Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: in the case of a limited capability, sending first information, wherein the first information indicates the capability of a terminal device in a first frequency band in a first frequency band combination in the case of the limited capability, and the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination that is indicated in the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination that is indicated in first capability information. In the method, a terminal device indicates, by means of first information, the capability of the terminal device in a first frequency band in a first frequency band combination in the case of a limited capability, such that a network device can know a change in the capability of the terminal device in a timely manner, the network device can perform configuration and scheduling according to the limited capability after receiving the first information, and resources scheduled by the network device do not exceed resources that can be used by the terminal device in the limited capability, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and improving the system performance.

Description

Communication 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 August 11, 2023, with application number 202311018748.X and invention name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] In wireless communication systems, both communicating parties must negotiate capabilities to obtain the capabilities supported by the other party, ensuring correct data processing. Taking cellular communications as an example, a terminal device sends information to the network device, including its supported multiple input multiple output (MIMO) capabilities, channel bandwidth, and modulation order. After receiving this information, the network device schedules wireless resources and transmits and receives data based on the capabilities identified by the terminal device, ensuring that the wireless resources allocated to the terminal device do not exceed the terminal device's capabilities.

[0005] Currently, after capability information is reported, terminal device capabilities may change in some scenarios. When a terminal device's capabilities change, how the terminal device reports the changed capabilities to the network is an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for indicating to a network that the capabilities of a terminal device are limited when the terminal device is limited.

[0008] In the first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: receiving control information, the control information indicating permission to report first information, the control information coming from a network device; sending the first information, the first information indicating the capability of a first frequency band of a terminal device in a first frequency band combination under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belonging to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information being lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information being capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, the first capability information indicating the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: sending control information, the control information indicating that reporting of first information is allowed; receiving first information; the first information indicating the capability of a first frequency band of a terminal device in a first frequency band combination under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belonging to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information being lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information being capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, the first capability information indicating the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0010] Through the above method, the terminal device indicates the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination under limited capability through the first information, so that the network device can promptly know the change of the capability of the terminal device. After receiving the first information, the network device can be configured and scheduled according to the limited capability. The resources scheduled by the network device will not exceed the resources that can be used by the limited capability of the terminal device, thereby improving resource utilization and improving system performance.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the capability-limited situation refers to multiple user identification modules operating simultaneously, or resource conflicts between multiple user identification modules.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first information further indicates an index of the first frequency band combination in the at least one frequency band combination.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under limited capability, including: the first information indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capability, and at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination; the at least one capability parameter is a different capability parameter among the capability parameters corresponding to the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

[0014] Through the above method, the first information indicates the capability parameters with limited capabilities, which can enable the network device to determine which capability parameters supported by the terminal device are limited, and thus schedule resources for the terminal device according to the limited capability parameters. Therefore, the resources scheduled by the network device will not exceed the resources that can be used by the limited capability parameters of the terminal device, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first information indicates the capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited, including: the first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first frequency band also belongs to a second frequency band combination, and the capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is different from the capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the second frequency band combination.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first frequency band combination also includes a second frequency band, and the first information further indicates the capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band in the first frequency band combination under capability-limited conditions.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the method further includes: receiving candidate service frequency information; the candidate service frequency information indicates one or more frequencies, each of the one or more frequencies corresponds to a frequency band, and the candidate service frequency information comes from the network device; wherein each frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band in the one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies.

[0019] In the above method, if the network device sends candidate service frequency information, the frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band indicated by the candidate service frequency information, which can reduce the signaling overhead caused by the terminal device sending the first information.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first frequency band combination includes a frequency band corresponding to a primary cell, and the frequency band corresponding to the primary cell is a frequency band among the one or more frequency bands.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the method further includes: receiving frequency band combination information; the frequency band combination information indicates at least one candidate frequency band combination, each candidate frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination is a frequency band combination in which a candidate service cell is located; wherein the first frequency band combination is a frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first information further indicates a frequency band number of the first frequency band;

[0023] Alternatively, the first information further indicates a frequency band entry index of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first capability information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the first capability information.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the method further includes: sending second information to the network device, where the second information indicates that the capability is limited, or is in a capability-limited state, or will be in a capability-limited state.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the second information further indicates at least one of the following:

[0027] Whether the current network configuration has exceeded the capabilities of the terminal device under the limited capability condition;

[0028] Check whether resource conflicts between multiple user identity modules occur under the current network configuration.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the method further includes: sending candidate service frequency information; the candidate service frequency information indicates one or more frequencies, each of the one or more frequencies corresponding to a frequency band; wherein each frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band in the one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies.

[0030] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the first frequency band combination includes a frequency band corresponding to a primary cell, and the frequency band corresponding to the primary cell is a frequency band among the one or more frequency bands.

[0031] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one implementation, the method further includes: sending frequency band combination information; the frequency band combination information indicates at least one candidate frequency band combination, each candidate frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination is a frequency band combination in which a candidate service cell is located; wherein the first frequency band combination is a frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination.

[0032] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: sending a first message to a network device; wherein the first message includes capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the capability of the terminal device is limited; the first message is an unencrypted message;

[0033] A second message is sent to the network device, where the second message is an encrypted message, wherein if the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities.

[0034] Through the above method, since the first message is unencrypted signaling, it is possible to confirm whether the terminal device is capability-limited by transmitting the first indication information or the second indication information in the encrypted second message, thereby avoiding the attacker (such as a fake base station) sending a false first message, causing damage to system performance.

[0035] In one implementation, the first message is a radio resource control RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment completion message.

[0036] In one implementation, the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0037] In one implementation, the capability limitation indication information further indicates at least one of the following: only basic capabilities are supported, and the basic capabilities are mandatory capabilities without capability signaling; carrier aggregation or dual connectivity is not supported; and multi-layer multiple-input multiple-output MIMO is not supported.

[0038] In one implementation, if the terminal device capability is not restricted, the second message does not include the first indication information, or the second message includes third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the capability is not restricted.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which includes: receiving a first message from a terminal device; the first message includes capability limitation indication information, and the capability limitation indication information indicates that the terminal device has limited capability; the first message is a message in the process of establishing a radio resource control RRC connection; receiving a second message from the terminal device; wherein the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited.

[0040] In one implementation, the first message is a radio resource control RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment completion message.

[0041] In one implementation, the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0042] In one implementation, the capability limitation indication information further indicates at least one of the following: only basic capabilities are supported, and the basic capabilities are mandatory capabilities without capability signaling; carrier aggregation or dual connectivity is not supported; and multi-layer multiple-input multiple-output MIMO is not supported.

[0043] In one implementation, if the terminal device capability is not restricted, the second message does not include the first indication information, or the second message includes third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the capability is not restricted.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: sending a first message to a network device; wherein, in the case of limited capability, the first message includes limited capability indication information, the limited capability indication information indicating that the capability is limited and only basic capabilities are supported; sending a second message to the network device; wherein, if the capability is still limited and only the basic capability information is supported, the second message includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the capability is still limited and only the basic capability is supported; if the capability is still limited and the supported third capability is greater than the first capability and less than the second capability, the second message includes second indication information, the second indication information indicating that the capability is still limited and that the supported limited capability is greater than the basic capability and less than the first capability;

[0045] The first capability is a capability indicated by first capability information, the first capability information is capability information reported to the network before sending the first message, the first message is an unencrypted message, and the second message is an encrypted message.

[0046] In one implementation, the first message is a radio resource control RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment completion message.

[0047] In one implementation, the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0048] In one implementation, if the capability is not restricted, the second message does not include the first indication information or the second indication information, or the second message includes third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the capability is not restricted.

[0049] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: receiving a first message from a terminal device; the first message includes capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the terminal device has limited capabilities and only supports basic capabilities; receiving a second message from the terminal device; wherein the second message includes first indication information or second indication information, the first indication information indicating that the capabilities are still limited and only the basic capabilities are supported; the second indication information indicates that the capabilities are still limited, and the supported limited capabilities are greater than the basic capabilities and less than the first capabilities; the first capability is the capability indicated by the first capability information, the first message is an unencrypted message, and the second message is an encrypted message; the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network by the terminal device before receiving the first message.

[0050] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which includes: sending an RRC reconfiguration message to a terminal device; receiving an RRC reconfiguration completion message; if the first capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports active restricted capability reporting, and no capability restriction indication information is received from the terminal device within a preset time period, then determining that the terminal device is not capable of being restricted.

[0051] According to the method provided in the present application, if the terminal device supports active reporting of restricted capabilities and the network device allows the terminal device to actively report restricted capabilities, if the network device does not receive the capability restriction indication information sent by the terminal device within a certain period of time, it means that the capabilities currently supported by the terminal device are the same full capabilities as those reported in the terminal device capability information, and the terminal device has not been temporarily restricted in capabilities. Therefore, the network device can accurately determine the capabilities supported by the terminal device and improve the security of the system.

[0052] In one implementation, before determining that the capability of the terminal device is not limited, the method further includes: not receiving limited capability information from the terminal device within a preset time period after receiving the first message.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: receiving an RRC reconfiguration message; sending an RRC reconfiguration completion message to a network device; if the first capability information indicates support for limited capability reporting and the capability is not limited, sending a third message, the third message does not include information indicating limited capability, or the third message includes third indication information, the third indication information indicating that the supported capability information is the first capability information, and the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before receiving the configuration information.

[0054] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: sending an RRC reconfiguration message to a terminal device; receiving an RRC reconfiguration completion message; receiving a third message from the terminal device, the third message not including information indicating limited capability, or the third message including third indication information, the third indication information indicating supported capability information is first capability information, and the first capability information is capability information for receiving the RRC reconfiguration completion message from the terminal device.

[0055] In a tenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device capable of implementing any of the methods provided in any of the first to ninth aspects. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions of the network device or terminal device in the above-described method. The communication device may also include a memory, which may be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit for supporting communication between the communication device and a device such as a terminal device.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules for implementing the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in any one of the first to ninth aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0059] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to ninth aspects through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0060] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement a functional module of the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to ninth aspects through a logic circuit or execution code instructions.

[0061] In the thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to ninth aspects is implemented.

[0062] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0063] In a fifteenth aspect, a circuit is provided for executing the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the circuit may include a chip circuit. Optionally, the circuit may also be coupled to a memory.

[0064] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor configured to implement the method of any possible implementation of any of the first to ninth aspects. Optionally, the chip may further comprise a memory. The chip may be composed of a single chip or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0065] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, comprising: a first device for implementing the method in the aforementioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof; and a second device for implementing the method in the aforementioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0066] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, comprising: a first device for implementing the method in the aforementioned third aspect and any possible implementation thereof; and a second device for implementing the method in the aforementioned fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0067] In a nineteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes: a first device for implementing the method in the aforementioned fifth aspect and any possible implementation thereof; and a second device for implementing the method in the aforementioned sixth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0068] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes: a first device for implementing the method in the aforementioned seventh aspect and any possible implementation thereof; and a second device for implementing the method in the aforementioned eighth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a mobile communication system used in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a terminal capability query and reporting process applied in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the capability hierarchy structure of a terminal device;

[0072] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of capabilities reported by a terminal device;

[0073] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG11 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), or applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems.

[0085] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1 , the communication system includes a radio access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The radio access network 100 may include at least one radio access network device (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1 ) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1 ). The terminal is wirelessly connected to the radio access network device, and the radio access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the radio access network device may be independent, distinct physical devices, or the core network device's functions and the radio access network device's logical functions may be integrated into the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the core network device's functions and some of the radio access network device's functions. Terminals and radio access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1 is merely a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1 .

[0086] A radio access 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 Wi-Fi 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 performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), as well as the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, as well as some or all of the physical layer. For detailed descriptions of each of these protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The wireless access 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), a relay node, a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the wireless access network device. For convenience of description, in the embodiments of this application, the wireless access network device can be referred to as a network device.

[0087] A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0088] Network devices and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; and on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of network devices and terminals.

[0089] 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 may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal functions.

[0090] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific operation methods in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments.

[0091] Below, some terms used in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0092] Transmitter (TX):

[0093] The radio frequency (RF) transmission channel, referred to as the transmission channel, is a physical concept. The transmission channel can receive the baseband signal from the baseband chip, perform RF processing (such as up-conversion, amplification and filtering) on ​​the baseband signal to obtain a radio frequency signal, and finally radiate the radio frequency signal into space through the antenna. Specifically, the transmission channel may include one or more electronic devices such as an antenna switch, an antenna tuner, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier (PA), a mixer, a local oscillator (LO), and a filter. These electronic devices can be integrated into one or more chips as needed. The antenna can sometimes also be considered as part of the transmission channel.

[0094] In an embodiment of the present application, the transmitting channel can also be replaced by Tx, antenna, RF, RF chain, transmitting port, number of RF chains, number of transmission layers, maximum number of transmission layers, maximum number of transmission layers supported, receiving channel or any combination thereof.

[0095] Carrier aggregation (CA) technology:

[0096] Carrier aggregation technology refers to the simultaneous provision of services to terminal devices via multiple carriers. By aggregating multiple component carriers (CCs), communication bandwidth can be increased and peak rates can be improved. Each carrier can have at least one serving cell component carrier operating for terminal devices. In carrier aggregation technology, there is usually one carrier as the primary cell (PCell) and the other serving cells as secondary cells (Scells). Secondary cells can be activated or deactivated during use. For example, if there is no data transmission for a period of time, the network can deactivate the secondary cell and reactivate it when data is sent later.

[0097] Carrier aggregation can be categorized as intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation. Intra-band carrier aggregation refers to the aggregation of multiple carriers within a single frequency band (also called a frequency band), while inter-band carrier aggregation refers to the aggregation of multiple carriers across multiple frequency bands. An example of inter-band carrier aggregation is: a frequency band combination includes three frequency bands: band A, band B, and band C. Band A has one carrier, band B has two carriers, and band C has two carriers. In this case, one carrier on band A, two carriers on band B, and two carriers on band C can be aggregated.

[0098] Dual connectivity (DC):

[0099] Dual connectivity is an operating mode used to enhance wireless network cellular cell connectivity. The purpose of dual connectivity is to utilize the radio resources of multiple carriers to improve the throughput of terminal devices. Dual connectivity can configure a terminal device that is in radio resource control (RRC) connected mode (RRC connected) and has multiple receive / transmit (Rx / Tx) functions to use the radio resources of two base stations and two different scheduling processes. The two base stations are backhauled via non-direct links on the X2 interface. Dual connectivity allows terminal devices to simultaneously send and receive signals on multiple carriers in two cell groups through the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0100] Some examples of dual connectivity scenarios may include: EN-DC (E_UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity, EN-DC), NE-DC (New Radio E-UTRA Dual Connectivity) and NR-DC (New Radio Dual Connectivity). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of dual connectivity scenarios.

[0101] Terminal capability query and reporting:

[0102] Due to varying hardware conditions or software versions, the capabilities of different terminal devices may vary. To better serve terminal devices, network devices need to understand their capabilities so they can configure and schedule them. Terminal capabilities include wireless access capabilities, such as PDCP layer capabilities, radio link control (RLC) layer capabilities, MAC layer capabilities, physical layer capabilities, measurement capabilities, and radio frequency capabilities.

[0103] Figure 2 illustrates the process of a network device querying a terminal device for capability information. As shown in Figure 2, at 201, the network device queries the terminal device for terminal capabilities (UECapabilityEnquiry). Accordingly, at 202, the terminal device sends terminal capability information (UECapabilityInformation) to the network device. For example, the terminal device capability information may include the following parameters: the frequency bands and frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, the maximum channel bandwidth capability of the carrier, the number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers, and the modulation order.

[0104] In the 5G system, the capabilities of terminal devices can be divided into several levels. FIG3 exemplifies the capability hierarchy of a terminal device. The hierarchy represents the data structure of terminal capability information. As shown in FIG3 , the capability hierarchy of a terminal device may include:

[0105] UE-level capabilities (also known as terminal device-level capabilities or per-UE capabilities): Applicable to all frequency bands and frequency band combinations. Per-UE capabilities include terminal device hardware and / or software version information, PDCP layer capabilities, etc.

[0106] Band-level capabilities (also called per-band capabilities) are typically related to the RF capabilities of the terminal device. Per-band capabilities may include the band's extended cyclic prefix (CP), modulation scheme, power level, and MIMO capabilities. The frequency bands supported by the terminal device can be represented using a band list data structure.

[0107] -Band combination (BC) level capability (also referred to as BC-level capability or per BC capability), which is a capability related to the band combination, and the band combination is mainly related to the capabilities of carrier aggregation and dual connection (DC) supported by the terminal device. A band combination can be composed of one or more bands and carriers included in the bands that are supported by the terminal device for carrier aggregation or dual connection. That is to say, for a band combination reported by the terminal device, the network device can configure the carriers included in the bands in the band combination to the terminal device for carrier aggregation or dual connection transmission. In addition, from the perspective of the capability signaling structure, the capabilities of a single band or a single carrier can also be reported through the signaling structure of the band combination. The band combination supported by a terminal device is usually related to the radio frequency capability and baseband capability of the terminal device.

[0108] The information of per BC capability can adopt the data structure of frequency band combination list. The frequency band combination list contains at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and each frequency band combination indicates the frequency bands (bands) contained in the frequency band combination. Each frequency band combination is associated with a feature set combination (FSC), and the FSC contains the capability information of each frequency band in the frequency band combination (per BC per band capability), and the capability information of the component carrier on the frequency band (per CC capability). Per CC capability refers to the capability of the component carrier on the frequency band in the frequency band combination. The information of per CC capability can adopt the data structure of carrier list. Each component carrier is associated with a feature set per CC (FSPC), and FSPC indicates the capability of the corresponding component carrier. For example, in Figure 3, frequency band 1 in frequency band combination BC 1 can correspond to a carrier list, and the carrier list includes 3 component carriers (CC1, CC2, CCx), indicating that the terminal device supports up to 3 consecutive component carriers on frequency band 1. Taking CC1 as an example, CC1 is associated with FSPC 1, which indicates CC1's MIMO capability, channel state information (CSI) measurement capability, modulation type, etc. Each FSPC includes a FeatureSetDownlinkPerCC information element for reporting downlink transmission capability and a FeatureSetUplinkPerCC information element for reporting uplink transmission capability, which respectively indicate the uplink and downlink transmission capabilities of the terminal device. Therefore, per CC capability can also be called feature set per CC (FSPC) capability.

[0109] To reduce signaling overhead, the Feature Set (FS) and Feature Set Per Component Carrier (FSPC) can be indexed by corresponding identifiers (IDs). For example, if the FS capabilities of band A and band B are the same, they can be associated with the same FS ID. For another example, if there are two consecutive component carriers (CC1 and CC2) on band A and CC1 and CC2 have the same capabilities, these two component carriers can be associated with the same FSPC ID. This avoids repeated reporting of the same capability parameters and reduces signaling overhead.

[0110] The terminal device can report the combination of per BC per band capabilities in a frequency band combination by reporting one or more lines of feature sets (FS). Figure 4 shows an example of a schematic diagram of reporting different capabilities of a frequency band combination (such as per CC capability and / or per BC per band capability) through multiple lines of feature sets (FS) in a capability signaling structure. As shown in Figure 4, the frequency band combination BC 1 consists of band A, band B and band C. For the frequency band combination BC 1, the terminal device can report 3 lines of FS, each corresponding to a combination of BC capabilities that the terminal device can support. In the first line of FS, the FS of band A is FS1 (which can be understood as the FS ID is 1, similar below), the FS of band B is FS2, and the FS of band C is FS3. They can be regarded as a combination of BC capabilities that the network can configure for the terminal device. In the second row of FS, the FS for band A is still FS1, the FS for band B is FS4, and the FS for band C is FS5. Since the FS for band B is different from the FS for band B in the first row of FS, and the FS for band C is different from the FS for band C in the first row of FS, the BC capability combination corresponding to the second row of FS is different from that in the first row. Different FSs correspond to different carrier capabilities. For example, if a terminal device supports four carriers, the first row of FS can report that it has one carrier on band A (indicating that the terminal device supports one component carrier on band A, and similarly below), one carrier on band B, and two carriers on band C. The second row of FS can report that it has one carrier on band A, two carriers on band B, and one carrier on band C. Based on the capability information reported by the terminal device shown in Figure 4, when configuring the frequency band combination BC 1 for the terminal device, the network device can configure the terminal device's operating carrier based on the feature set for each frequency band in the same row of FS. When the network device needs to switch configurations, it can send RRC reconfiguration signaling to the terminal device to instruct it to switch to the configuration corresponding to the feature set in the second row.

[0111] The FS ID of a frequency band can be zero. For example, in the third row of FS in Figure 4, the FS ID of band C is FS 0, indicating that the terminal device does not have uplink transmission capability and downlink transmission capability on band C, that is, it does not support receiving downlink signals and sending uplink signals on the carrier of band C.

[0112] Fallback band combination:

[0113] A fallback band combination is a band combination created by releasing at least one SCell or SCell uplink configuration, secondary cell group (SCG), or supplementary uplink carrier (SUL). This band combination is the parent band combination (BC) of the fallback band combination. For example, BC 1 includes bands A, B, and C; if BC 2 includes bands A and B, then BC 2 is the fallback BC of BC 1.

[0114] Because the protocol defines numerous frequency bands and frequency band combinations, to save signaling overhead, the standard allows terminal devices to omit the ability to report a fallback BC with the same capabilities as the parent BC when reporting frequency band combination capabilities. If the fallback BC has different capabilities (i.e., higher capabilities) than the parent BC, the terminal device can report the fallback BC.

[0115] When reporting UE capabilities, each frequency band in each frequency band combination may include one or more continuous or non-continuous carriers. Frequency bands can also be called frequency bands, and each frequency band corresponds to a frequency range. The downlink frequency range and uplink frequency range of the FDD frequency band are different, and the uplink and downlink signals are sent in different frequency ranges; the downlink frequency range and uplink frequency range of the TDD frequency band are the same, and the uplink and downlink signals are sent in a time-division manner. For example, NR band n1 is an FDD frequency band, and its uplink frequency range is from 1920MHz to 1980MHz, and its downlink frequency range is from 2110MHz to 2170MHz. The carrier is the carrier for transmitting communication signals. The center frequency of the carrier can be called the carrier frequency, and the size of the frequency range corresponding to the carrier is called the carrier bandwidth.

[0116] Generally speaking, the capabilities of terminal devices are relatively static. However, in some scenarios, the capabilities of terminal devices may change. Currently, terminal devices can indicate capability updates to the network by re-initiating registration (e.g., initiating a mobile registration update). The network will re-query the capabilities of the terminal, and the corresponding terminal device will report the updated capability information. However, in this way, each time the terminal device updates its capabilities, it needs to leave the RRC connection state to perform the registration process, interrupting the ongoing services, and thus has a greater impact on the user experience. In some scenarios, the capabilities of the terminal device may change dynamically. Changes in the capabilities of the terminal device may include changes in the capabilities of the frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and may also include changes in other capabilities of the terminal device, such as changes in the number of MIMO layers, the number of CCs, and measurement capabilities.

[0117] For example, for a multi-SIM terminal device, a terminal device is equipped with multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs), universal subscriber identity modules (USIMs), embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs), or multi-universal subscriber identity modules (MUSIMs). It should be understood that the multiple identity modules here can be physical phone cards, or virtual or logical multiple identity modules. Hereinafter, multiple identity modules are also referred to as multiple SIMs. A terminal device can register with different networks, such as different access network devices and / or core network devices, or can access the same network device through multiple SIM cards. For a multi-SIM terminal device, multiple SIM cards share the terminal's hardware resources. Therefore, the capabilities of the terminal device may change dynamically when only a single SIM card is working or when multiple SIM cards are working together. When the configurations of multiple SIM cards corresponding to different network devices are different, the resources and processing capabilities occupied by each card are different, which can also cause the capabilities of the terminal device to change dynamically. In this case, if the capabilities of the terminal device are updated using the re-registration method in the existing technology, the multi-SIM user experience will be seriously affected. Therefore, the present invention proposes a temporary capability suppression method, which can update the capability while the terminal device maintains the RRC connection state, improves the interruption of the service, and improves the dynamics of the capability update.

[0118] As shown in FIG5 , the number of multiple universal user identity modules is two for example. These two universal user identity modules specifically include universal user identity module A and universal user identity module B. There is no actual limit on the number of universal user identity modules in terminal device 510. Universal user identity module A can also be referred to as a first universal user identity module, and universal user identity module B can also be referred to as a second universal user identity module. The universal user identity module can be considered a logical concept and can be, for example, a SIM, an eSIM, or other information module or identification module that can identify terminal device 510.

[0119] The universal subscriber identity module A and the universal subscriber identity module B may be provided by the same operator, and accordingly, the first network 520 and the second network 530 may also correspond to the same operator. The universal subscriber identity module A and the universal subscriber identity module B may also be provided by different operators, and accordingly, the first network 520 and the second network 530 may also correspond to different operators.

[0120] The first network 520 can be used to provide services for the universal user identity module A, and can also be described as the first network 520 corresponding to the universal user identity module A in the terminal device 510. The first network 520 may include one or more devices for providing communication services for the terminal device 510. For example, the first network 520 includes a first network device 521, which is used to provide services for the universal user identity module A in the terminal device 510, and can also be described as the first network device 521 corresponding to the universal user identity module A in the terminal device 510. Since the first network device 521 belongs to the first network 520, the first network device 521 in the embodiment of the present application can also be replaced by the first network 520. The first network device 521 is, for example, an access network device or a core network device.

[0121] The second network 530 can be used to provide services for the universal user identity module B, and can also be described as corresponding to the universal user identity module B in the terminal device 510. The second network 530 may include one or more devices for providing communication services for the terminal device 510. For example, the second network 530 includes a second network device 531, which is used to provide services for the universal user identity module B in the terminal device 510, and can also be described as corresponding to the universal user identity module B in the terminal device 510. Since the second network device 531 belongs to the second network 530, the second network device 531 in the embodiment of the present application can also be replaced by the second network 530. The second network device 531 is, for example, an access network device or a core network device.

[0122] Combined with the above description, it can be seen that from the perspective of the network side, one universal user identity module corresponds to an independent terminal device, and two universal user identity modules correspond to two different terminal devices; however, for the terminal device, from the perspective of cost and resource utilization efficiency, the two universal user identity modules generally share the hardware resources within the terminal device, such as radio frequency resources and baseband processing resources. In other words, the resources occupied by the two universal user identity modules are not hard-split, but dynamically shared. Therefore, for one of the universal user identity modules (for example, universal user identity module A), the capabilities that universal user identity module A can support when only a single card is working, that is, when only universal user identity module A is working, are different from the capabilities that the terminal device can support when two cards are working simultaneously (for example, universal user identity module A and universal user identity module B are both in the RRC connected state).

[0123] For example, as shown in Figure 6, SIM-1 of the terminal device is in the RRC connected state in network A to send and receive data, and SIM-2 of the terminal device is in the RRC non-connected state (such as RRC idle state or RRC inactive state) in network B. If SIM-2 of the terminal device has downlink or uplink traffic arriving on network B and is about to enter the RRC connected state, since SIM-2 will occupy part of the resources of the terminal device, in this case, the terminal device needs to inform network A of the temporary change or temporary suppression of the capability to ensure that the configuration and scheduling issued by the network can match the current actual capability of the terminal device, so as to avoid the network configuration or scheduling exceeding the actual terminal device capability, resulting in the terminal device being unable to receive data correctly.

[0124] For example, a terminal device's radio resources include three radio links. In network A, corresponding to SIM-1, the three configured CCs include a primary carrier component (PCC) on band A, secondary carrier component (SCC) 1 on band B, and SCC2 on band X. The PCC is associated with the terminal device's radio link 1, SCC1 is associated with the terminal device's radio link 2, and SCC2 is associated with the terminal device's radio link 3. In network B, corresponding to SIM-2, one configured CC is a PCC, associated with the terminal device's radio link 3. Because radio link 3 is associated with two CCs simultaneously but can only provide services to one of them at a time, the radio resources used by the terminal device in both CCs will conflict when the terminal device is in an RRC connected state. When network A schedules the terminal device for data transmission on both CCs simultaneously, the terminal device can only transmit data on one CC and cannot transmit data on the other CC.

[0125] In another scenario, as shown in Figure 7, from another perspective, if SIM-2 of the terminal device is already in the RRC connected state for business, SIM-1 of the terminal device is in the RRC non-connected state in network A. If SIM-1 of the terminal device has downlink or uplink business arriving and is ready to enter the RRC connected state, because SIM-2 has occupied some resources, SIM-1 cannot use all capabilities to communicate on network A. At this time, when SIM-1 enters or recovers from the RRC non-connected state (such as RRC idle state or RRC inactive state) to the RRC connected state, the terminal device can inform network A of temporary capability suppression to avoid the configuration issued by the network exceeding the actual capability after entering the RRC connected state.

[0126] In other scenarios, when the temperature of the terminal device is too high, in order to reduce the temperature of the terminal device, the terminal device can actively reduce its own capabilities, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the temperature; or, when the terminal device communicates through different access technologies at the same time, such as communicating through a cellular network and a non-cellular network at the same time, there is interference between the frequency bands of the two, resulting in the inability to work simultaneously; or, when the terminal device performs unicast communication on the serving cell and receives multicast broadcast service (MBS) on the non-serving cell at the same time, the capabilities of the terminal device may change.

[0127] To this end, the present application provides a method that can report the changed capabilities to the network when the capabilities of the terminal device change.

[0128] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0129] When the following method flows of the present application are applied to the system shown in FIG1 , the network device in FIG1 or the module in the network device or the chip in the first network device can execute the method executed by the network device in the following flow, and the terminal device in FIG1 or the module in the terminal device or the chip in the terminal device can execute the method executed by the terminal device in the following flow. It is understandable that the embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, it is sufficient. The following description will only take the terminal device or network device as an example.

[0130] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0131] Step 801: The terminal device sends second information to the network device.

[0132] Correspondingly, the network device receives the second information.

[0133] In this application, the second information indicates that the terminal device has limited capabilities, or the terminal device is in a capability-limited state, or the terminal device will be in a capability-limited state, or the terminal device is in or is about to be in a dual-card concurrent state.

[0134] In this application, the term "capability restriction" can be replaced by "temporary capability restriction," "temporary capability restriction," or "temporary capability change." The term "resource conflict" can be replaced by "frequency band conflict," "frequency band combination conflict," or "carrier combination conflict." The term "dual-SIM concurrent state" can be replaced by / understood as "dual-SIM concurrent operation," "dual-SIM concurrent operation," "dual-SIM concurrent service," or "dual-SIM dual active (DSDA)."

[0135] In this application, a capacity-limited situation refers to the simultaneous operation of multiple user identification modules in a terminal device, which limits the terminal device's capacity in the network corresponding to each user identification module; or a capacity-limited situation refers to resource conflicts between multiple user identification modules in a terminal device, which limits the terminal device's capacity in the network corresponding to each user identification module; or a capacity-limited situation refers to: interference between multiple access technologies within the terminal device, or the terminal device performing multiple services simultaneously, or the terminal device being overheated, or the terminal device being too cold, which limits the terminal device's capacity in the network. In the capacity-limited situation, the terminal device's capacity in the network corresponding to each user identification module is less than the capacity reported by the terminal device in the network corresponding to each user identification module, or the terminal device's capacity in the network is less than the capacity reported by the terminal device to the network.

[0136] The limited capability of the terminal device indicates that the current capability of the terminal device has changed, or the capability of the terminal device is about to change, and the capability of the terminal device after the change is less than the capability indicated by the first capability information of the terminal device.

[0137] In one implementation, the capability limitation may include active capability limitation and passive capability limitation.

[0138] If the current configuration causes the resources occupied by the dual-user identification modules in the terminal device to conflict or are about to conflict, the terminal device sends a second message. This method can be understood as passive capability limitation. If there is no temporary conflict between the dual-user identification modules under the current configuration, but the terminal device indicates the capability change to the network in advance to avoid the configuration that may be issued by the network in the future exceeding the terminal device capability, this method can be understood as active capability limitation.

[0139] This application does not limit when the second information is sent. For example, in the first implementation, the second information can be sent during the RRC establishment process, or the RRC recovery process, or the RRC reconstruction process. For example, the terminal device is already in an RRC connection state with the second network through SIM card 2, and the terminal device is about to establish an RRC connection or restore an RRC connection or re-establish an RRC connection with the first network through SIM card 1. In the process of establishing / restoring / re-establishing RRC, the terminal device can send the second information to the first network. The second information can be carried in message 3 (msg3) in the random access process, or an RRC establishment request message, or an RRC establishment completion message, or an RRC recovery request message, or an RRC recovery completion message, or an RRC reconstruction request message, or an RRC reconstruction completion message, and this application does not limit this.

[0140] In the second implementation, the second information may also be sent while the terminal device is in an RRC connection state. For example, during the process of the terminal device establishing an RRC connection state with the first network through SIM card 1, a downlink or uplink service arrives on the second network corresponding to SIM card 2 in the terminal device, and the terminal device may send the second information to the first network through SIM card 1. The second information may be carried in RRC signaling, for example, the second information may be carried in user equipment assistance information (UE assistance information, UAI). At this time, under the current configuration of the first network corresponding to SIM card 1 and the second network corresponding to SIM card 2, a resource conflict may or may not have occurred between the two SIM cards of the terminal device.

[0141] In this application, the second information may also indicate other information, for example, the second information may also indicate at least one of the following:

[0142] Whether the current network configuration exceeds the capabilities of the terminal device in a capacity-constrained situation;

[0143] Check whether resource conflicts between multiple user identity modules occur under the current network configuration.

[0144] In one implementation, the second information includes 1 bit. When the 1 bit included in the second information is a first value, it indicates that the terminal device capability is limited.

[0145] In one implementation, the second information indicates a capability parameter with limited capability, such as the affected frequency information / frequency identification information, or the affected frequency band information / frequency band identification information, or the affected cell identification, or an indication of reducing the MIMO layer capability / measurement capability / number of supported carriers, etc. The above-mentioned affected frequency band can also be understood as a frequency band where there is a resource conflict, or a frequency band where the terminal device expects or requests the network device to release the service cell on the frequency band; the above-mentioned affected cell can also be understood as a cell where there is a resource conflict, or a cell where the terminal device expects or requests the network device to release. The capability corresponding to the above-mentioned capability parameter with limited capability is lower than the capability initially reported to the network by the terminal device in the UE capability information. The capability corresponding to the above-mentioned capability parameter with limited capability can also be lower than the configuration of the current network, or it can exceed the configuration of the current network. For example, the number of MIMO layers supported by carrier 1 in the UE capability information is 4, and the number of MIMO layers of carrier 1 currently configured by the network is 1. The second information can indicate that the number of MIMO layers of carrier 1 currently supported by the terminal device is 2, which is greater than the number of MIMO layers currently configured by the network. In this scenario, resource conflict may not have occurred yet; it is also possible that the number of MIMO layers supported by carrier 1 in the terminal device capability information is 4, and the number of MIMO layers of carrier 1 currently configured by the network is 2. The second information can indicate that the number of MIMO layers of carrier 1 currently supported by the terminal device is 1, which is less than the number of MIMO layers currently configured by the network. In this scenario, the network configuration has exceeded the terminal device capability, and a resource conflict has occurred between the dual SIM cards in the terminal device.

[0146] In one implementation, a network device sends signaling to a terminal device, where the signaling indicates a request or indication that the terminal device is allowed to send capability-restricted information (e.g., second information). That is, the second information sent by the terminal device is controlled by the network. Only when the network device allows the second information to be sent can the terminal device request that the capability of the terminal device be restricted. The signaling sent by the network device can be carried in a system message or in an RRC reconfiguration message, which is not limited in this application.

[0147] In one implementation, before sending the second information, the terminal device reports to the network in the UE capability information (UE capability information) whether the terminal device supports the capability of capability limitation or temporary change or temporary limitation of capability. The terminal device may send the second information only if it supports it and the network device allows reporting of the second information. Optionally, the terminal device capability information indicates whether the terminal device supports active capability limitation and / or passive capability limitation. In one possible way, active capability limitation and passive capability limitation are respectively indicated by two different information in the UE capability information, one information indicating whether active capability limitation is supported, and the other information indicating whether passive capability limitation is supported.

[0148] Step 801 is an optional step, and the terminal device may not send the second information. This application does not limit whether the terminal device sends the second information.

[0149] Step 802: The network device sends control information.

[0150] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives control information, and the control information indicates that the first information is allowed to be reported.

[0151] If the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is not allowed, the terminal device cannot send the first information.

[0152] The control information may be carried in a system message or an RRC message, which is not limited in this application. Step 802 may be performed before step 801.

[0153] Step 803a: The network device sends candidate service frequency information.

[0154] Accordingly, the terminal device receives candidate service frequency information; the candidate service frequency information indicates one or more frequencies, each of the one or more frequencies corresponding to a frequency band. The one or more frequencies may be replaced by one or more frequency bands, or frequency band numbers, or frequency band index values, or frequency band identifiers.

[0155] The one or more frequencies indicated by the candidate service frequency information may include the frequency of the service cell currently configured by the network device, or may include frequencies that are not currently configured as service cells, which may be configured as service cells in the future.

[0156] The one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies indicated by the candidate service frequency information may be part of the frequency bands supported by the terminal device, that is, the terminal device supports multiple frequency bands, and the multiple frequency bands supported by the terminal device include the one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies. The terminal device may indicate the frequency bands supported by the terminal device through the first capability information.

[0157] The first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before the first information is sent. For example, the first capability information is the capability information reported when the terminal device initially accesses the network. The first capability information is UE capability information (UECapabilityInformation). The first capability information may also be referred to as terminal device capability information or the like. The terminal device capability information may be stored in the terminal device. The terminal device capability information may indicate the wireless access capability of the terminal device, such as PDCP layer capability, RLC layer capability, MAC layer capability, physical layer capability, measurement capability, radio frequency capability, etc. During the process of powering on and attaching to the network, the terminal device may report the terminal device capability information to the network. For example, the terminal device may report the terminal device capability information through the process shown in FIG2 .

[0158] The first capability information may also indicate other information, for example, the first capability information indicates at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and the capability of the at least one frequency band combination. The first capability information may also indicate the following parameters: the frequency bands and frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, the maximum channel bandwidth capability of the carrier, the number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers, the modulation order, etc. The specific content of the first capability information can refer to the description related to the terminal capability information (UECapabilityInformation), which will not be repeated here.

[0159] In one implementation, the first capability information includes a first identifier, which is used to identify the first capability information. The first identifier indicates the version of the first capability information reported this time, or the version of the BClist in the first capability information reported this time. For example, the first identifier of the first capability information reported for the first time (initial reporting) is #0, and the terminal device undergoes a capability change. After reporting the capability information again according to the process of Figure 2, the first identifier of the first capability information reported by the terminal device becomes #1. The above-mentioned capability change can be a capability change triggered by the terminal device to the network device through the mobile registration update process.

[0160] In one implementation, the candidate service frequency information may include the absolute frequency position of each frequency in one or more frequencies, and the absolute frequency position of each frequency is indicated by an absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN). The absolute frequency position may point to the position of the synchronous signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) of the candidate service cell corresponding to each frequency.

[0161] In one implementation, the candidate service frequency information may indicate one or more frequency bands, and each frequency band may be indicated by a frequency band number, for example, the frequency band number may be indicated by a frequency band indication NR (FreqBandIndicatorNR) field.

[0162] In one implementation, when a terminal device sends the second information, the network device may determine, based on the second information sent by the terminal device, that it is necessary to send candidate service frequency information. That is, when the network device determines that the terminal device has limited capabilities, if the network device expects the terminal device to proactively report the capabilities of the frequency band or frequency band combination that may be affected, then the network device sends the candidate service frequency information. This can reduce the signaling overhead incurred by the network device sending the candidate service frequency information.

[0163] In one implementation, when the terminal device does not send the second information, the network device may also send the candidate service frequency information, that is, regardless of whether the terminal device is in a state of limited capability.

[0164] The condition for the network device to transmit candidate service frequency information may also include: the terminal device reporting in the first capability information whether it supports the ability to actively report limited capabilities. If the terminal device supports actively reporting limited capabilities, the network device may transmit the candidate service frequency information; if the terminal device does not support actively reporting limited capabilities, the network device does not transmit the candidate service frequency information. If the terminal device does not transmit the second information, the network device may transmit the candidate service frequency information based on the first capability information of the terminal device.

[0165] Step 803a is an optional step, and the network device may not send the candidate service frequency information, which is not limited in this application.

[0166] In one implementation, step 803a may also be replaced by step 803b.

[0167] Step 803b: The network device sends frequency band combination information.

[0168] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives frequency band combination information; the frequency band combination information indicates at least one candidate frequency band combination, and each candidate frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination is a frequency band combination where a candidate serving cell is located.

[0169] In one implementation, the frequency band combination information further indicates an index of each candidate frequency band combination in at least one candidate frequency band combination, where the index of the candidate frequency band combination is an index of the candidate frequency band combination in the at least one frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

[0170] In one implementation, the frequency band combination information includes an index or sequence number (BC index) of each candidate frequency band combination in at least one candidate frequency band combination.

[0171] The at least one candidate frequency band combination indicated by the frequency band combination information may be a frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0172] For example, in implementation method one, when the terminal device sends the second information, the network device can determine the need to send frequency band combination information based on the second information sent by the terminal device, that is, when the network device determines that the terminal device capability is limited, if the network device expects the terminal device to actively report the frequency band / frequency band combination capability that may be affected, then the frequency band combination information is sent.

[0173] For example, in the second implementation mode, when the terminal device does not send the second information, the network device may also send the frequency band combination information, that is, regardless of whether the terminal device is in a state of limited capability.

[0174] The condition for the network device to transmit the frequency band combination information may also include: the terminal device reporting in the first capability information whether it supports the ability to actively report restricted capabilities. If the terminal device supports actively reporting restricted capabilities, the network device may transmit the frequency band combination information; if the terminal device does not support actively reporting restricted capabilities, the network device does not transmit the frequency band combination information. If the terminal device does not transmit the second information, the network device may transmit the frequency band combination information based on the first capability information of the terminal device.

[0175] Step 803b is an optional step, and the network device may not send the frequency band combination information, which is not limited in this application.

[0176] Step 804: The terminal device sends the first information.

[0177] Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information.

[0178] In one implementation, when the terminal device is in a capability-limited state, the first information may be sent; if the terminal device is not in a capability-limited state, the first information does not need to be sent. The capability-limited state may refer to the capability currently supported by the terminal device being lower than the capability reported to the network device in the terminal device capability information (e.g., UEcapabilityinformation) based on the capability query of the network device.

[0179] In the present application, the first information may indicate one or more frequency band combinations among at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and indicate the capability of at least one frequency band in each of the one or more frequency band combinations when the terminal device has limited capability. For any of the one or more frequency band combinations, the capability of at least one frequency band in the frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of at least one frequency band in the frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information.

[0180] For example, if the capability of a first frequency band in a first frequency band combination of a terminal device is limited, the first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under the limited capability. The first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, or the first frequency band combination belongs to a fallback frequency band combination of one frequency band combination in at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device. The capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0181] The first frequency band may also belong to a second frequency band combination, and the second frequency band combination is in at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device; the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination may be the same as the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the second frequency band combination, or may be different from the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the second frequency band combination, and this application does not limit this. If the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the second frequency band combination is not restricted, the terminal device may not indicate, through the first information, the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the second frequency band combination when the capability is restricted.

[0182] In one implementation, if the terminal device receives candidate service frequency information, the one or more frequencies indicated by the candidate service frequency information correspond to one or more frequency bands, and each of the one or more frequencies corresponds to a frequency band, then each frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band in the one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies.

[0183] In one implementation, the first frequency band combination includes the frequency band corresponding to the current primary cell, that is, the terminal device only indicates the frequency band combination including the frequency band of the current primary cell in the first information. In other words, the terminal device only reports the frequency band combination supported by the current PCell.

[0184] In one implementation, the first frequency band combination includes only the frequency band corresponding to the current primary cell; alternatively, the first frequency band combination includes the frequency band corresponding to the current primary cell and at least one frequency band indicated by candidate serving frequency information. For example, the candidate serving frequency information includes only the frequency band of the candidate SCell, and the terminal device only reports the frequency band combination of the current PCell and the frequency band of the candidate SCell queried by the network.

[0185] In one implementation, if the terminal device receives frequency band combination information, the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is one of the at least one candidate frequency band combinations. Alternatively, the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is a fallback frequency band combination of one of the at least one candidate frequency band combinations.

[0186] In one implementation, the first capability information may include a first feature set combination (first FSC) associated with the first frequency band combination, where the first FSC associated with the first frequency band combination includes capability information (per BC per band capability) for each frequency band in the first frequency band combination. The capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band of the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability corresponding to the capability information of the first frequency band in the first FSC.

[0187] This application does not limit how the first information indicates the capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band of the first frequency band combination. For example, the following implementations may exist.

[0188] Implementation method 1: The first information indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capabilities.

[0189] For example, the first frequency band combination includes three frequency bands: band A, band B, and band C. The terminal device supports band A and band B in the first frequency band combination under limited capabilities. The first information indicates band A and band B, and the first information does not indicate band C. In this case, band A and band B are the first frequency bands.

[0190] A possible implementation of the above indication of the first frequency band is to indicate an identifier or index of the first frequency band. The index of the first frequency band can indicate the position of the first frequency band in at least one frequency band reported supported by the terminal device in the first capability information, or can indicate the position of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination in the first capability information.

[0191] In a second implementation method, the first information indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capabilities, as well as at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination; the at least one capability parameter is a different capability parameter from the capability parameters corresponding to the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information. For example, the at least one capability parameter includes at least one of the following: modulation mode; power level; number of MIMO layers; component carrier (CC) bandwidth; number of CCs. The above-mentioned capability parameter may be a capability parameter of the carrier of the first frequency band.

[0192] In this implementation, when capabilities are limited, the terminal device still supports the first frequency band combination being configured as a CA / DC frequency band combination, but the capability supported on the first frequency band is lower.

[0193] The first frequency band combination includes at least two frequency bands. For frequency bands other than the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination, for example, the second frequency band. In the case of limited capability, the capability of the second frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination remains unchanged, then the first information does not indicate the capability of the second frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination. If the capability of the terminal device is limited, and the capability of the second frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination also changes, the first information also indicates the capability of the second frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination under limited capability. In this way, only the capability of the frequency band whose capability has changed is indicated, which can save signaling overhead.

[0194] For example, the first frequency band combination includes frequency band A, frequency band B, and frequency band C, and the first frequency band is frequency band C. The first capability information indicates that the number of MIMO layers supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is 4. In the case of limited capability, the first information indicates that the number of MIMO layers supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is 2.

[0195] Implementation method three: The first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited. In this implementation method, when the first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination, it may also indicate that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination. Alternatively, in this implementation method, the information indicated by the first information may be: the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited, and does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0196] For example, the first information indicates that frequency band C is a frequency band that is not supported for configuration as a serving carrier (or serving cell), and the first frequency band combination in which frequency band C is located includes frequency band A, frequency band B, and frequency band C; this indicates that the terminal device does not support the network-configured CA / DC frequency band combination of frequency band A+frequency band B+frequency band C, that is, it does not support the carrier configured on frequency band C. Furthermore, the terminal device may support a frequency band combination configured as frequency band A+frequency band B.

[0197] In one implementation, the first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capability. This only indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination under limited capability, and does not indicate that the terminal device does not support other frequency band combinations that include the first frequency band, nor does it indicate that the terminal device does not support a service carrier (or service cell) that is configured with only the first frequency band as a single carrier. Other frequency band combinations that include the first frequency band may be a fallback frequency band combination of the first frequency band combination, or a frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

[0198] For example, the first information indicates that the first frequency band combination not supported by the terminal device includes band A, band B and band C, and the first frequency band is band C; according to the first information, the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination, but the terminal device can also support the frequency band combination consisting of band B and band C, the frequency band combination consisting of band A and band C, and band C.

[0199] In one implementation, the first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capability. If the first frequency band combination includes the frequency band of the primary cell, it only indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination under limited capability, but the terminal device also supports a frequency band combination that meets the following conditions: includes the frequency band of the current primary cell and includes the first frequency band. The frequency band combination that meets this condition can be a fallback frequency band combination of the first frequency band combination or a frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

[0200] For example, the first information indicates that the first frequency band combination not supported by the terminal device includes frequency band A, frequency band B and frequency band C, the first frequency band is frequency band C, and the frequency band of the current main cell is frequency band A; according to the first information, the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination, but the terminal device can also support the frequency band combination consisting of frequency band A and frequency band C.

[0201] In one implementation, the first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited. If the first frequency band combination includes the frequency band of the main cell, it only means that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited, but the terminal device also supports frequency band combinations that meet the following conditions: including the frequency band of the current main cell and including the first frequency band. The frequency band combination that meets this condition can be a fallback frequency band combination of the first frequency band combination, or it can be a frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information. The terminal device can also support the situation where only the first frequency band is configured as a service carrier (or service cell) of a single carrier.

[0202] For example, the first information indicates that the first frequency band combination not supported by the terminal device includes frequency band A, frequency band B and frequency band C, the first frequency band is frequency band C, and the frequency band of the current main cell is frequency band A; according to the first information, the terminal device does not support the first frequency band combination, but the terminal device can also support the frequency band combination consisting of frequency band A and frequency band C, and the terminal device also supports the situation where only the carrier of frequency band C is configured as the service carrier (or service cell).

[0203] Implementation method four:

[0204] In Implementation Method 4, Implementation Method 2 can be combined with Implementation Method 1. The first information indicates that the first frequency band is supported in the first frequency band combination. When the capabilities of the first frequency band change, the first information also indicates at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band. When the capabilities of the first frequency band do not change, the first information does not indicate the capability parameter of the first frequency band. For example, the first frequency band combination includes three frequency bands: Band A, Band B, and Band C. The terminal device supports Band A and Band B in the first frequency band combination but does not support Band C under limited capabilities. The capability of Band A changes. The first information then indicates Band A and Band B and at least one capability parameter of Band A, such as the number of MIMO layers supported by the carrier of Band A. This at least one capability parameter is a capability parameter that has changed compared to the capability parameter of Band A in the first frequency band combination in the first capability information. For Band B in the first frequency band combination, the capabilities supported by the terminal device remain unchanged. Therefore, the first information does not indicate the at least one capability parameter of Band B in the first frequency band combination. In other words, under mode 4, the first information indicates the frequency bands supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band combination under limited capability, as well as the capability to change in the supported frequency bands. If the frequency band supported in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information does not indicate at least one capability parameter, the capability of the frequency band (the above-mentioned frequency band B) remains unchanged.

[0205] Implementation method five:

[0206] In implementation method five, implementation method two and implementation method three can be combined. The first information indicates that the first frequency band is not supported in the first frequency band combination. The first information also indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination under limited capabilities, as well as at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination. For example, the first frequency band combination includes three frequency bands: band A, band B, and band C. The terminal device supports band A and band B in the first frequency band combination under limited capabilities, but does not support band C, wherein the capability of band A supported by the terminal device changes. Then the first information indicates band A and band C, and the first information also indicates at least one capability parameter of band A, such as the number of MIMO layers supported by the carrier of band A. The at least one capability parameter is a capability parameter that has changed compared to the capability parameter of band A in the first frequency band combination in the first capability information. For band B in the first frequency band combination, the capability supported by the terminal device remains unchanged, so the first information does not indicate band B. In other words, under implementation method five, the first information only indicates the first frequency band combination and the frequency bands in the first frequency band combination whose capabilities have changed. The frequency bands that have changed their capabilities include: frequency bands that have changed from supported to unsupported, and frequency bands whose at least one capability parameter has changed.

[0207] Through the above method, excessive suppression of frequency bands / frequency band combinations can be avoided under limited capacity conditions, thereby improving the flexibility of frequency band configuration of terminal devices.

[0208] In the present application, the first information may also indicate the first frequency band combination and the first frequency band. For example, the first information may indicate the first frequency band combination and the first frequency band in the following manner.

[0209] In a first implementation, the first information indicates the index of the first frequency band combination in at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device. In this case, the index of the first frequency band combination may be the position number of the first frequency band combination in the at least one frequency band combination. For example, the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device is in a BC list (BClist). For example, if the BC list contains a total of 100 BCs, the index of the first BC is 1, the index of the second BC is 2, and the indexes of the other BCs are analogous. If the first frequency band combination is the second BC in the BC list, the first information may indicate that the index of the first frequency band combination may be 2.

[0210] In this implementation, since there are multiple types of BC lists in the terminal device capabilities, such as the BC list for dual connectivity (DC), the BC list for NR (standalone, SA), the BC list for uplink antenna switching (uplink Tx Switch), the BC list for sidelink, etc., the first information can also indicate which BC list the BC list corresponding to the first frequency band combination is located in. Optionally, the frequency band combination information also indicates the identifier of the frequency band combination list, that is, for example, the first capability information includes frequency band combination list A, frequency band combination list B and frequency band combination list C. The frequency band combination information includes the identifier of the frequency band combination list in which each candidate frequency band combination in at least one candidate frequency band combination is located, and the index or serial number (BC index) of the frequency band combination in the corresponding frequency band combination list. For example, the identifier of frequency band combination list A is A, which includes 10 frequency band combinations, which are identified as 1 to 10 respectively; the identifier of frequency band combination list B is B, which includes 12 frequency band combinations, which are identified as 1 to 12 respectively. If the frequency band combination information only indicates the identifier of the frequency band combination, such as 8, both frequency band combination lists contain the frequency band combination identified as 8. When the first indication information indicates identifier A and identifier 8, it uniquely indicates the frequency band combination identified as 8 in frequency band combination list A.

[0211] In a second implementation manner, each frequency band combination may correspond to a frequency band combination index (BC index), and the first information may indicate the frequency band combination index of the first frequency band combination.

[0212] In a third implementation, if the terminal device receives frequency band combination information, the first information may indicate the index of the first frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination indicated by the frequency band combination information. In this case, the index of the first frequency band combination may be the position number of the first frequency band combination in the at least one indicated candidate frequency band combination. For example, if the at least one candidate frequency band combination includes BC1 and BC2, if the first frequency band combination is BC2, then the index of the first frequency band combination may be 2.

[0213] In this implementation, the first information may further indicate in which BC list the BC list corresponding to the first frequency band combination is located. For details, please refer to the above description.

[0214] In one implementation, the first information may indicate a frequency band number of the first frequency band, or the first information may indicate a frequency band entry index of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0215] For example, the first frequency band combination includes two frequency bands, and the frequency band numbers are n3 and n41. If the frequency band number of the first frequency band is n3, the first information may include n3.

[0216] For example, the band entry index of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is 1, and the band entry index of the first frequency band included in the first indication information is 1.

[0217] In the present application, the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information may also be a fallback frequency band combination of other frequency band combinations. The following describes how the first information indicates the fallback frequency band combination.

[0218] In one implementation, the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is a fallback frequency band combination of one frequency band combination among at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, or the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is a fallback frequency band combination of one frequency band combination among at least one candidate frequency band combination indicated by the frequency band combination information.

[0219] In this implementation, the first information indicates the first frequency band combination in the following two ways.

[0220] In mode 1, the first information indicates all frequency bands included in the first frequency band combination. For example, the first information indicates the frequency band numbers of all frequency bands included in the first frequency band combination. Exemplarily, the first information indicates that the first frequency band combination is n3+n41, i.e., the first frequency band combination is BC consisting of band n3 and band n41, where n3 and n41 are frequency band numbers.

[0221] Optionally, the first information also indicates the parent BC (parent BC) corresponding to the first frequency band combination. For example, if the first frequency band combination consists of band n3 and band n41, the parent BC of the first frequency band combination may consist of band n3, band n41, and band n78. A possible way to indicate the parent BC is to indicate the BC index of the parent BC, where the parent BC index is the index of the position of the BC in the supported frequency band combination list (supportedBandCombinationList) reported by the terminal device in the first capability information. For example, if the frequency band combination list included in the first capability information contains a total of 100 BCs, the BC index of the first one is 1, the BC index of the second one is 2, and so on for other BCs. Optionally, since there are multiple types of BC lists in the terminal device capabilities, such as the BC list for dual-connection MRDC, the BC list for NR SA, the BC list for uplink Tx Switch, the BC list for sidelink, etc., the first information may also indicate in which BC list the parent BC is located.

[0222] In method 2, the first information can also indicate the first frequency band combination by indicating the parent BC of the first frequency band combination and the band entry index supported by the terminal device in the parent BC. For example, the parent BC of the first frequency band combination consists of band n3, band n41 and band n78, and the order in the frequency band combination list included in the first capability information is fifth, then the BC index of the parent BC of the first frequency band combination is 5; the first frequency band combination consists of band n3 and band n41, then the band entry index of the first frequency band combination is the first and second band entries in the parent BC, that is, the band entry index is 1 and 2. Therefore, the first information can indicate that the BC index of the parent BC is 5, and indicate two band entry ndex, which are 1 and 2 respectively, which means that the first frequency band combination supported by the terminal device includes band n3 and band n41. The first information can also indicate the BC list where the parent BC is located, as mentioned above and will not be repeated here.

[0223] In one possible manner, if the terminal device receives the candidate service frequency information, the terminal device only uses the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information as the frequency band corresponding to the frequency indicated by the candidate service frequency information under the current PCell as the fallback BC of the candidate SCell. For example, the frequency bands corresponding to one or more frequencies indicated by the candidate service frequency information include bandB, bandC, and bandD. The PCell currently accessed by the terminal device corresponds to bandA. The first frequency band combination indicated by the first information may be a frequency band combination including bandA+bandB, or a frequency band combination including bandA+bandC; however, the terminal device will not indicate a frequency band combination including bandC+bandD through the first information, because bandC+bandD does not include the frequency band bandA where the PCell currently accessed by the terminal device is located.

[0224] In one possible approach, when the first band combination is a fallback band combination for other band combinations, the first information further indicates the fallback capabilities of the first band combination supported by the terminal device under limited capabilities. The fallback capabilities include fallback perFS capabilities and / or fallback FSperCC capabilities, such as the capability for the number of MIMO layers, the capability for the number of CCs, the capability for CC bandwidth, etc. The fallback perFS capability or fallback FSperCC capability is lower than the perFS capability or FSperCC capability reported for the same band in the parent BC of the first band combination reported in the first capability information of the terminal device. For example, if the parent BC of the first band combination includes n3+n41+n78, where n3 supports two CCs, each with 4 MIMO, and n41 supports one CC, each with 4 MIMO; and the first band combination includes n3+n41, then the first information may indicate that n3 of the first band combination supports one CC, each with 4 MIMO, and that n41 of the first band combination supports one CC, each with 2 MIMO. Optionally, if the first information is the fallback capability of the first frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the fallback capability of the first frequency band combination is the same as the capability of the same frequency band in the parent BC of the first frequency band combination. For example, in the above example, the terminal device still supports 2CC and 4MIMO in n3 in the first frequency band combination, and still supports 1CC and 4MIMO in n41 in the first frequency band combination.

[0225] In another implementation, the first information may also indicate a BC that the terminal device does not support when the terminal device has limited capabilities. The BC that the terminal device does not support is one of the BCs in at least one frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information of the terminal device, or one of the BCs in at least one candidate frequency band combination indicated in the frequency band combination information.

[0226] In one embodiment, the first information indicates the BC index of the BC that is not supported by the terminal device.

[0227] Assuming that the first information indicates that the BC not supported by the terminal device is the third frequency band, the fallback BC of the third frequency band should not be regarded as a BC not supported by the terminal device, or it can be understood that the terminal device may still support the fallback BC of the third frequency band.

[0228] For example, if the first information indicates that BC#1 that the terminal device does not support includes band A, band B, and band C, it does not mean that the terminal device does not support any of the following fallback BCs of BC#1:

[0229] Includes fallback BC of bandA and bandB; includes fallback BC of bandB and bandC; includes fallback BC of bandA and bandC; bandA; bandB; bandC.

[0230] In one embodiment, if the first information does not indicate that the terminal device does not support the fallback BC of the third frequency band, it indicates that the terminal device supports all fallback BCs of the third frequency band, regardless of whether the fallback BC includes the frequency band where the current PCell is located.

[0231] In one approach, if the first information does not indicate that the terminal device does not support the fallback BC of the third frequency band, it indicates that the fallback BC of the third frequency band supported by the terminal device only includes the fallback BC of the frequency band where the current PCell is located. In combination with the above example, assuming that in the above example, the frequency band where the current PCell is located is bandA, the first information indicates that the BC#1 that the terminal device does not support includes bandA, bandB, and bandC, but the first information does not indicate that the terminal device does not support the fallback BC of BC#1, then it can be considered that the fallback BC of BC#1 supported by the terminal device includes bandA+bandB, bandA+bandC, and bandA, and it cannot indicate whether the terminal device supports the following fallback BCs of BC#1: bandB+bandC, bandB, and bandC, because the frequency band where the PCell is located is not included.

[0232] The terminal device supports the same capabilities of the frequency bands (such as bandA and bandB) included in the fallback BC of the third frequency band as the capabilities of the parent BC (i.e., the third frequency band) reported in the first capability information of the terminal device (for example, the same capabilities of bandA and bandB in bandA+bandB+bandC). The capabilities here may include perBC capabilities, perFS capabilities, and FSperCC capabilities.

[0233] In one possible approach, when the first information indicates a BC that is not supported by the terminal device, the BC indicated by the first information includes the frequency band corresponding to the current PCell. For example, if the frequency band of the PCell previously accessed by the terminal device is band A, the BC indicated by the first information may include band A+band B+band C. However, the terminal device will not indicate through the first information that it does not support the frequency band combination consisting of band C+band D, because this frequency band combination does not include the frequency band of the PCell currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0234] In one possible manner, when the first information indicates a BC that is not supported by the terminal device, all frequency bands included in the BC indicated by the first information are located in one or more frequency bands corresponding to the frequency indicated by the candidate service frequency information.

[0235] In one possible way, since the first capability information of the terminal device may change, such as the terminal device capability is updated due to software upgrade, hardware failure or other reasons, the terminal device can re-trigger the terminal device capability query and reporting process through mobility registration update, and update the terminal device capability information stored in the network device and the core network. In a possible scenario, the terminal device moves to another target network device after the source network device performs mobility registration and capability update, but the target network device does not obtain the updated terminal device capability information in time. At this time, the terminal device capability information stored on the target network device and the terminal device side may be inconsistent. If the BC list indicated by the terminal device capability information in the terminal device and the BC list indicated by the terminal device capability information included in the network device are inconsistent, the BC determined by the terminal device and the network device according to the BC index will be different. A possible solution is that the terminal device carries an identifier in the terminal device capability information to indicate the version of the terminal device capability information reported this time, or the version of the BClist in the terminal device capability information. For example, the identifier of the terminal device capability information reported by the terminal device for the first time (initial reporting) is #0, and the identifier of the terminal device capability information reported by the terminal device after the capability is changed becomes #1. When the terminal device indicates the BC index of the first frequency band combination through the first information, it also indicates the identifier of the terminal device capability information. When the network device determines that the identifier in the currently stored terminal device capability information is the same as the identifier in the terminal device capability information indicated by the first information (also #1), it then determines the BC whose capability has changed based on the BC index in the BC list in the terminal device capability information stored on the network device side. If the network device determines that the identifier in the currently stored terminal device capability information is different from the identifier in the terminal device capability information indicated by the first information, then when the network device receives the first information, it cannot determine which BC's capability has changed based on the terminal device capability information currently stored on the network device side. A possible network device implementation is that the network device queries the core network for the terminal device capability, or re-triggers the query of the capability to the terminal device, thereby re-acquiring the terminal device capability information, and thereby determining which BC's capability has changed in the BC list of the terminal device capability information based on the first information.

[0236] In this embodiment, when the temporarily restricted capability of the terminal device changes, the terminal device may report the first information again.

[0237] Step 805: The network device schedules resources for the terminal device according to the first information.

[0238] The network device determines, based on the first information, to schedule resources for the terminal device according to the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination. For example, the network device can perform RRC configuration or reconfiguration on the terminal device according to the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination. The RRC configuration or reconfiguration does not exceed the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination. The network device communicates with the terminal device according to the wireless resources indicated by the RRC configuration or reconfiguration.

[0239] Step 805 is an optional step, and the network device can perform resource scheduling for the terminal device according to actual needs.

[0240] Through the above method, the terminal device indicates the capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band of the first frequency band combination under limited capability through the first information, so that the network device can be informed of the change in the capability of the terminal device in a timely manner. After receiving the first information, the network device can be configured and scheduled according to the limited capability, thereby improving resource utilization and improving system performance. Furthermore, in the present application, when the terminal device sends the first information or the second information, it does not need to disconnect the RRC connection with the network. Instead, the first information or the second information is sent in the RRC connection state or during the RRC connection establishment process. This is a dynamic indication that will not interrupt the ongoing business and therefore will not affect the user experience.

[0241] Furthermore, the first information can reduce the signaling overhead of the first information by indicating the BC index of the first frequency band combination and the band entry index of the first frequency band; the first information only indicates the frequency band combination including the frequency band where the PCell is located, which can also reduce the complexity of the terminal device implementation and the signaling overhead of the terminal device reporting the first information.

[0242] In this application, step 803a or step 803a can also be replaced by step 901 in the following process; step 804 can also be replaced by step 902 in the following process, which will be described in detail below.

[0243] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also instruct the network device to lift the temporary capability suppression. For example, the terminal device sends the xth information to the network device, indicating that the temporary capability suppression is lifted, or the terminal device leaves the capability suppression state. At this time, the capabilities supported by the terminal device are the same as the capabilities reported to the network through the terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation). One possible implementation method is that the terminal device does not include any fields in the UAI message sent to the network device, that is, an empty UAI, which indicates that the temporary capability suppression of the terminal device is lifted. For example, when the UAI does not include the capability of the frequency band, cell, or frequency band combination with restricted capability, it indicates that the current frequency band combination capability of the terminal device, or the capability of CA and DC is not restricted; for example, when the UAI does not include the number of MIMO layers, it indicates that the number of MIMO layers currently supported by the terminal device is not restricted, and the above-mentioned number of MIMO layers may correspond to a specific carrier or a specific cell.

[0244] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0245] Step 901: The network device sends carrier group information.

[0246] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives carrier group information; the carrier group information indicates at least one carrier group, and the carriers in the at least one carrier group are the carriers where the candidate service cells are located.

[0247] In one implementation, the carrier group information further indicates at least one of the following:

[0248] frequency information of each carrier in each carrier group in at least one carrier group;

[0249] a MIMO configuration for each carrier in each carrier group in at least one carrier group;

[0250] A measurement configuration for each carrier in each carrier group in at least one carrier group.

[0251] Step 902: The terminal device sends third information to the network device.

[0252] Accordingly, the network device receives third information. The third information indicates the capability of a first carrier in a first carrier group of the terminal device under capability-limited conditions, where the first carrier group belongs to at least one carrier group supported by the terminal device, and the capability of the first carrier in the first carrier group indicated by the third information is lower than the capability of the first carrier in the first carrier combination indicated in the first capability information; the first capability information is capability information reported to the network before sending the third information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of at least one carrier group supported by the terminal device.

[0253] The third information can also indicate that the terminal device supports the first carrier in the first carrier group under limited capabilities, as well as at least one capability parameter of the first carrier in the first carrier group; the at least one capability parameter is a different capability parameter among the capability parameters corresponding to the first carrier in the first carrier group indicated by the first capability information.

[0254] The third information may further indicate the first carrier group and the first carrier. For example, the third information includes an index of the first carrier group and an index including a position of the first carrier in the first carrier group.

[0255] In one implementation, if the terminal device receives carrier group information, the third information indicates an index of the first carrier group in at least one carrier group indicated by the carrier group information.

[0256] Through the above method, the terminal device indicates the capability of the first carrier of the terminal device in the first carrier group under limited capability through the third information, so that the network device can promptly know the capability change of the terminal device. After receiving the third information, the network device can be configured and scheduled according to the limited capability, thereby improving resource utilization and improving system performance.

[0257] The present application also provides a method for improving network security, which will be described in detail below.

[0258] FIG10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0259] Step 1001: The terminal device sends a first message to the network device.

[0260] Accordingly, the network device receives a first message. The first message includes capability limitation indication information, which indicates that the capability of the terminal device is limited, or that the terminal device is in a capability limitation state, or that the terminal device will be in a capability limitation state, or that the terminal device is in or will be in a dual-SIM concurrent state. Capability limitation can be replaced by temporary capability limitation, temporary capability limitation, or temporary capability change.

[0261] In this application, the specific meaning of limited capability can be referred to the description in step 801.

[0262] The limited capabilities of the terminal device indicate that the current capabilities of the terminal device have changed, or that the capabilities of the terminal device are about to change. The changed capabilities of the terminal device are less than the capabilities indicated by the first capability information of the terminal device. The first capability information is capability information reported to the network before the first message is sent. For example, the first capability information is capability information reported when the terminal device initially accesses the network. For details, please refer to the description in step 803a.

[0263] In one implementation, as shown in FIG6 , SIM-1 of the terminal device is in an RRC connected state in network A for data transmission and reception, and SIM-2 of the terminal device is in an RRC non-connected state (e.g., an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state) in network B. If SIM-2 of the terminal device has downlink or uplink traffic arriving on network B and is about to enter the RRC connected state, since SIM-2 will occupy part of the resources of the terminal device, in this case, the terminal device may send a capability limitation indication message to network A.

[0264] In one implementation, as shown in FIG7 , if SIM-2 of the terminal device is already in the RRC connected state for service, SIM-1 of the terminal device is in the RRC non-connected state in network A. If SIM-1 of the terminal device has downlink or uplink service arriving and is ready to enter the RRC connected state, since SIM-2 has occupied some resources, SIM-1 cannot use all capabilities to communicate on network A. At this time, when SIM-1 enters or recovers from the RRC non-connected state (such as the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state) to the RRC connected state, the terminal device can send capability limitation indication information to network A.

[0265] In one implementation, the first message is an unencrypted message. The first message is a message sent between the terminal device and the network device before key negotiation is performed. For example, the first message is an RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment complete message. The first message is message 3 (msg3) in a random access procedure.

[0266] In one implementation, the capability limitation indication information indicates that the terminal device is in a dual-SIM concurrent state, a dual-SIM dual active state, or that the capabilities of the terminal device have been temporarily suppressed. After receiving the capability limitation indication information sent by the terminal device, the network device may use a conservative scheduling method to schedule the terminal device, for example, not configuring CA / DC and not using multi-layer MIMO to send downlink signals.

[0267] In one implementation, the capability limitation indication information further indicates at least one of the following:

[0268] Only basic capabilities are supported, which are mandatory capabilities without capability signaling.

[0269] No support for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity;

[0270] Multi-layer MIMO is not supported.

[0271] Basic capabilities can be mandatory capabilities without capability signaling, i.e., capabilities that do not need to be reported by the terminal device. After receiving the capability-limited indication information sent by the terminal device, the network device can use the basic capability set to schedule the terminal device, for example, not configuring CA / DC and not using multi-layer MIMO to send downlink signals.

[0272] In one implementation, the capability limitation indication information includes 1 bit, and when the value of the bit is a first value, it indicates that the capability of the terminal device is limited.

[0273] Step 1002: The terminal device sends a second message to the network device.

[0274] Correspondingly, the network device receives the second message.

[0275] Before sending the second message, the terminal device executes an access layer security activation process between the terminal device and the network device. The specific steps of this process are not limited in this application and will not be repeated here.

[0276] In one implementation, the second message is an encrypted message. For example, the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message. Alternatively, the second message is UE assistance information.

[0277] In one implementation, before sending the second message, the terminal device receives an RRC reconfiguration message from the network device. The RRC reconfiguration message is used to configure the RRC connection, including configuration of radio resources (including radio bearer configuration, MAC layer configuration, physical channel configuration), mobility-related configuration, and measurement configuration.

[0278] Implementation method 1: If the terminal device is still limited in capability, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is still limited in capability or the first indication information is used to confirm that the terminal device is currently in a limited capability state.

[0279] In this implementation, if the first indication information is default, that is, the first indication information is not sent, it indicates that the current capability of the terminal device is the same as the capability corresponding to the terminal device capability information, or that the terminal device is not in a capability-restricted state. For example, the first indication information is 1 bit, and the presence of this bit indicates confirmation of capability restriction, while the default of this bit indicates that there is no capability restriction; or, if this bit is set to 1, it indicates confirmation of capability restriction, while if this bit is set to 0, it indicates that there is no capability restriction.

[0280] In this implementation, if the terminal device capability is not restricted, the second message does not include the first indication information, or the second message includes the third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the capability is not restricted.

[0281] In implementation method one, the network cannot distinguish whether the terminal device actually supports only the basic capability set or supports capabilities higher than the basic capability set. Therefore, the possible implementation methods of the network are not restricted. For example, the network can configure and schedule the terminal device according to the basic capability set (for example, CA / DC is not configured). When the network has high data traffic requirements, the network can also configure CA / DC, and the terminal device can passively request capability restriction according to the configuration sent by the network, such as requesting the release of SCell or SCG; or, if the terminal device capability information indicates that the terminal device supports active reporting, the network can also send filtering conditions to actively query the restricted capabilities in combination with the process of Figure 8 or Figure 9. For example, the network device executes step 803a or 803b or 901, and the corresponding terminal device executes step 804 or 902. For details, please refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0282] Implementation method 2: If the terminal device still has limited capabilities and only supports basic capability information, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device still has limited capabilities and only supports basic capabilities;

[0283] If the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities and the supported third capability is greater than the first capability and less than the second capability, the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the capabilities are still limited and that the supported limited capability is greater than the basic capability and less than the first capability, and the first capability is the capability indicated by the first capability information.

[0284] In this implementation, if the terminal device capability is not restricted, the second message does not include the first indication information or the second indication information, or the second message includes the third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the capability is not restricted.

[0285] In the second implementation method, the terminal device can indicate to the network whether it supports higher capabilities through the second indication information. If the terminal device capability reports that the terminal device supports active temporary restricted capabilities, the network can refer to the information and the terminal device capability that indicates that the terminal device supports active capability restriction reporting to determine whether to send the candidate frequency / CA configuration. At this time, the second indication information can replace the second information in the process of Figure 8, and is used to trigger the network to request the terminal device to actively report restricted capabilities on demand; if the terminal device capability information indicates that the terminal device does not support active reporting of temporary restricted capabilities, the network can also refer to the information to configure CA / DC on demand (for example, configure CA / DC when the network has high data traffic requirements). At this time, the terminal device can passively request or indicate temporary capability restriction, such as requesting the release of SCell or SCG.

[0286] Implementation method three, the second message indicates the restricted capabilities of the terminal device. The second message can be UE auxiliary information. Before sending the second message, the terminal device receives fourth information from the network device, and the fourth information indicates that the UE is allowed to send UE auxiliary information for multiple cards. The fourth information can be carried in the RRC reconfiguration message. The second message indicates the restricted capabilities of the terminal device, such as restricted carriers, number of MIMO layers, measurement capabilities, carrier bandwidth, etc. In this implementation method, if the network device does not receive the second message after sending the fourth information, it means that the current capabilities of the terminal device are the same as the capabilities corresponding to the terminal device capability information, or the terminal device is not in a capability-restricted state.

[0287] According to the method provided in the present application, since the first message is unencrypted signaling, it is possible to confirm whether the terminal device is capability-limited by transmitting the first indication information or the second indication information in the encrypted second message, thereby avoiding an attacker (such as a fake base station, which can also be called a fake network device) from sending a false first message, causing damage to system performance.

[0288] For example, the current terminal device is not actually in a dual-card concurrent state, and the first message does not indicate limited capabilities, but the pseudo base station tampered with the first message to indicate that limited capabilities have occurred. The network device receives the tampered first message containing indication information and will configure and schedule according to the limited capabilities, such as not configuring CA / DC and not scheduling MIMO. This will cause the transmission rate to be significantly reduced, but according to the method adopted in this application, the security of the network can be improved.

[0289] For another example, the current terminal device is actually in a dual-card concurrent state, and the capability is indicated as limited in the first message. However, after tampering with the pseudo base station, it indicates that the terminal device has no capability limitation, causing the network device to configure and schedule the terminal device according to the capability initially reported by the terminal device (maximum capability, higher than the current actual terminal device capability), such as configuring CA or scheduling multi-layer MIMO. At this time, since the actual capability available to the terminal device is less than the maximum capability initially reported in the terminal device capability information, the terminal device will not be able to correctly receive the signaling and / or data sent by the network, resulting in bit errors and packet loss.

[0290] For the network side, before receiving the second message, the network side shall take the capability limitation indication information received in the first message as the basis, that is, if the capability limitation indication information is received, the terminal device shall be configured and scheduled according to the basic capability set; after receiving the second message on the network side, the first indication information in the second message shall be the basis. If the first indication information is absent, it is considered that the terminal device has no temporary capability limitation. If the second indication information is received, it is considered that the terminal device capability is greater than the basic capability and less than the maximum capability.

[0291] For the following scenario: the current terminal device is not actually limited in capability, and the first message does not indicate limited capability, but the pseudo base station is tampered with to indicate that the terminal device has limited capability. At this time, the RRC reconfiguration message sent by the network device will configure the terminal device according to the basic capability set, and the terminal device may originally support higher configuration and scheduling. For this reason, this embodiment provides another solution to this scenario, which can improve the security of the network, and will be described in detail below.

[0292] FIG11 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0293] Step 1101: The terminal device sends an RRC establishment request message to the network device.

[0294] Correspondingly, the network device receives the RRC establishment request message.

[0295] Step 1102: The network device sends an RRC establishment message to the terminal device.

[0296] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC establishment message.

[0297] Step 1103: The terminal device sends an RRC establishment completion message to the network device.

[0298] Correspondingly, the network device receives an RRC setup completion message.

[0299] The terminal device and the network device perform an access layer security activation process. The specific steps of the process are not limited by this application and will not be described in detail here. After step 1103, the messages between the terminal device and the network device are encrypted messages.

[0300] In one implementation, when the capability is limited, the first message includes capability limitation indication information, which indicates that the capability is limited and only basic capabilities are supported. The specific content of the capability limitation indication information can be referred to the description in step 1001 and will not be repeated here.

[0301] In one implementation, the first message is an unencrypted message. The first message is a message sent between the terminal device and the network device before key negotiation is performed. For example, the first message is an RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment complete message. Alternatively, the first message is message 3 (msg3) in the random access process. The specific content of the first message can also be referred to the description in step 1001 and will not be repeated here.

[0302] Step 1104: The network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device.

[0303] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0304] Step 1105: The terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the network device.

[0305] Correspondingly, the network device receives an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0306] Option 1:

[0307] If the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports active capability restriction reporting, and the RRC reconfiguration message sent by the base station contains the fifth information, the network device does not receive the first information or capability restriction indication information sent by the terminal device within a certain period of time after receiving the RRC reconfiguration completion message (or after the network device sends the RRC reconfiguration message), then the network device considers that the current terminal device capability is the same as the capability reported in the first capability information, or understands that the terminal device is not in a capability restriction state or a dual-card concurrent state. Among them, the fifth information may indicate that the terminal is allowed to send capability restriction information, and the capability restriction information here may include at least one of the following: restricted carrier, or restricted frequency band, or restricted number of MIMO layers, or restricted measurement capability. One possible implementation is that the fifth information can be 1 bit, used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to send at least one of the above-mentioned restricted capabilities. Another possible implementation is that the fifth information can be multiple bits, respectively indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to send a restricted carrier, whether the terminal device is allowed to send a restricted frequency band, whether the terminal device is allowed to send a restricted number of MIMO layers, and whether the device is allowed to send a restricted measurement capability, that is, the above-mentioned different capability parameters can be controlled by different control fields. The fifth information may also be candidate service frequency information or frequency band combination information. For details, please refer to the description in the process of FIG8 .

[0308] A possible implementation method is that after receiving the RRC reconfiguration completion message or after sending the RRC reconfiguration message, the network device starts the first timer. If the first information or capability limitation indication information sent by the terminal device is not received within the timing duration of the first timer, then after the first timer expires. The network device can determine that the terminal device supports the maximum capability or that the terminal device is not in a capability-limited state. Among them, the specific meanings of the first capability information, the first information and the capability limitation indication information can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here. The timing duration of the first timer can be predefined or set by the network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0309] Option 2:

[0310] If the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports active capability limitation reporting, and the RRC reconfiguration message sent by the network device contains the fifth information, if the terminal device is not currently in a dual-card concurrent state or capability limitation has not occurred, then after receiving the above-mentioned RRC reconfiguration message, the terminal device sends an empty RRC signaling or a third indication information or a third message for indicating capability limitation caused by the dual card, that is, the RRC signaling does not include any field indicating limited capability information, the third indication information indicates that the supported capability information is the first capability information or the third indication information indicates the capability corresponding to the first capability information supported by the terminal device, and the third message does not include information indicating capability limitation. The RRC signaling can be terminal device assistance information (UE assistance information, UAI). The network device can determine that the terminal device supports the maximum capability or that the terminal device is not in a capability limitation state based on the RRC signaling or the third indication information or the third message.

[0311] In this application, even if the terminal device is not limited in capability, the network device can confirm the actual capability status of the current terminal device through a timer timeout or an empty UAI sent by the terminal device. This avoids the situation where the terminal device is not limited in capability, but the network device mistakenly believes that the terminal device only supports the basic capability set based on the message of the pseudo-network device.

[0312] According to the method provided in the present application, if the terminal device supports active reporting of restricted capabilities and the network device allows the terminal device to actively report restricted capabilities, if the network device does not receive the UAI or third indication information sent by the terminal device within a certain period of time, or receives an empty UAI or third indication information sent by the terminal device, it means that the capabilities currently supported by the terminal device are the same full capabilities as those reported in the terminal device capability information, and the terminal device has not been temporarily restricted in capabilities, so that the network device can accurately determine the capabilities supported by the terminal device and improve the security of the system.

[0313] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network devices and terminal devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0314] The present application also provides a communication device that can be used to implement the functions of a terminal device or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be one of the terminals 120a-120j shown in Figure 1, or can be the network devices 110a or 110b shown in Figure 1, or can be a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device or network device.

[0315] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing unit 1210 and a transceiver unit 1220. The communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 11 above.

[0316] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device:

[0317] a processing unit, configured to receive control information through the transceiver unit, wherein the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is permitted, and the control information comes from the network device;

[0318] The processing unit is used to send the first information through the transceiver unit, where the first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information. The first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0319] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of a network device:

[0320] a processing unit, configured to send control information through the transceiver unit, wherein the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is permitted;

[0321] Receive first information; the first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band of the terminal device in the first frequency band combination under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0322] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device:

[0323] A processing unit, configured to send a first message to a network device through a transceiver unit; wherein the first message includes capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the capability of the terminal device is limited; and the first message is an unencrypted message;

[0324] The processing unit is used to send a second message to the network device through the transceiver unit, where the second message is an encrypted message. If the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities, the second message includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities.

[0325] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of a network device:

[0326] A processing unit, configured to receive a first message from a terminal device through a transceiver unit; the first message includes capability limitation indication information, where the capability limitation indication information indicates that the terminal device capability is limited; and the first message is a message in a radio resource control RRC connection establishment process;

[0327] The processing unit is configured to receive a second message from the terminal device through the transceiver unit;

[0328] The second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited.

[0329] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device:

[0330] A processing unit, configured to send a first message to the network device through the transceiver unit; wherein, in the case of limited capability, the first message includes limited capability indication information, the limited capability indication information indicating that the capability is limited and only basic capabilities are supported;

[0331] a processing unit, configured to send a second message to the network device through the transceiver unit; wherein, if the capability is still limited and only the basic capability information is supported, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited and only the basic capability is supported; if the capability is still limited and the supported third capability is greater than the first capability and less than the second capability, the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the capability is still limited and indicates that the supported limited capability is greater than the basic capability and less than the first capability;

[0332] The first capability is a capability indicated by first capability information, the first capability information is capability information reported to the network before sending the first message, the first message is an unencrypted message, and the second message is an encrypted message.

[0333] In one implementation, the first message is a radio resource control RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC establishment completion message.

[0334] In one implementation, the second message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0335] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of a network device:

[0336] a processing unit, configured to receive a first message from a terminal device through a transceiver unit; the first message including capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the terminal device has limited capability and only supports basic capabilities;

[0337] A processing unit, configured to receive a second message from the terminal device through a transceiver unit; wherein the second message includes first indication information or second indication information, the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited and only the basic capability is supported; the second indication information indicates that the capability is still limited and the supported limited capability is greater than the basic capability and less than the first capability; the first capability is the capability indicated by the first capability information, the first message is an unencrypted message, and the second message is an encrypted message; the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network by the terminal device before receiving the first message.

[0338] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of a network device:

[0339] A processing unit, configured to send an RRC reconfiguration message to a terminal device via a transceiver unit;

[0340] A processing unit, configured to receive an RRC reconfiguration completion message through a transceiver unit; if the first capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports active restricted capability reporting, and no capability restriction indication information is received from the terminal device within a preset time period, it is determined that the terminal device has no capability restriction.

[0341] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device:

[0342] a processing unit, configured to receive an RRC reconfiguration message through a transceiver unit;

[0343] A processing unit, configured to send an RRC reconfiguration completion message to a network device through a transceiver unit; if the first capability information indicates support for limited capability reporting and the capability is not limited, a third message is sent, wherein the third message does not include information indicating limited capability, or the third message includes third indication information, wherein the third indication information indicates that the supported capability information is the first capability information, and the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before receiving the configuration information.

[0344] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of a network device:

[0345] A processing unit, configured to send an RRC reconfiguration message to a terminal device via a transceiver unit;

[0346] A processing unit is used to receive an RRC reconfiguration completion message through a transceiver unit; receive a third message from the terminal device, the third message does not include information indicating limited capabilities, or the third message includes third indication information, the third indication information indicates that the supported capability information is first capability information, and the first capability information is capability information for receiving the RRC reconfiguration completion message from the terminal device.

[0347] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1210 and the transceiver unit 1220 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in the above processes, and will not be repeated here.

[0348] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 13, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 1300 includes a processor 1301 and a transceiver 1302. The communication device 1300 can be a terminal device, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1300 can be a network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 13 only shows the main components of the communication device 1300. In addition to the processor 1301 and the transceiver 1302, the communication device 1300 may further include a memory 1303, and an input and output device (not shown).

[0349] Optionally, processor 1301 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, as well as control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 1303 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 1302 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0350] Optionally, the processor 1301 , the transceiver 1302 , and the memory 1303 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0351] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1301 can read the software program in the memory 1303, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1301 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1301. The processor 1301 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0352] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be remotely arranged independent of the communication device.

[0353] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the above-mentioned communication device 1200 may take the form of the communication device 1300 shown in FIG. 13 .

[0354] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing unit 1210 in FIG12 can be implemented by the processor 1301 in the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1303. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver unit 1220 in FIG12 can be implemented by the transceiver 1302 in the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13.

[0355] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device in the present application may adopt the structure shown in Figure 14, or include the components shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 provided in the present application.

[0356] As shown in FIG14 , a communication device 1400 includes at least one processor 1401. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface 1402.

[0357] When the program instructions are executed in the at least one processor 1401, the apparatus 1400 may implement the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs thereof. Alternatively, the processor 1401 may implement the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs thereof through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0358] The communication interface 1402 may be used to receive program instructions and transmit them to the processor. Alternatively, the communication interface 1402 may be used for communication between the communication device 1400 and other communication devices, such as exchanging control signaling and / or service data. Exemplarily, the communication interface 1402 may be used to receive signals from devices other than the communication device 1400 and transmit them to the processor 1401, or to send signals from the processor 1401 to other communication devices other than the communication device 1400.

[0359] Optionally, the communication interface 1402 may be a code and / or data read / write interface circuit, or the communication interface 1402 may be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver, or a pin of a chip.

[0360] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include at least one memory 1403, which may be used to store required program instructions and / or data. It should be noted that the memory 1403 may exist independently of the processor 1401 or may be integrated with the processor 1401. The memory 1403 may be located within or outside the communication device 1400, without limitation.

[0361] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a power supply circuit 1404, which may be used to supply power to the processor 1401. The power supply circuit 1404 may be located in the same chip as the processor 1401, or in another chip other than the chip where the processor 1401 is located.

[0362] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a bus, and various parts of the communication device 1400 may be interconnected via the bus.

[0363] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 may take the form of the communication device 1400 shown in FIG. 14 .

[0364] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing unit 1210 in FIG12 can be implemented by the processor 1401 in the communication device 1400 shown in FIG14 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1403. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver unit 1220 in FIG12 can be implemented by the communication interface 1402 in the communication device 1400 shown in FIG14.

[0365] It should be noted that the structure shown in FIG14 does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal device or network device. For example, in other embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or network device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0366] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0367] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a network device or a terminal as discrete components.

[0368] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions of the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes; optical media, such as digital video disks; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state drives. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0369] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0370] 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, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0371] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, 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 implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0372] These computer program 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 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.

[0373] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving control information, where the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is allowed, and the control information comes from a network device; The first information is sent, wherein the first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The situation of limited capability refers to that multiple user identification modules work at the same time, or there is a resource conflict between multiple user identification modules.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information further indicates an index of the first frequency band combination in the at least one frequency band combination.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device when the capability is limited, including: The first information indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited, and at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination; the at least one capability parameter is a different capability parameter among the capability parameters corresponding to the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under the condition of limited capability, including: The first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first frequency band also belongs to a second frequency band combination, and a capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is different from a capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the second frequency band combination.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first frequency band combination also includes a second frequency band, and the first information further indicates the capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band in the first frequency band combination under capability-limited conditions.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving candidate service frequency information; the candidate service frequency information indicates one or more frequencies, each of the one or more frequencies corresponds to a frequency band, and the candidate service frequency information comes from the network device; Each frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band in one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first frequency band combination includes a frequency band corresponding to a primary cell, and the frequency band corresponding to the primary cell is a frequency band in the one or more frequency bands.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving frequency band combination information; the frequency band combination information indicates at least one candidate frequency band combination, each candidate frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination being a frequency band combination where a candidate serving cell is located; The first frequency band combination is a frequency band combination among the at least one candidate frequency band combination.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first information further indicates a frequency band number of the first frequency band; Alternatively, the first information further indicates a frequency band entry index of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The first capability information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the first capability information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Second information is sent to the network device, the second information indicating that the capability is limited, or is in a capability limited state, or will be in a capability limited state.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second information further indicates at least one of the following: Whether the current network configuration has exceeded the capabilities of the terminal device under the limited capability condition; Check whether resource conflicts between multiple user identity modules occur under the current network configuration.

15. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least one capability parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the component carrier CC bandwidth. The at least one capability parameter is a capability parameter of the carrier of the first frequency band.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending control information, where the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is allowed; receiving a first message; The first information indicates the capability of a first frequency band in a first frequency band combination of a terminal device under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information is capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The situation of limited capability refers to that multiple user identification modules work at the same time, or there is a resource conflict between multiple user identification modules.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The first information further indicates an index of the first frequency band combination in the at least one frequency band combination.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device when the capability is limited, including: The first information indicates that the terminal device supports the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited, and at least one capability parameter of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination; the at least one capability parameter is a different capability parameter among the capability parameters corresponding to the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first capability information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The first information indicates the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under the condition of limited capability, including: The first information indicates that the terminal device does not support the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination when the capability is limited.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that: The first frequency band also belongs to a second frequency band combination, and a capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination is different from a capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band in the second frequency band combination.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that: The first frequency band combination also includes a second frequency band, and the first information further indicates the capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band in the first frequency band combination under capability-limited conditions.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending candidate service frequency information; the candidate service frequency information indicates one or more frequencies, each of the one or more frequencies corresponding to a frequency band; Each frequency band included in the first frequency band combination is a frequency band in one or more frequency bands corresponding to the one or more frequencies.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first frequency band combination includes a frequency band corresponding to a primary cell, and the frequency band corresponding to the primary cell is a frequency band in the one or more frequency bands.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending frequency band combination information; the frequency band combination information indicates at least one candidate frequency band combination, each candidate frequency band combination in the at least one candidate frequency band combination is a frequency band combination where a candidate serving cell is located; The first frequency band combination is a frequency band combination among the at least one candidate frequency band combination.

26. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The at least one capability parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers and the component carrier CC bandwidth. The at least one capability parameter is a capability parameter of the carrier of the first frequency band.

27. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message to a network device; wherein the first message includes capability limitation indication information, and the capability limitation indication information indicates that the capability of the terminal device is limited; the first message is an unencrypted message; A second message is sent to the network device, where the second message is an encrypted message, wherein if the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities.

28. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a first message from a terminal device; The first message includes capability limitation indication information, where the capability limitation indication information indicates that the terminal device has limited capability; The first message is a message in the process of establishing a radio resource control RRC connection; receiving a second message from the terminal device; The second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited.

29. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a radio resource control (RRC) establishment request message to a network device; Receiving an RRC establishment message from the network device; Sending a first message to the network device, the first message including capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the temporary capability of the terminal device is limited, and the first message is an RRC establishment completion message; Receiving an RRC reconfiguration message from the network device; Sending an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the network device; The method also includes: if the terminal device is not temporarily capable of being restricted, after receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, sending a first RRC signaling to the network device, wherein the first RRC signaling indicates that the terminal device is not in a state of temporarily capable of being restricted.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that The first RRC signaling is terminal equipment auxiliary information UAI, and the first RRC signaling does not include any field indicating restricted capability information.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that The RRC reconfiguration message includes fifth information, and the fifth information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to send information with limited capability.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The method further includes: sending first capability information to a network device, wherein the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports limited capability reporting.

33. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that: The temporary capability limitation occurs when multiple user identification modules of the terminal device work simultaneously.

34. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that: The capability limitation indication information includes 1 bit, and when the value of the bit is a first value, it indicates that the terminal device has temporarily limited capabilities.

35. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The information on the limited capability includes at least one of the following: a limited carrier, a limited frequency band, a limited number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers, or a limited measurement capability.

36. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving a radio resource control (RRC) establishment request message from a terminal device; Sending an RRC establishment message to the terminal device; Receiving a first message from the terminal device, the first message including capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the terminal device has temporarily limited capability, and the first message being an RRC establishment completion message; Sending an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device; Receiving an RRC reconfiguration completion message from the terminal device; The method also includes: receiving a first RRC signaling from the terminal device, and determining, based on the first RRC signaling, that the terminal device is not in a capability-restricted state.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that The first RRC signaling is terminal equipment auxiliary information UAI, and the first RRC signaling does not include any field indicating restricted capability information.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that The RRC reconfiguration message includes fifth information, and the fifth information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to send information with limited capability.

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that The method further includes: sending first capability information to a network device, wherein the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports limited capability reporting.

40. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that: The temporary capability limitation occurs when multiple user identification modules of the terminal device work simultaneously.

41. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 40, characterized in that The capability limitation indication information includes 1 bit, and when the value of the bit is a first value, it indicates that the terminal device has temporarily limited capabilities.

42. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that The information on the limited capability includes at least one of the following: a limited carrier, a limited frequency band, a limited number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers, or a limited measurement capability.

43. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processing unit, configured to receive control information through the transceiver unit, wherein the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is allowed, and the control information comes from a network device; The processing unit is used to send the first information through the transceiver unit, the first information indicating the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination of the terminal device under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information is the capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

44. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing unit, configured to send control information through the transceiver unit, wherein the control information indicates that reporting of the first information is allowed; receiving a first message; The first information indicates the capability of a first frequency band in a first frequency band combination of a terminal device under limited capability, the first frequency band combination belongs to at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated by the first information is lower than the capability of the first frequency band in the first frequency band combination indicated in the first capability information, the first capability information is capability information reported to the network before sending the first information, and the first capability information indicates the capability of the at least one frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

45. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing unit, configured to send a first message to a network device through a transceiver unit; wherein the first message includes capability limitation indication information, and the capability limitation indication information indicates that the capability of the terminal device is limited; and the first message is an unencrypted message; The processing unit is used to send a second message to the network device through the transceiver unit, where the second message is an encrypted message, wherein if the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is still capable of limited capabilities.

46. ​​A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing unit, configured to receive a first message from a terminal device through a transceiver unit; The first message includes capability limitation indication information, where the capability limitation indication information indicates that the terminal device capability is limited; the first message is a message in a radio resource control RRC connection establishment process; The processing unit is configured to receive a second message from the terminal device through the transceiver unit; The second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the capability is still limited.

47. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The processing unit is used to send a radio resource control RRC establishment request message to the network device through the transceiver unit; Receiving an RRC establishment message from the network device; Sending a first message to the network device, the first message including capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the temporary capability of the terminal device is limited, and the first message is an RRC establishment completion message; The processing unit is configured to receive an RRC reconfiguration message from the network device through the transceiver unit; and send an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the network device; If the terminal device is not in a state of temporary capability restriction, after receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, a first RRC signaling is sent to the network device, wherein the first RRC signaling indicates that the terminal device is not in a state of temporary capability restriction.

48. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing unit, configured to receive a radio resource control RRC establishment request message from a terminal device through a transceiver unit; Sending an RRC establishment message to the terminal device; Receiving a first message from the terminal device, the first message including capability limitation indication information, the capability limitation indication information indicating that the terminal device has temporarily limited capability, and the first message being an RRC establishment completion message; The processing unit is configured to send an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit; and receive an RRC reconfiguration completion message from the terminal device; Receive a first RRC signaling from the terminal device, and determine, based on the first RRC signaling, that the terminal device is not in a capability-restricted state.

49. A communication device, characterized in that: including a processor and a memory; The processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 42.

50. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 42.

51. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: A computer program or instruction is stored, and when the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 42.

52. A chip, characterized in that: It includes a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 42.

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