Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and an apparatus, which are used for satisfying business requirements of different businesses. A first service area identifier may correspond to a first service area, a first wireless resource and a first business flow, thus achieving binding of service areas, wireless resources and business flows. According to the received first service area identifier, a terminal may send a session request message to a core network element; the core network element may send a first request message to an access network device; on the basis of the first request message, the access network device may allocate to the terminal a wireless resource, such as a second wireless resource; the terminal may use the second wireless resource to carry data of the first business flow, such that the terminal may camp on the first service area of the access network device, and use the second wireless resource to send or receive the data of the first business flow, thereby providing heterogeneous services for different business flows, and satisfying business requirements of different terminals.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on November 14, 2023, with application number 202311523163.3 and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] Currently, network equipment provides homogenized services to terminals. That is, the service scope (or area) and resources of wireless resources are independent. The terminal can perceive the service scope but cannot simultaneously perceive the resources available within the service scope. Alternatively, the terminal can apply for available resources but cannot understand the service scope of the corresponding resources.

[0004] However, as business complexity and demands continue to increase, how to meet the business needs of different businesses has become an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus to meet the service requirements of different terminals and improve the service experience of the terminals.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a terminal, or by a chip or circuit configured in the terminal, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The method includes: receiving a first service area identifier from an access network device, sending a session request message to a core network element, receiving information from the access network device for allocating a second radio resource, and sending data of a first service flow to the access network device via the second radio resource, and / or receiving data of the first service flow from the access network device via the second radio resource. The first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports provision of a first radio resource within the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; the session request message is used to request establishment of a session, and the session is used to carry data of the first service flow; and the first radio resource includes the second radio resource.

[0009] Based on the method described in the first aspect, it can be seen that the first service area identifier can correspond to the first service area, the first wireless resource, and the first service flow, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resources, and service flow. The terminal can send a session request message to the core network element based on the received first service area identifier to request the establishment of a session that carries the data of the first service flow. The terminal can use the second wireless resource allocated by the access network device to carry the data of the first service flow. The first wireless resource includes the second wireless resource, so that the terminal can reside in the first service area of ​​the access network device and use the second wireless resource to send or receive the data of the first service flow. This can provide heterogeneous services for different service flows to meet the service needs of different terminals and improve the service experience of the terminal and the utilization of wireless resources.

[0010] In a possible design solution, the session request message includes the first service area identifier. In this way, the core network element can quickly and accurately determine that the service area identifier that needs to be verified is the first service area identifier.

[0011] In one possible design, before sending the session request message to the core network element, the method described in the first aspect may further include: receiving one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element. Sending the session request message to the core network element includes: sending the session request message to the core network element when the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element include the first service area identifier. The first application function network element is configured to provide the terminal with the service corresponding to the first service flow.

[0012] It can be understood that when the terminal enters the first service area, it can receive the first service area identifier, and when the terminal leaves the first service area, it cannot receive the first service area identifier. The terminal can match the service area identifier from the access network device with the service area identifier from the first application function network element to determine the first service area identifier, so that when the terminal enters the designated service area (such as the first service area), it can use its corresponding wireless resources (such as the first wireless resources) to carry the data of the service flow (such as the first service flow); when the terminal leaves the designated service area, it can no longer use the corresponding wireless resources to carry the data of the service flow, so that the on-demand allocation of wireless resources can be achieved, the allocation method is more flexible, and it can promote the emergence of more new business models.

[0013] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the first aspect may also include: receiving first information from a first application function network element, the first information being used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element correspond to a first business flow. In this way, when the terminal receives one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element, it can determine the correspondence between each service area identifier and the first business flow based on the first information, so that the terminal can select a suitable service area identifier according to its own business needs.

[0014] In one possible design scheme, before sending a session request message to the core network element, the method described in the first aspect may further include: receiving a second service area identifier from the access network device, sending a registration request message to the core network element, and receiving information for allocating a fourth wireless resource from the access network device, and communicating with the access network device through the fourth wireless resource. The second service area identifier is used to indicate the second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area, the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs; the third wireless resource includes a fourth wireless resource, and the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource is generated when the terminal is allowed to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs; and communicating with the access network device through the fourth wireless resource.

[0015] It can be understood that the second service area identifier corresponds to the second service area, the third wireless resource, and the terminal, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resource, and terminal. The terminal can send a registration request message to the access network device based on the received second service area identifier. The access network device forwards the registration request message to the core network element to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs. When the verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is passed, the core network element sends a second request message to the access network device. The access network device can allocate wireless resources, such as the fourth wireless resource, to the terminal based on the second request message. The terminal can communicate with the access network device using the fourth wireless resource allocated by the access network device, thereby enabling the terminal to access the second service area of ​​the access network device and communicate with the access network device using the fourth wireless resource. This can provide heterogeneous services for the terminal to meet the service requirements of different services of the terminal and improve the utilization of wireless resources.

[0016] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect may further include sending a registration request message to a core network element, when the terminal establishes a connection with an access network device. Specifically, the access network device forwards the registration request message from the terminal to the core network element. When the core network element permits the terminal to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs, the access network device allocates wireless resources to the terminal, thereby allocating resources on demand and avoiding resource waste.

[0017] In one possible design solution, the registration request message includes the second service area identifier. In this way, the core network element can quickly and accurately determine that the service area identifier requiring authorization verification is the second service area identifier.

[0018] In one possible design scheme, before sending a registration request message to the core network network element, the method described in the first aspect may also include: receiving one or more service area identifiers from a second application function network element, where the second application function network element is used to provide services to the terminal; sending a registration request message to the core network network element, including: when the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element include the second service area identifier, sending a registration request message to the access network device.

[0019] It can be understood that when the terminal enters the second service area, it can receive the second service area identifier, and when the terminal leaves the second service area, it cannot receive the second service area identifier. The terminal can match the service area identifier from the access network device with the service area identifier from the second application function network element to determine the second service area identifier, so that when the terminal enters the designated service area (such as the second service area), it can use its corresponding wireless resources (such as the third wireless resources) to communicate with the access network device; when the terminal leaves the designated service area, it can no longer use the corresponding wireless resources to communicate with the access network device, thereby realizing on-demand allocation of wireless resources, which is more flexible and can promote the emergence of more new business models.

[0020] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the first aspect may also include: receiving second information from a second application function network element, the second information being used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element correspond to the terminal. In this way, when the terminal receives one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element, it can determine the correspondence between each service area identifier and the terminal based on the second information, so that the terminal can select a suitable service area identifier according to its own business needs.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an access network device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the access network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device's functions. The method includes: sending a first service area identifier to a terminal, receiving a first request message from a core network element, and, based on the first service area identifier, sending information for allocating a second wireless resource to the terminal, and receiving data of a first service flow from the terminal via the second wireless resource; and / or sending data of the first service flow to the terminal via the second wireless resource. The first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports provision of a first wireless resource within the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; the first request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for a session of the terminal, the session being used to carry data of the first service flow; and the first wireless resources include second wireless resources.

[0022] Based on the method described in the second aspect, it can be seen that the first service area identifier can correspond to the first service area, the first wireless resource, and the first service flow, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resources, and service flows. The access network device can allocate wireless resources, such as the second wireless resource, to the terminal based on the first request message from the core network network element. The terminal can use the second wireless resource allocated by the access network device to carry data of the first service flow, so that the terminal can reside in the first service area of ​​the access network device and use the second wireless resource to send or receive data of the first service flow. The first wireless resource includes the second wireless resource, thereby providing heterogeneous services for different service flows to meet the service requirements of different services and improve the utilization of wireless resources.

[0023] In one possible design scheme, the first request message includes an identifier of the first service area, so that the access network device can quickly and accurately determine that the wireless resources to be allocated are the wireless resources corresponding to the identifier of the first service area.

[0024] In one possible design, before receiving the first request message from the core network element, the method described in the second aspect may further include: sending a second service area identifier to the terminal, receiving the second request message from the core network element, and sending information for allocating a fourth wireless resource to the terminal based on the second service area identifier, and communicating with the terminal via the fourth wireless resource. The access network device supports provision of a third wireless resource within the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal; the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources to the terminal; and the third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource.

[0025] In one possible design, the second request message includes a second service area identifier, so that the access network device can quickly and accurately determine that the wireless resources to be allocated are the wireless resources corresponding to the identifier of the second service area.

[0026] In one possible design scheme, before receiving the second request message from the core network network element, the method described in the second aspect may also include: when the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, sending a registration request message from the terminal to the core network network element, and the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered to the core network to which the core network network element belongs.

[0027] In one possible design solution, the registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

[0028] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the second aspect may also include: sending a first service area identifier to the first application function network element; and / or, sending a second service area identifier to the second application function network element, so that the access network device provides the first application function network element with the service corresponding to the first service area identifier, and provides the second application function network element with the service corresponding to the second service area identifier.

[0029] In addition, other technical effects of the communication method described in the second aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0030] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a core network element, or by a chip or circuit configured in the core network element, or by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the core network element. The method includes: receiving a session request message from a terminal; and upon successful verification of the terminal and a first service area identifier, sending a first request message to an access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier. The session request message is used to request the establishment of a session, the session being used to carry data of a first service flow corresponding to the first service area identifier; and the first request message is used to request the allocation of radio resources for the session.

[0031] Based on the method described in the third aspect, it can be seen that the first service area identifier can correspond to the first service area, the first wireless resource, and the first service flow, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resources, and service flow. The core network element can receive a session request message from the terminal for requesting the establishment of a session. When verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is successful, the core network element can send a first request message to the access network device to request allocation of wireless resources for the session, thereby enabling the terminal to reside in the first service area of ​​the access network device and use the wireless resources allocated by the access network device to send or receive data of the first service flow, thereby providing heterogeneous services for different service flows to meet the service requirements of different services and improve the utilization of wireless resources.

[0032] In one possible design, the session request message includes the first service area identifier.

[0033] In a possible design solution, the first request message includes a first service area identifier.

[0034] In one possible design, before receiving a session request message from a terminal, the method according to the third aspect may further include: receiving a registration request message from the terminal, and upon successful verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier, sending a second request message to the access network device. The registration request message is used to request registration of the terminal with the core network to which the core network element belongs, the terminal corresponding to the second service area identifier, and the second request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for the terminal.

[0035] In one possible design solution, the registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

[0036] In one possible design solution, the second request message includes a second service area identifier.

[0037] In addition, other technical effects of the communication method described in the third aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first application function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the first application function network element, or can also be executed by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the first application function network element. The method includes: receiving a first service area identifier from an access network device, and sending the first service area identifier to a terminal. The first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource within the first service area, the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow, and the first application function network element is used to provide the terminal with the service corresponding to the first service flow.

[0039] Based on the method described in the fourth aspect, it can be seen that the first application function network element can obtain the service corresponding to the first service area identifier provided by the access network device, and send the first service area identifier to the terminal to provide services for the first business flow of the terminal.

[0040] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the fourth aspect may also include: sending first information to the terminal, where the first information is used to indicate that the first service area identifier corresponds to the first business flow.

[0041] In addition, other technical effects of the communication method described in the fourth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a second application function network element, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second application function network element, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the second application function network element. The method includes: receiving a second service area identifier from an access network device, and sending the second service area identifier to a terminal. The second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area; the access network device supports the provision of a third wireless resource within the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, and the second application function network element is used to provide services to the terminal.

[0043] Based on the method described in the fifth aspect, it can be seen that the second application function network element can obtain the service corresponding to the second service area identifier provided by the access network device, and send the second service area identifier to the terminal to provide services to the terminal.

[0044] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the fifth aspect may further include: sending second information to the terminal, where the second information is used to indicate that the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal.

[0045] In addition, other technical effects of the communication method described in the fifth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to an access network device and a core network network element, the method comprising: the access network device sends a first service area identifier to a terminal, the first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource within the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; the core network network element receives a session request message from the terminal, the session request message is used to request the establishment of a session, the session is used to carry data of the first service flow, and the first service flow corresponds to the first service area identifier; when the verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is passed, the core network network element sends a first request message to the access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier, the first request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the session; the access network device sends information for allocating a second wireless resource to the terminal based on the first service area identifier; the access network device receives data of the first service flow from the terminal through the second wireless resource; and / or the access network device sends data of the first service flow to the terminal through the second wireless resource.

[0047] The technical effects of the communication method described in the sixth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication methods described in the first to fifth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a terminal, or by a chip or circuit configured in the terminal, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The method includes: receiving a second service area identifier from an access network device, sending a registration request message to a core network network element, and receiving information for allocating a fourth wireless resource from the access network device, and communicating with the access network device via the fourth wireless resource. The second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area, the second service area identifier corresponds to a terminal, the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs; the third wireless resource includes a fourth wireless resource, and the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource is generated when the terminal allows registration with the core network to which the core network element belongs.

[0049] In a possible design scheme, sending a registration request message to a core network element includes: when a connection is established between a terminal and an access network device, sending a registration request message to the core network element through the access network device.

[0050] In one possible design scheme, before sending a registration request message to the core network network element, the method described in aspect 7 may also include: receiving one or more service area identifiers from a second application function network element, where the second application function network element is used to provide services to the terminal; sending a registration request message to the core network network element, including: when the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element include a second service area identifier, sending a registration request message to the access network device.

[0051] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the seventh aspect may also include: receiving second information from a second application function network element, the second information being used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element correspond to the terminal.

[0052] The technical effects of the communication method described in the seventh aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an access network device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the access network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes: sending a second service area identifier to a terminal, receiving a second request message from a core network network element, and sending information for allocating a fourth wireless resource to the terminal based on the second service area identifier, and communicating with the terminal via the fourth wireless resource. The second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal; the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal; and the third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource.

[0054] In one possible design solution, the second request message includes a second service area identifier.

[0055] In one possible design scheme, before receiving the second request message from the core network network element, the method described in aspect 8 may also include: when the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, sending a registration request message from the terminal to the core network network element, and the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network network element belongs.

[0056] In one possible design solution, the registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

[0057] In a possible design scheme, the method described in aspect 8 may also include: sending the second service area identifier to the second application function network element.

[0058] The technical effects of the communication method described in the eighth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a core network element, or by a chip or circuit configured in the core network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the core network element. The method includes: receiving a registration request message from a terminal, and upon successful verification of the terminal and a second service area identifier, sending a second request message to an access network device. The registration request message is used to request registration of the terminal with the core network to which the core network element belongs, the terminal corresponding to the second service area identifier; and the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal.

[0060] In one possible design solution, the registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

[0061] In one possible design solution, the second request message includes a second service area identifier.

[0062] The technical effects of the communication method described in the ninth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to an access network device and a core network network element, the method comprising: the access network device sends a second service area identifier to a terminal, the second service area identifier being used to indicate a second service area; the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, and the second service area includes the first service area; the core network network element receives a registration request message from the terminal, the registration request message being used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network network element belongs; when verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is passed, the core network network element sends a second request message to the access network device, the second request message being used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal; the access network device receives the second request message from the core network network element, and based on the second service area identifier, sends information for allocating a fourth wireless resource to the terminal, the third wireless resource including the fourth wireless resource; the access network device communicates with the terminal through the fourth wireless resource.

[0064] In an eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a terminal, or by a chip or circuit configured in the terminal, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The method includes: sending a third service area identifier to a first access network device, receiving handover indication information from the first access network device, sending a first handover request message to a second access network device based on the handover indication information, receiving information from the second access network device for allocating a sixth wireless resource, and communicating with the second access network device via the sixth wireless resource. The third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports provision of a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; the handover indication information is used to instruct handover to a target cell, the target cell including the third service area; the first handover request message is used to request handover to the target cell; and the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource.

[0065] Based on the method described in the eleventh aspect, it can be known that the third service area identifier can correspond to the third service area and the fifth wireless resource, thereby enabling binding of the service area and the wireless resource. The terminal can send the third service area identifier that it wishes to access to the first access network device and receive handover indication information from the first access network device. The terminal can send a first handover request message to the second access network device based on the handover indication information to request handover to the target cell. The terminal can use the sixth wireless resource to communicate with the second access network device. The fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource, so that the terminal can switch to the target cell to which the second access network device belongs, and use the sixth wireless resource to communicate with the second access network device. This allows the terminal to switch from a wireless area with homogeneous service or a heterogeneous wireless area to another wireless area providing heterogeneous service, thereby meeting the service needs of different terminals and improving the service experience of the terminal and the utilization of wireless resources.

[0066] In a possible design, the switching indication information includes a third service area identifier. In this way, the terminal can quickly and accurately determine that the target cell to be switched belongs to the third service area corresponding to the third service area identifier.

[0067] In one possible design, the first switching request message includes a third service area identifier, so that the second access network device can quickly and accurately determine that the wireless resources to be allocated are the wireless resources corresponding to the identifier of the third service area.

[0068] In one possible design scheme, before receiving the switching indication information from the first access network device, the method described in the eleventh aspect may also include: receiving a third request message from the first access network device, and sending measurement information of at least one candidate cell to the first access network device. The third request message includes the identifier of at least one candidate cell corresponding to the third service area identifier; the third request message is used to instruct the terminal to report the measurement information of at least one candidate cell, and the at least one candidate cell includes a target cell. In this way, the terminal can perform signal measurement on the at least one candidate cell corresponding to the third service area identifier, and report the measurement information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine the target cell, such as the cell with the best signal quality among the candidate cells as the target cell, thereby improving the communication and service quality of the terminal.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the first access network device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device. The method includes: receiving a third service area identifier from a terminal, sending a second handover request message to a second access network device based on the third service area identifier, receiving a handover acceptance message from the second access network device, and sending handover indication information to the terminal. The third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports providing a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; the second handover request message includes the third service area identifier, the second handover request message is used to request that the terminal be handed over to a target cell, and the target cell includes the third service area; the handover acceptance message is used to indicate that the terminal is handed over to the target cell, and the handover indication information is used to indicate that the terminal is handed over to the target cell.

[0070] Based on the method described in aspect 12, it can be known that the third service area identifier can correspond to the third service area and the fifth wireless resource, thereby enabling binding of the service area and the wireless resource. The first access network device can send a second handover request message to the second access network device for requesting that the terminal be handed over to the target cell, and receive a handover acceptance message from the second access network device; the access network device sends handover indication information to the terminal based on the handover acceptance message for instructing handover to the target cell, thereby enabling the terminal to hand over from a wireless area providing homogeneous service, or a heterogeneous wireless area, to another wireless area providing heterogeneous service, so as to meet the service needs of different terminals and improve the service experience of the terminal and the utilization rate of wireless resources.

[0071] In one possible design scheme, the switching acceptance message includes a third service area identifier, so that the first access network device can quickly and accurately determine that the third service area is the service area identifier authorized by the core network network element, that is, the core network network element accepts the terminal switching to the target cell included in the third service area.

[0072] In a possible design scheme, after receiving the third service area identifier from the terminal, the method described in aspect 12 may further include: determining the target cell based on the third service area identifier. The first access network device may determine the target cell to which the terminal needs to switch based on the third service area identifier. For example, based on the third service area identifier, a third request message is sent to the terminal, measurement information of at least one candidate cell from the terminal is received, and the target cell is determined based on the measurement information of the at least one candidate cell. The third request message includes the identifier of at least one candidate cell corresponding to the third service area identifier; the third request message is used to instruct the terminal to report the measurement information of at least one candidate cell, and the at least one candidate cell includes the target cell.

[0073] In addition, the technical effects of the communication method described in the twelfth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the eleventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0074] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a second access network device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second access network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second access network device. The method includes: receiving a second handover request message from a first access network device, sending a handover accept message to the first access network device, receiving a first handover request message from a terminal, sending information for allocating a sixth wireless resource to the terminal, and communicating with the terminal via the sixth wireless resource. The second handover request message includes a third service area identifier, the third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports provision of a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; the second handover request message is used to request handover of the terminal to a target cell, the third service area including the target cell; the handover accept message is used to indicate that handover of the terminal to the target cell is permitted; the first handover request message is used to request handover to the target cell; and the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource.

[0075] Based on the method described in aspect 13, it can be known that the third service area identifier can correspond to the third service area and the fifth wireless resource, thereby realizing the binding of the service area and the wireless resource. The second access network device can receive the second handover request message from the first access network device and send a handover acceptance message to the first access network device to indicate that the terminal is allowed to switch to the target cell; the second access network device can receive the first handover request message from the terminal and allocate wireless resources to the terminal, such as the sixth wireless resource, and the terminal can use the sixth wireless resource to communicate with the second access network device. The fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource to enable the terminal to switch to the target cell to which the second access network device belongs and use the sixth wireless resource to communicate with the second access network device, thereby enabling the terminal to switch from a wireless area with homogeneous service or a heterogeneous wireless area to another wireless area providing heterogeneous service, so as to meet the service needs of different terminals and improve the service experience of the terminal and the utilization of wireless resources.

[0076] In a possible design solution, the handover accept message includes the third service area identifier.

[0077] In a possible design solution, the first switching request message includes a third service area identifier.

[0078] In one possible design scheme, before sending a switching acceptance message to the first access network device, the method described in aspect 13 may also include: when the fifth wireless resource includes idle wireless resources, determining that the terminal is allowed to switch to the target cell, that is, when the second access network device still has remaining wireless resources to meet the terminal access needs, the second access network device allows the terminal to switch to the target cell, so as to avoid resource conflicts and improve communication stability.

[0079] In addition, the technical effects of the communication method described in the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the eleventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0080] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first access network device and a second access network device, the method comprising: the first access network device receives a third service area identifier from a terminal, the third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports providing a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; the first access network device sends a second switching request message to the second access network device based on the third service area identifier, the second switching request message includes the third service area identifier, and the second switching request message is used to request that the terminal be switched to a target cell, and the target cell includes the third service area; the second access network device sends a switching acceptance message to the first access network device, and the switching acceptance message is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to switch to the target cell; the first access network device sends switching indication information to the terminal, and the switching indication information is used to indicate switching to the target cell; the second access network device receives a first switching request message from the terminal, and the first switching request message is used to request switching to the target cell; the second access network device sends information for allocating a sixth wireless resource to the terminal, and the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource; the second access network device communicates with the terminal through the sixth wireless resource.

[0081] The technical effects of the communication method described in the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication methods described in the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0082] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a module for executing the method described in any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. For example, the transceiver module is used to indicate the transceiver function of the communication device, and the processing module is used to perform functions of the communication device other than the transceiver function.

[0083] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect.

[0084] Optionally, the communication device described in aspect 15 may further include a storage module storing a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device may perform the method described in any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13.

[0085] It is understandable that the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect can be a terminal, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in a terminal, or a device including a terminal, or the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect can be a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in a network device, or a device including a network device, and this application does not limit this. It is understandable that the above-mentioned network device can be an access network device, a core network network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0086] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect 15 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in any possible implementation methods in aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute the method described in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects, the seventh to ninth aspects, and the eleventh to thirteenth aspects.

[0088] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in aspect 16 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 16 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0089] In one possible design, the communication device described in aspect 16 may further include a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately. The memory may be used to store the computer program and / or data involved in the method described in any of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device described in aspect 16 can be the terminal described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the terminal, or a device including the terminal, or the communication device described in aspect 16 can be a network device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in a network device, or a device including a network device, and this application does not limit this. It can be understood that the above-mentioned network device can be an access network device, a core network network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0091] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect 16 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, and will not be repeated here.

[0092] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13.

[0093] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in aspect 17 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 17 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0094] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device described in aspect 17 may be the terminal described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in the terminal, or a device including the terminal, or the communication device described in aspect 17 may be a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in a network device, or a device including a network device, and this application does not limit this. It can be understood that the above-mentioned network device may be an access network device, a core network network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0095] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect 17 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, and will not be repeated here.

[0096] In the eighteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the communication device executes the method described in any one of the implementation methods of the first to fifth aspects, the seventh to ninth aspects, and the eleventh to thirteenth aspects.

[0097] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in aspect 18 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 18 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device described in aspect 18 can be the terminal described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the terminal, or a device including the terminal, or the communication device described in aspect 18 can be a network device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in a network device, or a device including a network device, and this application does not limit this. It can be understood that the above-mentioned network device can be an access network device, a core network network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0099] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect 18 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in any one of the implementation methods in aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the access network device described in the second aspect and the core network element described in the third aspect.

[0101] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the access network device described in the eighth aspect and the core network element described in the ninth aspect.

[0102] In a twenty-first aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the first access network device described in the twelfth aspect and the second access network device described in the thirteenth aspect.

[0103] In aspect 22, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method described in any possible implementation method of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13.

[0104] In aspect 23, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5, aspects 7 to 9, and aspects 11 to 13. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture;

[0106] Figure 2 is a second schematic diagram of the 5G communication system architecture;

[0107] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a scenario supported by an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG6 is a second schematic diagram of a scenario supported by an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] FIG7 is a second flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] FIG8 is a third flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG9 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] FIG10 is a fifth flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG11 is a first structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] FIG12 is a second structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] 1. Fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system

[0118] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5G communication system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the 5G communication system may include: terminals, operator networks, and data networks (DN). The operator network includes the access network (AN) and the core network (CN). Logically, they can be divided into two parts: the user plane and the control plane. The control plane is responsible for managing the mobile network, and the user plane is responsible for transmitting service data. The NG2 reference point is located between the AN control plane and the CN control plane, the NG3 reference point is located between the AN user plane and the CN user plane, and the NG6 reference point is located between the CN user plane and the data network.

[0119] The terminal may be a terminal with transceiver functions, or may be a chip or chip system provided in the terminal. The terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a handheld device (handset), a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a smart home device (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), an intelligent robot, a robotic arm, a workshop equipment, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a roadside unit with terminal function, a roadside control unit (ROU), ... The terminal of the present application may also be an on-board module, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The terminal may also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, the terminal may also be a device that functions as a terminal in device-to-device communication (D2D).

[0120] The terminal is the entry point for users to interact with the network. It provides basic computing and storage capabilities, displays service windows to users, and accepts user input. Using air interface technologies, the terminal establishes signal and data connections with the AN, transmitting control signals and service data to the mobile network.

[0121] The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal. The device used to implement the terminal's functions can be a terminal; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0122] The AN implements access-related functions, providing network access for authorized users in a specific area and determining transmission links of varying quality for user data based on user level and service requirements. The AN forwards control signals and user data between terminals and the CN. The AN may include access network equipment, also known as radio access network (RAN) equipment.

[0123] The RAN device may be a device with wireless transceiver functions, or may be a chip or chip system provided in the device, located in the access network of the communication system, and used to provide access services to the terminal. For example, the access network device may specifically be an access network device in a next-generation mobile communication system, such as an access network device in a sixth-generation (5th generation, 6G) communication system, such as a 6G base station, or in the next-generation mobile communication system, the network device may also have other naming methods, all of which are included in the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this. Alternatively, the network device may include 5G, such as a gNB in ​​a new radio (NR) system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in 5G, or a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission and reception point (TRP or TP), or a transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), a radio unit (RU), an RSU with base station functions, a wired access gateway, or a 5G core network element. Alternatively, the network device may include an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, various types of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, and the like.

[0124] In other words, the AN is similar to a base station in a traditional network, deployed close to terminals. It provides network access for authorized users in a specific area and can determine transmission tunnels of varying quality to transmit user data based on user level and service requirements. The AN manages its own resources, utilizing them effectively, providing access services to terminals on demand, and forwarding control signals and user data between terminals and the CN.

[0125] The CN is primarily responsible for maintaining mobile network subscription data and providing terminal services such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication. It provides network authentication for terminals when they attach; allocates network resources when they request services; updates network resources when they move; provides a fast recovery mechanism when they are idle; and releases network resources when they detach. When they have service data, it provides data routing, such as forwarding uplink data to the DN; or receiving downlink data from the DN and forwarding it to the AN for delivery to the terminal.

[0126] A DN is a data network that provides business services to users. Typically, the client is located on the terminal, and the server is located on the data network. The data network can be a private network, such as a local area network (LAN), an external network not controlled by the operator, such as the internet, or a proprietary network jointly deployed by operators, such as the network that provides IMS services. There are no specific restrictions.

[0127] Figure 2 is a further refinement of the CN in the 5G communication system architecture based on Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the CN mainly includes the following network functions: user plane function (UPF), authentication server function (AUSF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), network slice selection function (NSSF), network exposure function (NEF), network function repository function (NRF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), application function (AF), as well as network slice-specific and SNPN authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), location management function (LMF), network data analytics function (NWDAF), short message service function (SMSF), and security anchor functionality (SEAF).

[0128] The core network control plane adopts a service-oriented architecture. Interactions between control plane network elements are based on service invocations, replacing the traditional point-to-point communication. In a service-oriented architecture, control plane network elements expose services to other control plane network elements for invocation. In point-to-point communication, the communication interface between control plane network elements uses a specific set of messages that can only be used by the control plane network elements at both ends of the interface.

[0129] Among them, UPF is mainly responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, billing, etc.). For example, UPF can receive user data from the data network (DN) and forward the user data to the terminal through the access network equipment. UPF can also receive user data from the terminal through the access network equipment and forward the user data to the DN. DN refers to the operator network that provides data transmission services to users. For example, the Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Service (IMS), the Internet, etc. DN can be an operator's external network or a network controlled by the operator, used to provide business services to the terminal.

[0130] The AMF is mainly responsible for access and mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0131] The SMF is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users and selecting the UPF that provides packet forwarding capabilities.

[0132] PCF primarily supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. PCF can provide policies to AMF and SMF, such as quality of service (QoS) policies and slice selection policies.

[0133] UDM can be used to manage user data, such as subscription data, authentication / authorization data, etc.

[0134] AF mainly supports interaction with CN to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0135] It is understandable that there may be other network elements in the 5G network. For example, the 5G network may also include an authentication service function (AUSF) network element, a sensing function (SF) network element, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0136] 2. Wireless resources

[0137] The definition of wireless resources includes scope and resources, which are described in detail below.

[0138] (1) Scope definition

[0139] A non-public network (NPN) is a network deployed for non-public purposes, such as a vertical vendor's network. NPNs can be deployed in two ways: a stand-alone non-public network (SNPN), which doesn't rely on traditional carrier networks, such as the public land mobile network (PLMN). A public network integrated non-public network (PNI-NPN), which requires the support of a PLMN, differs from an SNPN in that its resources are dedicated to it or allocated from a public network, such as a PLMN.

[0140] It is understood that the SNPN has a unique network identity (NID), which is completely independent of the public network identifier PLMN ID. The network side can add the NID to the broadcast message of the wireless air interface so that the terminal can receive the NID when entering the coverage area of ​​the SNPN and request access to the SNPN through the NID. It is understood that the above definition of the scope (or area) of wireless resources using NPN as an example is only an example, and the scope of wireless resources can also be defined in any other possible way without limitation.

[0141] (2) Definition of resources

[0142] Radio resource slicing can be defined in terms of quality of service (QoS) schemes, resource block (RB) reservation schemes, spectrum resource reservation schemes, and private network schemes. The QoS scheme can refer to sharing RB radio resources, providing differentiated services to private network users and general users in scheduling, meaning that private network users can be scheduled with priority over general users. The RB reservation scheme can refer to allocating the entire RB resource to private network users, preventing general users from occupying it, thereby achieving exclusive resource use. The spectrum resource reservation scheme can refer to allocating different carriers within the same base station to different users, allowing private network users to exclusively use the RB resources within independent carriers. The private network scheme can refer to allocating the entire carrier within a base station to private network users.

[0143] 3. Use of wireless resources

[0144] Currently, in order to support large-bandwidth applications, carrier aggregation (CA) technology has emerged in the fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication system, and dual connectivity (DC) technology across base stations and heterogeneous systems has emerged in the 5G mobile communication system, without limitation.

[0145] CA can be defined as aggregating multiple contiguous or non-contiguous component carriers (CCs) into a larger bandwidth, thereby improving spectrum resource utilization, increasing uplink and downlink rates, and providing a better user experience. Alternatively, within a base station, two or more carriers are aggregated into a single channel. During encoding, the base station can modulate the signals from the two carriers together and transmit them through this channel. During decoding, the base station can demodulate the signals from the two carriers separately.

[0146] DC can refer to aggregating the two carriers of two base stations to provide services to the terminal. Generally speaking, the connection capability between the two base stations, such as optical fiber or coaxial cable, also affects the selection of offloaded content. In short, regardless of the connection capability, the terminal bandwidth is improved.

[0147] It should be noted that the difference between DC and CA is that the two base stations in DC are scheduled independently, that is, the terminal must have two different medium access control (MAC) entities, one corresponding to base station A and the other corresponding to base station B; while all CCs in CA correspond to one MAC entity.

[0148] MC may refer to a connection mode in which the number of aggregated carriers is greater than dual connectivity, which can form multi-station, multi-path, and multi-flow access capabilities.

[0149] It can be understood that the specific introduction of the above CA, DC and MC can refer to the existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0150] Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network provides homogenized services to terminals. Therefore, the two definitions mentioned above are independent of each other. That is, the terminal can perceive the service scope but cannot simultaneously perceive the resources available within the service scope. Alternatively, the terminal can apply for available resources but cannot understand the scope of the corresponding resources.

[0151] However, with the increasing complexity and demands of services, such as business-to-business (2B) services and the application of higher spectrum resources (high-frequency resources have a limited service range, are not suitable for continuous coverage, and are generally used in hot spots), homogenized services cannot meet the business needs of terminals, resulting in a decline in the terminal's business experience.

[0152] In response to the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application propose the following technical solutions to meet the business needs of different terminals and improve the business experience of the terminals.

[0153] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0154] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, 4G, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future communication systems.

[0155] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application is first described in detail using the communication system shown in Figure 3 as an example. For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0156] As shown in Figure 3, the communication system mainly includes: terminals, access network equipment and core network elements. Optionally, it may also include application functions.

[0157] The communication system can be applied to the above-mentioned 5G architecture. Among them, there can be multiple access network devices, such as a first access network device, a second access network device, etc. The specific introduction of the terminal and the access network device can refer to the introduction of the above-mentioned related content and will not be repeated here. The core network network element can be the above-mentioned AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, etc., and the specific introduction can refer to the above-mentioned related introduction. Alternatively, the core network network element can also be a network element that implements the corresponding function in the future communication system, and there is no limitation on this. There can be multiple application functions, such as a first application function, a second application function, etc. The application function can be the above-mentioned AF, or an application server (app server). The application function can also be a network element that implements the corresponding function in the future communication system, and there is no limitation on this.

[0158] In a communication system, a first service area identifier may correspond to a first service area, a first wireless resource, and a first service flow, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resource, and service flow. A terminal may send a session request message to a core network element based on the received first service area identifier to request establishment of a session carrying data of the first service flow. If verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is successful, the core network element may send a first request message to an access network device. The access network device may allocate wireless resources, such as second wireless resources, to the terminal based on the first request message. The terminal may use the second wireless resources allocated by the access network device to carry data of the first service flow. The first wireless resources include the second wireless resources, enabling the terminal to reside in the first service area of ​​the access network device and use the second wireless resources to send or receive data of the first service flow. This allows heterogeneous services to be provided for different service flows, meeting the service requirements of different terminals and improving the terminal's service experience and wireless resource utilization.

[0159] It can be understood that the "network element" mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is only an exemplary expression, and "network element" can also be replaced by any possible expression, such as "network function", "entity" or "device", etc., without limitation.

[0160] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can also be replaced by the names of corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0161] It should be understood that FIG3 is only a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding, and the communication system may also include other devices and / or other network elements, which are not shown in FIG3 .

[0162] For ease of understanding, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 4 to 10.

[0163] For example, FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method is mainly applicable to communication between terminals, access network devices, and core network elements in the above-mentioned communication system. As shown in FIG4, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0164] S401: An access network device sends a first service area identifier to a terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first service area identifier from the access network device.

[0165] The first service area identifier may be used to indicate the first service area, and the access network device supports provision of the first wireless resource within the first service area. That is, the first service area identifier may correspond to the first service area and the first wireless resource. The first service area may be an area in which the access network device can provide services, or the signal coverage range of the access network device may include the first service area. For example, the first service area may be a wireless cell within the coverage range of the access network device signal, a TRP corresponding to the wireless cell, etc., without limitation.

[0166] The first wireless resource may be an RB, carrier frequency, frequency band, or carrier frequency provided by the access network device, or may be a wireless resource indicated by a quality of service class identifier (QCI), such as data traffic, without limitation. The access network device may be a macro base station, a small base station, or a micro base station, without limitation.

[0167] The first service area identifier corresponds to the first service flow, that is, the first service area identifier is a service flow-level service area identifier (flow service area identity, flow SAI), or the first service area identifier can be a service flow granularity (per flow), and the first service flow can be an IP five-tuple generated by the app client on the terminal, a data flow of a service, or a sub-flow in a data flow of a service. For example, when a service corresponds to multiple sub-flows of different modes, or corresponds to multiple sub-flows with different QoS requirements, the first service flow can be a sub-flow of one of the modes, or a sub-flow of one QoS requirement. For example, if the extended reality (XR) service includes a video stream and a voice stream, the first service flow can be a video stream and a voice stream, or a video stream or a voice stream, without limitation.

[0168] Optionally, the first service area identifier may also be a flow closed access group (flow CAG) at the service flow level, that is, CAG may be divided according to wireless resources, and flow CAG may correspond to the service area and wireless resources without limitation.

[0169] Therefore, the first service area identifier can correspond to the first service area, the first wireless resource and the first business flow, that is, the access network device can realize the binding of the first service area, the first wireless resource and the first business flow through the first service area identifier. The access network device can use the first wireless resource to provide services for the first business flow of the terminal within the first service area, that is, use the first wireless resource to transmit data of the first business flow.

[0170] Exemplarily, the terminal may receive the first service area identifier in the following manner, which is described in detail below.

[0171] Method 1: The terminal may receive the first service area identifier broadcast by the access network device. For example, when the terminal enters the first service area, the terminal may receive a wireless broadcast message through signal search. The wireless broadcast message may include the first service area identifier. That is, the first service area identifier may be carried in the wireless broadcast message, such as system information block (SIB) 3 or SIB4, without limitation.

[0172] Method 2: The terminal can receive the first service area identifier from the access network device through the connection between the terminal and the access network device. For example, when the terminal enters the first service area and the terminal has established a connection with the access network device, the access network device can send the first service area identifier to the terminal through the connection, and correspondingly, the terminal can receive the first service area identifier through the connection. The connection between the terminal and the access network device can be a radio resource control (RRC) connection, such as the RRC connection established between the terminal and the access network device when the terminal initially registers with the operator network. Exemplarily, the terminal can send the first service area identifier to the access network device through an RRC message, or downlink control information (DCI), etc., without limitation.

[0173] Exemplarily, the terminal may include: an operating system (OS), a modem (modem), a mobile terminal (MT), and an app client (app client). The terminal receiving the first service area identifier from the access network device may be that a modem in the terminal receives the first service area identifier from the access network device.

[0174] It should be understood that the terminal can receive one or more service area identifiers from the above-mentioned access network device, and the terminal can also receive multiple service area identifiers from multiple access network devices, without limitation. For ease of understanding, this embodiment of the application is described using the example of a terminal receiving the first service area identifier from the above-mentioned access network device, and will not be further described.

[0175] The above-mentioned naming of the first service area identifier, the first service area, the first wireless resource and the first business flow is only an example. The first service area identifier, the first service area, the first wireless resource and the first business flow can also be any other possible names without limitation.

[0176] S402: The terminal sends a session request message to a core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the session request message from the terminal.

[0177] Among them, the session request message can be used to request the establishment or modification of a session. For example, the session request message can be a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request message. In this case, the PDU session establishment request message can be used to request the establishment of a PDU session. The session request message can also be a PDU session modification request message. In this case, the PDU session modification request message can be used to modify a PDU session, without limitation. The session can be used to carry data of the first service flow, that is, the terminal can send a session request message to the core network element to request the establishment or modification of a session used to carry data of the first service flow.

[0178] Optionally, the session request message may include a first service area identifier. In this case, the core network element may determine that the session established or modified for the terminal carries data of the first service flow. It is understandable that the session request message may not include the first service area identifier. For example, if the terminal only receives one service area identifier through a broadcast of the wireless air interface, such as the first service area identifier mentioned above, the session request message may not include the first service area identifier. Alternatively, the core network element may select a service area identifier subscribed to by the terminal as the first service area identifier. This association relationship may be obtained from the contract data of the terminal during the terminal access authorization process. The contract data may be when a third-party service provider and the operator sign a contract for this service area service, or when the user of the terminal signs a service with the operator, the operator writes this service area identifier into the contract data of the terminal. There is no limitation.

[0179] It can be understood that the above-mentioned terminal only receives one service area identifier through the broadcast of the wireless air interface, which can be understood as: the terminal searches for a cell or TRP through the broadcast of the wireless air interface and only supports one service area identifier. At this time, the terminal only receives one service area identifier through the broadcast of the wireless air interface, such as the above-mentioned first service area identifier.

[0180] In one possible design, before the terminal sends the session request message to the core network element, the method may further include:

[0181] The first application function network element sends one or more service area identifiers to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element.

[0182] The terminal sends a session request message to the core network element, including: when the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element include the first service area identifier, the terminal sends the session request message to the core network element.

[0183] The first application function network element may be used to provide the terminal with a service corresponding to the first service flow, and the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element may be the service area identifiers corresponding to the first service flow. It is understood that the specific implementation process of the terminal receiving the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element can be referred to the relevant description of step S802 below and is not further described.

[0184] It should be understood that the terminal can match one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element with the service area identifier received by the terminal from the access network device in step S401 to determine the first service area identifier. It should be understood that the specific implementation process of the terminal determining the first service area identifier can be referred to the relevant description of step S804 below and is not repeated here.

[0185] It should be noted that if the terminal receives multiple service area identifiers from the access network device, the terminal will match the multiple service area identifiers from the access network device with the multiple service area identifiers from the first application function network element. At this time, multiple service flow-level service area identifiers may be determined. The terminal can send one or more session request messages to the core network network element to carry the multiple service area identifiers. The implementation principle is similar to the above-mentioned first service area identifier, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be elaborated on.

[0186] It will be understood that the naming of the above session request message is only an example, and the session request message may also be named in any other possible manner without limitation.

[0187] S403: If the terminal and the first service area identifier are successfully verified, the core network element sends a first request message to the access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first request message from the core network element.

[0188] It is understood that after receiving the session request message, the core network element will verify the terminal and the first service area identifier based on the session request message. For example, the core network element can verify the terminal and the first service area identifier based on the terminal's subscription data and the session request message; or the core network element can trigger an application function based on the session request message to verify the terminal and the first service area identifier. It is understood that the specific implementation of the core network element verifying the terminal and the first service area identifier can refer to the relevant description of step S805 below and is not repeated here.

[0189] The core network network element can send a first request message to the access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier to trigger the access network device to allocate wireless resources for the terminal's session. For example, the first request message can be used to request the allocation of wireless resources for the terminal's session, and the first request message can be a bearer context establishment request message; for another example, the first request message can also be a message indicating successful verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier, or the first request message can be a message for instructing the accepting terminal to establish the session, or the first request message can be a message for instructing the access network device to allocate wireless resources for the terminal's session, without limitation.

[0190] Optionally, the first request message may include a first service area identifier, that is, the core network network element sends the verified first service area identifier to the access network device, so that the access network device can allocate wireless resources in the first wireless resource to the terminal session based on the first service area identifier.

[0191] Optionally, if the verification of the terminal and / or the first service area identifier fails, the core network element may send a first verification failure message to the access network device, and the first verification failure message may be used to indicate that the verification of the terminal and / or the first service area identifier fails.

[0192] It can be understood that the naming of the above-mentioned first request message is only an example, and the first request message can also be named by any other possible means without limitation.

[0193] S404: The access network device sends information for allocating the second wireless resource to the terminal according to the first service area identifier. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the information for allocating the second wireless resource from the access network device.

[0194] The first radio resource includes the second radio resource, or in other words, the second radio resource is an idle radio resource in the first radio resource, and the idle radio resource may be an unused or unallocated radio resource in the first radio resource. The access network device may allocate the second radio resource to the session of the terminal based on the first radio resource corresponding to the first service area identifier, so that the terminal can send or receive data of the first service flow on the second radio resource.

[0195] It is understood that the access network device may further allocate a second radio resource to the terminal based on the first radio resource corresponding to the first service area identifier and the terminal's capability information. The terminal's capability information may include at least one of the following: whether the terminal supports carrier aggregation, whether the terminal supports dual connectivity, or whether the terminal supports multiple connectivity, without limitation.

[0196] The following describes in detail how the access network device allocates the second radio resource to the session, taking the following three methods as examples.

[0197] Mode a: The access network device may allocate the second radio resource for the session according to the QCI mode.

[0198] The access network device may correspond the first service area identifier to the QCI. When receiving the first service area identifier, the access network device schedules wireless resources for the terminal session according to the QCI method corresponding to the first service area identifier, such as the second wireless resources mentioned above. The QCI method may include: priority, guaranteed bit rate (GBR), non-GBR (nonGBR), etc., without limitation. It can be understood that the correspondence between the first service area identifier and the QCI can be pre-configured in the access network device, or the core network element can send it to the access network device when verifying the first service area identifier. For example, the correspondence between the first service area identifier and the QCI can be carried in the first request message, without limitation.

[0199] Mode b: the access network device may allocate the second radio resource according to the RB mode.

[0200] The access network device can correspond the first service area identifier to a certain RB. After the access network device receives the first service area identifier, the access network device can use the certain RB corresponding to the first service area identifier as the second wireless resource, that is, the first access network device can schedule all data of the first service flow to be carried on the RB.

[0201] Mode c: The access network device may allocate the second radio resource according to carrier frequency.

[0202] The access network device can correspond the first service area identifier to a certain carrier frequency. After the access network device receives the first service area identifier, the access network device can use the certain carrier frequency corresponding to the first service area identifier as the second wireless resource, that is, the first access network device can schedule all data of the first service flow to be carried on the carrier frequency.

[0203] For ease of understanding, the following introduction is made using an example in which the second wireless resource in the first wireless resource includes a first downlink radio link control (radio link control, RLC) link and a first uplink RLC link, wherein the first downlink RLC link can be used for the access network device to send data of the first service flow to the terminal, and the first uplink RLC link can be used for the access network to receive data of the first service flow from the terminal.

[0204] It can be understood that if the access network device receives the first verification failure message from the core network network element, at this time, the access network device may not need to allocate wireless resources to the terminal session, that is, the access network device does not need to send information for allocating second wireless resources to the terminal.

[0205] S405, the terminal sends data of the first service flow to the access network device via the second wireless resource; and / or, the terminal receives data of the first service flow from the access network device via the second wireless resource. Accordingly, the access network device receives data of the first service flow from the terminal via the second wireless resource; and / or, the access network device sends data of the first service flow to the terminal via the second wireless resource. That is, the terminal can use the second wireless resource to communicate with the access network device. For example, the terminal can send data of the first service flow to the access network device via the above-mentioned first uplink RLC link, and / or, the terminal can receive data of the first service flow from the access network device via the above-mentioned first downlink RLC link. That is, the access network device can schedule the uplink traffic of the first service flow to be carried by the first uplink RLC link, and schedule the downlink traffic of the first service flow to be carried by the first downlink RLC link.

[0206] In summary, the first service area identifier can correspond to the first service area, the first wireless resource, and the first service flow, thereby enabling binding of the service area, wireless resource, and service flow. The terminal can send a session request message to the core network element based on the received first service area identifier to request establishment of a session that carries the data of the first service flow. When verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is successful, the core network element can send a first request message to the access network device. The access network device can allocate wireless resources, such as the second wireless resource, to the terminal based on the first request message. The terminal can use the second wireless resource allocated by the access network device to carry the data of the first service flow. The first wireless resource includes the second wireless resource, so that the terminal can reside in the first service area of ​​the access network device and use the second wireless resource to send or receive the data of the first service flow. This can provide heterogeneous services for different service flows to meet the service needs of different terminals and improve the service experience of the terminal and the utilization of wireless resources.

[0207] In combination with the above embodiment, optionally, the above method may further include:

[0208] The access network device sends one or more service area identifiers to the first application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives one or more service area identifiers from the access network device.

[0209] It should be understood that the specific implementation of this process can refer to the relevant introduction of step S801 below and will not be described in detail.

[0210] Optionally, the above method may further include: the first application function sending the first information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first information from the first application function.

[0211] The first information is used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element correspond to the first service flow. Based on the indication of the first information, the terminal can determine that the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element are the service area identifiers corresponding to the first service flow. It is understood that the naming of the first information is merely an example, and the first information may also be named in any other manner, such as first indication information, without limitation.

[0212] Optionally, the service area identifier can also be defined in a structured manner. For example, the service area identifier can be composed of an area and a sequence number. The value of the area can indicate the service area corresponding to each service area identifier, and the value of the sequence number can indicate different wireless resources within the same service area. For example, if operator A has planned multiple different service areas or regions, different service areas can be represented by a length of 32 bits. At the same time, within a service area, different sequence numbers can be represented by a length of 16 bits. In this case, operator A can support 248 service area identifiers.

[0213] It should be understood that the service area identifier may also include an indication field, and the bit value of the indication field may indicate the category of the service area identifier, that is, whether the service area identifier is a service flow-level service area identifier or a user-level service area identifier, such as the second service area identifier described below. For example, the indication field may occupy 2 bits. When the indication field value is 00, the indication field may be used to indicate that the service area identifier is a service flow-level service area identifier; when the indication field value is 11, the indication field may be used to indicate that the service area identifier is a user-level service area identifier, without limitation.

[0214] It can be understood that the above-mentioned indication method of the category of the service area identifier is only an example, and the terminal may also determine the category of the service area identifier through any other possible method without limitation.

[0215] In one possible design, before the terminal sends the session request message to the core network element, the method may further include:

[0216] S406: The access network device sends a second service area identifier to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second service area identifier from the access network device.

[0217] The second service area identifier can be used to indicate the second service area, and the access network device supports providing the third wireless resource within the second service area. That is, the second service area identifier can correspond to the second service area and the third wireless resource. The second service area can be an area where the access network device can provide services, or the signal coverage range of the access network device can include the second service area. For example, the second service area can be a wireless cell within the coverage range of the access network device signal, a TRP corresponding to the wireless cell, etc., without limitation.

[0218] The third wireless resource may be an RB, carrier frequency, frequency band, or carrier frequency provided by the access network device, or may be a wireless resource indicated by the QCI, such as data traffic, without limitation. The access network device may be a macro base station, a small base station, or a micro base station, without limitation.

[0219] The second service area identifier can correspond to the terminal, that is, the second service area identifier is a user-level service area identifier (user SAI), or the second service area identifier can be user-level flow granularity (per UE), and any service or service flow on the terminal can use the service provided by the second service area identifier, for example, any app client on the terminal, or a service or service flow on the app client, etc., without limitation.

[0220] Therefore, the second service area identifier can correspond to the second service area, the third wireless resource, and the terminal. That is, the access network device can use the second service area identifier to implement the binding of the second service area, the second wireless resource, and the terminal. The access network device can use the second wireless resource to provide services to the terminal within the second service area, that is, use the second wireless resource to communicate with the terminal. It can be understood that the implementation method of the terminal receiving the second service area identifier from the access network device is similar to the method 1 in which the terminal receives the first service area identifier from the access network device in step S401 above. It can be referred to for understanding and will not be repeated here.

[0221] It should be understood that the terminal can receive one or more service area identifiers from the above-mentioned access network device, and the terminal can also receive multiple service area identifiers from multiple access networks, without limitation. For ease of understanding, this embodiment of the application is described using the example of a terminal receiving a second service area identifier from the above-mentioned access network device, and will not be further described.

[0222] In one possible design solution, the above method may further include:

[0223] S407: The terminal sends a registration request message to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the registration request message from the terminal.

[0224] The registration request message is used to request the terminal to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs. The registration request message may also be an RRC setup complete message or an initial user equipment message, etc., without limitation.

[0225] In one possible design solution, when a terminal establishes a connection with an access network device, the terminal sends a registration request message to a core network element through the access network device.

[0226] That is, when the terminal establishes an RRC connection with the access network device, the terminal can first send a registration request message to the access network device, and the access network device can then forward the registration request message to the core network network element. For example, the access network device can forward the above-mentioned registration request message, RRC establishment completion message, or initial user equipment message to the core network network element, without limitation.

[0227] Optionally, the registration request message may include a second service area identifier. In this case, the core network element may determine that verification is required for the second service area identifier. It is understandable that the registration request message may not include the second service area identifier. For example, if the terminal only receives one service area identifier through the broadcast of the wireless air interface, such as the second service area identifier mentioned above, the registration request message may not include the second service area identifier. Alternatively, the core network element may select a service area identifier contracted by the terminal as the second service area identifier. The association relationship may be obtained from the contract data of the terminal during the terminal access authorization process. The contract data may be when a third-party service provider signs a contract with the operator for this service area service, or when the user of the terminal signs a service with the operator, the operator writes the service area identifier into the contract data of the terminal. There is no limitation.

[0228] It can be understood that the above-mentioned terminal only receives one service area identifier through the broadcast of the wireless air interface, which can be understood as: the terminal searches for the cell or TRP through the broadcast of the wireless air interface and only supports one service area identifier. At this time, the terminal only receives one service area identifier through the broadcast of the wireless air interface, such as the above-mentioned second service area identifier.

[0229] In one possible design solution, before the terminal sends the registration request message to the core network element, the method may further include:

[0230] The second application function network element sends one or more service area identifiers to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives one or more service areas from the second application function network element.

[0231] The terminal sends a registration request message to the core network element, including: when the terminal receives one or more service area identifiers including the second service area identifier from the second application function network element, sending the registration request message to the access network device.

[0232] The second application function network element may be used to provide services for the terminal, and the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element may be service area identifiers corresponding to the terminal. It is understood that the specific implementation process of the terminal receiving the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element can be referred to the relevant description of step S802 below and is not repeated here.

[0233] It should be noted that if the terminal receives multiple service area identifiers from the access network device, the terminal will match the multiple service area identifiers from the access network device with the multiple service area identifiers from the second application function network element. At this time, multiple user-level service area identifiers may be determined. The terminal can select a service area identifier from the multiple user-level service area identifiers as the second service area identifier. For example, the second service area identifier can be the service area identifier with the highest priority among the multiple user-level service area identifiers, etc., without limitation.

[0234] It should be understood that the second application function and the above-mentioned first application function can be the same application function or different application functions, without limitation.

[0235] It will be understood that the naming of the above registration request message is only an example, and the registration request message may also be named in any other possible manner without limitation.

[0236] In one possible design solution, the above method may further include:

[0237] S408: If the terminal and the second service area identifier are successfully verified, the core network element sends a second request message to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second request message from the core network element.

[0238] It is understood that after receiving the registration request message, the core network element will verify the registration request message. For example, the core network element may verify the terminal and the second service area identifier based on the terminal's subscription data and the registration request message; or the core network element may trigger an application function based on the session request message to verify the terminal and the second service area identifier. It is understood that the specific implementation of the core network element verifying the terminal and the second service area identifier can be referred to the relevant description of step S805 below and is not repeated here.

[0239] The core network element may send a second request message to the access network device to trigger the access network device to allocate radio resources to the terminal. For example, the second request message may be used to request the allocation of radio resources to the terminal, and the second request message may be an initial context setup request message; for another example, the second request message may be a message indicating successful verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier, or the second request message may be a message indicating acceptance of the terminal's registration with the core network to which the core network element belongs, or the second request message may be a message instructing the access network device to allocate radio resources to the terminal, without limitation.

[0240] Optionally, the second request message may include a second service area identifier, that is, the core network network element sends the verified second service area identifier to the access network device so that the access network device can allocate wireless resources in the third wireless resource to the terminal based on the second service area identifier.

[0241] Optionally, if the verification of the terminal and / or the second service area identifier fails, the core network element may send a second verification failure message to the access network device, and the second verification failure message may be used to indicate that the verification of the terminal and / or the second service area identifier fails.

[0242] It can be understood that the naming of the above second request message is only an example, and the second request message can also be named by any other possible means without limitation.

[0243] In one possible design solution, the above method may further include:

[0244] S409: The access network device sends information for allocating the fourth wireless resource to the terminal according to the second service area identifier. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource from the access network device.

[0245] The third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource, or in other words, the fourth wireless resource is an idle wireless resource in the third wireless resource. The idle wireless resource can be an unused or unallocated wireless resource in the third wireless resource. The access network device can allocate the fourth wireless resource to the terminal based on the third wireless resource corresponding to the second service area identifier, so that the terminal can communicate with the access network device on the fourth wireless resource. It can be understood that the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource is generated when the terminal is allowed to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs. That is, after receiving the above-mentioned second request message, the access network device will generate information for allocating the fourth wireless resource.

[0246] It is understood that the access network device may further allocate a fourth radio resource to the terminal based on the third radio resource corresponding to the second service area identifier and the terminal's capability information. The terminal's capability information may include at least one of the following: whether the terminal supports carrier aggregation, whether the terminal supports dual connectivity, or whether the terminal supports multiple connectivity, without limitation.

[0247] The access network device may allocate a fourth radio resource to the terminal based on a QCI method, an RB method, or a carrier frequency method. This implementation process is similar to the implementation process of methods a to c in step S404 above, and can be understood with reference to it, and will not be described in detail. For ease of understanding, the following is an example in which the fourth radio resource in the third radio resource includes a second downlink RLC link and a second uplink RLC link, wherein the second downlink RLC link can be used by the access network device to send data to the terminal, and the second uplink RLC link can be used by the access network to receive data from the terminal.

[0248] It can be understood that if the access network device receives the second verification failure message from the core network network element, then the access network device may not need to allocate wireless resources to the terminal, that is, the access network device does not need to send information for allocating the fourth wireless resource to the terminal.

[0249] In one possible design solution, the above method may further include:

[0250] S410: The terminal communicates with the access network device via the fourth radio resource. Correspondingly, the access network device communicates with the terminal via the fourth radio resource.

[0251] For example, the terminal may send data to the access network device via the second uplink RLC link, and / or the terminal may receive data from the access network device via the second downlink RLC link. That is, the access network device may schedule uplink data traffic to be carried by the second uplink RLC link, and schedule downlink data traffic to be carried by the downlink RLC link.

[0252] Optionally, the above method may further include:

[0253] The access network device sends one or more service area identifiers to the second application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives one or more service area identifiers from the access network device.

[0254] It should be understood that the specific implementation of this process can refer to the relevant introduction of step S801 below and will not be described in detail.

[0255] Optionally, the above method may further include: the second application function sending second information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information from the second application function.

[0256] Among them, the second information is used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element correspond to the terminal. The terminal can determine, based on the indication of the second information, that the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element are the service area identifiers corresponding to the terminal. It can be understood that the naming of the second information is only an example, and the second information can also be any other possible naming, such as second indication information, etc., without limitation. It can be understood that the terminal can also determine the category of the service area identifier based on the indication field in the service area identifier. For example, if the indication field of the above-mentioned second service area identifier takes a value of 11, the terminal can determine that the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal.

[0257] It is understandable that the terminal may also determine the category of the service area identifier through any other possible method without limitation.

[0258] Therefore, according to the above steps S406 to S410, it can be seen that the second service area identifier corresponds to the second service area, the third wireless resource, and the terminal, thereby enabling binding of the service area, the wireless resource, and the terminal. The terminal can send a registration request message to the access network device based on the received second service area identifier. The access network device forwards the registration request message to the core network network element to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network network element belongs. If verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is successful, the core network network element sends a second request message to the access network device. The access network device can allocate wireless resources, such as the fourth wireless resource, to the terminal based on the second request message. The terminal can communicate with the access network device using the fourth wireless resource allocated by the access network device, thereby enabling the terminal to access the second service area of ​​the access network device and communicate with the access network device using the fourth wireless resource. This can provide heterogeneous services for the terminal, meet the service requirements of different services of the terminal, and improve the utilization of wireless resources.

[0259] For example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the scenario supported by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the wireless service area can be divided into an employee area and a VIP area. Different areas have different permissions. Users accessing different areas can obtain different wireless services. For example, the employee area, visitor area, event area and VIP area can correspond to different frequency bands respectively. Users accessing different areas can use different frequency bands to meet different business needs. For example, the access network equipment covering the VIP area can provide the FR2 frequency band, and the available carrier bandwidth of the frequency band is 400MHz. The VIP area corresponds to SAI#a, and SAI#a corresponds to FR2 and XR services; the access network equipment covering the employee area can provide the FR1 frequency band, and the available carrier bandwidth of the frequency band is 100MHz. The employee area corresponds to SAI#b, and SAI#b corresponds to FR1 and web browsing services. VIP users can access the employee area and the VIP area at the same time and enjoy wireless services in both areas. For example, when a VIP user is in the VIP area, he can use FR2 frequency band resources to transmit XR service data. At the same time, when a VIP user is in the VIP area or the employee area, he can use FR1 frequency band resources to transmit web browsing service data. However, when an employee is in the employee area, he can only use FR1 frequency band resources to transmit web browsing service data. That is, VIP users can access both areas, but employees can only access one area. This is because the SAIs corresponding to the VIP area and the employee area are different. This enables heterogeneous services to be provided for different service flows to meet the service needs of different terminals and improve the terminal service experience and wireless resource utilization.

[0260] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of scenarios supported by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, taking a school as an example, the school area is divided into a campus area, a teaching building area, an office building area, a cafeteria area, and a stadium area. Each area is defined with one or more user SAIs and / or one or more flow SAIs. For example, the campus area may correspond to user SAI#5; the teaching building area may correspond to user SAI#1, flow SAI#1, flow SAI#2, flow SAI#3, and flow SAI#4; the office building area may correspond to user SAI#1; the cafeteria area may correspond to user SAI#1, flow SAI#1, flow SAI#2, flow SAI#3, and flow SAI#4; and the stadium area may correspond to user SAI#3 and flow SAI#3. It will be understood that each of the above user SAIs and flow SAIs corresponds to a service area and a radio resource.

[0261] The AF can send the assigned service area identifiers to terminals used by different roles, such as teachers, students, and visitors, to associate SAIs with apps or service flows. For example, the AF can send user SAI#1, user SAI#5, flow SAI#1, flow SAI#2, flow SAI#3, and flow SAI#4 to teachers; user SAI#5, flow SAI#3, and flow SAI#4 to students; and user SAI#3, user SAI#5, and flow SAI#3 to students. These service area identifiers can be registered by apps and other services with the terminals through the OS or directly, enabling the terminals to perceive these service area identifiers.

[0262] When teachers, students and visitors are in the campus area, the terminals they use can perceive user SAI#5 received through air interface broadcast, and apply to reside in the service area corresponding to user SAI#5, and use the wireless resources corresponding to user SAI#5. This part of the wireless resources can support web browsing or some basic services; when teachers and students enter the teaching building area, the terminals they use can perceive flow SAI#3 and user SAI#5, and apply to reside in the service area corresponding to flow SAI#3 and / or user SAI#5, and use the wireless resources corresponding to flow SAI#3 and / or user SAI#5. This part of the wireless resources can support access to video content. At the same time, the terminal used by the teacher can also perceive flow SAI#1 and flow SAI#2, and apply to reside in the service area corresponding to flow SAI#1 and / or flow SAI#2, and use the wireless resources corresponding to flow SAI#1 and / or flow SAI#2. This part of the wireless resources can support virtual reality (virtual reality). reality, VR) / XR content; when a teacher enters the office building area, the terminal used by the teacher can sense user SAI#1, apply to reside in the service area corresponding to user SAI#1, and use the wireless resources corresponding to user SAI#1. This can achieve the isolation of the wireless resources corresponding to user SAI#1 used by the teacher from the wireless resources of user SAI#5 used by students and visitors, without interfering with each other. This can ensure that high-priority users have exclusive or exclusive use of wireless resources and obtain high-priority services. It can also provide heterogeneous services for different business flows to meet the business needs of different terminals, improve the terminal business experience and wireless resource utilization.

[0263] For example, FIG7 is a second flow diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is mainly applicable to communication between a terminal, a first access network device, and a second access network device in the above-mentioned communication system. As shown in FIG7 , the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0264] S701: A terminal sends a third service area identifier to a first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the third service area identifier from the terminal.

[0265] The third service area identifier is used to indicate the third service area, corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports provision of the fifth wireless resource within the third service area. That is, the third service area identifier corresponds to the third service area and the fifth wireless resource. The third service area may be an area where the second access network device can provide services, or the signal coverage range of the second access network device may include the third service area. For example, the third service area may be a wireless cell within the signal coverage range of the second access network device, or a TRP corresponding to the wireless cell, without limitation.

[0266] The fifth wireless resource may be an RB, carrier frequency, frequency band, or carrier frequency provided by the access network device, or may be a wireless resource indicated by the QCI, such as data traffic, without limitation. The access network device may be a macro base station, a small base station, or a micro base station, without limitation.

[0267] The third service area identifier may be a service area identifier that the terminal expects / hopes to access, or in other words, the terminal hopes to use the service provided by the third service area identifier, that is, the terminal hopes to access the third service area and use the fifth wireless resource.

[0268] Optionally, before the terminal sends the third service area identifier to the first access network device, the method may further include: the terminal determining the third service area identifier.

[0269] The following steps are used as an example for a detailed description: (1) the terminal obtains service area identifier set #1; (2) the terminal obtains service area identifier set #2; (3) the terminal matches or compares service area identifier set #1 with service area identifier set #2 to determine a service area identifier set to be determined. The terminal may determine one of the service area identifiers in the service area identifier set to be determined as the third service area identifier. It is understood that the specific implementation of the terminal determining the third service area identifier can refer to the relevant description of step S1001 below and is not repeated here.

[0270] It can be understood that the terminal can send the third service area identifier to the first access network device through the RRC reconfiguration process. For example, the terminal can send an RRC reconfiguration request message to the first access network device, and the RRC reconfiguration request message can carry the third service area identifier.

[0271] S702: The first access network device sends a second handover request message to the second access network device according to the third service area identifier. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the third service area identifier from the first access network device.

[0272] The second handover request message includes the third service area identifier and is used to request handover of the terminal to a target cell, where the target cell includes the third service area. That is, the first access network device requests, through the second handover request message, that the terminal be handed over to / accessed to the target cell to which the second access network device belongs.

[0273] In one possible design solution, after the first access network device receives the third service area identifier from the terminal, the above method embodiment may further include: the first access network device determining a target cell based on the third service area identifier.

[0274] Step 1: The first access network device sends a third request message to the terminal according to the third service area identifier. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third request message from the first access network device.

[0275] Among them, the third request message includes the identifier of at least one candidate cell corresponding to the third service area identifier, and the candidate cell is associated with the third service area identifier. It can be understood that the first access network device can communicate with other access network devices through the Xn interface, or the first access network device can obtain the service range or service area of ​​the cell to which other surrounding access network devices belong, as well as the corresponding service area identifier through pre-configuration. Therefore, the first access network device can determine one or more candidate cells associated with the third service area identifier based on the third service area identifier. The candidate cell may include the cell to which the first access network device belongs, as well as the cells to which other surrounding access network devices belong, without limitation. At least one candidate cell may include a target cell, or in other words, the target cell is one of at least one candidate cell.

[0276] The third request message can be used to instruct the terminal to report measurement information of at least one candidate cell, where the measurement information may include wireless information of each candidate cell in the at least one candidate cell, where the wireless information may characterize the wireless signal strength and quality of the candidate cell, etc. For example, the wireless information may include: reference signal receiving power (RSRP), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) of each candidate cell. It can be understood that the third request message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, such as the first RRC reconfiguration message, or any other possible parameter, without limitation.

[0277] Optionally, the third request message may include a third service area identifier, so that the terminal can clearly determine that the at least one candidate cell is a cell associated with the third service area identifier.

[0278] It can be understood that the naming of the third request message is only an example, and the third request message can also be named by any other possible means without limitation.

[0279] Step 2: The terminal sends measurement information of at least one candidate cell to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the measurement information of at least one candidate cell from the terminal.

[0280] The terminal can measure each of the at least one candidate cell based on the identifier of the at least one candidate cell to obtain radio information of each of the at least one candidate cell. It is understood that the process of the terminal measuring the candidate cell can refer to the existing technology and is not described in detail.

[0281] Step 3: The first access network device determines a target cell based on measurement information of at least one candidate cell.

[0282] The first access network device can select a candidate cell from the at least one candidate cell as a target cell based on the measurement information of the at least one candidate cell. For example, the target cell can be the cell with the best signal strength and signal quality, without limitation. It is understood that the target cell can be a neighboring cell of the first access network device, i.e., the cell to which the second access network device belongs. It is understood that the target cell determined by the first access network device based on steps 1 to 3 above can meet both the wireless signal strength requirements and the requirements for the terminal to access the service provided by the third service area identifier.

[0283] It can be understood that the naming of the second handover request message is only an example, and the second handover request message may also be named by any other possible means without limitation.

[0284] S703: The second access network device sends a handover acceptance message to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the handover acceptance message from the second access network device.

[0285] It can be understood that after the second access network device receives the second switching request message, the second access network device may verify the second switching request message, which is described in detail below.

[0286] In one possible design scheme, before the second access network device sends a switching acceptance message to the first access network device, the above method embodiment also includes: when the fifth wireless resource includes an idle wireless resource, the second access network device determines to allow the terminal to switch to the target cell.

[0287] That is, the second access network device can verify the second handover request message based on whether there are idle wireless resources in the fifth wireless resource. Idle wireless resources can be understood as unused or unallocated resources in the fifth wireless resource, and this part of resources can be called available capacity in the fifth wireless resource. If the second access network device determines that the available capacity in the fifth wireless resource can meet the access requirements of the terminal, the second access network device can send a handover acceptance message to the first access network device to indicate that the terminal is allowed to switch to the target cell. If the available capacity in the fifth wireless resource is A1, and the wireless resources required for the terminal to access the second access network device are B1, if A1 is greater than B1, the second access network device can allow the terminal to switch to the target cell.

[0288] It can be understood that the above naming of the handover accept message is only an example, and the handover accept message may also be named in any other possible way without limitation.

[0289] S704: The first access network device sends handover instruction information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the handover instruction information from the first access network device.

[0290] The handover indication information is used to indicate handover / access to a target cell, and the target cell includes a third service area.

[0291] After the first access network device receives the handover accept message, the first access network device may instruct the terminal to hand over to the target cell through an RRC reconfiguration process. The handover instruction information may be an RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the first access network device may send a second RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal to instruct the terminal to hand over to / access the target cell.

[0292] Optionally, the switching indication information may include a third service area identifier, that is, the first access network device may send the third service area identifier verified by the second access network device to the terminal, so that the terminal can clearly determine that the target cell requested to access / switch is the cell associated with the third service area identifier.

[0293] It can be understood that the above naming of the switching indication information is only an example, and the switching indication information can also be named in any other possible way without limitation.

[0294] S705: The terminal sends a first handover / access request message to the second access network device according to the handover indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the first handover / access request message from the terminal.

[0295] The first handover request message is used to request handover / access to the target cell. The terminal may send the first handover / access request message to the second access network device according to the instruction of the handover instruction information to request handover / access to the target cell.

[0296] S706: The second access network device sends information for allocating the sixth radio resource to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the information for allocating the sixth radio resource from the second access network device.

[0297] The fifth radio resource includes the sixth radio resource, or in other words, the sixth radio resource is an idle radio resource in the fifth radio resource, or an unused or unallocated resource in the fifth radio resource. The second access network device may allocate the sixth radio resource to the terminal based on the fifth radio resource corresponding to the third service area identifier, so that the second access network device communicates with the terminal on the sixth radio resource.

[0298] It is understandable that the second access network device may further allocate a sixth radio resource to the terminal in combination with the fifth radio resource corresponding to the third service area identifier and the terminal's capability information. The terminal's capability information may include at least one of the following: whether the terminal supports carrier aggregation, whether the terminal supports dual connectivity, or whether the terminal supports multiple connectivity, without limitation.

[0299] The second access network device may allocate a sixth radio resource to the terminal based on a QCI method, an RB method, or a carrier frequency method. This implementation process is similar to the implementation process of methods a to c in step S404 above, and can be referred to for understanding, and will not be described in detail. For ease of understanding, the following example is described in which the sixth radio resource in the fifth radio resource includes a third downlink RLC link and a third uplink RLC link. The third downlink RLC link can be used by the access network device to send data to the terminal, and the third uplink RLC link can be used by the access network to receive data from the terminal.

[0300] S707: The terminal communicates with the second access network device via the sixth radio resource. Correspondingly, the second access network device communicates with the terminal via the sixth radio resource.

[0301] For example, the terminal can use the third downlink RLC link to communicate downlink with the second access network device, and use the third uplink RLC link to communicate uplink with the second access network device, that is, the second access network device can schedule the uplink data traffic to be carried by the third uplink RLC link, and schedule the downlink data traffic to be carried by the third downlink RLC link.

[0302] It should be understood that the third service area mentioned above may be a service area identifier at a business flow level, or a service area identifier at a user level, without limitation.

[0303] In summary, the third service area identifier can correspond to the third service area and the fifth wireless resource, thereby enabling binding of the service area and the wireless resource. A terminal can send the identifier of the third service area it wishes to access to the first access network device. The first access network device can send a second handover request message to the second access network device to request handover of the terminal to the target cell. When the second access network device allows the terminal to handover to the target cell, the second access network device can send a handover accept message to the first access network device. The first access network device sends handover indication information to the terminal. The terminal, based on the handover indication information, can send a first handover request message to the second access network device to request handover to the target cell. The second access network device can allocate wireless resources, such as the sixth wireless resource, to the terminal based on the first handover request message. The terminal can use the sixth wireless resource to communicate with the second access network device. The fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource, enabling the terminal to handover to the target cell belonging to the second access network device and communicate with the second access network device using the sixth wireless resource. This allows handover from one wireless area providing homogeneous service, or one heterogeneous wireless area, to another wireless area providing heterogeneous service, thereby meeting the service requirements of different services and improving wireless resource utilization.

[0304] In combination with the above embodiment, optionally, the above method may further include: the first access network device sending a usage report to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the usage report from the first access network device.

[0305] The core network element sends a usage report to the application function or a third-party server, such as an app server. In return, the application function or the third-party server receives the usage report from the core network element.

[0306] Among them, the usage report may include the terminal's traffic usage on the first access network device. The application function or third-party server can charge the terminal based on the usage report. The specific implementation of this process can refer to the existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0307] The above describes the overall process of the communication method. The following uses the following scenario as an example to specifically introduce the communication method.

[0308] Scenario 1: Taking the terminal connection establishment process as an example, Figure 8 is a flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication method is applicable to the above-mentioned communication system, mainly involving the interaction between the UE (such as the above-mentioned terminal), the RAN (such as the above-mentioned access network equipment), the CORE network element (such as AMF, SMF, UPF, etc., with AMF being used as an example below), and AF#1 (such as the above-mentioned first application function).

[0309] S801, AF#1 obtains one or more service area identifiers corresponding to service flow #1.

[0310] Among them, AF#1 can be used to provide the terminal with the service corresponding to service flow #1.

[0311] Exemplarily, AF#1 obtains at least one service area identifier (SAI) corresponding to service flow #1 from the RAN. The at least one service area identifier corresponding to service flow #1 includes service area identifier #1 (denoted as flow SAI#1). Service area identifier #1 can be used to indicate service area #1, and the RAN supports provision of radio resource #1 within service area #1. It should be understood that service area identifier #1 can correspond to radio resource #1, service area #1, and service flow #1, so that the RAN can subsequently allocate some or all of the radio resources in radio resource #1 to a UE in service area #1 for transmitting data corresponding to service flow #1.

[0312] For example, the RAN can divide its service area and available radio resources, generate service area identifiers corresponding to the service area and radio resources, and associate service area identifier #1 with service flow #1 based on the service characteristics and requirements of service flow #1. Service area identifier #1 is then sent to AF#1, which provides service flow #1. For example, the RAN can support frequency band #1 (e.g., low frequency) and frequency band #2 (e.g., high frequency) within cell #1 and cell #2. In this case, the RAN can generate multiple service area identifiers, each corresponding to a different combination of cell and frequency band. For example, SAI#1 can correspond to cell #1 and frequency band #1; SAI#2 can correspond to cell #1 and frequency band #2; SAI#3 can correspond to cell #2 and frequency band #1; and SAI#4 can correspond to cell #2 and frequency band #2. Based on the radio resource and access area requirements of service flow #1, if service flow #1 requires radio resources in the low frequency band, AF#1 can send SAI#1 and SAI#3 to the UE.

[0313] Optionally, the service area identifier may also correspond to one or more of a service time period and a geographical location, indicating that the RAN broadcasts the service area identifier during the corresponding service time period and / or the corresponding geographical location. In this implementation, when the RAN sends service area identifier #1 to AF#1, it also sends service time period #1 and / or geographical location #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1 to AF#1.

[0314] It should be noted that service flow #1 can be a certain service, such as XR service, or service flow #1 can also be a service flow in a certain service with different service requirements or data transmission requirements. For example, the video stream and voice stream in the XR service can correspond to different SAIs without limitation.

[0315] S802, AF#1 sends one or more service area identifiers corresponding to service flow #1 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives one or more service area identifiers corresponding to service flow #1 from AF#1.

[0316] Among them, the one or more service area identifiers corresponding to service flow #1 may include service area identifier #1.

[0317] For example, the UE includes an OS, a modem, and an app client#1 of service flow#1. AF#1 may send one or more service area identifiers corresponding to service flow#1 to the app client#1 through an interface between AF#1 and the app client#1 of the UE.

[0318] If the service area identifier also corresponds to a service time period and / or a geographic location, AF#1 may send the service time period and / or geographic location corresponding to the service area identifier to the UE. App client#1 may allow users to obtain relevant information through a human-machine interface. For example, a game operator may notify game players of an event occurring at a specified time and location. If service area identifier #1 corresponds to service time period #1 and geographic location #1, AF#1 may notify the user of app client#1 that service area identifier #1 is available during service time period #1 and at geographic location #1.

[0319] If app client #1 receives information related to the service area identifier, such as a game player accepting an event occurring at a specified time and location, or receives a confirmation key command, which also triggers the acceptance of the relevant service area identifier #1, app client #1 can send the service area identifier #1 to the modem or mobile device through the OS or by directly calling an attention command (AT command) of the terminal, such as +C service area information (+CSAI). At this point, it can be considered that the UE or app client #1 has obtained the information of the wireless service area that needs to be perceived, or in other words, the UE or app client #1 can perceive the task of service area identifier #1.

[0320] It can be understood that the UE may include: an OS, a modem, an app client, such as the above-mentioned app client #1, and an MT.

[0321] Optionally, AF#1 may also send information #1 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives information #1 from AF#1.

[0322] Information #1 may be used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from AF #1 correspond to service flow #1.

[0323] S803: RAN sends service area identifier #1 to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives service area identifier #1 from RAN.

[0324] Exemplarily, the UE may receive the service area identifier #1 from the RAN in the following manner, which is described in detail below.

[0325] In one implementation, the UE may receive the service area identifier #1 broadcast by the RAN. For example, when the UE enters service area #1, the UE may receive a wireless broadcast message through signal search. The wireless broadcast message includes the service area identifier #1. That is, the service area identifier #1 may be carried in the wireless broadcast message, such as SIB3 or SIB4.

[0326] In another implementation, the UE may receive service area identifier #1 from the RAN via a connection between the UE and the RAN. For example, when the UE enters service area #1 and a connection has been established between the UE and the RAN, the RAN sends service area identifier #1 to the UE via the connection, and the UE receives service area identifier #1 accordingly via the connection. The connection between the UE and the RAN may be an RRC connection, such as the RRC connection established between the UE and the RAN when the UE initially registers with the operator's network. Exemplarily, the UE may send service area identifier #1 to the UE via an RRC message or DCI, without limitation.

[0327] Optionally, the modem in the UE may receive a service area identifier #1 from the RAN.

[0328] It is understood that the UE can receive one or more service area identifiers from a RAN, and the UE can also receive multiple service area identifiers from multiple RANs, without limitation. For ease of understanding, the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the example of the UE receiving a service area identifier (i.e., service area identifier #1) from a RAN.

[0329] S804: The UE sends a session request message to the AMF. In response, the AMF receives the session request message from the UE.

[0330] The session request message may be used to request the establishment or modification of a session, where the session is used to carry data of service flow #1.

[0331] The session request message may or may not include service area identifier #1. For example, if the terminal receives only one service area identifier, such as service area identifier #1, via a broadcast on the wireless air interface, the session request message may not include service area identifier #1. The fact that the terminal receives only one service area identifier via a broadcast on the wireless air interface can be understood as meaning that the terminal has searched for a cell or TRP through a broadcast on the wireless air interface and has found that the cell or TRP only supports one service area identifier. In this case, the terminal receives only one service area identifier, such as service area identifier #1, via a broadcast on the wireless air interface.

[0332] It can be understood that the above process may be that the terminal has registered with the network and then receives the service area identifier from the RAN, or the UE receives the service area identifier from the RAN during the initial registration process. The UE can perform the initial registration first and then send a session request message to the AMF after completing the initial registration.

[0333] Optionally, before the UE sends a session request message to the AMF, the UE may match the service area identifier received from AF#1 in step S802 with the service area identifier received from the RAN in step S803. When the service area identifier received from AF#1 and the service area identifier received from the RAN both include service area identifier #1, the UE may send a session request message to the AMF.

[0334] In one implementation, app client #1 corresponding to service flow #1 in the UE matches the service area identifier received from AF #1 with the service area identifier received from the RAN. For example, the modem can send the service area identifier #1 received from the RAN to app client #1 by calling an interface. App client #1 can then match or compare the service area identifier #1 with the service area identifier received from AF #1 to determine service area identifier #1.

[0335] For example, take service flow #1 as the video stream of the XR service on app client #1. At this time, if there is a service demand for the video stream of the XR service on app client #1, app client #1 can trigger the modem, network card, wireless network card, etc. to send a session request message to AMF to request to reside in the cell belonging to service area #1 and use wireless resource #1.

[0336] S805: AMF verifies the UE and service area ID #1 according to the session request message.

[0337] For example, AMF can be verified in the following two ways, which are described in detail below.

[0338] Method 1: AMF can perform verification based on the UE's subscription data and session request message.

[0339] For example, the AMF can obtain the UE's subscription data from the UDM based on the session request message and query whether the UE's subscription data contains the service area identifier #1. If the UE's subscription data contains the service area identifier #1, the AMF determines that the UE's authentication is successful; if the UE's subscription data does not contain the service area identifier #1, the AMF determines that the UE's authentication is unsuccessful. After AF#1 receives the service area identifier #1 from the RAN, AF#1 collaborates with the operator system, and the operator system saves the service area identifier #1 provided by AF#1 to the UE's subscription data and sends the updated subscription data to the UDM for storage.

[0340] Method 2: AMF triggers AF#1 to verify the UE based on the session request message.

[0341] For example, the AMF sends the service area identifier #1 and the UE identifier, such as the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN), in the session request message to AF#1, thereby triggering AF#1 to verify the service area identifier #1 and the UE identifier. For another example, the AMF sends a verification request message to AF#1, requesting AF#1 to verify the service area identifier #1 and the UE identifier, where the verification request message includes the service area identifier #1 and the UE identifier.

[0342] Exemplarily, AF#1 determines whether app client#1 and the UE it is in are allowed to use service flow #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1. If allowed, AF#1 sends a message to the AMF indicating successful authentication of the UE. If not allowed, AF#1 sends a message to the AMF indicating unsuccessful authentication of the UE. It is understood that the process by which AF#1 determines app client#1 may be as follows: when app client#1 registers with AF#1, AF#1 may store the correspondence between the UE identifier and app client#1. When AF#1 receives the UE identifier in a session request message, it may determine the corresponding app client#1 based on the UE identifier.

[0343] Optionally, AF#1 may locally store the identifiers of app client#1 and the UE to which it is located that are allowed to use service flow #1, or, after AF#1 receives flow SAI#1 corresponding to service #1 from the RAN, save the correspondence between flow SAI#1 and app client#1 that is allowed to use service flow #1. After AF#1 receives the service area identifier and UE identifier included in the session request message, it may determine whether app client#1 and the UE to which it is located are allowed to use service flow #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1.

[0344] It should be noted that AMF can jointly verify the session request message through the above-mentioned method 1 and method 2 without limitation.

[0345] S806: If the UE and service area identifier #1 are successfully verified, the AMF sends a request message #1 to the RAN to trigger the RAN to allocate radio resources for the UE's session. Accordingly, the RAN receives the request message #1 from the AMF.

[0346] For example, message #1 is a request message for requesting the RAN to allocate radio resources for the UE's session. Exemplarily, if the session request message is verified, the AMF sends request message #1 to the RAN. Request message #1 may be a bearer context request message.

[0347] For another example, request message #1 is a message indicating successful verification of the UE and service area identifier #1, or request message #1 is a message indicating acceptance of the UE establishing the session, or request message #1 is a message indicating instructing the RAN to allocate radio resources for the UE's session.

[0348] Optionally, the request message #1 includes a service area identifier #1.

[0349] It can be understood that after the UE and service area identifier #1 are verified, the AMF should first trigger the SMF to establish a session. The specific implementation process can refer to the relevant content of clause 4.3.2 of the technical standard (technical specification, TS) 23.502, which will not be repeated.

[0350] S807: The RAN sends information for allocating radio resources #A to the UE according to the service area identifier #1. Correspondingly, the UE receives the information for allocating radio resources #A from the RAN.

[0351] For example, the RAN allocates radio resource #A for the session to the UE based on radio resource #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1, where radio resource #1 includes radio resource #A. That is, the RAN may allocate radio resource #A to the UE based on radio resource #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1, for the UE to send or receive data for service flow #1 on radio resource #A. The RAN may further allocate radio resource #A to the UE based on radio resource #1 corresponding to service area identifier #1 and UE capability information, where the UE capability information includes at least one of the following: whether the UE supports carrier aggregation, whether the UE supports dual connectivity, or whether the UE supports multiple connectivity.

[0352] It can be understood that the wireless resource can be at least one of the following: QCI, RB, or carrier frequency, etc., without limitation.

[0353] For example, wireless resource #A may include downlink RLC link #1 and uplink RLC link #1. Downlink RLC link #1 may be used by the RAN to send data of service flow #1 to the UE, and uplink RLC link #1 may be used by the RAN to receive data of service flow #1 from the UE.

[0354] S808: The UE communicates with the RAN via radio resource #A. Correspondingly, the RAN communicates with the UE on radio resource #A.

[0355] The UE can send data for service flow #1 to the RAN via radio resource #A, and / or the UE can receive data for service flow #1 from the RAN via radio resource #A. For example, the UE can send data for service flow #1 to the RAN via uplink RLC link #1, and / or the UE can receive data for service flow #1 from the RAN via downlink RLC link #1. In other words, the RAN can schedule the uplink traffic of service flow #1 to be carried by uplink RLC link #1, and schedule the downlink traffic of service flow #1 to be carried by downlink RLC link #1.

[0356] Scenario 2: Taking the initial establishment process of the terminal as an example, Figure 9 is a flow chart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication method is applicable to the above-mentioned communication system, mainly involving the interaction between UE (such as the above-mentioned terminal), RAN (such as the above-mentioned access network equipment), CORE network elements (such as AMF, SMF, UPF, etc., AMF is taken as an example below), and AF#2 (such as the above-mentioned second application function). The method includes:

[0357] S901, AF#2 obtains one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE.

[0358] Among them, AF#2 can be used to provide services for the terminal.

[0359] Exemplarily, AF#2 may obtain at least one service area identifier (SAI) corresponding to the terminal from the RAN, wherein the at least one service area identifier corresponding to the terminal includes service area identifier #2 (denoted as user SAI#2). Service area identifier #2 may be used to indicate service area #2, and the RAN supports provision of radio resource #2 within service area #2. It should be understood that service area identifier #2 may correspond to radio resource #2, service area #2, and the UE, so that the RAN can subsequently allocate some or all of the radio resources in radio resource #2 to the UE in service area #2 for communication with the UE.

[0360] Optionally, the service area identifier may also correspond to one or more of a service time period and a geographical location, indicating that the RAN broadcasts the service area identifier during the corresponding service time period and / or the corresponding geographical location. In this implementation, when the RAN sends service area identifier #2 to AF#2, it also sends service time period #2 and / or geographical location #2 corresponding to the service area identifier to AF#2.

[0361] It should be noted that any service of the UE or any corresponding app client can access the cell belonging to service area #2 and use radio resource #2.

[0362] It should be understood that the implementation process of this process is similar to the implementation process of the above-mentioned step S801, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be repeated here.

[0363] S902, AF#2 sends one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE from AF#2.

[0364] The one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE may include service area identifier #2.

[0365] For example, the UE includes an OS, a modem, and an app client, such as app client#2 and app client#3. AF#2 can send one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE to app client#2 through an interface between AF#2 and app client#2 of the UE, and send one or more service area identifiers corresponding to the UE to app client#3 through an interface between AF#2 and app client#3 of the UE.

[0366] If the service area identifier also corresponds to a service time period and / or geographic location, AF#2 may send the service area identifier to the UE along with the service time period and / or geographic location corresponding to the service area identifier. App client#2 and app client#3 may allow users to obtain relevant information through a human-machine interface. For example, a gaming operator may notify game players of an event occurring at a specified time and location. If service area identifier #2 corresponds to service time period #2 and geographic location #2, AF#2 may notify the user of app client#2 that service area identifier #2 is available during service time period #2 and at geographic location #2.

[0367] If app client #2 receives information related to the service area identifier, such as a game player accepting an event occurring at a specified time and location, or receives a confirmation key command, and simultaneously triggers the acceptance of the related service area identifier #2, app client #2 can send the service area identifier #2 to the modem or mobile terminal through the OS or by directly invoking the terminal's AT command, such as +CSAI. At this point, it can be considered that the UE or app client #2 has obtained the information about the wireless service area to be perceived, or in other words, the UE or app client #2 can perceive the task of service area identifier #2. It is understood that the UE may include: an OS, a modem, and an app client, such as the aforementioned app client #2, app client #3, and mobile terminal.

[0368] Optionally, AF#2 may also send information #2 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives information #2 from AF#2.

[0369] Information #2 may be used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from AF #2 correspond to the terminal.

[0370] S903: RAN sends service area identifier #2 to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives service area identifier #2 from RAN.

[0371] The UE may receive the service area identifier #2 broadcast by the RAN. For example, when the UE enters service area #2, the UE may receive a wireless broadcast message through signal search. The wireless broadcast message includes the service area identifier #2. That is, the service area identifier #2 may be carried in the wireless broadcast message, such as SIB3 or SIB4.

[0372] Optionally, the modem in the UE may receive a service area identifier #2 from the RAN.

[0373] It is understood that the UE can receive one or more service area identifiers from a RAN, and the UE can also receive multiple service area identifiers from multiple RANs, without limitation. For ease of understanding, the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the example of the UE receiving a service area identifier from a RAN, namely, service area identifier #2.

[0374] S904: The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the registration request message from the UE.

[0375] Among them, the registration request message can be used to request that the UE be registered to the core network to which the AMF belongs.

[0376] The registration request message may or may not include service area identifier #2. For example, if the terminal receives only one service area identifier, such as service area identifier #2, via a broadcast on the wireless air interface, the registration request message may not include service area identifier #2. The fact that the terminal receives only one service area identifier via a broadcast on the wireless air interface can be understood as meaning that the terminal searches for a cell or TRP through a broadcast on the wireless air interface and finds that only one service area identifier is supported. In this case, the terminal receives only one service area identifier, such as service area identifier #2, via a broadcast on the wireless air interface.

[0377] Optionally, when the UE establishes an RRC connection with the RAN, the UE may first send a registration request message to the RAN, and the RAN then forwards the registration request message to the AMF.

[0378] Optionally, before the UE sends a registration request message to the AMF, the UE may match the service area identifier received from AF#2 in step S902 with the service area identifier received from the RAN in step S903. When the service area identifier received from AF#2 and the service area identifier received from the RAN both include service area identifier #2, the UE may send a registration request message to the AMF.

[0379] In one implementation, app client #2 of the UE may match the service area identifier received from AF #2 with the service area identifier received from the RAN. For example, the modem may send the service area identifier #2 received from the RAN to app client #2 by calling an interface. App client #2 may then match or compare the service area identifier #2 with the service area identifier received from AF #2 to determine service area identifier #2.

[0380] For example, when there is a business demand on the UE's app client #2, app client #2 can trigger the modem, network card, wireless network card, etc. to send a registration request message to the AMF to request registration to the core network to which the AMF belongs and use wireless resource #2. Afterwards, when there is a business demand on the UE's app client #3, the business on app client #3 can use wireless resource #2.

[0381] S905: AMF verifies the UE and service area identifier #2 according to the registration request message.

[0382] For example, AMF can be tested in the following two ways, which are described in detail below.

[0383] Method 3: AMF can perform verification based on the UE's subscription data and registration request message.

[0384] For example, the AMF can obtain the UE's subscription data from the UDM based on the registration request message and query whether the UE's subscription data contains service area identifier #2. If the UE's subscription data contains service area identifier #2, the AMF determines that the UE's authentication is successful; if the UE's subscription data does not contain service area identifier #2, the AMF determines that the UE's authentication is unsuccessful. The UE's subscription data is obtained after AF#2 receives the service area identifier #2 from the RAN. AF#2 collaborates with the operator system, and the operator system saves the service area identifier #2 provided by AF#2 to the UE's subscription data and sends the updated subscription data to the UDM for storage.

[0385] Method 4: AMF triggers AF#2 to verify the UE based on the registration request message.

[0386] For example, the AMF sends the service area identifier #2 and the UE identifier, such as the MSISDN, in the session request message to AF#2, thereby triggering AF#2 to verify the service area identifier #2 and the UE identifier. For another example, the AMF sends a verification request message to AF#2, requesting AF#2 to verify the service area identifier #2 and the UE identifier, where the verification request message includes the service area identifier #2 and the UE identifier.

[0387] Exemplarily, AF#2 determines whether app client#2 is the app client on the UE. If so, AF#2 sends a message to AMF indicating that the authentication of the UE is successful; if not allowed, AF#2 sends a message to AMF indicating that the authentication of the UE is unsuccessful.

[0388] Optionally, AF#2 may locally store an identifier indicating whether app client#2 is an app client on the UE, or, after receiving the user SAI#2 corresponding to the UE from the RAN, AF#2 may store the correspondence between user SAI#2 and app client#2 as an app client on the UE. After receiving the registration request message, AF#2 may determine that app client#2 is the app client on the UE. The process for AF#2 to determine app client#2 may be as follows: when app client#2 registers with AF#2, AF#2 may store the correspondence between the UE identifier and app client#2. When AF#2 receives the UE identifier in the session request message, it may determine the corresponding app client#2 based on the UE identifier, or in other words, that app client#2 is the app client on the UE.

[0389] It should be noted that the AMF can jointly verify the registration request message through the above-mentioned method 3 and method 4 without limitation.

[0390] S906: If the UE and service area identifier #2 are successfully authenticated, the AMF sends an Initial Context Setup Request message to the RAN to trigger the RAN to allocate radio resources to the UE. In response, the RAN receives the Initial Context Setup Request message from the AMF.

[0391] The initial context establishment request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for the UE.

[0392] The initial context establishment request message can also be replaced by: a message indicating that the verification of the UE and service area identifier #2 is successful, or a message indicating that the terminal is allowed to register with the core network to which the AMF belongs, or a message instructing the RAN to allocate radio resources to the UE.

[0393] Optionally, the initial context establishment request message may include service area identifier #2.

[0394] S907: The RAN sends information for allocating radio resources #B to the UE according to the service area identifier #2. Correspondingly, the UE receives the information for allocating radio resources #B from the RAN.

[0395] For example, the RAN allocates radio resource #B for the session to the UE based on radio resource #2 corresponding to service area identifier #2, where radio resource #2 includes radio resource #B. That is, the RAN may allocate radio resource #B to the UE based on radio resource #2 corresponding to service area identifier #2, for the UE to communicate with the RAN on radio resource #B. The RAN may further allocate radio resource #B to the UE based on radio resource #2 corresponding to service area identifier #2 and UE capability information, where the UE capability information includes at least one of the following: whether the UE supports carrier aggregation, whether the UE supports dual connectivity, or whether the UE supports multiple connectivity.

[0396] It can be understood that the wireless resource can be at least one of the following: QCI, RB, or carrier frequency, etc., without limitation.

[0397] For example, radio resource #B may include downlink RLC link #2 and uplink RLC link #2. Downlink RLC link #2 may be used for RAN to send data to UE, and uplink RLC link #2 may be used for RAN to receive data from UE.

[0398] S908: The UE communicates with the RAN on radio resource #B. Correspondingly, the RAN communicates with the UE on radio resource #B.

[0399] The UE can communicate uplink with the RAN via uplink RLC link #2, and / or the UE can communicate downlink with the RAN via downlink RLC link #2. That is, the RAN can schedule the UE's uplink traffic to be carried by uplink RLC link #2, and schedule the UE's downlink traffic to be carried by downlink RLC link #2.

[0400] Scenario 3: Taking the inter-station handover process of the terminal as an example, Figure 10 is a flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication method is applicable to the above-mentioned communication system, and mainly involves the interaction between UE (such as the above-mentioned terminal), RAN#1 (such as the above-mentioned first access network device), and RAN#2 (such as the above-mentioned second access network device). Assume that the UE has established a connection with RAN#1, and the UE needs to switch from the cell to which RAN#1 (source access network device, SRAN) belongs to to the cell to which another RAN (such as the following RAN#2, i.e., the target access network device, TRAN) belongs, which is described in detail below. The method includes:

[0401] S1001, UE determines service area identifier #3.

[0402] The UE determines the service area identifier #3, denoted as SAI#3, in the following steps, which are described in detail below.

[0403] (1) The UE obtains the service area identifier set #1.

[0404] Service area identifier set #1 may include one or more service area identifiers. The UE may obtain service area identifier set #1 by receiving messages from the RAN, such as RRC messages and DCI messages. The UE may also obtain service area identifier set #1 by receiving wireless broadcast information from one or more other RANs via wireless air interface broadcasts. This wireless broadcast information may include at least one service area identifier. It is understood that the UE is within the service range of the other RAN.

[0405] (2) The UE obtains the service area identifier set #2.

[0406] Service area identifier set #2 may include one or more service area identifiers. Service area identifier set #2 may be received by the UE from the AF, and the UE may store the received service area identifier set #2 locally. This embodiment of the application does not limit the time when the UE receives service area identifier set #2. The UE may receive service area identifier set #2 before establishing a connection with RAN #1, or the UE may receive service area identifier set #2 after establishing a connection with RAN #1. There is no limitation on this.

[0407] (3) The UE matches or compares the service area identifier set #1 with the service area identifier set #2 to determine the service area identifier set to be determined.

[0408] Among them, the service area identifiers in the service area identifier set to be determined belong to both service area identifier set #1 and service area identifier set #2. The service area identifier set to be determined may include one or more service area identifiers. Service area identifier set #3 is a service area identifier in the service area identifier set to be determined, denoted as SAI#3. Suppose SAI#3 corresponds to service area #3 and wireless resource #3.

[0409] It should be noted that SAI#3 can be a service area identifier at the service flow level or a service area identifier at the user level, without limitation.

[0410] S1002: UE sends service area identifier #3 to RAN#1. Correspondingly, RAN#1 receives service area identifier #3 from UE.

[0411] The UE may send the service area identifier #3 to the RAN #1 through the RRC reconfiguration process. For example, the UE may send an RRC reconfiguration request message #1 to the RAN #1, where the RRC reconfiguration request message #1 carries the SAI #3.

[0412] S1003: RAN#1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message #1 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration message #1 from RAN#1.

[0413] It is understandable that RAN#1 and other RANs can communicate with each other via an Xn interface, or RAN#1 can obtain the service range of cells belonging to other RANs and the SAI corresponding to other RANs through pre-configuration. Therefore, RAN#1 can determine at least one candidate cell based on SAI#3. The service range of the candidate cell may include service area #3, or in other words, the candidate cell is a cell associated with SAI#3. RRC reconfiguration message #1 can be used to instruct the UE to report radio information of at least one candidate cell. The radio information of the candidate cell may include signal strength and signal quality of the radio signal of the candidate cell.

[0414] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message #1 may include a service area identifier #3.

[0415] S1004: The UE sends a measurement report to RAN#1. Correspondingly, RAN#1 receives the measurement report from the UE.

[0416] The UE may measure radio information of at least one candidate cell according to the RRC reconfiguration message, generate a measurement report, and send the measurement report to RAN#1.

[0417] S1005, RAN#1 determines the target cell.

[0418] RAN#1 can select a candidate cell from the at least one candidate cell as a target cell based on the radio information of the at least one candidate cell. For example, the target cell can be the cell with the best signal strength and signal quality, without limitation. It is understood that the target cell can also be a cell belonging to a neighboring station of RAN#1, without limitation. For ease of understanding, the following description uses the target cell as the cell belonging to RAN#2 as an example, without limitation.

[0419] S1006: RAN#1 sends a handover request message #1 to RAN#2. Correspondingly, RAN#2 receives the handover request message #1 from RAN#1.

[0420] The handover request message #1 may include SAI #3, and the first handover request message is used to request handover / access of the UE to RAN #2.

[0421] S1007 , RAN#2 sends a handover acceptance message #1 to RAN#1.

[0422] After receiving the handover request message #1, RAN#2 verifies the handover request message #1. That is, RAN#2 can determine whether to allow the UE to access the target cell based on SAI#3. For example, RAN#2 can determine whether the available capacity of the radio resource #3 corresponding to SAI#3 can still meet the UE's access requirements. If RAN#3 determines that the available capacity of the radio resource #3 can still allow the UE to access, RAN#2 can send a handover accept message #1 to RAN#1 to allow the UE to switch / access RAN#2.

[0423] Optionally, the handover acceptance message #1 may include a service area identifier #3.

[0424] S1008: RAN#1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message #2 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration message #2 from RAN#1.

[0425] After receiving the handover accept message #1, RAN#1 may send an RRC reconfiguration message #2 to the UE to instruct the UE to handover / access the target cell to which RAN#2 belongs.

[0426] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message #2 may include SAI #3.

[0427] S1009 , the UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to RAN#2.

[0428] The RRC reconfiguration complete message may be used to request access / handover to RAN#2.

[0429] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may include SAI#3.

[0430] S1010: RAN#2 sends information for allocating radio resources #C to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives the information for allocating radio resources #C from RAN#2.

[0431] For example, the RAN allocates radio resource #C for the session to the UE based on radio resource #3 corresponding to service area identifier #3, where radio resource #3 includes radio resource #C. That is, the RAN may allocate radio resource #C to the UE based on radio resource #3 corresponding to service area identifier #3, for the UE to communicate with the RAN on radio resource #C. The RAN may further allocate radio resource #C to the UE based on radio resource #3 corresponding to service area identifier #3 and the UE's capability information, where the UE's capability information includes at least one of the following: whether the UE supports carrier aggregation, whether the UE supports dual connectivity, or whether the UE supports multiple connectivity.

[0432] It can be understood that the wireless resource can be at least one of the following: QCI, RB, or carrier frequency, etc., without limitation.

[0433] For example, radio resource #C may include downlink RLC link #3 and uplink RLC link #3. Downlink RLC link #3 may be used for RAN to send data to UE, and uplink RLC link #3 may be used for RAN to receive data from UE.

[0434] S1011: The UE communicates with RAN#2 on radio resource #C. Correspondingly, RAN#2 communicates with the UE on radio resource #C.

[0435] The UE can communicate uplink with RAN#2 via uplink RLC link #3, and / or the UE can communicate downlink with RAN#2 via downlink RLC link #3. That is, RAN#2 can schedule the UE's uplink traffic to be carried by uplink RLC link #3, and schedule the UE's downlink traffic to be carried by downlink RLC link #3.

[0436] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 4 to 10. The communication device for executing the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 11 and 12.

[0437] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11 , the communication device 1100 includes a transceiver module 1101 and a processing module 1102. For ease of illustration, Figure 11 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0438] The transceiver module 1101 is used to perform the transceiver function of the method shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7 , and the processing module 1102 is used to perform other functions of the method shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7 except the transceiver function.

[0439] Optionally, the transceiver module 1101 may include a sending module (not shown in FIG11 ) and a receiving module (not shown in FIG11 ). The sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device 1100 , and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device 1100 .

[0440] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 11 ) storing a program or instruction. When the processing module 1102 executes the program or instruction, the communication device 1100 may perform the functions of a terminal, an access network device (e.g., a first access network device, a second access network device), and / or a core network element in the method shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7 in the above method.

[0441] It is understood that the communication device 1100 can be a terminal or a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in a terminal or a network device, or a device including a terminal or a network device, and this application does not limit this. The above-mentioned network device can be an access network device, a core network network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0442] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 1100 can refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0443] Figure 12 is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a terminal, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be provided in a terminal. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 may include a processor 1201. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1202 and / or a transceiver 1203. The processor 1201 is coupled to the memory 1202 and the transceiver 1203, such as by a communication bus.

[0444] The following is a detailed introduction to the various components of the communication device 1200 in conjunction with FIG12 :

[0445] The processor 1201 is the control center of the communication device 1200 and can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1201 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0446] Optionally, the processor 1201 can execute various functions of the communication device 1200 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1202 and calling data stored in the memory 1202, such as executing the communication method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 7 above.

[0447] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1201 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG12 .

[0448] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1200 may also include multiple processors, such as the processor 1201 and the processor 1204 shown in FIG12 . Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0449] Among them, the memory 1202 is used to store the software program for executing the solution of this application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1201. The specific implementation method can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0450] Alternatively, the memory 1202 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 1202 may be integrated with the processor 1201 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1201 via an interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 12 ) of the communication device 1200. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0451] Transceiver 1203 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1200 is a terminal, transceiver 1203 can be used to communicate with a network device or another terminal. For another example, if communication device 1200 is a network device, transceiver 1203 can be used to communicate with a terminal or another network device. The network device can be an access network device, a core network element, or an application function network element, without limitation.

[0452] Optionally, the transceiver 1203 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in FIG12 ), wherein the receiver is used to implement a receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement a sending function.

[0453] Optionally, the transceiver 1203 can be integrated with the processor 1201, or can exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1201 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1200 (not shown in Figure 12). This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0454] It is understandable that the structure of the communication device 1200 shown in FIG12 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and an actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0455] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 1200 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0456] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0457] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0458] The embodiments of the present application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these solutions may also be used.

[0459] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0460] In the embodiments of the present application, "information", "signal", "message", "channel" and "signaling" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. "of", "corresponding, relevant" and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. In addition, the " / " mentioned in the present application can be used to represent an "or" relationship. It can be understood that in the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, explicit indication and implicit indication. When describing a certain indication information as being used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0461] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated, etc., or the information to be indicated can be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can also be achieved with the help of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (such as specified in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent.

[0462] The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. The transmission period and / or transmission timing of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific transmission method is not limited in this application. The transmission period and / or transmission timing of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting device through sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0463] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0464] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0465] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein simply describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A alone, A and B together, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, the character " / " as used herein generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects, but it may also indicate an "and / or" relationship. For specific understanding, please refer to the context.

[0466] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0467] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0468] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0469] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0470] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0471] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0472] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0473] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0474] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, the method comprising: receiving a first service area identifier from an access network device, where the first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource in the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; Sending a session request message to a core network element, where the session request message is used to request establishment of a session, where the session is used to carry data of the first service flow; receiving information for allocating a second wireless resource from the access network device, wherein the first wireless resource includes the second wireless resource; Sending data of the first service flow to the access network device through the second wireless resource; and / or, Receive data of the first service flow from the access network device through the second wireless resource.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The session request message includes the first service area identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Before sending the session request message to the core network element, the method further includes: receiving one or more service area identifiers from a first application function network element, where the first application function network element is used to provide the terminal with a service corresponding to the first service flow; The sending of the session request message to the core network element includes: sending the session request message to the core network element when the one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element include the first service area identifier.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive first information from the first application function network element, where the first information is used to indicate that one or more service area identifiers from the first application function network element correspond to the first service flow.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before sending the session request message to the core network element, the method further includes: receiving a second service area identifier from the access network device, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area, and the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, Sending a registration request message to the core network element, where the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs; Receive information for allocating a fourth wireless resource from the access network device, the third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource, and the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource is generated when the terminal is allowed to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs; communicate with the access network device through the fourth wireless resource.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The sending a registration request message to the core network element includes: When the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, the registration request message is sent to the core network element through the access network device.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: Before sending the registration request message to the core network element, the method further includes: receiving one or more service area identifiers from a second application function network element, where the second application function network element is used to provide a service for the terminal; The sending a registration request message to the core network element includes: In a case where the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element include the second service area identifier, the registration request message is sent to the access network device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received from the second application function network element, where the second information is used to indicate that the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element correspond to the terminal.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, the method comprises: Sending a first service area identifier to the terminal, where the first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource in the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; receiving a first request message from a core network element, wherein the first request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for a session of the terminal, The session is used to carry data of the first service flow; sending information for allocating a second wireless resource to the terminal according to the first service area identifier, where the first wireless resource includes the second wireless resource; receiving data of the first service flow from the terminal through the second wireless resource; and / or, The data of the first service flow is sent to the terminal via the second wireless resource.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first request message includes an identifier of the first service area.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: Before receiving the first request message from the core network element, the method further includes: sending a second service area identifier to the terminal, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area; the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource in the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, and the second service area includes the first service area; receiving a second request message from a core network element; the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal; sending information for allocating a fourth wireless resource to the terminal according to the second service area identifier, where the third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource; Communicate with the terminal via the fourth wireless resource.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second request message includes the second service area identifier.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that Before receiving the second request message from the core network element, the method further includes: When the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, a registration request message from the terminal is sent to the core network element, where the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending the first service area identifier to a first application function network element; and / or sending a second service area identifier to a second application function network element, wherein the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, and the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource within the second service area; the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, and the second service area includes the first service area.

17. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a core network element, the method comprises: receiving a session request message from a terminal, wherein the session request message is used to request establishment of a session, wherein the session is used to carry data of a first service flow, and wherein the first service flow corresponds to a first service area identifier; In a case where verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is passed, a first request message is sent to an access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier, where the first request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the session.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The session request message includes the first service area identifier.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The first request message includes the first service area identifier.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that Before receiving the session request message from the terminal, the method further includes: receiving a registration request message from the terminal, the registration request message being used to request that the terminal be registered with a core network to which the core network element belongs, the terminal corresponding to a second service area identifier; In the case that the verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is passed, a second request message is sent to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The second request message includes the second service area identifier.

23. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first application function network element, the method comprises: receiving a first service area identifier from an access network device, where the first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource in the first service area, the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow, and the first application function network element is used to provide a service corresponding to the first service flow for the terminal; The first service area identifier is sent to the terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first information to the terminal, where the first information is used to indicate that the first service area identifier corresponds to the first service flow.

25. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second application function network element, the method comprises: receiving a second service area identifier from an access network device, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area; the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource in the second service area, the second service area identifier corresponds to a terminal, and the second application function network element is used to provide a service for the terminal; The second service area identifier is sent to the terminal.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to the terminal, where the second information is used to indicate that the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal.

27. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device sends a first service area identifier to the terminal, where the first service area identifier is used to indicate a first service area, the access network device supports providing a first wireless resource in the first service area, and the first service area identifier corresponds to a first service flow; The core network element receives a session request message from the terminal, where the session request message is used to request establishment of a session, where the session is used to carry data of the first service flow, where the first service flow corresponds to the first service area identifier; When verification of the terminal and the first service area identifier is passed, the core network element sends a first request message to an access network device corresponding to the first service area identifier, where the first request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for the session; The access network device sends information for allocating a second wireless resource to the terminal according to the first service area identifier; The access network device receives data of the first service flow from the terminal via the second wireless resource; and / or the access network device sends data of the first service flow to the terminal via the second wireless resource.

28. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, the method comprising: receiving a second service area identifier from an access network device, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource in the second service area, and the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal; Sending a registration request message to a core network element, where the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs; receiving information for allocating a fourth wireless resource from the access network device, the third wireless resource including the fourth wireless resource, the information for allocating the fourth wireless resource being generated when the terminal is allowed to register with the core network to which the core network element belongs; Communicate with the access network device via the fourth wireless resource.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The sending of a registration request message to a core network element includes: When the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, the registration request message is sent to the core network element through the access network device.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that Before sending the registration request message to the core network element, the method further includes: receiving one or more service area identifiers from a second application function network element, where the second application function network element is used to provide a service for the terminal; The sending of a registration request message to a core network element includes: In a case where the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element include the second service area identifier, the registration request message is sent to the access network device.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received from the second application function network element, where the second information is used to indicate that the one or more service area identifiers from the second application function network element correspond to the terminal.

32. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, the method comprises: Sending a second service area identifier to the terminal, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource in the second service area, and the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal; receiving a second request message from a core network element, where the second request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for the terminal; sending information for allocating a fourth wireless resource to the terminal according to the second service area identifier; Communicate with the terminal via the fourth wireless resource.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that The second request message includes the second service area identifier.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that Before receiving the second request message from the core network element, the method further includes: When the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device, a registration request message from the terminal is sent to the core The core network element is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

36. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second service area identifier is sent to a second application function network element.

37. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a core network element, the method comprises: receiving a registration request message from a terminal, the registration request message being used to request that the terminal be registered with a core network to which the core network element belongs, the terminal corresponding to a second service area identifier; In the case that the verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is passed, a second request message is sent to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request allocation of wireless resources for the terminal.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The registration request message includes the second service area identifier.

39. The method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that The second request message includes the second service area identifier.

40. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device sends a second service area identifier to the terminal, where the second service area identifier is used to indicate a second service area, the access network device supports providing a third wireless resource in the second service area, the second service area identifier corresponds to the terminal, and the second service area includes the first service area; The core network element receives a registration request message from the terminal, where the registration request message is used to request that the terminal be registered with the core network to which the core network element belongs; When verification of the terminal and the second service area identifier is passed, the core network element sends a second request message to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request allocation of radio resources for the terminal; The access network device sends, to the terminal, information for allocating a fourth wireless resource according to the second service area identifier, where the third wireless resource includes the fourth wireless resource; The access network device communicates with the terminal through the fourth wireless resource.

41. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, the method comprising: Sending a third service area identifier to the first access network device, where the third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports providing a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; receiving handover indication information from the first access network device, where the handover indication information is used to indicate handover to a target cell, where the target cell includes the third service area; Sending a first handover request message to the second access network device according to the handover indication information, where the first handover request message is used to request handover to a target cell; receiving information for allocating a sixth wireless resource from the second access network device, wherein the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource; Communicate with the second access network device via the sixth wireless resource.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The switching indication information includes the third service area identifier.

43. The method according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that The first handover request message includes the third service area identifier.

44. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 43, characterized in that Before receiving the switching indication information from the first access network device, the method further includes: receiving a third request message from the first access network device, the third request message including an identifier of at least one candidate cell corresponding to the third service area identifier, the third request message being used to instruct the terminal to report measurement information of at least one candidate cell, the at least one candidate cell including the target cell; Send measurement information of the at least one candidate cell to the first access network device.

45. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access network device, the method includes: receiving a third service area identifier from a terminal, the third service area identifier being used to indicate a third service area, the third service area identifier corresponding to a second access network device, and the second access network device supporting provision of a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; Sending a second handover request message to the second access network device according to the third service area identifier, where the second handover request message includes the third service area identifier, and the second handover request message is used to request handover of the terminal to a target cell, where the target cell includes the third service area; receiving a handover acceptance message from the second access network device, where the handover acceptance message is used to indicate acceptance of handover of the terminal to the target cell; Sending switching indication information to the terminal, where the switching indication information is used to indicate switching to the target cell.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that The handover acceptance message includes the third service area identifier.

47. The method according to claim 45 or 46, characterized in that After receiving the third service area identifier from the terminal, the method further includes: The target cell is determined according to the third service area identifier.

48. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second access network device, the method comprises: receiving a second handover request message from the first access network device, where the second handover request message includes a third service area identifier, where the third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, where the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, where the second access network device supports providing a fifth radio resource within the third service area, where the second handover request message is used to request handover of the terminal to a target cell, and where the third service area includes the target cell; Sending a handover acceptance message to the first access network device, where the handover acceptance message is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to handover to the target cell; receiving a first handover request message from the terminal, where the first handover request message is used to request handover to the target cell; Sending information for allocating a sixth wireless resource to the terminal, where the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource; Communicate with the terminal via the sixth wireless resource.

49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that The handover acceptance message includes the third service area identifier.

50. The method according to claim 48 or 49, characterized in that The first handover request message includes the third service area identifier.

51. The method according to any one of claims 48 to 50, characterized in that Before sending the switching acceptance message to the first access network device, the method further includes: In a case where the fifth wireless resources include idle wireless resources, it is determined to allow the terminal to be handed over to the target cell.

52. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first access network device receives a third service area identifier from the terminal, where the third service area identifier is used to indicate a third service area, and the third service area identifier corresponds to the second access network device, and the second access network device supports providing a fifth wireless resource within the third service area; The first access network device sends a second handover request message to the second access network device according to the third service area identifier, the second handover request message includes the third service area identifier, and the second handover request message is used to request to handover the terminal to a target cell, and the target cell includes the third service area; The second access network device sends a handover acceptance message to the first access network device, where the handover acceptance message is used to indicate that the terminal is allowed to handover to the target cell; The first access network device sends handover indication information to the terminal, where the handover indication information is used to indicate handover to the target cell; The second access network device receives a first handover request message from the terminal, where the first handover request message is used to request handover to the target cell; The second access network device sends information for allocating a sixth wireless resource to the terminal, where the fifth wireless resource includes the sixth wireless resource; The second access network device communicates with the terminal through the sixth wireless resource.

53. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-26, claims 28-39, or claims 41-51.

54. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1-26, claims 28-39, or claims 41-51.

55. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: an access network device for executing the method according to any one of claims 10-16, and a core network element for executing the method according to any one of claims 17-22.

56. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: an access network device for executing the method as described in any one of claims 32-36, and a core network element for executing the method as described in any one of claims 37-39.

57. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: a first access network device for executing the method according to any one of claims 45 to 47, and a second access network device for executing the method according to any one of claims 48 to 51.

58. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-26, claims 28-39, or claims 41-51.

59. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-26, claims 28-39, or claims 41-51.

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