Information transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and provides an information transmission method and apparatus, which are used for improving the success rate of cell handover. The method comprises: receiving from a first network device first request information, the first request information being used for requesting information of a first cell; and sending to the first network device first response information, the first response information comprising a coverage range of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell. On the basis of the solution, the coverage range of the first cell and / or configuration information of the second cell which may be comprised in a moving path of a terminal device can be sent to the first network device, and when the first network device selects a conditional handover candidate target cell, a candidate cell more suitable for the terminal device can be selected so as to improve the success rate of handover.

Description

Information transmission method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on July 31, 2023, with application number 202310958173.3 and application name "A Method and Device for Information Transmission", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to an information transmission method and device. Background Art

[0004] Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), a new type of aircraft, are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Cellular networks provide UAVs with key features such as wide coverage, high reliability, high security, and continuous mobility, as well as oversight by regulators. The communication environment of UAVs differs significantly from that of standard terminals. They primarily fly above base stations, connecting to them via the Uu port and primarily communicating in line of sight (LOS). Therefore, UAVs can receive signals from more base stations.

[0005] When performing corresponding tasks, drones may fly along a fixed route, such as conducting power network inspections. This route can be called the flight path of the drone. In new radio (NR), the protocol supports reporting of drone flight paths. The flight path of a drone can be represented by planned waypoint information and corresponding timestamps. Among them, the maximum number of waypoints in a flight path is 20. In addition, the standard also supports updating the flight path of a drone. For example, when the flight path of a drone changes, it can first send a flight path update indication message to the base station to notify the base station that the flight path has been updated. If the base station needs to update the flight path, it can send a flight path request message to the drone, requesting the drone to send the flight path to the base station.

[0006] In traditional NR basic handovers, due to the deterioration of the wireless environment between the source base station and the terminal, such as a drone, the terminal's measurement report may not reach the base station, or the base station may fail to send the handover command to the terminal after receiving the measurement report. Both situations will lead to handover failure.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present application provides an information transmission method and apparatus for improving the success rate of cell switching.

[0009] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be performed by a network device, or by a chip or chip system. In this method, a first request message is received from a first network device, where the first request message is used to request information about a first cell. A first response message is sent to the first network device, where the first response message includes first configuration information about the coverage of the first cell and / or a second cell different from the first cell.

[0010] Based on this solution, the coverage range of the first cell and / or the configuration information of the second cell that the terminal device's moving path may pass through can be sent to the first network device. When the first network device selects the candidate target cell for conditional switching, it can select a candidate cell that is more suitable for the terminal device to improve the switching success rate.

[0011] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, second request information is sent to a third network device, the second request information being used to request information about a third cell. Second response information is received from the third network device, the second response information including coverage of the third cell and / or configuration information of a fourth cell. Furthermore, the coverage of the third cell and / or the first configuration information of the fourth cell are sent to the first network device.

[0012] Based on this solution, cell information can be requested from an adjacent network device or a next-hop network device and sent to the first network device. When the first network device selects a candidate target cell for conditional switching, it can select a candidate cell that is more suitable for the terminal device to improve the switching success rate.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner based on the first aspect, the second response information is generated based on the third response information sent by the third network device and received from the fourth network device, and the third response information is sent based on the third request information sent by the third network device to the fourth network device to request information of the fifth cell.

[0014] Based on this solution, the information transmission method provided in this application can be applied to multi-hop scenarios, where multiple network devices collaborate to obtain the coverage of a cell and send cells suitable for conditional switching to the first network device.

[0015] In a second aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be performed by a network device, or by a chip / chip system. In this method, a first request message is sent to a second network device, where the first request message is used to request information about a first cell. A first response message is received from the second network device, where the first response message includes first configuration information about the coverage of the first cell and / or a second cell different from the first cell.

[0016] Based on this solution, the coverage range of the first cell and / or the configuration information of the second cell that the terminal device's moving path may pass through can be received from the second network device. In this way, when selecting a conditional switching candidate target cell, a candidate cell that is more suitable for the terminal device can be selected to improve the switching success rate.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner based on the second aspect, second request information is sent to a third network device, where the second request information is used to request information of a third cell, the number of the third cells is one or more, and the number of the third network devices is one or more.

[0018] Based on this solution, cell information can be requested from multiple network devices, or cell information can be traversed. In this way, when selecting a candidate target cell for conditional switching, a candidate cell that is more suitable for the terminal device can be selected to improve the switching success rate.

[0019] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, based on the first response information, conditional handover configuration information is sent to the terminal device, where the configuration information includes wireless air interface configuration information of the candidate target cell and a handover execution trigger condition, wherein the handover execution trigger condition includes a height threshold of the terminal device.

[0020] Based on this solution, a handover execution trigger condition including the altitude is sent to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can select candidate target cells in the order of the altitude of movement, in order to improve the handover success rate.

[0021] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the handover triggering condition further includes one or more of the terminal device's time information and the terminal device's location information. Based on this solution, one or more of the time information and the location information can be used to assist the terminal device in performing conditional handover, thereby improving the handover success rate.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, candidate target cells are assigned cell priorities, which represent the priority of a terminal device in selecting a cell during cell handover. Based on this solution, since coverage of different cells may overlap, performing cell handover based on cell priority can reduce complexity for the terminal device.

[0023] In a possible implementation based on the first aspect and the second aspect, the number of the second cells is one or more, the first configuration information includes the coverage range of the second cell and the second configuration information of the second cell, and the second configuration information includes the identifier of the second cell and / or the first message sent to the terminal device.

[0024] Based on this solution, the second network device may send the second cell suitable for the candidate target cell, so that a more suitable candidate target cell may be selected when selecting the candidate target cell for conditional handover.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner based on the first aspect and the second aspect, the first message includes a radio resource control (RRC) message sent to the terminal device to perform cell switching, and the RRC message includes an identifier of the second cell.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner based on the first and second aspects, the coverage range includes one or more of a height coverage range and a range of a moving path of the terminal device, wherein the height coverage range represents signal coverage of a cell signal of the first cell perpendicular to a horizontal plane or a ground direction.

[0027] Based on this solution, the height coverage range of the cell is fed back to the first network device to facilitate determining whether the height coverage range of the first cell is within the rising range of the terminal device, thereby accurately determining the candidate target cell.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner based on the first and second aspects, the coverage range is indicated by one or more of the following methods. For example, it is indicated by reference point information and distance information. The reference point information indicates a location point or a location range, and the distance information indicates the distance to the location point or location range. For another example, it is indicated by latitude and longitude information. For another example, the coverage range includes a movement path point entering the coverage range and a movement path point leaving the coverage range, and the movement path point represents a location point in the polarized movement path of the terminal device.

[0029] Based on the above solution, the coverage of the cell can be indicated in a variety of ways, so that the first network device can determine whether the moving path of the terminal device passes through the coverage of the cell.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner based on the first and second aspects, the altitude coverage range is indicated by altitude information from a reference plane. For example, the reference plane may be sea level or ground.

[0031] In a possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the first response information further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second cell is used for cell handover of the terminal device. Based on this solution, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the second cell is available for cell handover of the terminal device, and a candidate target cell is sent to the first network device.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner based on the first aspect and the second aspect, the first indication information is an identifier of the second cell or the first indication information is explicit indication information. The identifier of the cell involved in this document may be a cell identity identifier (ID) or a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), or other identifier that can identify a cell.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner based on the first aspect and the second aspect, the first request information also includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first configuration information of the second cell is sent to the first network device. Optionally, the second indication information is 1-bit indication information. Wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device. Alternatively, when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device.

[0034] Since the relevant protocol does not support the second network device reporting information of other cells to the first network device, based on this solution, the second indication information can be used to enable the second network device to report information of cells not requested by the first network device.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the first response information further includes one or more of horizontal coverage of the first cell and load information of the first cell. The horizontal coverage represents signal coverage of a cell signal of the first cell in a direction parallel to the ground, and the load information includes one or more of current load information and historical load information.

[0036] Based on this solution, the first network device may select a suitable cell as a candidate target cell for conditional handover according to one or more of the horizontal coverage and load information.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner based on the first aspect and the second aspect, the number of the first cells is one or more.

[0038] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0039] The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first request message from a first network device, the first request message being used to request information about a first cell. The processing unit is configured to determine a coverage range of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell. The transceiver unit is further configured to send a first response message to the first network device, the first response message including the coverage range of the first cell and / or the first configuration information of the second cell different from the first cell.

[0040] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a second request message to the second network device, the second request message being used to request information about the third cell. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second response message from the second network device, the second response message including coverage of the third cell and / or configuration information of the fourth cell. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the first configuration information about the coverage of the third cell and / or the fourth cell to the first network device.

[0041] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the second response information is generated based on the second network device receiving third response information sent by the third network device, and the third response information is sent based on the third request information sent by the second network device to the third network device to request information of the fifth cell.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0043] The processing unit is configured to generate first request information, the first request information being used to request information about the first cell. The transceiver unit is configured to send the first request information to the second network device. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first response information from the second network device, the first response information including first configuration information of the coverage range of the first cell and / or a second cell different from the first cell.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner based on the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send second request information to the third network device, where the second request information is used to request information of a third cell, the number of the third cells is one or more, and the number of the third network devices is one or more.

[0045] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to send conditional handover configuration information to the terminal device based on the first response information, where the configuration information includes wireless air interface configuration information of the candidate target cell and a handover execution trigger condition. The handover execution trigger condition includes a height threshold of the terminal device.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner based on the fourth aspect, the switching execution trigger condition also includes one or more of the time information of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner based on the fourth aspect, the candidate target cell corresponds to a cell priority, and the cell priority represents the priority of the terminal device in selecting a cell when performing cell switching.

[0048] In a possible implementation based on the third and fourth aspects, the number of second cells is one or more, the first configuration information includes the coverage range of the second cell and the second configuration information of the second cell, and the second configuration information includes the identifier of the second cell and / or the first message sent to the terminal device.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the first message includes an RRC message sent to the terminal device to perform cell switching, and the RRC message includes an identifier of the second cell.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner based on the third and fourth aspects, the coverage range includes one or more of a height coverage range and a range of a moving path of the terminal device, wherein the height coverage range represents signal coverage of a cell signal of the first cell perpendicular to a horizontal plane or a ground direction.

[0051] In a possible implementation of the third and fourth aspects, the coverage range is indicated by one or more of the following methods: Indicated by reference point information and distance information. The reference point information indicates a location point or a location range, and the distance information indicates the distance to the location point or location range. Alternatively, it is indicated by latitude and longitude information. Alternatively, the coverage range includes a movement path point entering the coverage range and a movement path point leaving the coverage range, where the movement path point represents a location point in the polarized movement path of the terminal device.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the height coverage range is indicated by height information from a reference plane.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the first response information further includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second cell is used for cell switching of the terminal device.

[0054] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the first indication information is an identifier of the second cell or the first indication information is explicit indication information.

[0055] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the first request information also includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first configuration information of the second cell is sent to the first network device. Optionally, the second indication information is 1-bit indication information. Wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device. Alternatively, when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner based on the third and fourth aspects, the first response information further includes one or more of a horizontal coverage range of the first cell and load information of the first cell. The horizontal coverage range represents signal coverage of a cell signal of the first cell in a direction parallel to the ground, and the load information includes one or more of current load information and historical load information.

[0057] In a possible implementation manner based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the number of the first cells is one or more.

[0058] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the communication device of any one of the third to fourth aspects of the above-mentioned embodiments, or a chip provided in the communication device of any one of the third to fourth aspects. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, instructions, or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program, instructions, or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the network device in the method embodiment of any one of the first to second aspects.

[0059] It should be understood that the communication interface can be implemented by an antenna, a feeder, a codec, etc. in the communication device, or, if the communication device is a chip provided in a communication device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output pin, etc. The communication device may further include a transceiver for communicating with other devices.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: a logic circuit and an input / output interface. The logic circuit is configured to execute the method executed by the network device in any possible implementation of the first to second aspects above. The input / output interface is configured to communicate with other communication devices.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the method performed by the network device in any of the first and second aspects. In one possible implementation, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0062] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a network device in any possible implementation of the first aspect and a network device in any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication system further comprises a terminal device.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method performed by the network device in the above aspects is implemented.

[0064] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: computer program code or instructions, which, when executed, causes the methods performed by the network device in the above aspects to be executed.

[0065] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the above-mentioned methods.

[0066] The beneficial effects of the third to eleventh aspects and their implementation methods can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the methods of the first to second aspects and their implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a flight path of a UAV provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a CHO process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG6 is an exemplary flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG7 is an exemplary flow chart of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced below.

[0079] 1) Coverage refers to the radiation range of the cell signal.

[0080] 2) Height coverage refers to the signal coverage of the cell signal in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane or the ground.

[0081] 3) Horizontal coverage refers to the cell signal coverage in the direction parallel to the ground.

[0082] 4) Movement path, which refers to the planned movement route of the terminal device. Optionally, the route of the drone's flight can be called the flight path.

[0083] 5) Movement path points refer to the locations that the terminal device will pass through during movement. The movement path can be composed of multiple locations. Optionally, the location points of the drone's flight path can be called waypoints.

[0084] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0085] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to New Radio (NR) systems, Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) systems, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, etc., without limitation herein.

[0086] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (such as 110a and / or 110b in FIG1 ) and may also include at least one terminal device (such as at least one of 120a-120j in FIG1 ). The terminal device is connected to the access network device wirelessly, and the access network device is connected to the core network device wirelessly or by wire. Terminal devices and network devices may be connected to each other by wire or by wireless. FIG1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in FIG1 .

[0087] A network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A network device can be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication capabilities for terminal devices, and is called a RAN device. For example, a network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. It can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete the functions of part of the physical layer or all of the physical layer. For the specific description of the above-mentioned various protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), or a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the network device is taken as a base station as an example for explanation.

[0088] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes implement part of the functions of the base station respectively. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, DU, CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0089] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. Optionally, the operations of updating the random seed and securely processing the data in the secure communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be performed by the RU, and the sending and receiving operations may be performed by the DU.

[0090] A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home appliance, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device. The embodiments of this application are described using the terminal device as an example.

[0091] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; and in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of network devices and terminal devices.

[0092] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile network device. To terminal devices 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device. However, to network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via an interface protocol between network devices. In this case, 120i is also a network device relative to 110a. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with network device functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal device functionality.

[0093] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the network device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the network device functions. The control subsystem that includes the network device functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the terminal device functions.

[0094] Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), a new type of aircraft, are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Cellular networks provide UAVs with key features such as wide coverage, high reliability, high security, and continuous mobility, as well as oversight by regulators. The communication environment of UAVs differs significantly from that of standard terminals. They primarily fly above base stations, connecting to them via the Uu port and primarily communicating within line of sight (LOS). Therefore, UAVs can receive signals from more base stations, as shown in Figure 2.

[0095] When performing corresponding tasks, drones may fly along a fixed route, such as conducting power network inspections. This route can be called the drone's flight path, as shown in Figure 3. In NR, the protocol supports the reporting of drone flight paths. The drone's flight path can be represented by planned waypoint information and corresponding timestamps. The maximum number of waypoints in a flight path is 20. In addition, the standard also supports updating the drone's flight path. For example, when the drone's flight path changes, it can first send a flight path update indication message to the base station to notify the base station that the flight path has been updated. If the base station needs to update the flight path, it can send a flight path request message to the drone, requesting the drone to send the flight path to the base station.

[0096] As shown in Figure 4, in a traditional NR basic handover, due to a deteriorating radio environment between the source base station and a terminal, such as a drone, the terminal's measurement report may fail to reach the base station, or the base station may fail to send the handover command to the terminal after receiving the measurement report. Both of these situations will result in handover failure. In this case, the terminal will recognize the radio link failure and initiate the RRC reestablishment process.

[0097] To reduce handover failures in these situations, 3GPP R15 introduced conditional handover (CHO). This allows the source base station to pre-deliver a handover command containing the wireless parameter configurations of candidate target base stations and the trigger conditions for handover execution to the terminal, before the wireless environment between the terminal (e.g., a drone) and the source base station deteriorates further. This allows the terminal to know how to access the target base station in advance. Once the terminal finds a base station among the candidate target base stations that meets the handover trigger conditions, it can independently decide to initiate the handover. This increases the chances of successful message transmission and significantly improves the success rate of handovers. The CHO process, as shown in Figure 5, includes the following operations.

[0098] S1: The source base station decides to use CHO.

[0099] S2: The source base station sends a CHO request message to one or more candidate base stations.

[0100] The source base station may request CHO of one or more candidate cells managed by one or more candidate base stations, and send a CHO request message for each candidate cell to the candidate base station managing the candidate cell.

[0101] S3: The candidate base station sends a handover request confirmation message carrying the configuration information of the candidate cell to the source base station.

[0102] Each candidate base station may send a handover request confirmation message, that is, a CHO response message, carrying configuration information of the candidate cell to the source base station for the candidate cell it manages.

[0103] S4: The source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal.

[0104] The RRC reconfiguration message carries configuration information of the candidate cell and a CHO execution condition. It is understood that the CHO execution condition or CHO trigger condition may carry a trigger condition for the terminal to switch cells. If the trigger condition is met, the terminal may switch cells.

[0105] S5: The terminal evaluates the CHO execution conditions of the candidate cells.

[0106] After receiving the configuration information and CHO execution conditions of the candidate cells, the terminal may maintain the connection with the source base station and start to evaluate the CHO execution conditions of the candidate cells.

[0107] If at least one CHO candidate target cell meets the corresponding CHO execution conditions, the terminal can detach from the source base station, apply the configuration information indicated by the source base station to the selected candidate cell, and synchronize to the candidate cell. The terminal can send an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target base station that manages the candidate cell to complete the RRC handover process. After the RRC handover process is successfully completed, the terminal releases the stored CHO configuration.

[0108] S6: The source base station sends a handover cancellation message to other signaling connections or other candidate base stations to cancel the CHO of the terminal.

[0109] Currently, due to the patchwork of cell coverage and the potentially disparate coverage at different altitudes, existing CHO implementations do not consider the altitude of a drone during its ascent as a condition for CHO execution. Furthermore, the candidate cell selected by the source base station based on the drone's measurement report may not be the most appropriate, for example, because the drone's flight path may not pass through the candidate cell.

[0110] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method. In this method, the second base station can receive a first request message from the first base station, and the first request message can be used to request information of the first cell. The second base station can send a first response message to the first base station. The first response message may include the coverage range of the first cell and / or the first configuration information of the second cell that is different from the first cell. Based on this solution, the second base station can send the coverage range of the first cell, or the configuration information of the second cell that the flight path of the drone may pass through to the first base station. When the first base station selects a CHO candidate target cell, it can select a candidate cell that is more suitable for the terminal to improve the switching success rate.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 6 , which is an exemplary flowchart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method may include the following operations.

[0112] S601: The first base station sends first request information to the second base station.

[0113] Correspondingly, the second base station receives the first request information from the first base station.

[0114] The first request information may be a handover request message (HO) request. The first request information may be used to request information about the first cell. The first cell may be a candidate cell selected by the first base station for a terminal, such as a drone. For example, the source base station may select a candidate cell for the terminal based on a measurement report sent by the terminal, wherein the candidate cell managed by the second base station may be referred to as the first cell. Optionally, the first cell may be one or more, and the first base station may send the first request information to the second base station for each first cell.

[0115] In one possible scenario, the first request information may carry the location information of the terminal. In this way, it is convenient for the second base station to determine the coverage range of the first cell and / or the coverage range of the second cell at the location point indicated by the location information, such as the height coverage range. Optionally, when the terminal is in the ascending stage, the first request information may request the second base station for the height coverage range of the first cell, or the first request information may include the height range of the terminal's movement. For example, when the height difference of the terminal is greater than or equal to a certain threshold, or when the height difference of the terminal exceeds the threshold within a certain time threshold, the terminal may send information to the first base station that the terminal is in the ascending stage. In this way, the first base station can request the second base station for the height coverage range of the first cell or send the second base station the height range of the terminal's movement, so as to facilitate the first base station to determine whether the height coverage range of the first cell is within the ascending range of the terminal, thereby accurately determining the CHO candidate target cell.

[0116] S602: The second base station sends first response information to the first base station.

[0117] Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first response information from the second base station.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first response information may be an HO request (request) acknowledgment (ACK). The first response information may include the coverage range of the first cell and / or the first configuration information of the second cell. For example, when the moving path of the terminal passes through the coverage range of the first cell, the second base station may send the coverage range of the first cell to the first base station. For another example, when the moving path passes through the coverage range of the second cell, the second base station may send the first configuration information of the second cell to the first base station. For another example, when the moving path just passes through the coverage range of the first cell and the coverage range of the second cell, the second base station may send the coverage range of the first cell and the first configuration information of the second cell to the first base station.

[0119] Optionally, the moving path of the terminal may be received from the first base station. For example, the first base station may receive the moving path from the terminal, and the first base station may send the first request information or other messages to the second base station.

[0120] Optionally, the first response information may also include an identifier of the first cell and / or an identifier of the second cell. For example, when the first response information includes the coverage of the first cell, the first response information may also include an identifier of the first cell. For another example, when the first response information includes the first configuration information of the second cell, the first response information may also include an identifier of the second cell. For another example, when the first response information includes the coverage of the first cell and the first configuration information of the second cell, the first response information may also include an identifier of the first cell and an identifier of the second cell.

[0121] In one possible scenario, the first configuration information may include the coverage of the second cell and the second configuration information of the second cell. It is understandable that the second configuration information may be the wireless configuration information of the second cell. Optionally, the second configuration information may include an identifier of the second cell and / or a first message sent to the terminal. The identifier of the cell involved in this document may be a cell identity identifier (ID) or a cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), or other identifiers that can identify a cell, and this application does not make specific limitations. The above-mentioned first message may be an RRC message for the terminal to perform cell switching, and may include an identifier of the second cell. In the embodiment of the present application, the wireless configuration information may include a cell identifier, a frequency point, etc., and this embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on the wireless configuration information.

[0122] In the above, the second cell can be understood as a cell managed by the second base station and through which the terminal's moving path will pass. In this case, although the second base station has not received the request information from the first base station for the second cell, the second base station can also send the first configuration information of the second cell to the first base station, and send a CHO candidate target cell to the first base station. Optionally, the first response information can carry first indication information, and the first indication information can indicate that the second cell can be used for cell switching of the terminal, that is, the first indication information can indicate that the second cell can be used as a CHO candidate target cell. It should be noted that the first indication information can be a displayed indication information, or can be implemented by the identifier of the second cell, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0123] Optionally, the first request information may carry second indication information, which is used to indicate that the second base station can send the first configuration information of the cell (such as the second cell) that has not sent the request information to the first base station. For example, the second indication information is a 1-bit indication information. Wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device. Conversely, when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device; when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device.

[0124] It should be noted that the above-mentioned first indication information and second indication information can be carried through newly added fields or can be carried by reusing existing fields in the first request information and the first response information, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0125] In one example, the coverage range involved in this article can be indicated by reference point information and distance information. For example, the reference point information indicates a specific location point or location range, and the distance information can represent the distance from the location point or location range indicated by the reference point information. For example, the coverage range of the first cell includes reference point information and distance D. The reference point information can indicate a location point A through latitude and longitude information, and the distance information can represent the distance D from the location point A. Then, the coverage range of the first cell M can be considered to be a range from location point A to a distance D from location point A. For another example, the position of the center of a circle can be indicated by the reference point information, and the radius of the circle can be indicated by the distance information. Then, the coverage range of the first cell can be considered to be a circle with the location point or location range indicated by the reference point information as the center and the distance information as the radius.

[0126] In another example, the coverage range referred to herein can be indicated by longitude and latitude information. For example, the coverage range of a cell can be indicated as an area from longitude A to longitude B and from latitude M to latitude N. For another example, three points of a rectangular area can be indicated by longitude and longitude information, and then the fourth point of the rectangular area can be determined, so that the coverage range of the cell is the rectangular area.

[0127] In another example, the coverage range involved in this article can be indicated by the moving path points of the terminal. For example, the second base station can obtain the moving path of the terminal, and then the terminal can indicate the coverage range of the first cell based on the moving path points in the moving path. Among them, the moving path points may include points entering the coverage range and points leaving the coverage range. Referring to Figure 3, assuming that the terminal enters the coverage range of the first cell at point A and leaves the coverage range of the first cell at point C, the coverage range of the first cell sent by the second base station to the first base station may include point A and point C. Optionally, if the moving path points only include one point, then it can be considered that the point entering the coverage range and the point leaving the coverage range are the same point.

[0128] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method of indicating coverage is only shown as an example, and those skilled in the art may also indicate the coverage of a cell in other ways.

[0129] In S602, the coverage of the cell may include one or more of the height coverage of the cell and the range of the terminal's mobile path, that is, the second base station may indicate to the first base station one or more of the height coverage of the first cell and the range of the terminal's mobile path within the coverage of the first cell. The method for indicating the height coverage of the first cell may be implemented with reference to the aforementioned method for indicating the coverage. For example, the height coverage may be represented by a maximum height (height-max) and a minimum height (height-min). For another example, the height coverage may be indicated by height information relative to a reference plane, such as height information relative to sea level or ground level. The range of the terminal's mobile path may be indicated by the terminal's mobile path point, which may be implemented with reference to the method for indicating the coverage of the cell by the terminal's mobile path point, which will not be described in detail here.

[0130] Optionally, when the first request information carries the altitude range of the terminal movement or the first request information requests the altitude coverage range of the first cell, the first response information may include the altitude coverage range of the first cell to facilitate the first base station to determine whether the altitude coverage range of the first cell is within the rising range of the terminal.

[0131] In one possible scenario, the first response information may also include other auxiliary information such as the horizontal plane coverage of the first cell and the load information of the first cell. The horizontal plane coverage can be implemented with reference to the aforementioned coverage indication method, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the load information of the first cell may include current load information, historical load information, or predicted future load information, etc. Optionally, the load information can be indicated by the correspondence between time and load information, such as the load information of the first cell at time A, the load information of the first cell at time B, etc., to facilitate the first base station to determine whether the first cell can be used as a CHO candidate target cell. For example, assuming that the load of the first cell is too high at time A, but the moving path of the terminal at time A may pass through the coverage of the first cell, but the first cell is not suitable as a CHO candidate target cell, the first base station will not configure the first cell as a CHO candidate target cell to the terminal.

[0132] In another possible implementation, the first response information may be a handover preparation failure (HO preparation failure) message. For example, if the mobile path does not pass through the coverage of the first cell, the second base station may send a handover preparation failure (HO preparation failure) message to the first base station. Optionally, the handover preparation failure (HO preparation failure) message may carry the first configuration information of the second cell. This implementation may refer to the aforementioned related description and is not further described here.

[0133] Optionally, the above solution can be applied to a multi-hop scenario. In the above, the first base station can be used as the source base station in the CHO configuration process, and the second base station can be used as the target base station in the CHO configuration process. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG6 can also include the following operations S603 and S604.

[0134] S603: The second base station sends second request information to the third base station.

[0135] Correspondingly, the third base station receives the second request information from the second base station. The second request information can be used to request information about the third cell and can be implemented with reference to the first request information, which will not be described in detail here.

[0136] S604: The third base station sends second response information to the second base station.

[0137] Correspondingly, the second base station receives second response information from the third base station. The second response information may include the coverage of the third cell and / or the first configuration information of the fourth cell, and may be implemented with reference to the first response information. That is, the third cell may be regarded as the aforementioned first cell, and the fourth cell may be regarded as the aforementioned second cell, which will not be further described here.

[0138] In a multi-hop scenario, the second base station can be equivalent to the source base station, and the third base station can be equivalent to the target base station. After receiving the second response information, the second base station can send the content of the second response information to the first base station, such as the coverage range of the third cell and / or the first configuration information of the fourth cell. Optionally, the content of the first response information and the second response information can be sent simultaneously, such as by carrying the content of the second response information in the first response information, or the content of the first response information and the second response information can be sent separately.

[0139] Similarly, the third base station can send a third request message to the fourth base station, and the fourth base station can send a third response message to the third base station, so that the first base station can obtain information about as many cells managed by the target base station as possible, so as to facilitate the first base station to determine the CHO candidate target cell. Optionally, when a certain hop base station finds that the coverage range of the cell it manages has exceeded or is close to the expected arrival height of the terminal, or when a certain hop base station finds that the coverage range of the cell it manages has covered the last location point in the mobile path, it may not send a request message to the next hop target base station.

[0140] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG6 may further include the following operation S605.

[0141] S605: The first base station sends conditional switching configuration information to the terminal.

[0142] Correspondingly, the terminal receives conditional handover (HO) configuration information from the first base station.

[0143] In S605, the configuration information of the conditional handover may include the air interface configuration information of the candidate target cell and the handover execution triggering condition. The candidate target cell here may also be referred to as a CHO candidate target cell, which may include the above-mentioned first cell, second cell, third cell, fourth cell, etc. For example, the candidate target cell may include a cell through which the moving path passes. For another example, the candidate target cell may include a cell through which the moving path passes and which has low load information or has low load information at the time of arrival of the terminal. That is to say, the first base station may select a candidate target cell from the received cell information. It should be noted that the principle of selecting the candidate target cell is not specifically limited in this article. As mentioned above, the cell through which the moving path passes can be selected, or the cell with signal quality higher than a certain threshold can be selected. This article does not make specific limitations.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the handover execution trigger condition can be understood as a condition that is satisfied when the terminal needs to perform cell handover. The handover execution trigger condition may include one or more of the terminal's time information, location information, altitude threshold, and cell signal quality threshold.

[0145] For example, the switching execution trigger condition may include a height threshold and a corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells), that is, the terminal can switch to the candidate target cell when it reaches the height indicated by the height threshold. For example, the terminal can also measure the signal quality of the candidate target cell and select a cell with a signal quality higher than the quality threshold for access. This article does not specifically limit how the terminal performs cell switching. The way the terminal performs cell switching can refer to the relevant protocols of 3GPP. It should be noted that the height threshold can be one or more.

[0146] For another example, the handover execution trigger condition may include time information and a corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells), that is, the terminal may switch to the candidate target cell at the time indicated by the time information. Similarly, the time information may be one or more.

[0147] For another example, the handover execution trigger condition may include location information and a corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells), that is, when the terminal reaches the location indicated by the location information, it may be handed over to the candidate target cell. Similarly, the location information may be one or more.

[0148] For another example, the handover execution trigger condition may include a cell signal quality threshold and a corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells). The terminal may measure the signal quality of the candidate cell and, if the signal quality of the candidate cell reaches the cell signal quality threshold, may switch to the candidate target cell.

[0149] It should be noted that the above-mentioned height threshold, time information, location information and cell signal quality threshold can be combined in any two, any three or four combinations as a switching execution trigger condition. For example, the switching execution trigger condition may include the height threshold and time information and the corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells). When the terminal reaches the height indicated by the height threshold at the time indicated by the time information, the terminal can switch to the candidate target cell. For another example, the switching execution trigger condition may include the height threshold and the cell signal quality threshold and the corresponding candidate target cell (or a candidate target cell list including multiple candidate target cells). When the terminal reaches the height indicated by the height threshold and the signal quality of the candidate target cell measured by the terminal reaches the cell signal setting threshold, the terminal can switch to the candidate target cell.

[0150] In one possible scenario, the first base station can configure cell priorities. For example, the coverage of different cells may overlap. If the coverage of multiple cells overlaps, the first base station can configure cell priorities for each candidate target cell. It is understood that cell priorities can represent the priority of cells selected by a terminal when performing a cell handover. For example, when a handover trigger condition is met, the terminal can select candidate target cells to access in descending order of cell priority.

[0151] For example, the handover execution trigger condition includes a height threshold and a corresponding plurality of candidate target cells (or a candidate target cell list), each of which is configured with a cell priority. When the terminal reaches the height indicated by the height threshold, the terminal can be handed over to the candidate target cell with the highest cell priority. In other words, the terminal can measure the signal quality of multiple candidate target cells and select the candidate target cell with a signal quality higher than the threshold and the highest cell priority for access.

[0152] The above describes the scheme of the first base station requesting information of candidate cells and determining a CHO candidate target cell for the terminal through Figure 6. In the embodiment of the present application, the first base station can traverse all cells to determine a CHO candidate target cell. Referring to Figure 7, the following operations may be included.

[0153] S701: The first base station sends a HO request message to the second base station.

[0154] Correspondingly, the second base station receives the HO request message from the first base station.

[0155] In one possible scenario, the first base station may send multiple HO request messages to the second base station. One HO request message is sent for each candidate cell, and each HO request message may be used to request information about the corresponding cell. For example, the HO request message may carry a cell identifier, and the HO request message may be used to request information about the cell corresponding to the cell identifier.

[0156] For example, a first base station receives measurement results from a terminal. The measurement results may include signal quality for each cell. The first base station may send a HO request message for each cell. Assuming that the measurement results include cell A and cell B managed by a second base station, the first base station may send a HO request message for cell A and a HO request message for cell B to the second base station.

[0157] S701 may be a possible implementation manner of S601, and the HO request message may be implemented with reference to the first request information.

[0158] S702: The second base station sends response information to the first base station.

[0159] Correspondingly, the first base station receives response information from the second base station. The response information may be a HO request ACK or a HO preparation failure message.

[0160] For example, if the coverage of the cell corresponding to the HO request information is within the terminal's mobile path, the response information may be a HO request ACK. Optionally, the response information may carry the coverage of the corresponding cell. S702 may be a possible implementation of S602. The response information may be implemented with reference to the first response information, but the response information in S702 may only carry information related to the corresponding cell. In other words, the response information in S702 may not carry information related to unrequested cells.

[0161] For another example, when the coverage of the cell corresponding to the HO request information is not on the moving path of the terminal, the response information may be an HO preparation failure message.

[0162] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 may further include the following operations S703 and S704 .

[0163] S703: The first base station sends a HO request message to the third base station.

[0164] Correspondingly, the third base station receives the HO request message from the first base station.

[0165] The first base station may send a HO request message to the third base station, requesting the third base station for information about cells managed by the third base station.

[0166] S704: The third base station sends response information to the first base station.

[0167] Correspondingly, the first base station receives response information from the third base station.

[0168] S704 can be implemented with reference to S702.

[0169] S705: The first base station sends conditional switching configuration information to the terminal.

[0170] Correspondingly, the terminal receives conditional handover (HO) configuration information from the first base station.

[0171] S705 can be implemented with reference to S605.

[0172] The following describes the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the above contents can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated contents will not be repeated.

[0173] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the network device in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing unit 810 can read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units can be set independently or partially or fully integrated.

[0174] In some possible implementations, the communication device 800 can implement the behaviors and functions of the first network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device 800 can be a first network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the first network device. The transceiver unit 820 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the first network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7. For example, S601, S602 and S605 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; wherein the processing unit 810 is used to perform all operations except the receiving and sending operations performed by the first network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7.

[0175] For example, the transceiver unit 820 is configured to receive a first request message from a first network device, the first request message being used to request information about a first cell. The processing unit 810 is configured to determine the coverage range of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell. The transceiver unit 820 is further configured to send a first response message to the first network device, the first response message including the coverage range of the first cell and / or the first configuration information of the second cell different from the first cell.

[0176] In some possible implementations, the communication device 800 can implement the behaviors and functions of the second network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device 800 can be a second network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the second network device. The transceiver unit 820 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the second network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7. For example, S601, S602, S603 and S604 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; wherein the processing unit 810 is used to perform all operations performed by the second network device except the transceiver operation.

[0177] For example, processing unit 810 is configured to generate first request information, the first request information being used to request information about a first cell. Transceiver unit 820 is configured to send the first request information to a second network device. Transceiver unit 820 is further configured to receive first response information from the second network device, the first response information including the coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell.

[0178] For the operations performed by the processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820, reference may be made to the relevant description of the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0179] It should be understood that the processing unit 810 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component, and the transceiver unit 820 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component or a communication interface.

[0180] Based on the same concept, as shown in FIG9 , an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 900. The communication device 900 includes a processor 910. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 920 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions. The processor 910 can implement the method shown in the above method embodiment through the instructions stored in the memory 920.

[0181] Based on the same concept, as shown in Figure 10, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 10000, which can be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0182] Communication device 10000 may include at least one processor 1010, coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within or outside the device. For example, communication device 10000 may also include at least one memory 1020. Memory 1020 stores the necessary computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions, and / or data for implementing any of the aforementioned embodiments. Processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in memory 1020 to perform the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0183] The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1010 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1020. The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1030, the processor 1010, and the memory 1020 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0184] The communication device 10000 may also include a transceiver 1030, and the communication device 10000 may exchange information with other devices through the transceiver 1030. The transceiver 1030 may be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver, or any other device that can be used for information exchange, or may be referred to as a signal transceiver unit. As shown in FIG10 , the transceiver 1030 includes a transmitter 1031, a receiver 1032, and an antenna 1033. In addition, when the communication device 10000 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver in the communication device 10000 may also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface that can input data (or receive data) and output data (or send data). The processor is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit, and the processor can determine output data based on the input data.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the communication device 10000 can be applied to a network device. Specifically, the communication device 10000 can be a network device, or a device that can support the network device in implementing the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs, instructions, and / or data to implement the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1010 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1020 to perform the method performed by the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0186] Since the communication device 10000 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a network device to implement the method executed by the above network device, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0187] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0188] In an embodiment of the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory may also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in an embodiment of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data.

[0189] Based on the above embodiments, referring to FIG11 , an embodiment of the present application also provides another communication device 1100, including: an input / output interface 1110 and a logic circuit 1120; the input / output interface 1110 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1120; the logic circuit 1120 is used to run code instructions to execute the method executed by the network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0190] The following describes in detail the operations performed by the communication device when applied to a network device.

[0191] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1100 may be applied to a first network device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned first network device, for example, the method executed by the first network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 .

[0192] For example, input / output interface 1110 is configured to receive a first request message from a first network device, the first request message being used to request information about a first cell. Logic circuit 1120 is configured to determine the coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information about a second cell different from the first cell. Input / output interface 1110 is further configured to output a first response message to the first network device, the first response message including the coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information about the second cell different from the first cell.

[0193] In another optional implementation, the communication device 1100 may be applied to a second network device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned second network device, specifically, for example, the method executed by the second network device in the method embodiment shown in the aforementioned figure or FIG. 7 .

[0194] For example,

[0195] Logic circuit 1120 is configured to generate a first request message, the first request message being used to request information about the first cell. Input / output interface 1110 is configured to output the first request message to the second network device. Input / output interface 1110 is further configured to input a first response message from the second network device, the first response message including the coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell.

[0196] Since the communication device 1100 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a first network device to execute the method executed by the first network device, or applied to a second network device to complete the method executed by the second network device, the technical effects that can be achieved can be referred to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0197] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes at least one communication device applied to a first network device and at least one communication device applied to a second network device. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one communication device applied to a terminal device. The technical effects achieved by this can be referenced to the above method embodiments and will not be further described here.

[0198] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When the instructions are executed, the method performed by the network device in any of the above embodiments is implemented. The computer-readable storage medium may include a USB flash drive, a mobile hard drive, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, among other media capable of storing program code.

[0199] To implement the functions of the communication device shown in Figures 8 to 11 above, embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to or includes a memory, which is used to store computer programs, instructions, and data necessary for the communication device.

[0200] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0201] The present application is described with reference to the flow chart and / or block diagram of the method, device (system) and computer program product according to the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that each flow process and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram and the combination of the flow process and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram can be realized by a computer program or instruction. These computer programs or instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processing machine or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for realizing the function specified in one flow chart flow or multiple flows and / or one box or multiple boxes of the block diagram.

[0202] These computer programs or instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0203] These computer programs or instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, whereby the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0204] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: include: receiving first request information from a first network device, where the first request information is used to request information of a first cell; Sending first response information to the first network device, where the first response information includes the coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the second cells is one or more, the first configuration information includes the coverage of the second cell and second configuration information of the second cell, and the second configuration information includes an identifier of the second cell and / or a first message sent to a terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The coverage range includes one or more of a height coverage range and a range of a moving path of the terminal device; The height coverage range indicates the signal coverage of the cell signal of the first cell in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane or the ground.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The coverage is indicated by one or more of the following: Indicated by reference point information and distance information; wherein the reference point information indicates a location point or a location range, and the distance information indicates a distance from the location point or the location range; or Indicated by latitude and longitude information; or The coverage area includes a moving path point entering the coverage area and a moving path point leaving the coverage area, and the moving path point represents a position point in a polarized moving path of a terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first response information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second cell is used for cell switching of the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first indication information is an identifier of the second cell or the first indication information is explicit indication information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first request information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct sending first configuration information of the second cell to the first network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second indication information is 1-bit indication information; wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device, and when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device; or, when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device, and when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first response information also includes one or more of the horizontal coverage range of the first cell and the load information of the first cell; wherein the horizontal coverage range represents the signal coverage of the cell signal of the first cell in a direction parallel to the ground, and the load information includes one or more of the load information at the current moment and the load information at the historical moment.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Also includes: Sending second request information to the third network device, where the second request information is used to request information of the third cell; receiving second response information from the third network device, where the second response information includes the coverage of the third cell and / or configuration information of the fourth cell; Send the coverage range of the third cell and / or first configuration information of the fourth cell to the first network device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second response information is generated based on third response information sent by the third network device and received from the fourth network device, and the third response information is sent based on third request information sent by the third network device to the fourth network device for requesting information about the fifth cell.

12. An information transmission method, characterized in that: include: Sending first request information to the second network device, where the first request information is used to request information of the first cell; First response information is received from the second network device, where the first response information includes coverage of the first cell and / or first configuration information of a second cell different from the first cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Also includes: Based on the first response information, send conditional switching configuration information to the terminal device, the configuration information including the wireless air interface configuration information of the candidate target cell and the switching execution trigger condition; The switching execution trigger condition includes a height threshold of the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The switching execution triggering condition also includes one or more of the time information of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The candidate target cell corresponds to a cell priority, and the cell priority represents the priority of the terminal device in selecting a cell when performing cell switching.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The number of the second cells is one or more, the first configuration information includes the coverage of the second cell and second configuration information of the second cell, and the second configuration information includes an identifier of the second cell and / or a first message sent to a terminal device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: The coverage range includes one or more of a height coverage range and a range of a moving path of the terminal device; The height coverage range indicates the signal coverage of the cell signal of the first cell in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane or the ground.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that: The coverage is indicated by one or more of the following; Indicated by reference point information and distance information; wherein the reference point information indicates a location point or a location range, and the distance information indicates a distance from the location point or the location range; or Indicated by latitude and longitude information; or The coverage area includes a moving path point entering the coverage area and a moving path point leaving the coverage area, and the moving path point represents a position in a polarized moving path of a terminal device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that: The first response information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second cell is used for cell switching of the terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The first indication information is an identifier of the second cell or the first indication information is explicit indication information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that: The first request information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct sending the first configuration information of the second cell to the first network device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The second indication information is 1-bit indication information; wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device, and when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device; or, when the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the first configuration information is allowed to be sent to the first network device, and when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the first configuration information is not allowed to be sent to the first network device.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that: The first response information also includes one or more of the horizontal coverage range of the first cell and the load information of the first cell; wherein the horizontal coverage range represents the signal coverage of the cell signal of the first cell in a direction parallel to the ground, and the load information includes one or more of the load information at the current moment and the historical load information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 23, characterized in that: The number of the first cells is one or more.

25. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 24, characterized in that: Also includes: Sending second request information to a third network device, where the second request information is used to request information of a third cell, the number of the third cells is one or more, and the number of the third network devices is one or more.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 25.

27. A communication device characterized by: include: Processor and memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the device executes the method according to any one of claims 12 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when called by an electronic device, enable the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or enable the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 25.

29. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 25.

30. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system comprises: Communication interface; A processor, used to call and run the instruction through the communication interface, so that the device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 25.

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