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0641] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory, or may be a non-transient memory. It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0642] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0643] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0644] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0645] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0646] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0647] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0648] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. In view of this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0649] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for indicating multiple access or multiple connections, the method comprising: When the first condition is met, the core network function performs a first operation; The first condition includes at least one of the following: The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes; The terminal device is connected or accessed to multiple access network devices; The first operation includes at least one of the following: In a case where the access network device connected or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device, sending first information to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or sending second information to the first access network device; In a case where the access network device connected or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to the second access network device, and / or receiving fifth information sent by the first access network device and sending the fifth information to the second access network device; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: A capability allocation strategy for the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices; Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device; The second information is used for configuration of the terminal device; The third information is used to indicate the capability configured by the first access network device for the terminal device; The fourth information is used to indicate the capability configured by the second access network device for the terminal device; The fifth information is information of the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the core network function.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The capability allocation strategy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the one or more access network devices when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the one or more access network devices, and the capability allocation information includes at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate the allocation ratio of the capability of the terminal device; First identification information, used to identify the capability or capability set allocated to the terminal device; The first capability information includes the capabilities allocated to the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: A capability allocation strategy when the terminal device is connected to or accesses one or more access network devices; Capability configuration information of the first access network device for the terminal device; The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device increases; The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device is reduced; The first access network device is an added access network device; The first access network device is a reduced access network device; When the terminal device is connected to or accesses a second access network device, information of the second access network device; An indication that the terminal device supports multiple access or multiple connections; Capability information; Preference information related to capability allocation.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The capability information includes at least one of the following: Support dual access or multi-access; Multiple-input multiple-output MIMO capability; Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability; Measurement capabilities; Sounding reference signal SRS switching capability; Dual connectivity DC or carrier aggregation CA capability; Bandwidth capabilities; Power capability; Supported sending and receiving capabilities; The maximum rate supported.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The third information includes at least one of the following: The second identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device; The second capability information includes the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the first access network device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The fourth information includes at least one of the following: The third identification information is used to identify the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the second access network device; The third capability information includes the capability allocated to the terminal device when it is connected to or accesses the second access network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The method further comprises: The core network function receives target information sent by the first access network device, and the target information indicates that the target of the fifth information is the second access network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Before the core network function performs the first operation, the method further includes: The core network function obtains sixth information, where the sixth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: executive capacity allocation; Capability information; Preference information related to capability allocation; The core network function performs a first operation, including: The core network function performs the first operation based on the sixth information.

9. The method according to claim 3 or 8, wherein: The capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices; There is no need to indicate capability allocation for the capabilities of the terminal device; The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state; When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, there is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device; The second indication information is used to indicate a target public land mobile network PLMN and / or a target non-public network NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The core network function acquires sixth information, including: The core network function receives the sixth information sent by the terminal device; or The core network function receives all the sixth information sent by the terminal device through an access network device; or The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by the terminal device through multiple access network devices respectively; or The core network function receives all the sixth information sent by an access network device, or The core network function receives part of the sixth information sent by multiple access network devices respectively.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following: When connecting or accessing the multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device; fourth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices; The fourth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state includes at least one of the following: When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the allocation ratio of the capabilities corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device; Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state; The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capabilities or capability sets corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: When the first condition includes a change in the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device, and the terminal device is no longer connected to or accessed to the second access network device, and the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the first access network device, At least one of the first information and the second information includes capability configuration information; wherein the capability configuration information is determined according to the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accesses the second access network device, or the capability configuration information is used to configure the capability used by the terminal device when connecting or accessing the first access network device as the capability of the terminal device; and / or When the first condition includes a change in the number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device, and the terminal device is no longer connected to or accessed to a second access network device, and the terminal device is connected to or accessed to a first access network device, at least one of the first information and the second information includes a capability allocation strategy; wherein the capability allocation strategy includes capability allocation information corresponding to the first access network device, the capability allocation information is determined based on the capability configuration information used when the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the second access network device, or the capability allocation information is the capability of the terminal device allocated when the terminal device is connected to or accessed to the first access network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: Before the core network function performs the first operation, the method further includes: The core network function receives third indication information sent by the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection; The core network function performs a first operation, including: The core network function performs the first operation based on the third indication information.

15. A method for indicating multiple access or multiple connections, comprising: The terminal device sends fourth indication information to the core network function, or sends sixth information to the core network function; The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports multi-access or multi-connection; The sixth information is used to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and preference information related to capability allocation.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The capability information includes at least one of the following: Support dual access or multi-access; Multiple-input multiple-output MIMO capability; Frequency band capability or frequency band combination capability; Measurement capabilities; Sounding reference signal SRS switching capability; Dual connectivity DC or carrier aggregation CA capability; Bandwidth capabilities; Power capability; Supported sending and receiving capabilities; The maximum rate supported.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The capability allocation-related preference information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing multiple access network devices; There is no need to indicate capability allocation for the capabilities of the terminal device; The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state; When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, there is no need to perform an indication of capability allocation on the capabilities of the terminal device; The second indication information is used to indicate a target public land mobile network PLMN and / or a target non-public network NPN, and the terminal device supports performing multi-access or multi-connection operations with the target PLMN and / or the target NPN.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when connecting or accessing multiple access network devices includes at least one of the following: When connecting or accessing the multiple access network devices, the capacity allocation ratio corresponding to the multiple access network devices expected by the terminal device; fifth identification information, used to identify the capabilities or capability sets that the terminal device expects to be allocated corresponding to the multiple access network devices when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices; The fifth capability information is used to indicate the allocated capabilities or capability sets corresponding to the multiple access network devices that the terminal device expects when connecting to or accessing the multiple access network devices.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: The capability allocation preference of the terminal device when leaving the radio resource control RRC connected state includes at least one of the following: When the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state, the allocation ratio of the capabilities corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects; Fifth identification information, used to identify the allocated capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects when the terminal device leaves the RRC connected state; The fifth capability information is used to indicate the capability or capability set corresponding to one or more access network devices that the terminal device expects to be allocated when the terminal device leaves the RRC connection state.

20. A multi-access or multi-connection indication device, comprising: A communication unit, configured to perform a first operation when a first condition is met; The first condition includes at least one of the following: The number of access network devices connected or accessed by the terminal device changes; The terminal device is connected or accessed to multiple access network devices; The first operation includes at least one of the following: In a case where the access network device connected or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device, first information is sent to the terminal device through the first access network device, and / or second information is sent to the first access network device. information; In a case where the access network device connected or accessed by the terminal device includes a first access network device and a second access network device, respectively sending third information to the first access network device and sending fourth information to the second access network device, and / or receiving fifth information sent by the first access network device and sending the fifth information to the second access network device; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: A capability allocation strategy for the terminal device when connecting to or accessing one or more access network devices; Capability configuration information of the terminal device when connecting to or accessing the first access network device; The second information is used for configuration of the terminal device; The third information is used to indicate the capability configured by the first access network device for the terminal device; The fourth information is used to indicate the capability configured by the second access network device for the terminal device; The fifth information is information of the first access network device forwarded to other access network devices through the indication device.

21. A multi-access or multi-connection indication device, comprising: A communication unit, configured to send fourth indication information to the core network function, or send sixth information to the core network function; The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the indication device supports multi-access or multi-connection; The sixth information is used to indicate at least one of execution capability allocation, capability information, and preference information related to capability allocation.

22. A core network function comprising: A memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer program implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 when executed by the processor.

23. A terminal device, comprising: A memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer program implements the steps in the method according to any one of claims 15 to 19 when executed by the processor.

24. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps in the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14; or implements the steps in the method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19.

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