Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device determines own first position information, and then determines first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is associated with the first position information of the terminal device, and the first configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device is configured on the basis of the first configuration information to realize network communication, so as to ensure the service of quality requirements of the terminal device at a first position.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311444290.4, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on October 31, 2023, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Unrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), as a new type of aircraft, are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Cellular networks provide UAVs with crucial features such as wide coverage, high reliability, high security, and continuous mobility, as well as enabling regulatory oversight. The communication environment of UAVs differs significantly from that of ordinary terminals. They primarily fly above base stations, connecting via Uu interfaces and mainly communicating along the line of sight (LOS). Therefore, UAVs can receive signals from a wider range of base stations.

[0005] When drones perform their missions, different locations may have different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. However, existing QoS configuration methods cannot meet the QoS requirements of terminal devices in different locations.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application proposes a communication method and apparatus that can effectively provide QoS configuration for terminal devices to meet the QoS requirements of different locations.

[0008] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the terminal device, without specific limitations. Taking a terminal device as an example, the method may specifically include: the terminal device determining first location information; then determining first configuration information, the first configuration information being associated with the first location information; and the first configuration information being associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

[0009] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, in this embodiment of the application, the configuration information is service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0010] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0011] Furthermore, the association between the first configuration information and the first location information can be understood as the first configuration information and the first location information being mutually bound or corresponding. For example, when any terminal device or other communication device is located at / approaching the first location, the first configuration information is used. It can also be understood as the first location information being one of the reference information used to generate / determine the first configuration information (for example, a network device generates the first configuration information based on the first location information). It can also be understood as the first configuration information affecting the service quality of the terminal device located at the first location.

[0012] In this application, the terminal device first determines its own first location information, and then determines the first configuration information. The first configuration information is associated with the first location information and is also associated with the service quality of the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device configures itself based on the first configuration information to achieve network communication, which can guarantee the service quality requirements when the terminal device is located at the first location information.

[0013] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device determines the first configuration information, which may include, but is not limited to, the following implementation methods:

[0014] Implementation method 1: The terminal device determines the first configuration information based on the first location information and the first condition; the first condition is used to indicate the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information, and the at least one configuration information includes the first configuration information.

[0015] In this embodiment of the application, before determining the first configuration information, the terminal device may receive the first condition from the first network device or the second network device.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include information about a target region corresponding to at least one configuration information.

[0017] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0018] Through this implementation method, the terminal device can obtain information about the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information, so as to determine the corresponding configuration information based on its own location information in the future.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on a reference point within the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, and the reference point may be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0020] This implementation method enables terminal devices to effectively determine the relationship between their own location and the target areas provided by the network devices, thereby determining the corresponding configuration information.

[0021] Based on this first implementation method, in one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the first configuration information based on the first location information and the first condition. Specifically, this may include: first determining the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and the first condition; and then determining the first configuration information based on the relationship between the first location and the target area. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

[0022] (1) The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; (2) The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the first distance threshold; (3) The distance between the first location and the reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

[0023] Through this first implementation method, the terminal device determines the relationship between its own location and the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information provided by the network device, based on its own location information and the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information. In this way, the corresponding configuration information can be effectively determined to ensure the service quality requirements of its own location.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending indication information of first configuration information to the first network device.

[0025] In the embodiments of this application, the indication information of the first configuration information may be the identification information (ID / serial number / index, etc.) of the first configuration information, or the indication information of the first configuration information may be used to indicate the identification information (ID / serial number / index, etc.) of the first configuration information, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0026] Through this implementation method, the terminal device can effectively and accurately inform the first network device of its own determined first configuration information, so that the first network device can configure the terminal device based on the first configuration information.

[0027] Implementation Method 2: The terminal device determines the first configuration information, which may include: the terminal device receiving first information from the first network device, the first information may include, but is not limited to: the first configuration information, and / or the indication information of the first configuration information.

[0028] In this second implementation method, the indication information of the first configuration information can be the identification information (ID / serial number / index, etc.) of the first configuration information, or the indication information of the first configuration information can be used to indicate the identification information (ID / serial number / index, etc.) of the first configuration information, and there is no limitation on this.

[0029] Based on this second implementation method, the terminal device can first send first location information to the first network device so that the first network device can effectively obtain the first location information. This first location information can be the current location information of the terminal device or the location information that the terminal device expects to report; there is no limitation on either.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first network device may be an access network device (e.g., a base station) serving the terminal device. Through this second implementation, the terminal device can effectively obtain first configuration information associated with the first location information from the first network device (e.g., the access network device).

[0031] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a first network device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first network device, without specific limitation. Taking the first network device as an example, the method may specifically include: the first network device receiving a second configuration from a second network device, the second configuration including at least one configuration information associated with the quality of service of a terminal device; and then determining first configuration information associated with first location information of the terminal device.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first network device may be an access network device serving the terminal device, such as a base station. The second network device is a core network device / core network element.

[0033] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, the configuration information in this embodiment of the application may be service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0034] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0035] Furthermore, the association between the first configuration information and the first location information can be understood as the first configuration information and the first location information being mutually bound or corresponding. For example, when any terminal device or other communication device is located at or near the first location, the first configuration information is used. It can also be understood as the first location information being one of the reference information used to generate / determine the first configuration information (for example, a network device generates the first configuration information based on the first location information). It can also be understood as the first configuration information affecting the service quality of the terminal device located at the first location.

[0036] In this application, a first network device receives a second configuration from a second network device, the second configuration including at least one configuration information associated with the quality of service (QoS) of the terminal device; then, a first configuration information is determined, which is associated with the first location information of the terminal device. Therefore, the first network device configures the terminal device based on the first configuration information to achieve network communication, ensuring the QoS requirements of the terminal device when it is located at the first location information.

[0037] In one possible implementation, at least one of the above-described configuration information is associated with at least one target region.

[0038] In the embodiments of this application, the at least one configuration information is associated with at least one target region, which may include, but is not limited to: a configuration information is associated with one or more target regions (or a configuration information corresponds to one or more target regions); or a target region is associated with one or more configuration information (or a target region corresponds to one or more configuration information).

[0039] In one possible implementation, the second configuration also includes information about at least a portion or all of the target regions within the target region.

[0040] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0041] Through this implementation, the first network device can effectively obtain information about a portion or all of the target areas corresponding to the at least one configuration information from the second network device (core network device).

[0042] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device determines the first configuration information, which may include, but is not limited to, the following implementation methods:

[0043] Implementation method 1: The first network device receives the instruction information of the first configuration information from the terminal device.

[0044] In one possible implementation, before receiving the indication information of the first configuration information from the terminal device, the first network device sends a first condition to the terminal device, the first condition being used to indicate at least one target area corresponding to the configuration information.

[0045] This implementation method enables the terminal device to effectively determine the corresponding configuration information based on its own location information and the first condition.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include information about the target region corresponding to at least one of the configuration information described above.

[0047] This implementation provides the terminal device with information about the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information, so that the terminal device can effectively perform subsequent location determination (i.e., determine the relationship between its own location and the target area) based on the information about these target areas.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the first condition may further include one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on a reference point within the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, wherein the reference point is a location point or location range within the target area.

[0049] This implementation method enables terminal devices to effectively determine the relationship between their own location and the target areas provided by the network devices, thereby determining the corresponding configuration information.

[0050] Implementation Method 2: The first network device determines the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and the target area information corresponding to at least one configuration information; then, based on the relationship between the first location and the target area, it determines the first configuration information.

[0051] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device may receive the first location information from the first terminal device or request the first location information from the location management function (LMF), and there is no limitation on this.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; the distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a first distance threshold; the distance between the first location and a reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a second distance threshold.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends first information to the terminal device; the first information includes one or more of the following: first configuration information, and indication information of the first configuration information.

[0054] In this implementation method, after the first network device determines the first configuration information, it effectively and accurately informs the terminal device of the first configuration information so that the terminal device can perform subsequent configuration based on the first configuration information.

[0055] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second network device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the second network device, without specific limitation. Taking the second network device as an example, the method may specifically include: the second network device determining at least one configuration information; the second network device sending a second configuration to a first network device; the second configuration including at least one configuration information; the at least one configuration information being associated with at least one target area; and the configuration information being associated with the quality of service of a terminal device.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first network device may be an access network device serving the terminal device, such as a base station. The second network device is a core network device or a core network element.

[0057] In the embodiments of this application, the above-mentioned at least one configuration information is associated with at least one target region, which may include, but is not limited to: one configuration information is associated with one or more target regions (or one configuration information corresponds to one or more target regions); or one target region is associated with one or more configuration information (or one target region corresponds to one or more configuration information).

[0058] Furthermore, the configuration information in this application embodiment may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, the configuration information in this application embodiment may be service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0059] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the second configuration may further include information about at least a portion or all of the target regions within the target region.

[0061] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0062] Through this implementation, the second network device (core network device / core network element) can effectively provide the first network device (access network device of the terminal device) with information on part or all of the target areas corresponding to at least one of the above-mentioned configuration information, enabling the first network device to determine the relationship between the location of the terminal device and the target area.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a second network device sending a first condition to a terminal device, the first condition being used to indicate a target area corresponding to at least one configuration information.

[0064] Through this implementation, the second network device (core network device / core network element) can effectively indicate to the first network device (access network device of the terminal device) the information of part or all of the target areas corresponding to the above-mentioned at least one configuration information, so that the terminal device can determine the relationship between its own location and the target area.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the method includes: a second network device sending at least one configuration information to a terminal device, and / or indication information of the at least one configuration information.

[0066] This implementation allows the terminal device to obtain at least one configuration information and / or an indication of the at least one configuration information provided by the second network device, so that the terminal device can subsequently use the corresponding configuration information and provide feedback on the corresponding configuration information.

[0067] Optionally, the first condition sent by the second network device to the terminal device can also be used to instruct the corresponding configuration information to be determined based on the relationship between the terminal device's location and the target area. This method can effectively trigger the terminal device to determine or judge its own location and the relationship between itself and the target area.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the first condition includes information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

[0069] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0070] Through this implementation method, the terminal device can obtain information about the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information, so as to determine the corresponding configuration information based on its own location information in the future.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the first condition further includes one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on reference points within the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the reference point within the target area, and the reference point may be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0072] This implementation method enables terminal devices to effectively determine the relationship between their own location and the target areas provided by the network devices, thereby determining the corresponding configuration information.

[0073] This application also provides another communication method, as detailed in the fourth and fifth aspects below. This method can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device; the first communication device can be a terminal device or an access network device serving the terminal device, and the second communication device can be a core network device.

[0074] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first communication device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first communication device, without specific limitation. Taking the first communication device as an example, the method may specifically include: the first communication device receiving first location information of a terminal device; then sending first configuration information, which is associated with the first location information; and the first configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first communication device may be a core network device / core network element. The first communication device may receive the first location information from a second communication device (which may be a terminal device or an access network device serving the terminal device), or the first communication device may request the first location information from a Location Management Function (LMF), without limitation. Furthermore, the first location information may be the current location information of the terminal device or the location information that the terminal device expects to report, without limitation.

[0076] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, the configuration information in this embodiment of the application may be service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0077] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0078] Furthermore, the association between the first configuration information and the first location information can be understood as the first configuration information and the first location information being mutually bound or corresponding. For example, when any terminal device or other communication device is located or near the first location, the first configuration information is used. It can also be understood as the first location information being one of the reference information used to generate / determine the first configuration information (for example, a network device generates the first configuration information based on the first location information). It can also be understood as the configuration information affecting the service quality of the terminal device located at the first location.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first communication device sending a first condition to a second communication device, the first condition being used to indicate a target area corresponding to at least one configuration information.

[0080] This implementation method enables the second communication device to determine the relationship between the location of the terminal device and the target area based on the first condition.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include information about a target region corresponding to at least one configuration information.

[0082] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0083] Through this implementation, the second communication device (terminal device / service access network device) can obtain information about the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information, thereby effectively determining or judging the relationship between the location of the terminal device and these target areas, so as to effectively report the location information or indication information of the terminal device to the first communication device.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on a reference point within the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, and the reference point may be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0085] This implementation method enables the second communication device to effectively determine the relationship between the location of the terminal device and these target areas provided by the network device, so as to provide feedback on the location information of the terminal device.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first communication device determining the relationship between a first location and a target area based on first location information and a first condition; and then determining the first configuration information based on the relationship between the first location and the target area. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following: (1) the first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; (2) the distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a first distance threshold; (3) the distance between the first location and a reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a second distance threshold.

[0087] Through this implementation method, the first communication device can determine the corresponding configuration information based on the first location information of the terminal device.

[0088] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second communication device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the second communication device, without specific limitation. Taking the second communication device as an example, the method may specifically include: the second communication device sending first location information of a terminal device; then receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being associated with the first location information; and the first configuration information being associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

[0089] In this embodiment of the application, the second communication device may be a terminal device or an access network device (e.g., a base station) serving the terminal device. The second communication device may send the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device. The first communication device may be a core network device or a core network element.

[0090] For example, if the second communication device is the terminal device itself, the terminal device can send its first location information to the core network. If the second communication device is the access network device of the terminal device, the access network device can first obtain the first location information from the terminal device and then send the first location information to the core network.

[0091] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, the configuration information in this embodiment of the application may be service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0092] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0093] Furthermore, the association between the first configuration information and the first location information can be understood as the first configuration information and the first location information being mutually bound or corresponding. For example, when any terminal device or other communication device is located at or near the first location, the first configuration information is used. It can also be understood as the first location information being one of the reference information used to generate or determine the first configuration information (for example, a network device generates the first configuration information based on the first location information). It can also be understood as the configuration information affecting the service quality of the terminal device located at the first location.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a second communication device receiving a first condition from a first communication device, the first condition being used to indicate a target area corresponding to at least one configuration information.

[0095] This implementation method enables the second communication device to determine the relationship between the location of the terminal device and the target area based on the first condition.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

[0097] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information; wherein, the longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; the latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; the altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting position information and ending position information of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0098] Through this implementation, the second communication device (terminal device / service access network device) can obtain information about the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information, thereby effectively determining or judging the relationship between the location of the terminal device and these target areas, so as to effectively report the location information or indication information of the terminal device to the first communication device.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the first condition may further include one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on a reference point within the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, and the reference point may be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0100] This implementation method enables the second communication device to effectively determine the relationship between the location of the terminal device and these target areas provided by the network device, thereby determining the corresponding configuration information.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a second communication device determining the relationship between a first location and a target area based on first location information and a first condition. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: (1) the first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; (2) the distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a first distance threshold; (3) the distance between the first location and a reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a second distance threshold.

[0102] Through this implementation method, the second communication device can determine that the first location of the terminal device is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information, or is close to the target area corresponding to the first configuration information, by the relationship between the first location information of the terminal device and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information. This meets the first condition for reporting the location information of the terminal device, so as to send the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device in the future.

[0103] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device that can be used to perform the method of the first aspect. The device can be a terminal device, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the terminal device, or it can be a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another possible implementation, the apparatus may include a processing unit (also called a processing module) and a communication unit (also called a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform receiving and / or transmitting functions, and the processing unit may be used to perform the methods described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0105] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device that can be used to perform the method of the second aspect. The device can be a first network device, or the device can be a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the first network device, or it can be a device that can be used in conjunction with the first network device.

[0106] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another possible implementation, the apparatus may include a processing unit (also called a processing module) and a communication unit (also called a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform receiving and / or transmitting functions, and the processing unit may be used to perform the methods described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0107] Eighthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device that can be used to perform the method of the third aspect. The device can be a second network device, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the second network device, or it can be a device that can be used in conjunction with the second network device.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another possible implementation, the apparatus may include a processing unit (also called a processing module) and a communication unit (also called a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform receiving and / or transmitting functions, and the processing unit may be used to perform the methods described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0109] Ninthly, an apparatus is provided in the embodiments of this application, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor and a communication interface; wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with other apparatus; the processor is used to run a set of programs to cause the apparatus to implement the method provided in the first aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above, or to cause the apparatus to implement the method provided in the second aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above, or to cause the apparatus to implement the method provided in the third aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above, or to cause the apparatus to implement the method provided in the fourth aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above, or to cause the apparatus to implement the method provided in the fifth aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above.

[0110] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer storage medium storing a software program that, when read and executed by one or more processors, can implement the method provided in the first aspect or any of the possible implementations described above, or implement the method provided in the second aspect or any of the possible implementations described above, or implement the method provided in the third aspect or any of the possible implementations described above, or implement the method provided in the fourth aspect or any of the possible implementations described above, or implement the method provided in the fifth aspect or any of the possible implementations described above.

[0111] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method provided in the first aspect or any of the possible implementations described above to be executed, or cause the method provided in the second aspect or any of the possible implementations described above to be executed, or cause the method provided in the third aspect or any of the possible implementations described above to be executed, or cause the method provided in the fourth aspect or any of the possible implementations described above to be executed, or cause the method provided in the fifth aspect or any of the possible implementations described above to be executed.

[0112] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including a terminal device capable of implementing the method provided in the first aspect, a first network device capable of implementing the method provided in the second aspect, and a second network device capable of implementing the method provided in the third aspect.

[0113] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including a first communication device capable of implementing the method provided in the fourth aspect above, and a second communication device capable of implementing the method provided in the fifth aspect above.

[0114] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, the chip system including a processor, for supporting a terminal device to implement the functions involved in the first aspect above; or for supporting a first network device to implement the functions involved in the second aspect above; or for supporting a second network device to implement the functions involved in the third aspect above.

[0115] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data to be executed by the loading device. The chip system may consist of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0116] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, the chip system including a processor for supporting a first communication device to implement the functions involved in the fourth aspect above; or for supporting a second communication device to implement the functions involved in the fifth aspect above.

[0117] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data to be executed by the loading device. The chip system may consist of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0118] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the sixth to fifteenth aspects or any of the sixth to fifteenth aspects can be referred to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the first to fifth aspects or any of the first to fifth aspects; these will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0119] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a drone and a base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of another UAV and base station communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a service quality flow mapping relationship;

[0122] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of another service quality flow mapping relationship;

[0123] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating one implementation method provided in this application.

[0127] Figure 7A is an example diagram showing the boundary between the location of a terminal device and a target area according to an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of a service quality process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another implementation method provided in this application.

[0130] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment provided in this application.

[0131] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0134] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "one or more" refers to one, two, or more; "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0135] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The term "implementation" in this specification is similarly understood. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. Words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings of embodiments of this application, steps within dashed lines or dashed boxes are optional steps.

[0136] The "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first," "second," or specific numbers such as "1," "2," and "3" are used only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order. Furthermore, the term "used for indicating" mentioned in the description of the embodiments of this application can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication as being used to indicate A, it can include whether the indication directly or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication necessarily contains A.

[0137] This application provides a communication method. To better understand the embodiments of this application, the names and related technical features involved in the embodiments are explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0138] I. Quality of Service (QoS):

[0139] To provide different qualities of service (QoS) for different services, wireless networks offer QoS. QoS management is a control mechanism for wireless networks to meet the quality requirements of different services. It is an end-to-end process that requires the cooperation of all network nodes (UE <—> base station <—> core network) along the route from service initiator to responder to ensure service quality. Air interface QoS management features provide different end-to-end QoS for various services and users with different needs.

[0140] In this embodiment, Quality of Service (QoS) can also be referred to as Service Quality. Since factors affecting network quality include bandwidth, latency, latency jitter, packet loss rate, etc., these factors affecting network service quality are also QoS metrics.

[0141] II. Data Radio Bearer (DRB):

[0142] The Data Radio Bearer (DRB) represents the data radio bearer for packet processing in the Radio Interface (Uu). The DRB is responsible for providing the same packet forwarding processing for (user) packets, and the gNB in ​​the wireless network maps the DRB to QoS.

[0143] QoS management, by establishing various service data on appropriate data radio bearers (DRBs), allows different users and services to compete unequally for limited network resources, thus ensuring the user's service experience.

[0144] III. Quality of Service Flow:

[0145] 5G NR eliminates the end-to-end evolved packet system (EPS) bearer of 4G LTE, replacing it with end-to-end QoS Flow. The most significant difference between QoS Flow and EPS bearer is that QoS Flow can be dynamically created without end-to-end signaling. QoS Flow is divided into two segments: the DRB bearer on the radio interface side and the QoS Flow on the core network side. QoS Flow and DRB bearer can be dynamically mapped via the SDAP protocol. This dynamic mapping improves the efficiency of QoS Flow creation and avoids the inefficiency of LTE requiring end-to-end signaling for creation.

[0146] The following section provides a detailed introduction to the use of Quality of Service (QoS) Flow in networks:

[0147] In the new radio (NR) architecture, user data flows (IP flows) are typically divided into service data flows (SDFs) and quality of service flows (QoS flows). An SDF refers to a group of IP flows with the same service characteristics, while a QoS flow refers to an IP flow aggregated from multiple SDFs with the same QoS requirements and connected to the same packet data network (PDN). SDFs with different QoS requirements or different PDN connections are carried through different QoS flows, and different QoS flows are distinguished by a QoS flow identifier (QFI).

[0148] Specifically, the SDF (Software-Defined Document) between the terminal (UE) and the core network that has the same QoS requirements and belongs to the same Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session is called a QoS Flow. The QoS Flow is controlled by the Session Management Function (SMF) and can be pre-configured or established during the PDU Session establishment or modification process. SDFs with the same QoS requirements can be distributed through one QoS Flow, while SDFs with different QoS requirements are distributed through different QoS Flows. The segment between the UE and the base station (gNodeB) air interface is still called the Data Radio Bearer (DRB), but the segment between the base station (gNodeB) and the user plane function (UPF) no longer uses the concept of a bearer but is called the NG-U Tunnel. A PDU Session uses a common NG-U Tunnel.

[0149] Each QoS flow has a Quality of Service Flow Identifier (QFI). The QFI is merely an identifier and does not represent any QoS requirements of the SDF, similar to the EBI carried by EPS. Within a PDU Session, each QoS Flow's QFI is unique; that is, there is a one-to-one relationship between QoS Flow and QFI. QoS requirements of a QoS Flow are characterized using 5QI (5G QoS Identifier). Within the same PDU Session, one 5QI can be used to represent the same QoS requirements of one or more QoS Flows. Multiple QoS Flows can be distinguished by their QFI. Figure 1A shows three QoS Flows, identified as QFI0, QFI1, and QFI2. These three use the same PDU Session, and the base station gNodeB to UPF share a common NG-U Tunnel. The QoS Flows corresponding to identifiers QFI0 and QFI1 have the same QoS requirements.

[0150] The QoS requirements for the QoS Flows corresponding to QFI0 and QFI1 are the same, so they use the same 5QI (i.e., 5Q1=1) and the UE to gNodeB is carried through the same DRB (identified as QCI1). The QoS Flow corresponding to QFI2 uses a different 5QI (i.e., 5QI=2) and the UE to gNodeB is carried through the DRB (identified as QCI2).

[0151] The user data stream transmission process based on QoS Flow is as follows:

[0152] 1. When a group of IP flows with the same service characteristics pass through a packet filter set (PFS), the PFS assigns an SDF with the same QoS requirements to these IP flows. As shown in Figure 1B, taking PDU Session 2 as an example, IP flow 3 is filtered onto SDF3, IP flow 4 and IP flow 5 are filtered onto SDF4, and QoS requirements are applied to each SDF separately.

[0153] 2. The UPF maps multiple SDFs with the same QoS requirements and belonging to the same PDU Session to a QoS Flow with the same QoS requirements. As shown in Figure 1B, taking PDU Session 1 as an example, SDF1 and SDF2 are mapped to the QoS Flow identified as QFI1.

[0154] 3. The gNodeB maps QoS Flows to DRBs, and then distributes these IP flows to the UE through the DRBs. Ultimately, these IP flows are applied to the UE's application. As shown in Figure 1B, one DRB can correspond to one or more QoS Flows. Taking PDU Session 1, PDU Session 2, and PDU Session 3 as examples, QoS Flow (QFI1) is mapped to DRB1, QoS Flow (QFI2) is mapped to DRB2, and QoS Flows (QFI3 and QFI4) are mapped to DRB3.

[0155] The SDF between the core network and the UE is carried by the QoS Flow, but the air interface between the UE and the gNodeB still uses the DRB. Therefore, it is necessary to map the QoS Flow onto the DRB. To solve this problem, 5G adds a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, which has the following two functions:

[0156] 1. Add a QoS Flow identifier, i.e., QFI, to the data packet. The receiving end reads this value from the SDAP header of the data packet.

[0157] 2. Map one or more QoS Flows to a DRB.

[0158] The following example uses a base station (gNB) in a 5G network as the network device and an unrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) as the terminal device to illustrate a communication scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application. The same applies if the network device is an eNodeB in a 4G network or other devices in a 6G network, and this application does not limit it.

[0159] As a new type of aircraft, drones are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Cellular networks provide drones with crucial features such as wide coverage, high reliability, high security, and continuous mobility, and also enable regulatory oversight. The communication environment of drones differs significantly from that of ordinary terminals. Drones primarily fly above base stations, connecting via Uu interfaces and mainly communicating along the line of sight (LOS). Therefore, drones can receive signals from more base stations. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the architectures suitable for drone-base station communication. The interface connecting base stations is called the Xn interface, which supports the exchange of signaling information between two base station nodes. Logically, the Xn interface is a point-to-point interface between two base station nodes; even without a direct physical connection, a point-to-point logical interface is still feasible.

[0160] When a drone performs a task, its spatial location (i.e., its distance from the base station) changes. At different spatial locations, different QoS requirements may arise to ensure the quality of network service for the drone. However, existing QoS configuration methods cannot meet the QoS requirements of drones in different spatial locations.

[0161] Therefore, this application proposes a communication method that can effectively provide QoS configuration for terminal devices to meet the QoS requirements of different locations.

[0162] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various mobile communication systems, such as: new radio (NR) systems, global system of mobile communication (GSM) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, and other future communication systems, etc. Specific applications are not limited herein.

[0163] The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to links between devices, where links between devices refer to links established between devices of the same type, such as sidelinks (SL). Links established between devices of the same type can be links between terminal devices, between network devices, or between relay nodes, etc., and this application does not limit this. For example, a sidelink can be a link between drones, or a link between a drone and other terminal devices. Drones can send A2X services (or A2X service messages, A2X service data, etc.) to other drones (or other terminal devices) via sidelinks, or drones can send other types of sidelink communication messages (such as V2X service messages) to other drones (or other terminal devices) via sidelinks.

[0164] Figure 3 illustrates a possible, non-limiting communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system 3000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 3000 may also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 may include at least one network device (110a and / or 110b in Figure 3) and at least one terminal device (at least one of 120a-120j in Figure 3, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 3). The terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to the access network device. The access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network device and the access network device in the core network 200 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions. Figure 3 is only a schematic diagram; other network devices may also be included in this communication system, and this is not limited.

[0165] A network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A network device can be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices; it is called RAN equipment. For example, a network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system; it can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 3, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 3, 110b), or a relay node or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific equipment form used in the network equipment. The embodiments of this application use a base station as an example for illustration.

[0166] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CUs (control plane, CP), CUs (user plane, UP), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0167] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. Optionally, in the secure communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the operations of updating the random seed and performing secure data processing can be performed by the RU, and the transmit and receive operations can be performed by the DU.

[0168] A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be called user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices. The embodiments of this application use a terminal device as an example for illustration.

[0169] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0170] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 3 can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device; however, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device. That is, 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a network device-to-network device interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 3 can be called communication devices with network device functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 3 can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0171] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the network device can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes network device functions. This control subsystem, including network device functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0172] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0173] The technical solution of this application is described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0174] This application provides a communication method, which is applicable to, but not limited to, the communication systems shown in Figures 2A / 2B / 3. The method can be executed by a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device; or it can be executed by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device; or it can be executed by a device corresponding to and matched with the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device. This application does not specifically limit the specific form or quantity of the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device. Please refer to Figure 4; the specific flow of the method is as follows:

[0175] S401: The second network device sends a second configuration to the first network device, the second configuration including at least one configuration information associated with at least one target area; wherein the configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the second configuration from the second network device.

[0176] In the embodiments of this application, the first network device may be an access network device (e.g., a base station), and the second network device may refer to a core network device or a core network element.

[0177] In the embodiments of this application, associating at least one configuration information with at least one target area can be: one configuration information associating with one or more target areas (or one configuration information corresponding to one or more target areas), or one target area associating with one or more configuration information (one target area corresponding to one or more configuration information). This is not limited. Furthermore, associating configuration information with a target area can be understood as a mutual binding or correspondence between the configuration information and the target area, or it can be understood as the information of the target area being one of the reference information used to generate or determine the configuration information (for example, a second network device generating configuration information based on the information of the target area). Associating configuration information with a target area can also be understood as the information of the target area being one of the influencing factors affecting the effectiveness of the configuration information. The understanding of associating configuration information with a target area can be extended to more descriptions based on the foregoing understanding, and this is not limited.

[0178] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may include service quality information, service quality configuration information, other information associated with service quality, etc.; or, the configuration information in this embodiment of the application may be service quality information, or service quality configuration information, or other information associated with service quality, etc.

[0179] Configuration information is associated with the Quality of Service (QoS) of a terminal device. This can be understood as configuration information and the QoS of the terminal device being mutually bound or mapped; or as configuration information being used to determine or influence the QoS of the terminal device. Similarly, the QoS of the terminal device can also be used to configure or determine corresponding configuration information, without specific limitations.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the second network device determines (or configures) the at least one configuration information.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the second configuration also includes information about at least a portion or all of the target regions within the target region.

[0182] In this embodiment, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude, latitude, and altitude information. Specifically, longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0183] S402: The first network device sends a first condition to the terminal device, the first condition indicating the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first condition.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the first network device can implement communication functions through a first node and processing functions through a second node; that is, in S401 above, the first node receives a second configuration from the second network device, the first node sends the second configuration to the second node, and the second node determines a first condition based on the second configuration; in S402, the second node sends the first condition to the first node, and then the first node sends it to the terminal device.

[0185] For example, the first node is a DU and the second node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the first node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the second node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0186] In this embodiment, the first node and the second node may be located within the first network device or outside the first network device; no specific limitation is made in this regard. Furthermore, the first node and the second node may be the same physical device or separate, independent physical devices; no limitation is made in this regard either.

[0187] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is an access network device (e.g., a base station) that serves the terminal device.

[0188] S402 is an optional step.

[0189] In other embodiments, the first condition may be sent from a second network device to the terminal device.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the first condition includes information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

[0191] In one possible implementation, the first condition may also include one or more of the following:

[0192] The first distance threshold, the second distance threshold, and information on reference points within the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information;

[0193] The first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area. The reference point can be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0194] In one possible implementation, the second network device also sends at least one of the above-mentioned configuration information and / or indication information of the at least one configuration information to the terminal device.

[0195] For example, the indication information of the configuration information may be the identifier ID / serial number / index of the configuration information, or the indication information of the configuration information may be used to indicate the identifier / serial number / index of the configuration information.

[0196] S403: The first network device and the terminal device determine first configuration information, which is associated with the first location information of the terminal device and is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

[0197] In the embodiments of this application, the association between the first configuration information and the first location information can be understood as the first configuration information and the first location information being bound to or corresponding to each other. For example, when any terminal device or other communication device is located at or near the first location, the first configuration information is used. It can also be understood as the first location information being one of the reference information used to generate or determine the first configuration information (for example, a network device generates the first configuration information based on the first location information). It can also be understood as the configuration information affecting the service quality of the terminal device located at the first location.

[0198] In this embodiment, the first location information may be the current location information of the terminal device or the location information that the terminal device expects to report, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0199] In this application embodiment, S403 may be implemented in the following two ways, including but not limited to:

[0200] Implementation Method 1: The first network device determines the first configuration information based on the first location information and the target area information corresponding to at least one configuration information. Correspondingly, the terminal device determining the first configuration information may include: the first network device sending first information to the terminal device, the terminal device receiving the first information, and the first information including one or more of the first configuration information and indication information of the first configuration information.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the first network device is an access network device, implementing communication functions through a first node and processing functions through a second node. The first node obtains first location information from the terminal device and at least one target area information corresponding to configuration information from the second network device. The first node sends the first location information and the target area information corresponding to the at least one configuration information to the second node. The second node determines first configuration information and first information based on the first location information and the target area information corresponding to the at least one configuration information. The first information may include one or more of the first configuration information and indication information of the first configuration information. Further, the second node sends the first information to the first node, and the first node then sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0202] For example, the first node is a DU and the second node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the first node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the second node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0203] In this embodiment, the location and device of the first node and the second node can be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated here.

[0204] In one implementation, the first network device determines the first configuration information based on the first location information and the target area information corresponding to at least one configuration information. Specifically, this may include: first determining the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and the target area information corresponding to the at least one configuration information; and then determining the first configuration information based on the relationship between the first location and the target area. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0205] (1) The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information;

[0206] (2) The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the first distance threshold;

[0207] (3) The distance between the first location and the reference point in the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

[0208] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device may receive the first location information from the first terminal device, or request the first location information of the terminal device from the location management function (LMF), and there is no limitation thereto.

[0209] Implementation Method Two: The terminal device determines the first configuration information based on the first location information and the first condition. Correspondingly, the determination of the first configuration information by the first network device may include: the terminal device sending an indication message for the first configuration information to the first network device, and the first network device receiving the indication message for the first configuration information.

[0210] In one implementation, the terminal device determines first configuration information based on first location information and first conditions. Specifically, this may include: first determining the relationship between the first location and a target area based on the first location information and the first conditions; and then determining the first configuration information based on the relationship between the first location and the target area. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

[0211] (1) The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information;

[0212] (2) The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the first distance threshold;

[0213] (3) The distance between the first location and the reference point in the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

[0214] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device may receive a first condition from a first network device or a second network device.

[0215] In summary, this application provides a communication method, which includes: a terminal device first determining its own first location information, and then determining first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is associated with the first location information and is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device, so that the terminal device is configured based on the first configuration information to realize network communication, and the quality of service requirements when the terminal device is located at the first location information can be guaranteed.

[0216] This application also provides another communication method, which is applicable to, but not limited to, the communication systems shown in Figures 2A / 2B / 3. This method can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device; or by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the first and second communication devices; or by a device corresponding to and matched with the first and second communication devices. This application does not specifically limit the specific form or quantity of the first and second communication devices. Referring to Figure 5, the specific flow of this method is as follows:

[0217] S501: The second communication device sends the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device. Accordingly, the first communication device receives the first location information.

[0218] In an embodiment of this scheme, the first communication device may be a core network device or a core network element, and the second communication device may be a terminal device or an access network device (e.g., a base station) serving the terminal device.

[0219] In one possible implementation, when the second communication device is an access network device, the second communication device implements communication functions through the first node and processing functions through the second node. Then, the first node sends the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device (core network device or core network element).

[0220] For example, the first node is a DU and the second node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the first node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the second node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0221] In the embodiments of this application, the first node and the second node may be located within the second communication device or outside the second communication device, without specific limitation. Furthermore, the first node and the second node may be the same physical device or separate, independent physical devices, without limitation.

[0222] In this embodiment, the first communication device can also obtain the first location information of the terminal device from the Service Management Function (LMF). This first location information can be the current location of the terminal device or the location information the terminal expects to report; there is no limitation on either.

[0223] In one possible implementation, before executing S501 (i.e., before the second communication device sends the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device), the process may further include: the first communication device sending a first condition to the second communication device, the first condition indicating a target area corresponding to at least one configuration information. Accordingly, the second communication device receives the first condition.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

[0225] In this embodiment of the application, the information of the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of longitude information, latitude information, and altitude information. Specifically, longitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; latitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; altitude information may include, but is not limited to: the starting and ending positions of the altitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the altitude range corresponding to the target area.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the first condition may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: a first distance threshold, a second distance threshold, and information on a reference point within the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information; wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, wherein the reference point may be a location point within the target area (such as the center point or any point within the target area) or a location range (such as a smaller area within the target area).

[0227] In one possible implementation, before executing S501 (i.e., before the second communication device sends the first location information of the terminal device to the first communication device), the following steps may also be performed: the second communication device determines the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and a first condition. The relationship between the first location and the target area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0228] (1) The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information;

[0229] (2) The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the first distance threshold;

[0230] (3) The distance between the first location and the reference point in the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

[0231] In one possible implementation, when the second communication device is an access network device, the second communication device performs communication functions through the first node and processing functions through the second node. Then, the first node sends the first location information from the terminal device or LMF and the first condition from the first communication device (core network device or core network element) to the second node. The second node then determines the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and the first condition. Next, the second node determines to report the first location information based on the relationship between the first location and the target area. Finally, the second node instructs the first node to send the first location information to the first communication device (core network device or core network element).

[0232] For example, the first node is a DU and the second node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the first node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the second node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0233] In this embodiment, the locations and devices of the first and second nodes can be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first communication device may also determine the relationship between the first location and the target area based on the first location information and the first condition; and then determine or configure the first configuration information according to the relationship between the first location and the target area (the specific content of the relationship can refer to the content of the relationship determined by the second communication device above); the first configuration information is associated with the first location information and is associated with the service quality of the terminal device.

[0235] S502: The first communication device sends first configuration information to the second communication device. This first configuration information is associated with first location information and with the quality of service (QoS) of the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first configuration information from the first communication device.

[0236] In summary, this application provides a communication method, which includes: a first communication device (such as a core network device) receiving first location information of a terminal device; and sending first configuration information to a second communication device (such as the terminal device / access network device serving the terminal device), wherein the first configuration information is associated with the first location information and is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device can guarantee the quality of service requirements under the first location information by using the first configuration information to achieve communication.

[0237] Based on the communication methods shown in Figures 4 and 5 above, the following describes in more detail several possible implementation methods.

[0238] Implementation Method 1:

[0239] Based on the scheme described in Figure 4 above, in this first embodiment, the first network device is exemplified by a base station (e.g., gNB), and the second network device is exemplified by the core network 5GC, as described below. In practice, due to different application scenarios or the evolution of network architecture, the first network device can also be other network devices capable of implementing the same method or function, and the same applies to the second network device. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0240] For example, in this second embodiment, the 5GC pre-provides at least one location-based QoS configuration (which can be equivalent to the second configuration in the scheme described in Figure 4 above). The base station can determine the corresponding QoS configuration for the terminal device based on its location information. In this embodiment, the terminal device is UE1, which can be an aircraft or a drone, etc. Referring to Figure 6, the process of this first embodiment is as follows:

[0241] S601: The 5GC sends a location-based QoS configuration to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the location-based QoS configuration from the 5GC.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the QoS configuration includes QoS information for at least one QoS flow, and the QoS information for each QoS flow includes QoS configuration information and corresponding location information.

[0243] For example, the 5GC sends QoS configuration to the base station. This QoS configuration includes QoS information for QoS flow (QFI1) and QoS information for QoS flow (QFI2). The QoS information for QoS flow (QFI1) includes QoS configuration information 1 and location 1 information, while the QoS information for QoS flow (QFI2) includes QoS configuration information 2 and location 2 information. QoS configuration information 1 and QoS configuration information 2 can be QoS parameters configured in existing technologies. When the UE is located at location 1, the QoS configuration parameters of QoS flow (QFI1) are used; when the UE is located at location 2, the QoS configuration parameters of QoS flow (QFI2) are used.

[0244] In another possible implementation, the QoS configuration includes QoS configuration information and location conditions (or triggering conditions) for at least one QoS flow, wherein the location conditions (or triggering conditions) include the location information corresponding to the at least one QoS flow.

[0245] For example, the core network sends QoS configuration to the base station. The QoS configuration includes QoS configuration information 1 for QoS flow (QFI1) and QoS configuration information 2 for QoS flow (QFI2), as well as location conditions. The location conditions include information about location 1 corresponding to QoS flow (QFI1) / QoS configuration information 1 and information about location 2 corresponding to QoS flow (QFI2) / QoS configuration information 2. When the UE is located at location 1, QoS configuration information 1 for QoS flow (QFI1) is used; when the UE is located at location 2, QoS configuration information 2 for QoS flow (QFI2) is used.

[0246] Based on the above implementation methods, 5GC can synchronously send QoS flow QoS configuration information and corresponding location information to the base station, or it can send them asynchronously, or it can send the QoS flow QoS configuration information and corresponding location information in the same configuration / message, or it can send them separately; this application is not limited in this regard. Furthermore, 5GC can also provide QoS flow QoS configuration information and / or corresponding location information to the base station through other implicit methods, such as providing the base station with indication information of QoS flow QoS configuration information (e.g., ID / sequence number / index, etc.) and / or indication information of the corresponding location (e.g., location identifier, etc.). 5GC can also send the correspondence between QoS flow QoS configuration information and corresponding location information to the base station (e.g., Tables 1 and 2 below).

[0247] In this embodiment, one QoS flow corresponding to one QoS configuration information is used as an example. In practical applications, one QoS flow may correspond to multiple QoS configuration information, or multiple QoS flows may correspond to one QoS configuration information; this application is not limited to this.

[0248] In addition, each QoS flow (or the configuration information for each QoS flow) may correspond to one or more location information. Location information can refer to the geographical location information of a specific point in space, or it can refer to the geographical location information of a region / range; there is no specific limitation in this regard.

[0249] As shown in Table 1, the QoS configuration based on location information provided by 5GC includes, but is not limited to, QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1), QoS configuration information 2 of QoS flow (QFI2), and information of location 1 and information of location 2; wherein, QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1) corresponds to the information of location 1, and QoS configuration information 2 of QoS flow (QFI2) corresponds to the information of location 2.

[0250] Table 1

[0251] For example, referring to Table 1, the QoS flow (QFI1) (or QoS configuration information 1) corresponds to the information of location 1. The information of location 1 can be one or more of the longitude x1, latitude y1, and altitude z1 corresponding to location 1, such as the geographic coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) of location 1. When the UE is at location 1, the QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1) is used. The information of location 2 corresponding to QoS flow (QFI2) (or QoS configuration information 2) is similar.

[0252] As shown in Table 2, the QoS configuration based on location information provided by 5GC includes, but is not limited to, QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1), QoS configuration information 2 of QoS flow (QFI2), and information of region 1 and region 2; wherein, QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1) corresponds to the information of region 1, and QoS configuration information 2 of QoS flow (QFI2) corresponds to the information of region 2.

[0253] Table 2

[0254] For example, referring to Table 2, the QoS flow (QFI1) (or QoS configuration information 1) corresponds to the information of region 1. The information of region 1 may include one or more of the following: longitude range, latitude range, and altitude range. The longitude range can be the starting longitude + the ending longitude, for example, the longitude range is represented as... The starting longitude, The endpoint longitude; the latitude range can be the starting latitude + the ending latitude, for example, the latitude range is expressed as... Starting latitude The endpoint dimension; the altitude range can refer to the altitude range above sea level, and can be expressed as the starting altitude + the ending altitude, for example, the altitude range is expressed as (z1, z2), where z1 is the starting altitude and z2 is the ending altitude. In addition, this longitude / latitude / altitude range can also be expressed as a length value.

[0255] In some embodiments, the information of region 1 can also be location range information, such as the information of region 1 being represented as the position of the center point (x, y, z) + radius r. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0256] In other embodiments, the location-based QoS configuration provided by 5GC may not include location information. The base station can configure the location information corresponding to the QoS configuration information of at least one QoS flow. The location information configured by the base station can refer to the location information configured by the core network 5GC, which will not be described here.

[0257] S602: The base station determines the QoS configuration information based on the location-based QoS configuration and / or the location information of UE1.

[0258] For example, the base station can receive the location information of UE1 from UE1, or request the location information of UE1 from the location management function (LMF). In this embodiment, taking UE1 as an example, the location information of UE1 can refer to the current location of UE1.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the base station can determine which QoS configuration information UE1 is in based on UE1's location information and the location-based QoS configuration provided by 5GC.

[0260] For example, referring to the location-based QoS configuration shown in Table 1, the base station determines the relationship between UE1's location and location 1 and location 2, respectively. By understanding the relationship between UE1's location and location 1 / location 2, it further determines whether UE1 is at location 1 / location 2. If the relationship between UE1's location and location 1 is that UE1's location and location 1 are the same location, or if the straight-line distance between UE1's location and location 1 is less than a set threshold, then the base station determines to use QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1).

[0261] For example, referring to the location-based QoS configuration shown in Table 2, the base station determines the relationship between the location of UE1 and area 1 / area 2, and then determines whether UE1 is in area 1 / area 2 based on the relationship between the location of UE1 and area 1 / area 2. If the relationship between the location of UE1 and area 1 is that the location of UE1 is in area 1, or meets the conditions for entering area 1, then the base station determines to use the QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1).

[0262] In this first implementation, the base station determines the relationship between the location of UE1 and the target area (such as area 1 / area 2 in Table 2 above), which may include, but is not limited to: (1) the location of UE1 being in / not in the target area; (2) the location of UE1 meeting / not meeting the conditions for entering the target area. When the base station determines that the location of UE1 is in the target area, or that the location of UE1 meets the conditions for entering the target area, then the QoS configuration information corresponding to the target area is used.

[0263] For example, the base station determines whether the location of UE1 meets the conditions for entering the target area (such as area 1 / area 2 as shown in Table 2 above), which may include, but is not limited to, the following:

[0264] Condition 1 (Distance threshold 1 + Boundary information of target area): Before UE1 enters the target area, the base station determines that the nearest distance (or vertical distance) between UE1 and the boundary of the target area is less than distance threshold 1 based on the location of UE1.

[0265] In condition 1 above, the distance threshold 1 can come from the core network 5GC or be pre-configured by the base station; there is no limitation on this. The target area can be an area in the location-based QoS configuration provided by the 5GC, or a new area determined by the base station based on the location / area in the QoS configuration provided by the 5GC; there is no limitation on this.

[0266] Furthermore, the boundary information of the target area can include reference point information plus altitude information. The reference point information can be latitude and longitude coordinates, and the altitude information is the height above sea level. The number of reference points is not limited. The boundary of the target area can be determined by the location / region in the location-based QoS configuration provided by the base station based on 5GC.

[0267] Referring to Figure 7A, taking the target area 1 corresponding to the QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1) as an example, the boundary of the target area 1 is determined by the information of two reference points and the height information; if the vertical distance between the position of UE1 and the boundary of the target area 1 is less than the distance threshold 1, then the QoS configuration information 1 of the QoS flow (QFI1) corresponding to the target area 1 is used.

[0268] Condition 2 (distance threshold 2 + target reference point information): when the nearest distance between UE1's position and the target reference point is less than distance threshold 2.

[0269] In condition 2, the distance threshold 2 can come from the core network 5GC or be pre-configured by the base station; there is no limitation on this. The information of the target reference point can be the latitude and longitude coordinates and altitude information of the center point or any point within the target area. This information of the target reference point can be provided by the 5GC or configured by the base station itself, and the number of target reference points can be one or more; this application does not limit this.

[0270] In S602 above, the base station determines the corresponding QoS configuration information based on the location-based QoS configuration provided by 5GC and the location of UE1. In this embodiment, a parallel optional implementation is also provided, including the following two steps, S603 and S604: the base station sends the location information or triggering conditions corresponding to the QoS configuration information of each QoS flow to UE1; UE1 determines, based on its own location information and the location information or triggering conditions corresponding to the QoS configuration information, which location / area it is in, or which area it meets the criteria for entering, and then reports UE1's location information or QoS configuration information indication information to the base station.

[0271] In this embodiment, if S602 is executed, then S603 and S604 below are not executed; if S602 is not executed, then S603 and S604 below are executed.

[0272] S603: The base station sends a trigger condition to UE1. Accordingly, UE1 receives the trigger condition.

[0273] In S603, the base station can send a trigger condition (also called a location condition, equivalent to the first condition in the scheme described in Figure 4 above) to UE1. This trigger condition may include location / area information or location conditions corresponding to at least one QoS flow (or QoS configuration information) in the QoS configuration provided by 5GC. In addition, the base station can also provide UE1 with indication information of each QoS flow (such as QFI), and / or provide UE1 with indication information of the QoS configuration information of each QoS flow (such as ID / sequence number / index).

[0274] For example, as shown in Table 3, QFI1 is the identifier of QoS flow (1), and QFI2 is the identifier of QoS flow (2). The base station can provide UE1 with: multiple QoS flow QFIs (such as QFI1 and QFI2) and corresponding location information (such as information for location 1 and information for location 2). Or, as shown in Table 4, the index of the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (1) is 1, and the index of the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (2) is 2. The base station can provide UE1 with: multiple QoS configuration information indices (such as 1 and 2) and corresponding location information (such as information for location 1 and information for location 2).

[0275] Table 3

[0276] Table 4

[0277] For example, as shown in Table 5, QFI1 is the identifier of QoS flow (1), and QFI2 is the identifier of QoS flow (2). The base station can provide UE1 with: multiple QoS flow QFIs (such as QFI1 and QFI2) and corresponding area information (such as information of area 1 and information of area 2). Or, as shown in Table 6, the index of the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (1) is 1, and the index of the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (2) is 2. The base station can provide UE1 with: multiple QoS configuration information indices (such as 1 and 2) and corresponding area information (such as information of area 1 and information of area 2). The explanation of area information is the same as that in S602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0278] Table 5

[0279] Table 6

[0280] Tables 3 and 4, 5 and 6 above are examples. In actual applications, they may contain more or less information than Tables 3 and 4, 5 and 6, which will not be listed in detail here.

[0281] For the specific implementation method of UE1 determining whether its own location is in the positions in Table 3 / Table 4 above, or in the areas in Table 5 / Table 6 above, or meets the conditions for entering the areas in Table 5 / Table 6 above, you can refer to the implementation method of the base station making judgment based on the location information of UE1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] Based on the base station's determination in S602 of whether UE1's location meets the conditions for entering the target area, in S604 below, UE1 can similarly determine this itself. Based on the conditions determined by the base station, in S603 above, the base station also needs to send one or more of the following to UE1:

[0283] Distance threshold 1, distance threshold 2, boundary information of the target area (information of two reference points + height information), and information of the target reference points (unlimited number).

[0284] S604: Based on the triggering conditions, UE1 sends its location information / indication information to the base station.

[0285] UE1 can determine whether it is in the location / area corresponding to the at least one QoS flow (or QoS configuration information) based on its own location and the location information or location conditions corresponding to the at least one QoS flow (or QoS configuration information). When UE1 determines that it is in the location / area corresponding to any QoS flow (or QoS configuration information), or meets the conditions for entering the area corresponding to any QoS flow (or QoS configuration information), then in S604, UE1 can report its own location information to the base station, or report the indication information of the corresponding QoS flow (such as QFI), or report the indication information of the QoS configuration information of the corresponding QoS flow (such as ID / sequence number / index).

[0286] For example, if UE1 determines that its location is at location 1, then UE1 can report its location information to the base station, or as shown in Table 3, UE1 can report QFI1 to the base station, or as shown in Table 4, UE1 can report index 1 of QoS configuration information to the base station. Accordingly, after receiving UE1's location information, QFI1, or index 1 of QoS configuration information, the base station can determine the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (1).

[0287] For example, if UE1 determines that its location is in area 1 or meets the conditions for entering area 1, then UE1 can report its location information to the base station, or as shown in Table 5, UE1 can report QFI1 to the base station, or as shown in Table 6, UE1 can report index 1 of QoS configuration information to the base station. Accordingly, after receiving UE1's location information, QFI1, or index 1 of QoS configuration information, the base station can determine the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (1).

[0288] S605: The base station is based on the mapping of the data radio bearer DRB.

[0289] Based on the location-based QoS configuration provided by 5GC, the base station maps the QoS flow of each location to DRB.

[0290] For example, as shown in Figure 7B, the QoS flow of location 1 is mapped to DRB1; and the QoS flow of location 2 is mapped to DRB2.

[0291] Optionally, the base station can combine the location information corresponding to the QoS Flow with 5QI (5QI is used to characterize the QoS requirements of the QoS Flow) to perform DRB mapping. For example, the QoS flow corresponding to location 1 and 5QI=5 is mapped to DRB1; the QoS flow corresponding to location 2 and 5QI=3 is mapped to DRB2.

[0292] In this implementation, the base station configures the mapping of QoS to DRB for different locations, which can be sent to UE1 in advance. That is, when S602 is executed, the execution order of S605 and S602 is not specifically limited. When S603-S604 is executed, the execution order of S605 and S603-S604 is not specifically limited.

[0293] S606: Based on the QoS flow configuration information of UE1, the base station maps the QoS flow of UE1 to the corresponding DRB.

[0294] For DRB applications on the base station side, the following may be included:

[0295] Based on the base station determination method of S602 described above, the base station can map the QoS flow to the corresponding DRB based on the determined QoS configuration information.

[0296] Based on the UE1 determination implementation methods of S603 and S604 mentioned above, the base station needs to wait until it receives the location information or indication information reported by UE1 before mapping the QoS flow of UE1 to the corresponding DRB.

[0297] For example, the base station applies the corresponding DRB based on the location information or indication information reported by UE1. If UE1 is at location 1, DRB1 is applied; if UE1 is at location 2, DRB2 is applied.

[0298] For DRB to be applied on the UE1 side, the following situations may occur:

[0299] Scenario 1: If the base station did not send the QoS to DRB mapping to UE1 before S606.

[0300] In this step, the base station needs to send the radio bearer configuration corresponding to the QoS flow to UE1. Accordingly, after receiving the radio bearer configuration, UE1 configures the SDAP entity and the associated DRB based on the radio bearer configuration.

[0301] For example, after the base station determines the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (1) in S602 or receives the index 1 of QFI1 / QoS configuration information in S604, the base station sends the radio bearer configuration 1 corresponding to QoS flow (1) to UE1. UE1 configures the SDAP entity and the associated DRB1 according to the radio bearer configuration 1.

[0302] Scenario 2: If the base station has sent the location and SDAP configuration to UE1 in advance before S606.

[0303] The base station has configured the mapping of QoS to DRB for different locations and has sent it to UE1 in advance.

[0304] For example, the base station is configured with mapping 1 (radio bearer configuration 1, location 1), mapping 2 (radio bearer configuration 2, location 2), and mapping 3 (radio bearer configuration 3, location 3). These radio bearer configurations corresponding to different locations are then sent to UE1.

[0305] Based on the UE1 determination implementation of S603 and S604 above, UE1 can determine the corresponding radio bearer configuration based on its own location to configure the corresponding SDAP entity and the corresponding DRB; optionally, UE1 can also indicate the corresponding DRB to the base station.

[0306] For example, UE1 determines that it is located in location1, and then configures the corresponding SDAP entity and the corresponding DRB1 according to the radio bearer configuration 1 corresponding to location1, and sends indication information to the base station to indicate DRB1.

[0307] In this first implementation method, the core network 5GC configures location-based QoS settings for the base station. When UE1 arrives at the corresponding area, it applies the corresponding DRB configuration or sends indication information to the base station, which then configures the corresponding DRB for the UE. This method can meet different QoS requirements in different locations.

[0308] Implementation Method Two:

[0309] Based on the scheme described in Figure 4 above, in this second embodiment, the first network device is exemplified by a base station (e.g., gNB), and the second network device is exemplified by the core network 5GC, as described below. In practice, due to different application scenarios or the evolution of network architecture, the first network device can also be other network devices capable of performing the same function, and the same applies to the second network device; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0310] For example, in this second implementation, the core network 5GC pre-provides QoS configuration (which may be equivalent to at least one configuration information in Figure 4 above) to the base station. The 5GC can also provide location-based QoS configuration to UE1. UE1 determines the corresponding QoS based on its location information and instructs it to the base station. Referring to Figure 8, the process of this second implementation is as follows:

[0311] S801: The 5GC sends at least one QoS configuration message to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the at least one QoS configuration message from the 5GC.

[0312] In this second implementation method, one QoS flow corresponding to one QoS configuration information is used as an example. In practical applications, one QoS flow may correspond to multiple QoS configuration information, or multiple QoS flows may correspond to one QoS configuration information; this application is not limited to this.

[0313] Unlike S601 in Implementation Method 1 above, 5GC provides at least one QoS configuration information to the base station, but does not provide corresponding location information.

[0314] S802: 5GC sends a location-based QoS configuration to UE1. Correspondingly, the base station receives the location-based QoS configuration from 5GC.

[0315] In one possible implementation, the QoS configuration includes QoS information for at least one QoS flow, and the QoS information for each QoS flow includes QoS configuration information and corresponding location information.

[0316] In another possible implementation, the QoS configuration includes QoS configuration information and location conditions (or triggering conditions) for at least one QoS flow, wherein the location conditions (or triggering conditions) include the location information corresponding to the at least one QoS flow.

[0317] In this implementation, each QoS flow (or the configuration information for each QoS flow) may correspond to one or more location information. Location information can refer to the geographical location information of a spatial point, or it can refer to the geographical location information of a region / range; there is no specific limitation in this regard.

[0318] The specific description in S802 can be found in the specific description in S601 above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0319] The above S801 and S802 can be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and the order of execution of S801 and S802 is not limited.

[0320] S803: UE1 sends QoS indication information to the base station based on the QoS configuration provided by 5GC. Accordingly, the base station receives the QoS indication information.

[0321] The specific implementation of S803 can refer to the specific implementation of S603-S604 in the above-described implementation method 1. However, unlike S603, in S803, UE1 receives QoS configuration information for at least one QoS flow from 5GC. Optionally, UE1 may also receive one or more of the following from 5GC:

[0322] Indication information for at least one QoS flow (e.g., QFI), and indication information for the QoS configuration of at least one QoS flow (e.g., ID / sequence number / index).

[0323] For example, if UE1 determines the QoS configuration information 1 of QoS flow (QFI1) based on its own location information, then the QoS indication information sent by UE1 to the base station may be any one or more of the following:

[0324] Indication information for QoS flow (e.g., QFI1), indication information for QoS configuration information 1 (e.g., index number 1), and indication information for the DRB corresponding to QoS flow (QFI1).

[0325] S804: The base station applies the corresponding QoS configuration information based on the QoS indication information of UE1.

[0326] That is, the base station has performed the mapping between QoS flow and DRB. In S804, the base station applies the corresponding QoS flow based on the QoS indication information of UE1, and sends the corresponding RadioBearerConfig to UE1 through S805 below.

[0327] For example, the base station determines the QoS flow (QFI1) based on the QoS indication information of UE1. If the QoS flow currently being applied is not QoS flow (QFI1), then the base station switches to QoS flow (QFI1).

[0328] Optionally, the base station sends indication information to the core network 5GC to indicate the QoS configuration information (QoS profile) corresponding to the application.

[0329] S805: The base station sends RadioBearerConfig to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the RadioBearerConfig.

[0330] S806: UE1 applies the radio bearer configuration according to the radio bearer configuration RadioBearerConfig.

[0331] In this second implementation method, the core network 5GC configures the UE with location-based QoS settings. When the UE arrives at a specific area, it can trigger a higher-level QoS indication message, instructing the base station to use the QoS configuration for that area. The base station then applies the corresponding QoS configuration information and provides the UE with the corresponding radio bearer configuration. The UE then applies the corresponding radio bearer based on the RadioBearerConfig configured in the radio bearer configuration. This method effectively meets the different QoS requirements at different locations.

[0332] Implementation Method 3:

[0333] Based on the scheme described in Figure 5 above, in this third embodiment, the first communication device is exemplified by the core network 5GC, and the second communication device is exemplified by a base station (e.g., gNB). In practice, due to different application scenarios or the evolution of network architecture, the second communication device can also be other network devices capable of implementing the same method or function, and the same applies to the first communication device. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0334] For example, in this third embodiment, the core network 5GC (which may be equivalent to the first communication device in the scheme described in Figure 5 above) can configure the corresponding QoS based on the location information or QoS indication information of UE1 reported by the base station (which may be equivalent to the second communication device in the scheme described in Figure 5 above). Referring to Figure 9, the process of this third embodiment is as follows:

[0335] S901:5GC sends trigger conditions to the base station.

[0336] Accordingly, the base station receives the triggering condition (which may be equivalent to the first condition in the scheme described in Figure 5 above).

[0337] In one implementation, the triggering condition may include one or more location information pieces. A location information piece may refer to the geographical location information of a specific point in space, or it may refer to the geographical location information of a region / area. For details, please refer to the description in S601 of the first implementation described above; further details will not be provided here.

[0338] Optionally, 5GC can provide the base station with indication information corresponding to the location information (such as location information identifiers, QoS identifiers, etc.).

[0339] S902: UE1 sends its location information to the base station.

[0340] In this implementation, the base station can obtain the location information of UE1 by having the drone report its location information through existing procedures, or by requesting the location information of UE1 from the LMF.

[0341] S903: The base station sends the location information / QoS indication information of UE1 to the 5GC based on the location information and triggering conditions of UE1. Correspondingly, the 5GC receives the location information / QoS indication information of UE1.

[0342] The specific implementation method for determining whether UE1 is located in one or more locations / target areas, or whether it meets the requirements for entering the target area, can be referred to the specific implementation method of S602 in the above-described implementation method, which will not be repeated here.

[0343] When the base station determines that UE1 is located in one or more location / target areas, or meets the requirements for entering the target area, the base station can report the location information or QoS indication information of UE1 to 5GC. The QoS indication information is used to indicate specific QoS requirements.

[0344] In some embodiments, the base station may also send triggering conditions to UE1; in addition, the triggering conditions sent by the base station to UE1 may include, but are not limited to: distance threshold 1, distance threshold 2, boundary information of the target range (information of two reference points + height information), and information of reference points within the target range.

[0345] Furthermore, based on the triggering condition, UE1 determines whether it is located in one or more locations / target areas, or whether it meets the specific implementation method for entering the target area. It can also refer to the specific implementation method in S602 of the above-described implementation method, or the specific implementation method in S603-S604, which will not be repeated here.

[0346] When UE1 determines that it is located in one or more location / target areas, or meets the requirements for entering the target area, it reports UE1's location information / QoS indication information to the base station; or UE1 can directly report UE1's location information / QoS indication information to 5GC through non-access stratum messages.

[0347] S904:5GC configures QoS flow based on UE1's location information / QoS indication information.

[0348] If 5GC receives the location information of UE1, then 5GC can determine the corresponding QoS requirements based on the location information of UE1; and then configure the QoS flow according to the QoS requirements corresponding to the location information of UE1.

[0349] If 5GC receives QoS indication information, 5GC configures QoS flow according to the QoS requirements indicated by the QoS indication information.

[0350] S905: The 5GC sends the QoS configuration information of the QoS flow to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the QoS configuration information of the QoS flow from the 5GC.

[0351] For example, the 5GC configures QoS flow (QFI1) based on the location information / QoS indication information of UE1, and sends the QoS configuration information of QoS flow (QFI1) to the base station.

[0352] S906: Based on the QoS configuration information of this QoS flow, the base station maps the QoS flow to the DRB.

[0353] Subsequent steps can be implemented with reference to existing technologies, and will not be described in detail here.

[0354] In this third implementation, the core network can configure location-based triggering conditions to the base station / UE. When the UE arrives at the corresponding area, the base station / UE sends the UE's location information / QoS indication information to the core network to instruct the core network to configure a new QoS configuration, thereby fulfilling the need to configure different QoS configurations for different locations.

[0355] Regarding the above-described embodiments one to three, it should be noted that:

[0356] (1) The above-described embodiments one to three can be implemented separately or in combination, and there is no specific limitation.

[0357] (2) The above focuses on describing the differences between implementation methods one to three. Except for the differences, implementation methods one to three can be referred to each other.

[0358] (3) The step numbers of the flowcharts described in Embodiments 1 to 3 are merely examples of the execution flow and do not constitute a restriction on the order of execution of the steps. The steps in the embodiments of this application have no temporal dependency relationship and there is no strict execution order between them. In addition, not all the steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory steps, and some steps can be added or deleted based on the actual needs of each flowchart.

[0359] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0360] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0361] Similar to the above concept, as shown in FIG10, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1000 for implementing the functions of the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) in the above method. For example, the communication device 1000 can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 1000 may include: a communication unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002.

[0362] In this embodiment, the communication unit 1001, also known as the transceiver unit, may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps of the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) in the above method embodiments or implementations. The processing unit 1002 may be used to read instructions and / or data from the storage module so that the communication device 1000 implements the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0363] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage unit 1003, which is equivalent to a storage module and can be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0364] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 and 11. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for the contents not described in detail, please refer to the method implementation methods described in Figures 4-6 and 8 and Figure 9 above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0365] The communication unit 1001 can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processing unit can also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in the communication unit 1001 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving unit, and the device in the communication unit 1001 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitting unit; that is, the communication unit 1001 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The communication unit can sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. The receiving unit can sometimes be referred to as a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. The transmitting unit can sometimes be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0366] When the communication device 1000 executes the process of the terminal device shown in Figure 4 of the above embodiment: the processing unit 1002 is used to determine the first location information of the terminal device; the communication unit 1001 / the processing unit 1002 is used to determine the first configuration information, the first configuration information is associated with the first location information, and the first configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

[0367] When the communication device 1000 executes the process shown in Figure 4 of the above embodiment for the first network device (i.e., access network device): the communication unit 1001 and the processing unit 1002 in the communication device 1000 are both located within the first network device; or the communication unit 1001 is located within the DU of the first network device, and the processing unit 1002 is located within the CU of the first network device; or in the ORAN architecture, the communication unit 1001 is located within the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first network device, and the processing unit 1002 is located within the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first network device.

[0368] The communication unit 1001 receives a second configuration from a second network device, the second configuration including at least one configuration information; the processing unit 1002 is used to determine first configuration information, the first configuration information being associated with first location information of a terminal device.

[0369] When the communication device 1000 executes the second network device shown in FIG4 of the above embodiment: the processing unit 1002 is used to determine at least one configuration information; the communication unit 1001 sends a second configuration to the first network device; the second configuration includes at least one configuration information; the at least one configuration information is associated with at least one target area.

[0370] The above are just examples. The processing unit 1002 and the communication unit 1001 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4. It will not be repeated here.

[0371] When the communication device 1000 executes the first communication device shown in Figure 5 of the above embodiment: the communication unit 1001 is used to receive the first location information of the terminal device; the communication unit 1001 is also used to send the first configuration information, which is associated with the first location information; wherein, the first configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device; the processing unit 1002 is used to control the communication unit to perform sending / receiving and data processing, etc.

[0372] When the communication device 1000 executes the second communication device (access network device) shown in Figure 5 of the above embodiment: both the communication unit 1001 and the processing unit 1002 are located within the second communication device; or the communication unit 1001 is located within the DU of the second communication device, and the processing unit 1002 is located within the CU of the second communication device; or in the ORAN architecture, the communication unit 1001 is located within the O-DU and / or O-RU of the second communication device, and the processing unit 1002 is located within the O-CU and / or O-DU of the second communication device.

[0373] The communication unit 1001 is used to send first location information of the terminal device; the communication unit 1001 is also used to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being associated with the first location information and the first configuration information being associated with the quality of service of the terminal device. The processing unit 1002 is used to control the communication unit to perform sending / receiving and data processing, etc.

[0374] The above are just examples. The processing unit 1002 and the communication unit 1001 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5. It will not be repeated here.

[0375] Figure 11 shows a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device shown in Figure 11 can be a hardware circuit implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 10. This communication device 1100 can be applied to the flowcharts shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) in the above method embodiments or implementations. For ease of explanation, Figure 11 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0376] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 includes a communication interface 1101 and a processor 1102. The communication interface 1101 and the processor 1102 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1101 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1103 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1102, or storing input data required by the processor 1102 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1102 executes instructions.

[0377] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the methods shown in Figures 4-6, 8 and 9, the communication interface 1101 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1001, and the processor 1102 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1002.

[0378] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1101, processor 1102, and memory 1103. In Figure 11, the memory 1103, processor 1102, and communication interface 1101 are connected via a communication bus 1104, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 1104 can be divided into an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 11, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0379] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip, Figure 12 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the chip's device structure. The chip 1200 includes an interface circuit 1201 and one or more processors 1202. Optionally, the chip 1200 may also include a bus. Wherein:

[0380] Processor 1202 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the aforementioned communication method can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware of processor 1202 or through software instructions. Processor 1202 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0381] The interface circuit 1201 can be used to send or receive data, instructions or information. The processor 1202 can use the data, instructions or other information received by the interface circuit 1201 to process the data, instructions or other information, and can send the processed information out through the interface circuit 1201.

[0382] Optionally, the chip also includes memory 1203, which may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor. A portion of memory 1203 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0383] Optionally, the memory stores executable software modules or data structures, and the processor can execute corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (which may be stored in the operating system).

[0384] Optionally, the chip can be used in the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) involved in the embodiments or embodiments of this application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1201 can be used to output the execution result of the processor 1202. For the communication methods provided by one or more embodiments of this application, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] It should be noted that the functions of the interface circuit 1201 and the processor 1202 can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software; no restrictions are imposed here.

[0386] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods described in the above-described method embodiments or implementations, which are executed by a terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device).

[0387] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the method described in the above-described method embodiments or implementations, which is executed by the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device).

[0388] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method described above or the method executed by the terminal device / first network device / second network device (or first communication device / second communication device) in the implementation method embodiments.

[0389] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the communication method of the embodiments shown in Figures 4-6, 8, and 9.

[0390] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip corresponds to the receiving operation in the embodiments shown in Figures 4-6, 8, and 9, and the output of the chip corresponds to the transmitting operation in the embodiments shown in Figures 4-6, 8, and 9.

[0391] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0392] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory that stores computer programs or computer instructions.

[0393] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program in the embodiments shown in Figures 4-6, 8, and 9. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0394] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding communication method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0395] In this application, the communication devices may further include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0396] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0397] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in embodiments of this application, disks and discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital video discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically magnetically copy data, while discs optically copy data using lasers. The combinations above should also be included within the scope of protection for computer-readable media.

[0398] In summary, the above descriptions are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made based on the disclosure of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device or a chip of the terminal device, including: Determine the first location information of the terminal device; First configuration information is determined, which is associated with the first location information; wherein, the first configuration information is associated with the quality of service of the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the first configuration information includes: Based on the first location information and the first condition, the first configuration information is determined; the first condition is used to indicate the target area corresponding to at least one configuration information, and the at least one configuration information includes the first configuration information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first condition.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first condition includes information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first condition also includes one or more of the following: The first distance threshold, the second distance threshold, and information on reference points within the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information; Wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, wherein the reference point is a location point or location range within the target area.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of determining the first configuration information based on the first location information and the first condition includes: Based on the first location information and the first condition, the relationship between the first location and the target area is determined; The first configuration information is determined based on the relationship between the first location and the target area.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The relationship between the first location and the target area includes any one or more of the following: The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a first distance threshold; The distance between the first location and the reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the instruction information of the first configuration information to the first network device.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the first configuration information includes: Receive first information, which includes one or more of the following: The first configuration information and the indication information of the first configuration information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first location information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The configuration information includes one or more of the following: The configuration information for Quality of Service (QoS) and the configuration information for the wireless data bearer corresponding to the QoS.

12. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The information about the target area includes one or more of the following: Longitude information, latitude information, altitude information; The longitude information includes: the starting and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; The latitude information includes: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; The height information includes: the starting position information and the ending position information of the height corresponding to the target area; and / or the length of the height range corresponding to the target area.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network device or a chip of the first network device, including: Receive a second configuration from a second network device, the second configuration including at least one configuration information associated with the quality of service of the terminal device; First configuration information is determined, and the first configuration information is associated with the first location information of the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The at least one configuration information is associated with at least one target region.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The second configuration also includes information about at least one part of the target area or information about all the target areas.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first condition is sent to the terminal device, the first condition being used to indicate the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first condition includes information about the target region corresponding to the at least one configuration information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first condition also includes one or more of the following: The first distance threshold, the second distance threshold, and information on reference points within the target area corresponding to the at least one configuration information; Wherein, the first distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and the boundary of the target area, and the second distance threshold is used to determine the distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference point within the target area, wherein the reference point is a location point or location range within the target area.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The configuration information for determining the first quality of service includes: Instruction information for receiving first configuration information from the terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The determination of the first configuration information includes: The relationship between the first location and the target area is determined based on the target area information corresponding to the first location information and the at least one configuration information; The first configuration information is determined based on the relationship between the first location and the target area.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first location information from the first terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The relationship between the first location and the target area includes one or more of the following: The first location is located within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information; The distance between the first location and the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than a first distance threshold; The distance between the first location and the reference point within the target area corresponding to the first configuration information is less than the second distance threshold.

23. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first information to the terminal device; the first information includes one or more of the following: The first configuration information and the indication information of the first configuration information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that, The configuration information includes one or more of the following: The configuration information for Quality of Service (QoS) and the configuration information for the wireless data bearer corresponding to the QoS.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that, The information about the target area includes one or more of the following: Longitude information, latitude information, altitude information; The longitude information includes: the starting and ending position information of the longitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the longitude range corresponding to the target area; The latitude information includes: the starting position information and ending position information of the latitude corresponding to the target area, and / or the length of the latitude range corresponding to the target area; The height information includes: the starting position information and the ending position information of the height corresponding to the target area; and / or the length of the height range corresponding to the target area.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Including processor and memory; The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions, and the processor is used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or performs the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 25.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a terminal device and a first network device; the terminal device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the first network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 25.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The device contains a computer program or instructions for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 25.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 25.

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