Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, used for solving the problem of conflicts between different switching processes. The method comprises: a terminal receives, from a network, information that the network does not support a first switching mode or that the terminal is allowed to perform path switching by using a second switching mode, so that the terminal performs switching from a first path to a second path by using the second switching mode on the basis of the information. In this way, control of the network over path switching of the terminal can be implemented, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching modes.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on January 19, 2024, with application number 202410082649.6 and application name "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] Handover supports the mobility of user equipment (UE). For example, when a UE moves between different radio access networks (RANs), handover enables the UE to switch from a RAN with poor channel conditions to a RAN with better channel conditions, providing better communication services for the user. Handover includes a handover process and a path switch process. The handover process is initiated by the network, while the path switch process is initiated by the UE. However, different handover processes may conflict with each other.

[0005] Therefore, how to avoid conflicts between different switching processes is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can solve the conflict problem of different switching processes.

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

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal.

[0009] The method includes: a terminal receiving first information from a network, the first information indicating that the network does not support a first switching mode, or indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths via a second switching mode; the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a radio access network device, and the second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the terminal; the first path is switched to a second path via the second switching mode based on the first information; the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and the second access network device. The switching path can also be understood as switching from a source RAN (first access network device) to a target RAN (second access network device). Exemplarily, the second switching mode is a path switch. It should be understood that the UE accesses the network via a first path, and the first path includes the first access network device and the access and mobility management network element. The first path may also include a user plane network element. In this embodiment, the first path may refer to a user plane path from the UE to the user plane network element via the first access network device. The first path may also be understood as the path along which the terminal is currently transmitting data.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the terminal receives the first information via a first path, or receives the first information via a path different from the first path. For example, the terminal receives the first information while registering with a network, and the path through which the terminal registers with the network can be the first path or another path.

[0011] It is understood that in the present application, the terminal in the first aspect and the following aspects can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a chip (system) that can be set in the terminal device. In other words, the communication method in the first aspect can be executed by the terminal device or by the chip (system) in the terminal device.

[0012] In the communication method provided based on the first aspect, information on switching the path using the second switching method is sent to the terminal through the network, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal's switching path, so that after receiving the information on switching the path using the second switching method, the terminal switches the path using the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0013] In one possible implementation, switching a first path to a second path through a second switching method based on first information includes: the terminal sending a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the second path, the session establishment request message or the session modification request message including a switching indication and an identifier of the first session, the switching indication being used to instruct switching of the first session transmitted through the first path to transmission through the second path; or the terminal sending a first request through the second path, the first request being used to request switching of the session transmitted through the first path to transmission through the second path. The switching indication and the identifier of the first session can achieve session-level switching, which can be understood as switching a specific session to another transmission path; or the first request can achieve path-level switching, which can be understood as switching all sessions on a particular path to another transmission path.

[0014] In one possible implementation, before switching the first path to the second path using the second switching method, the first path is switched to the second path using the second switching method if a first switching condition is met; the first switching condition is that the signal quality between the terminal and the first access network device falls below a first threshold. The first threshold can be configured on the first access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the first threshold, the terminal deems the path to the first access network device unsuitable, triggering a switch.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the radio access technology RAT corresponding to the first access network device is the first RAT, and the RAT corresponding to the second access network device is the second RAT; the first information indicates that the network does not support the first switching method, or indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch the path through the second switching method, including: the first information indicates that the network does not support switching between the first RAT and the second RAT through the first switching method, or indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch between the first RAT and the second RAT through the second switching method.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first information includes policy information, the policy information indicating priority access to an access network device corresponding to a first RAT type. The method further includes: switching the second path to the first path through a second switching method, where the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the RAT corresponding to the first access network device is the first RAT. By setting a higher priority RAT, the terminal is enabled to transmit data on the path corresponding to the higher priority RAT as much as possible, thereby ensuring a better communication experience for the user.

[0017] In one possible implementation, switching the second path to the first path through a second switching method includes: switching the second path to the first path through the second switching method when a second switching condition is met; the second switching condition is that the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device corresponding to the first RAT type is higher than a second threshold. When the terminal determines that the signal quality of the path corresponding to the RAT with a higher priority is higher than the second threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the RAT with a higher priority for data transmission. For example, the priority of the sixth generation (6th Generation, 6G) is higher than that of the fifth generation (5th Generation, 5G). When the terminal determines that the signal quality between the access network device corresponding to 6G is higher than the second threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to 6G for data transmission, thereby ensuring that the terminal transmits data on the path with a higher priority as much as possible. The second threshold can be configured by the access network device or locally configured by the terminal.

[0018] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an access and mobility management network element, or by a chip or circuit of the access and mobility management network element, but this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following description uses the method executed by the access and mobility management network element as an example.

[0019] The method includes: sending first information to a terminal, the first information indicating that the network does not support a first switching mode, or indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths via a second switching mode; the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a radio access network device, and the second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the terminal; receiving a first request sent by the terminal via a second path, the first request being used to request switching a session transmitted along the first path to transmission along the second path; the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and the second access network device. Switching can also be understood as switching from a source RAN (first access network device) to a target RAN (second access network device). Exemplarily, the second switching mode is a path switch. It should be understood that the UE accesses the network via the first path, which includes the first access network device and the access and mobility management network element. The first path may also include a user plane network element. In this embodiment, the first path may refer to a user plane path from the UE to the user plane network element via the first access network device. The first path may also be understood as the path along which the terminal is currently transmitting data.

[0020] In the communication method provided based on the second aspect, information about switching the path using the second switching method is sent to the terminal through the access and mobility management network element, thereby realizing network control over the terminal switching path, so that after receiving the information about switching the path using the second switching method, the terminal switches the session transmitted on the first path to the second path transmission through the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0021] In one possible implementation, before sending the first information to the terminal, the method further includes: determining the first information according to the configuration of the network management; or receiving the first information sent by the policy control network element or the data management network element. For example, the network management configures the access and mobility management network element not to support the first switching method, or the policy control network element or the data management network element sends a message to the access and mobility management network element allowing the terminal to switch paths through the second switching method. For another example, the network management configures the access and mobility management network element not to support switching between the first RAT and the second RAT through the first switching method, such as not supporting switching between the terrestrial network (TN) and the non-terrestrial network (NTN) through the first switching method, or not supporting switching between 5G and 6G through the first switching method.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first request is a session establishment request message or a session modification request message. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching instruction and an identifier of the first session. The switching instruction is used to instruct to switch the first session transmitted over the first path to be transmitted over the second path. The switching instruction and the identifier of the first session enable switching at a session granularity, which can be understood as switching a specific session to another transmission path.

[0023] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an access network device, or may be executed by a chip or circuit of the access network device, which is not limited in this application. For ease of description, the following description is based on an example of execution by an access network device.

[0024] The method includes: receiving switching policy information, the switching policy information indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second switching mode, the second switching mode being a switching mode initiated by the terminal; sending switching configuration information to the terminal according to the switching policy information, the switching configuration information being used for the terminal to switch paths through the second switching mode.

[0025] In the communication method provided based on the third aspect, information allowing the terminal to switch the path through the second switching mode is received through the access network device, thereby generating switching configuration information for the terminal to switch the path through the second switching mode, so that the terminal determines the switching condition for switching the path through the second switching mode according to the switching configuration information. When the switching condition is met, the terminal switches the session transmitted on the first path to the second path transmission through the second switching mode, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a first handover condition, which is used to switch paths using a second handover method when the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device falls below a first threshold. The first threshold can be configured on the access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the first threshold, the terminal determines that the path to the currently connected access network device is unsuitable, thereby triggering handover.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the switching configuration information also includes a second switching condition, which is used to switch back to the path corresponding to the access network device when the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device is higher than a second threshold. When the terminal determines that the signal quality of the path corresponding to the RAT with a higher priority is higher than the second threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the RAT with a higher priority to transmit data. For example, the priority of 6G is higher than that of 5G. When the terminal determines that the signal quality between the access network device corresponding to 6G is higher than the second threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to 6G to transmit data, thereby ensuring that the terminal transmits data on the path with a higher priority as much as possible. The second threshold can be an access network device configuration or a terminal local configuration.

[0028] In a possible implementation, first information is sent to the terminal, where the first information indicates that the network does not support a first switching mode, and the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a radio access network device.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the handover configuration information sent by the access network device to the terminal includes the first information.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first information is determined based on a configuration of a network management system; or the first information is received from an access and mobility management network element. For example, the network management system configures the access network device to not support the first switching method, or the access and mobility management network element sends a message to the terminal to allow the terminal to switch paths using a second switching method. For another example, the network management system configures the access network device to not support switching between the first RAT and the second RAT using the first switching method, such as not supporting switching between TN and NTN using the first switching method, or not supporting switching between 5G and 6G using the first switching method.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal.

[0032] The method includes: a terminal receives first information from a first network, the first information indicating that the first network does not support switching paths between the first network and the second network through a first switching mode, or indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths between the first network and the second network through a second switching mode; the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a wireless access network device, and the second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the terminal; according to the first information, the first path is switched to the second path through the second switching mode; the first path includes a connection between the terminal and a first access network device, the first access network device corresponds to the first network, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and a second access network device, the second access network device corresponds to the second network.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the terminal receives the first information via a first path corresponding to the first network, or receives the first information via a path different from the first path. For example, the terminal receives the first information while registering with the network, and the path through which the terminal registers with the network can be the first path or another path.

[0034] In the communication method provided based on the fourth aspect, information for switching the path between the first network and the second network using the second switching method is sent to the terminal through the network, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal's switching of paths between different networks, so that after receiving the information for switching the path using the second switching method, the terminal switches the path between different networks using the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0035] In one possible implementation, switching a first path to a second path through a second switching method based on first information includes: a terminal sending a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the second path, the session establishment request message or the session modification request message including a switching indication and an identifier of the first session, the switching indication being used to instruct switching the first session transmitted along the first path to be transmitted along the second path; or, the terminal sending a first request through the second path, the first request being used to request switching the session transmitted along the first path to be transmitted along the second path. The switching indication and the identifier of the first session can achieve session-level switching, which can be understood as switching a specific session on the first network to transmission on the second network; or the first request can achieve path-level switching, which can be understood as switching all sessions on the corresponding path of the first network to transmission on the corresponding path of the second network.

[0036] In one possible implementation, before switching the first path to the second path using the second switching method, the method further includes: switching the first path to the second path using the second switching method if a third switching condition is met; the third switching condition being that the signal quality between the terminal and the first access network device is lower than a third threshold. The third threshold can be configured on the first access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the third threshold, the terminal deems the path to the first access network device unsuitable, thereby triggering a switch.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first information includes policy information, the policy information indicating priority access to an access network device corresponding to the first network. The method further includes: switching the second path to the first path through a second switching method, the first path including a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, the network type corresponding to the first access network device being the first network. By setting a higher priority network, the terminal is enabled to transmit data on the path corresponding to the higher priority network as much as possible, thereby ensuring a better communication experience for the user.

[0038] In one possible implementation, switching the second path to the first path through the second switching method includes: when a fourth switching condition is met, switching the second path to the first path through the second switching method; the fourth switching condition is that the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device corresponding to the first network is higher than a fourth threshold. When the terminal determines that the signal quality of the path corresponding to the higher-priority network is higher than the fourth threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the higher-priority network to transmit data. For example, the priority of the first network is higher than that of the second network, and the terminal determines that the signal quality between the access network device corresponding to the first network is higher than the fourth threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the first network to transmit data, thereby ensuring that the terminal transmits data on the higher-priority path as much as possible. The fourth threshold can be configured by the access network device or locally configured by the terminal.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by an access and mobility management network element, or by a chip or circuit of the access and mobility management network element, but this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following description uses the method executed by the access and mobility management network element as an example.

[0040] The method includes: sending first information to a terminal, the first information indicating that the first network does not support path switching between the first network and the second network via a first switching mode, or indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths between the first network and the second network via a second switching mode; the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a radio access network device, and the second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the terminal; receiving a first request sent by the terminal via a second path, the first request being used to request switching a session transmitted along the first path to transmission along the second path; the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and the second access network device. The switching path can also be understood as switching from a source RAN (first access network device) to a target RAN (second access network device). Exemplarily, the second switching mode is a path switch. It should be understood that the UE accesses the network via the first path, and the first path includes the first access network device and the access and mobility management network element. The first path can also include a user plane network element. In this embodiment, the first path can refer to a user plane path from the UE to the user plane network element via the first access network device. The first path can also be understood as the path along which the terminal is currently transmitting data.

[0041] In the communication method provided in the fifth aspect, information is sent to the terminal through the access and mobility management network element to switch the path between the first network and the second network using the second switching method, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal switching the path between different networks, so that after receiving the information about switching the path using the second switching method, the terminal switches the session transmitted on the first network to the second network transmission using the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0042] In one possible implementation, before sending the first information to the terminal, the method further includes: determining the first information based on a configuration of a network management system; or receiving the first information sent by a policy control network element or a data management network element. For example, the network management configures the access and mobility management network element to not support path switching between the first network and the second network using the first switching method, or the policy control network element or the data management network element sends a message to the access and mobility management network element to allow the terminal to switch between the first network and the second network using the second switching method.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the first request is a session establishment request message or a session modification request message, which includes a switching instruction and an identifier of the first session. The switching instruction is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted along the first path to be transmitted along the second path. The switching instruction and the identifier of the first session can be used to implement session-level switching, which can be understood as switching a specific session on the first network to be transmitted along the second network. Alternatively, the first request can be used to implement path-level switching, which can be understood as switching all sessions on the corresponding path of the first network to the corresponding path of the second network for transmission.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an access network device, or may be executed by a chip or circuit of the access network device, which is not limited in this application. For ease of description, the following description is based on an example of execution by an access network device.

[0045] The method includes: receiving switching policy information, the switching policy information indicating that a terminal is allowed to switch paths between a first network and a second network through a second switching mode, the second switching mode being a switching mode initiated by the terminal; and sending switching configuration information to the terminal according to the switching policy information, the switching configuration information being used for the terminal to switch paths between the first network and the second network through the second switching mode.

[0046] In the communication method provided in the sixth aspect, information allowing the terminal to switch paths between the first network and the second network through a second switching method is received through an access network device, thereby generating switching configuration information for the terminal to switch paths through the second switching method, so that the terminal determines the switching conditions for switching paths through the second switching method according to the switching configuration information. When the switching conditions are met, the terminal switches the session transmitted on the first network to the second network transmission through the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a third handover condition, which is used to switch paths using the second handover method when the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device falls below a third threshold. The third threshold can be configured on the access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the third threshold, the terminal determines that the path to the currently connected access network device is unsuitable, thereby triggering handover.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the switching configuration information also includes a fourth switching condition, which is used to switch back to the path corresponding to the access network device when the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device is higher than a fourth threshold. When the terminal determines that the signal quality of the path corresponding to the network with a higher priority is higher than the fourth threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the network with a higher priority to transmit data. For example, the priority of the first network is higher than that of the second network. When the terminal determines that the signal quality between the access network device corresponding to the first network is higher than the fourth threshold, it switches to the path corresponding to the first network to transmit data, thereby ensuring that the terminal transmits data on the path with a higher priority as much as possible. The fourth threshold can be configured by the access network device or configured locally by the terminal.

[0049] In a possible implementation, first information is sent to the terminal, where the first information indicates that the network does not support switching paths between the first network and the second network in a first switching manner, where the first switching manner is a switching manner initiated by a radio access network device.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner, the handover configuration information sent by the access network device to the terminal includes the first information.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the first information is determined based on a configuration of a network management system; or the first information is received from an access and mobility management network element. For example, the network management system configures the access network device to not support switching paths between the first network and the second network using a first switching method, or the access and mobility management network element sends a message to the terminal to allow the terminal to switch paths between the first network and the second network using a second switching method.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device, or by a chip or circuit of the access network device, which is not limited in this application. For ease of description, the following description is based on an example of execution by an access network device.

[0053] The method includes: receiving switching policy information, the switching policy information indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second switching mode, the second switching mode being a switching mode initiated by the terminal; sending path switching indication information to the terminal according to the switching policy information, the path switching indication information being used for the terminal to switch paths through the second switching mode, the first path including a connection between the terminal and a first access network device, and the second path including a connection between the terminal and a second access network device.

[0054] Based on the communication method provided in the seventh aspect, the access network device receives policy information that allows the terminal to switch the path through the second switching method, and sends switching indication information to the terminal to instruct the terminal to switch the path through the second switching method, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal's switching path, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0055] In a possible implementation, sending path switching indication information to the terminal according to the switching policy information includes: determining to switch the first path of the terminal to the second path according to the switching policy information; and sending the path switching indication information to the terminal.

[0056] In one possible implementation, before determining to switch the terminal's first path to the second path based on the switching policy information, the method further includes: receiving a measurement report sent by the terminal, the measurement report including signal quality of a first cell corresponding to the first access network device, the signal quality of the first cell being lower than a first threshold corresponding to the second path switching method. The first threshold may be configured on the first access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the first threshold, the terminal deems the path to the first access network device unsuitable, thereby triggering a switch.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes a second cell identifier and corresponding signal quality, the signal quality of the second cell is higher than a second threshold, and the method further includes: sending the second cell identifier to the terminal, the second cell identifier indicating the cell information to which the terminal switches to the second path.

[0058] In a possible implementation, before sending the switching indication information to the terminal, the method further includes: determining the switching indication information according to the first information, where the first information indicates that the network does not support a first switching mode, and the first switching mode is a switching mode initiated by a wireless access network device.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first information is determined according to the configuration of the network management; or the first information is received from the access and mobility management network element. For related descriptions, please refer to the related descriptions of the third aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0060] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal.

[0061] The method includes: receiving path switching indication information through a first access network device; the terminal switches the first path to a second path through a second switching method according to the path switching indication information; the second switching method is a switching method initiated by the terminal, the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and the second access network device.

[0062] In the communication method provided based on the eighth aspect, switching indication information for switching the path using the second switching method is sent to the terminal through the network, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal's switching path, so that after receiving the path switching indication information, the terminal switches the path using the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0063] In one possible implementation, before receiving the path switching indication information via the first access network device, the method further includes: the terminal sending capability information indicating that the terminal supports path switching using the second switching method. The terminal sends the capability information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device determines that the terminal supports the second switching method.

[0064] In one possible implementation, a measurement report is sent to the first access network device, where the measurement report includes the signal quality of the first cell corresponding to the first access network device, the second cell identifier, and the corresponding signal quality; the second cell identifier is received, and switching is performed to the second cell of the second path according to the second cell identifier.

[0065] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device, or by a chip or circuit of the access network device, which is not limited in this application. For ease of description, the following description is based on an example of execution by an access network device.

[0066] The method includes: receiving switching policy information, the switching policy information indicating that a terminal is allowed to switch a path between a first network and a second network using a second switching mode, where the second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the terminal; and sending path switching instruction information to the terminal based on the switching policy information, the path switching instruction information being used by the terminal to switch the first path to a second path using the second switching mode, where the first path includes a connection between the terminal and a first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and a second access network device. The first access network device belongs to the first network, and the second access network device belongs to the second network.

[0067] In the communication method provided based on the ninth aspect, policy information allowing the terminal to switch paths between the first network and the second network through a second switching method is received through an access network device, and switching indication information instructing the terminal to switch paths through the second switching method is sent to the terminal, thereby realizing network control over the terminal switching path, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0068] In a possible implementation, sending path switching indication information to the terminal according to the switching policy information includes: determining to switch the first path of the terminal to the second path according to the switching policy information; and sending the path switching indication information to the terminal.

[0069] In one possible implementation, before determining to switch the terminal's first path to the second path based on the switching policy information, the method further includes: receiving a measurement report sent by the terminal, the measurement report including signal quality of a first cell corresponding to the first access network device, the signal quality of the first cell being lower than a first threshold corresponding to the second path switching method. The first threshold may be configured on the first access network device or locally on the terminal. When the signal quality falls below the first threshold, the terminal deems the path to the first access network device unsuitable, thereby triggering a switch.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes a second cell identifier and corresponding signal quality, the signal quality of the second cell is higher than a second threshold, and the method further includes: sending the second cell identifier to the terminal, the second cell identifier indicating the cell information to which the terminal switches to the second path.

[0071] In one possible implementation, before sending switching indication information to the terminal, the method also includes: determining the switching indication information based on the first information, the first information indicating that the network does not support switching paths between the first network and the second network through a first switching method, and the first switching method is a switching method initiated by a wireless access network device.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the first information is determined according to a configuration of a network management system; or the first information sent by an access and mobility management network element is received. For related descriptions, refer to the related descriptions of the third aspect above and will not be repeated here.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal.

[0074] The method includes: receiving path switching indication information through a first access network device, the first access network device corresponding to a first network; the terminal switching the first path to a second path through a second switching method according to the path switching indication information; the second switching method is a switching method initiated by the terminal, the first path includes a connection between the terminal and the first access network device, the second path includes a connection between the terminal and the second access network device, and the second access network device corresponds to the second network.

[0075] In the communication method provided based on the tenth aspect, path switching indication information is sent to the terminal through the network, thereby realizing the network's control over the terminal's switching path, so that after receiving the path switching indication information, the terminal switches the path through the second switching method, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0076] In a possible implementation, before receiving the path switching indication information through the first access network device, the method further includes: the terminal sending capability information, where the capability information indicates that the terminal supports switching the path between the first network and the second network through the second switching mode.

[0077] In one possible implementation, a measurement report is sent to the first access network device, where the measurement report includes the signal quality of the first cell corresponding to the first access network device, the second cell identifier, and the corresponding signal quality; the second cell identifier is received, and switching is performed to the second cell of the second path according to the second cell identifier.

[0078] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module for executing any of the communication methods described above, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to execute corresponding message sending and receiving actions, and the processing module is configured to execute all actions except sending and receiving messages.

[0079] Optionally, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device can execute any communication method executed by the terminal described above.

[0080] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module for executing any of the communication methods described above for the access and mobility management network element, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to execute corresponding message sending and receiving actions, and the processing module may be configured to execute all actions except sending and receiving information.

[0081] Optionally, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device can execute any communication method performed by the access and mobility management network element described above.

[0082] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module for executing any of the communication methods executed by the access network device described above, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to execute corresponding message sending and receiving actions, and the processing module is configured to execute all actions except sending and receiving information.

[0083] Optionally, the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device can execute any communication method executed by the access network device described above.

[0084] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, so as to enable the communication device to perform any communication method described above by the terminal.

[0085] In a possible design solution, the communication device may further include the memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately.

[0086] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, so as to enable the communication device to perform any communication method described above by the access and mobility management network element.

[0087] In a possible design solution, the communication device may further include the memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately.

[0088] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, so as to enable the communication device to perform any communication method described above by the access network device.

[0089] In a possible design solution, the communication device may further include the memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately.

[0090] In the seventeenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a terminal, the terminal being used to execute the methods in the above-mentioned first aspect, fourth aspect, eighth aspect and tenth aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0091] Optionally, the communication system further includes an access and mobility management network element, which is used to execute the method in the above-mentioned second aspect and fifth aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0092] Optionally, the communication system further includes an access network device, and the wireless access network device is used to execute the methods in the above-mentioned third aspect, sixth aspect, seventh aspect and ninth aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0093] Optionally, the communication system further includes a network management, a data management network element or a policy control network element for executing the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect or the fifth aspect above.

[0094] In the eighteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or code. When the computer program or code is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in any one of the above-mentioned aspects from the first to the tenth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0095] In the nineteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, and the processor being used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that a device equipped with the chip system executes the method in any one of the above-mentioned first to tenth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0096] The chip may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0097] In the twentieth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run on the computer, executes the method of any one of the above-mentioned aspects from the first to the tenth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of an application scenario 1 provided in this application;

[0100] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of an application scenario 2 provided in this application;

[0101] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a switching scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG5( a ) is a schematic diagram of a switching based on a first switching mode provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG5( b ) is a schematic diagram of switching based on a second switching mode provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0111] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0112] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0113] In a communication system, the part operated by an operator may be referred to as a public land mobile network (PLMN), or an operator network, etc. PLMN is a network established and operated by the government or an operator approved by it for the purpose of providing land mobile communication services to the public. It is mainly a public network in which mobile network operators (MNOs) provide mobile broadband access services to users. The PLMN described in the embodiments of the present application may specifically be a network that complies with the standards of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), referred to as a 3GPP network. 3GPP networks generally include but are not limited to 5G networks, 4th-generation mobile communication (4G) networks, and other future communication systems, such as 6G networks.

[0114] For ease of description, the embodiments of this application will be described using PLMN or 5G network as an example.

[0115] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture, taking the 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture (SBA) in a non-roaming scenario, as defined in the 3GPP standardization process, as an example. As shown in Figure 1 , the network architecture may include a terminal device component, a data network (DN) component, and a carrier network (PLMN) component. The carrier network PLMN component may include, but is not limited to, a (radio) access network (R)AN) 120 and a core network (CN) component.

[0116] The following is a brief description of the functions of the network elements in each part.

[0117] The terminal equipment portion may include UE 110, which is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. UE 110 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE). In this application, UE 110 is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can communicate with one or more CN devices via access network equipment (or access equipment) in (radio) access network (R)AN 120. UE 110 may also be referred to as an access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device. UE 110 may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water (e.g., on ships); or in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). UE 110 may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. Alternatively, UE 110 may also be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device, or other device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an unmanned aerial vehicle device, or a terminal in the Internet of Things, the Internet of Vehicles, a terminal of any form in a 5G network and future networks, a relay user device, or a terminal in a future evolved 6G network, etc. Among them, the relay user device may be, for example, a 5G residential gateway (RG). For example, UE 110 may be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. The terminal device here refers to a 3GPP terminal. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type or category of the terminal device. For ease of explanation, the present application will be described below using UE as an example to refer to a terminal device.

[0118] (R)AN 120 may include one or more access network elements or access network devices, and the interface between the access network device and the terminal device may be a Uu interface (or air interface, that is, the messages exchanged between the access network device and the terminal device may be called air interface messages). Of course, in future communications, the interface name may remain unchanged or may be replaced by other names, and this application is not limited to this. (R)AN 120 is a device that provides wireless communication functions for UE 110, and can connect the terminal device to a node or device of a wireless network, and may also be called a network device. (R)AN 120 can be regarded as a subnet of the operator network, and is an implementation system between the service node in the operator network and UE 110. For example, UE 110 can connect to the service node of the operator network through (R)AN 120, thereby obtaining the services provided by the service node. (R)AN 120 includes but is not limited to: the next generation node base station (gNB) in the 5G system, the evolved node B (eNB) in the long term evolution (LTE), the radio network controller (RNC), the node B (NB), the base station controller (BSC), the base transceiver station (BTS), the home base station (for example, home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), the base band unit (BBU), the transmitting and receiving point (TRP), the transmitting point (TP), the small base station equipment, the mobile switching center, or the network equipment in the future network, etc.The access network device may also be a module or unit that performs the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU); in a possible network structure, the CU may be used to support communications under protocols such as radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); and the DU may be used to support communications under radio link control (RLC) layer protocols, medium access control (MAC) layer protocols, and physical layer protocols. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices having access network device functions may be different. For the convenience of description, in all embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned devices that provide wireless communication functions for UE 110 are collectively referred to as access network devices or RAN for short. It should be understood that this document does not limit the specific type of access network device.

[0119] The CN part may include but is not limited to the following network functions (NF): user plane function (UPF) 130, policy control function (PCF) 131, unified data management function (UDM) 132, authentication server function (AUSF) 133, access and mobility management function (AMF) 134, and session management function (SMF) 135.

[0120] The data network DN 140 is usually a network outside the operator's network, such as a third-party network or an Internet service.

[0121] The following is a brief description of the NF functions included in CN.

[0122] 1. UPF 130 is a gateway provided by the operator and serves as the gateway for communication between the operator network and DN 140. UPF 130 network functions include packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, Quality of Service (QoS) processing, uplink packet detection, downlink packet storage, and other user-plane-related functions. In future communication systems, the user plane function network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0123] 2. PCF 131 is a control plane function provided by the operator. It primarily supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to control-layer network functions, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. Exemplarily, PCF 131 can be divided into two different PCFs: UE-PCF and AMF-PCF. The UE-PCF can be used to generate UE policy (UE policy), i.e., the policy sent to UE 110. The transmission path is: UE-PCF--->AMF--->UE. In this case, AMF 134 does not parse the content of the UE policy; AMF 134 transparently transmits the UE policy. The AM-PCF can be used to generate AM policy, i.e., the access management policy sent to AMF 134. The transmission path is: UE-PCF--->AMF. Furthermore, AMF 134 can also send some or all access management policies to RAN 120. In future communication systems, the policy control function network element may still be a PCF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0124] 3. The UDM 132 is a control plane function provided by the operator and is responsible for storing information such as the subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) of subscribers in the operator network, the publicly available general public subscription identifier (GPSI) of subscribers, and credentials. The SUPI is encrypted during transmission, and the encrypted SUPI is called a hidden subscriber subscription identifier (SUCI). This information stored by the UDM network function 132 can be used for authentication and authorization of UE 110 accessing the operator network. Subscribers of the operator network may specifically be users who use services provided by the operator network, such as users using China Telecom's SIM cards or China Mobile's SIM cards. The subscriber's credentials may be a small file containing a long-term key stored in a mobile phone SIM card or information related to mobile phone SIM card encryption, used for authentication and / or authorization. In future communication systems, the unified data management function network element may still be a UDM network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0125] 4. AUSF 133 is a control plane function provided by the operator, which is usually used for level one authentication, that is, authentication between the terminal device 110 (subscriber) and the operator network. After the AUSF network function 133 receives the authentication request initiated by the subscriber, it can authenticate and / or authorize the subscriber through the authentication information and / or authorization information stored in the UDM network function 132, or generate the authentication and / or authorization information of the subscriber through the UDM network function 132. The AUSF network function 133 can feedback the authentication information and / or authorization information to the subscriber. In future communication systems, the authentication server function network element can still be an AUSF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0126] 5. The AMF 134 is a control plane network function provided by the operator network and is responsible for access control and mobility management for UE 110 accessing the operator network. For example, it includes functions such as mobility state management, allocating temporary user identities, authenticating and authorizing users, etc. In future communication systems, the access management network element may still be the AMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0127] 6. SMF 135 is a control plane network function provided by the operator network. It is responsible for managing the protocol data unit (PDU) session of UE 110 (including session establishment, modification, and release). It is used for the selection and reselection of user plane function network elements, the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for terminal devices, and quality of service (QoS) control. A PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the SMF network function 135 is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and deleting PDU sessions. The SMF network function 135 includes session management (e.g., session establishment, modification, and release, including tunnel maintenance between the user plane function (UPF) 130 and the (R)AN 120), selection and control of the UPF network function 130, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming, and other session-related functions. In future communication systems, the session management function network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0128] It is understood that the above network elements or functions can be physical entities in hardware devices, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a shared platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Simply put, an NF can be implemented by hardware or software.

[0129] In Figure 1, Npcf, Nudm, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, N1, N2, N3, N4 and N6 are interface serial numbers. For example, the meaning of the above interface serial numbers can be found in the meaning defined in the 3GPP standard protocol, and this application does not limit the meaning of the above interface serial numbers. It should be noted that the interface name between the various network functions in Figure 1 is only an example. In a specific implementation, the interface name of the system architecture may also be other names, which is not limited by this application. In addition, the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above network elements is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

[0130] It should be noted that in the architecture shown in Figure 1, the interface between the radio access network and the 5G core network is called the NG interface (not shown in the figure). gNBs are connected to each other via the Xn interface, and the gNB and 5GC are connected via the NG interface. The NG interface includes the NG-C interface and the NG-U interface. The NG-C interface is a control plane interface that connects the gNB and the AMF and transmits control plane data. The NG-U interface is a user plane interface that connects the gNB and the UPF and transmits user plane data. The main functions of the NG interface include but are not limited to: paging, UE context connection, UE mobility management, PDU session management, NAS signaling transmission, etc.

[0131] It should be understood that the above network architecture 100 is only described from the perspective of a service-based architecture. In this service-based architecture, the PLMN can combine some or all network functions in an orderly manner according to specific scenario requirements, realizing customized network capabilities and services, thereby deploying dedicated networks for different services, that is, realizing 5G network slicing. Network slicing technology enables operators to respond to customer needs more flexibly and quickly, and supports flexible allocation of network resources.

[0132] For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of this application, network functions (such as UPF 130 ... SMF 135) are collectively referred to as NFs. This means that the NFs described later in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with any network function. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, UE 110 is referred to as a UE. This means that any UE described later in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with a terminal device. Figure 1 only schematically illustrates some network functions, and the NFs described later are not limited to the network functions shown in Figure 1.

[0133] It should be understood that the AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, PCF, and UDM shown in Figure 1 can be understood as network elements used to implement different functions in the core network, for example, they can be combined into network slices as needed. These core network network elements can be independent devices or integrated into the same device to implement different functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the above network elements.

[0134] It should also be understood that the above naming is defined only to facilitate the distinction between different functions and should not constitute any limitation to this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of adopting other naming in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above network elements may continue to use the terminology used in 5G, or may adopt other names.

[0135] The following is an introduction to several application scenarios involved in this application:

[0136] Application scenario 1: Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of an application scenario 1 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the system architecture includes a UE, a first access network device, a second access network device and a UPF. Figure 2 takes the system architecture including two access network devices as an example. The system architecture may also include more access network devices, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the UE is connected to the first access network device and the second access network device, and the UE is connected to the same UPF through the first access network device and the second access network device. The first access network device, the second access network device and the UPF belong to the same PLMN, namely the first PLMN.

[0137] For the description of UE and UPF, please refer to the relevant explanations of UE 110 and UPF 130 in Figure 1.

[0138] The first access network device and the second access network device are 3GPP access type access network devices. For a description of the access network devices, see (R)AN 120 in Figure 1. The radio access technology (RAT) types supported by the first access network device and the second access network device may be the same or different. In other words, the radio access technologies (RATs) provided by the first access network device and the second access network device may be the same or different.

[0139] For example, the radio access technology type can be evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), non-3GPP (Non-3GPP), 5G NR, 5G NR (NTN), and 6G. 5G NR can also be called TN NR, and 5G NR (NTN) can be divided into low earth orbit (LEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary earth orbit (GEO).

[0140] Application scenario 2: Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of an application scenario 2 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the system architecture includes a UE, a first access network device, a second access network device, a first UPF and a second UPF. Figure 3 takes the system architecture including two access network devices as an example. The system architecture may also include more access network devices, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the UE is connected to the first access network device and the second access network device, and the UE is connected to the first UPF through the first access network device and to the second UPF through the second access network device. Among them, the first access network device and the first UPF belong to the first PLMN, and the second access network device and the second UPF belong to the second PLMN. The first PLMN and the second PLMN are different. There may also be an interface between the first UPF and the second UPF for data transmission.

[0141] The introduction to UE, access network equipment and UPF in application scenario 2 can refer to the description in application scenario 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0142] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the technologies involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0143] 1. Handover, also known as cell handover.

[0144] A cell can be considered as providing a wireless signal coverage area identified by a physical cell identifier (PCI) or a global cell identifier (CGI). The coverage area of ​​each access network device (such as a base station) can be divided into one or more cells. In an embodiment of the present application, different cells can correspond to different base stations, that is, different cells can be managed by different base stations, or different cells can belong to different RANs.

[0145] The above description of the cell is an example rather than a limitation. With the development of technology, concepts with the same or similar functions as the cell may emerge, and these concepts are also applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0146] Due to changes in UE mobility or channel conditions, the cell to which the UE is connected may change, that is, the UE may be handed over from one cell to another. The cell before the handover may be referred to as the source cell or anchor cell, and the cell after the handover may be referred to as the target cell. As an optional example, cell handover may be interpreted as the UE performing data transmission on the target cell and ceasing data transmission on the source cell, or cell handover may be interpreted as a change in the transmitting cell.

[0147] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a switching scenario.

[0148] In Figure 4, a UE is currently transmitting data within the range of a first access network device. As the UE moves from the first access network device to a second access network device, the channel state of the first access network device deteriorates. The UE can then use the cell of the second access network device for data transmission and no longer use the cell of the first access network device for data transmission. The first access network device can be called the source RAN, and the second access network device can be called the target RAN. The process of switching from transmitting data through the source RAN to transmitting data through the target RAN is called a handover.

[0149] 2. The switching may include a first switching mode and a second switching mode.

[0150] Exemplarily, the first switching mode and the second switching mode can be applicable to multi-connection scenarios, and in the case of two connections, it can also be called a dual-connection scenario, such as dualsteer. In a multi-connection scenario, the UE can establish multiple RRC connections with multiple RANs and send or receive data through the multiple RRC connections. If the signal quality of one of the RRC connections is poor, the UE can use other RRC connections for communication. For example, after the UE establishes two RRC connections with RAN1 and RAN2 respectively, if the signal quality of the RRC connection between the UE and RAN1 is poor, the terminal can disconnect the RRC connection with RAN1 and use the RRC connection with RAN2 to transmit data; or, the terminal can no longer use the RRC connection of RAN1 to transmit data, but use the RRC connection of RAN2 to transmit data, wherein the RRC connection of RAN1 can be retained, and signaling can continue to be transmitted through the RRC connection of RAN1, or signaling can be transmitted through the RRC connection of RAN2. These situations can also be called dual-connection switching.

[0151] It should be noted that the first switching mode and the second switching mode can also be applied to a single connection scenario, and the present invention does not limit their application scenarios.

[0152] The following describes these two situations respectively:

[0153] 2.1. The first switching mode, such as handover, can be a handover based on the Xn interface. Figure 5(a) is a schematic diagram of a handover based on the first switching mode provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as a schematic diagram of a cell handover of the Xn interface. The Xn interface is an interface between a first access network device and a second access network device. If the signal quality of the source cell is poor and the UE needs to switch to the target cell, a cell handover based on the Xn interface can be implemented. The source cell can belong to the first access network device, and the target cell can belong to the second access network device. During the cell handover process based on the Xn interface, the AMF serving the UE usually remains unchanged.

[0154] S501, cell switching preparation.

[0155] Before executing the handover, the UE and the source cell need to perform handover preparation operations. For example, the source cell will configure the UE to perform a measurement process. The UE measures the signal quality of surrounding cells (including the target cell) according to the measurement configuration and reports the measurement report to the source cell. The source cell will decide to execute the handover process for the UE based on the measurement report.

[0156] S502: The source cell sends a RAN data usage report (RAN Usage data report) to the AMF.

[0157] If the PLMN is configured with a second radio access technology (RAT) usage data report, the source cell may provide the AMF with a RAN data usage report, which may include N2 session information (N2 SM Information) and other content.

[0158] S503: The target cell sends an N2 Path Switch Request to the AMF.

[0159] The target cell sends an N2 Path Switch Request message to the AMF, notifying the AMF that the UE has moved to the new cell and providing a list of PDU sessions to be switched. The N2 Path Switch Request message may include N2 SM Information and other content.

[0160] S504, AMF sends a session context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) to SMF.

[0161] After receiving the N2 SM Information of the source cell and the target cell, the AMF caches the relevant information and sends the N2 SM Information to the SMF.

[0162] S505, SMF sends an N4 session modification request (N4 Session Modification Request) to UPF.

[0163] Depending on the network deployment, the CN tunnel information (CN Tunnel Info) of the UPF used to connect the target cell and the source cell may be different. If the CN tunnel information of the UPF needs to be reallocated, the CN tunnel information is allocated by the SMF, and the SMF can provide the CN tunnel information to the UPF through the N4 session modification request.

[0164] S506, UPF sends an N4 Session Modification Response to SMF.

[0165] The UPF may send an N4 session modification response to the SMF after the PDU session corresponding to the N4 session modification request is switched. Optionally, for a PDU session whose user plane resources are not released, if the UPF has allocated CN tunnel information and needs to allocate different CN tunnel information, the UPF may carry the tunnel information of the uplink traffic in the N4 session modification response.

[0166] S507, UPF sends an N3 End Marker.

[0167] After the path switch, the UPF can send one or more "End Marker" data tables for each N3 tunnel on the old path to assist the target cell in reordering. Subsequently, the UPF can send downlink data to the target cell.

[0168] S508, SMF sends a session context response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) to AMF.

[0169] For a successfully switched PDU session, the SMF sends the CN tunnel information to the AMF via a session context response. The CN tunnel information is used to establish the N3 tunnel. For a PDU session that is deactivated or releases user plane resources, the session context response sent by the SMF to the AMF does not carry the CN tunnel information, and the SMF then releases the PDU session. S508 can be executed at any time after the SMF receives the N4 session modification response.

[0170] S509, AMF sends an N2 Path Switch Request Ack to the target cell.

[0171] The N2 Path Switch Request Acknowledgement may include N2 SM Information, Failed PDU Sessions, and UE Radio Capability ID. After receiving the Session Context Response, the AMF may write the CN tunnel information as part of the N2 SM Information into the N2 Path Switch Request Acknowledgement and send it to the target cell.

[0172] S510: The target cell instructs the source cell to release resources.

[0173] The target cell can indicate the handover success to the source cell, triggering the source cell to release resources.

[0174] 2.2. Second switching mode, such as path switch, the UE may initiate a second switching mode process. FIG5( b ) is a schematic diagram of a switching process based on the second switching mode provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0175] Step 1: The UE establishes a PDU session in RAN1.

[0176] The UE sends a PDU session establishment request message through RAN1, which includes the PDU Session ID.

[0177] AMF selects SMF, which is responsible for managing the PDU session;

[0178] The SMF selects the UPF and allocates an IP address for the session and sends it to the UE (so that the UE uses this IP address to send data). The SMF is responsible for configuring the N3 interface between RAN1 and the UPF.

[0179] RAN1 configures the data radio bearer between it and the UE;

[0180] The AMF stores the SMF and PDU Session ID in the UDM.

[0181] Step 2: The UE establishes a PDU session through RAN2.

[0182] The UE selects RAN2 and sends a PDU session establishment request message through RAN2. The request message includes the PDU Session ID and a handover indication.

[0183] After receiving the request message, the AMF obtains the SMF corresponding to the PDU Session ID from the UDM;

[0184] The SMF continues to maintain the IP address of the PDU session unchanged (i.e., the UE can continue to use this IP address to send data without changing it). The SMF is then responsible for configuring the N3 interface between RAN2 and UPF (so that the UPF sends the UE's downlink data to RAN2 instead of RAN1);

[0185] RAN2 configures a data radio bearer with the UE (so that the UE sends uplink data to RAN2 instead of RAN1).

[0186] During the path switching process, the source base station does not need to interact with the target base station, that is, no Xn interface is required.

[0187] During the path switching process, the UE actively initiates the PDU session establishment process in step 2, carrying a handover indication.

[0188] In the handover process, both the first and second handover methods (e.g., the Handover process and the Path Switch process) can support changes in the data transmission path when the UE moves. However, if the two processes are not coordinated well, conflicts may occur. For example, when a UE moves from RAN1 to RAN2, RAN1 wants to switch the UE to RAN2 using the Handover process, but the UE switches to RAN2 using the Path Switch process. However, conflicts may exist between different handover processes. The Handover process is initiated by the network, while the Path Switch process is initiated by the UE. The network controls the UE's path switching to avoid conflicts between the two handover methods.

[0189] The first handover method requires Xn interface configuration. From a deployment perspective, the handover process within the same PLMN requires Xn interface configuration (the interface between RANs). For example, when the satellite access ground station and base station are located far apart, the Xn interface configuration may not be available between the satellite access ground station and the base station. The handover process between different PLMNs requires inter-AMF interface configuration. For example, when the source and target RANs are from different equipment vendors, or when the source and target AMFs are from different equipment vendors, configuration becomes difficult. Therefore, if the Xn interface configuration is not available, the second handover method can be used.

[0190] In order to solve the above problems, this embodiment proposes the following method.

[0191] As shown in FIG6 , a method 600 applicable to the present application is described. This method can be applied to application scenario 1 described in FIG2 . Through method 600 , the network instructs the UE to allow path switching via Path Switch, allowing the UE to initiate path switching, thereby ensuring that the handover process and path switching coordination do not conflict. The method includes the following steps:

[0192] Step 600: The access network device and / or AMF obtains information that the first switching mode is not supported.

[0193] In one possible implementation, network operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) configures an access network device and / or an AMF to not support a first handover mode (e.g., handover not supported). The access network device includes a first access network device and a second access network device. The first handover mode is a handover mode initiated by a wireless access network device (e.g., handover). For example, the reason for not supporting the first handover mode may be that no Xn interface is configured.

[0194] In another possible implementation, the access network device and / or AMF local configuration does not support information about the first switching method.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the information that the first switching mode is not supported indicates that switching between the first RAT and the second RAT through the first switching mode is not supported. Between the first RAT and the second RAT may refer to between any two RATs, such as between TN and NTN, or between 5G and 6G.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the access network device and / or the AMF obtains information allowing the UE to switch paths using the second switching mode. Alternatively, the information that the first switching mode is not supported may indicate that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching mode. For example, the information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between the first RAT and the second RAT using the second switching mode. The second switching mode is a UE-initiated switching mode (e.g., a path switch).

[0197] This embodiment is described by taking an example where the RAT type of the first access network device is TN and the RAT type of the second access network device is NTN.

[0198] Exemplarily, the OAM configures the first access network device and / or AMF with "TN / NTN handover not supported", or supports UE switching through TN / NTN path (TN / NTN path switch supported).

[0199] Step 601: The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF through the first access network device.

[0200] The registration request message is used for the UE to register with the network by connecting to the first access network device and the AMF. Accordingly, the AMF is responsible for the registration management of the UE.

[0201] It should be understood that the UE accesses the network through a first path, and the first path includes a first access network device and an AMF.

[0202] It should be noted that the first path may also include UPF. The first path in this embodiment may refer to the user plane path from the UE to the UPF through the first access network device.

[0203] Optionally, the registration request message includes capability information of the UE supporting path switching in the second switching manner, for example, path switch support.

[0204] Step 602 (optional): The first network element sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0205] The switching policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching manner. Exemplarily, the switching policy information is a path switch policy.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the first network element may be a PCF or a UDM. The PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to the first access network device through the AMF. For example, the PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to the AMF, and the AMF sends the switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0207] In a possible implementation, when the first network element determines, based on the subscription data of the UE, that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching method, the first network element sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0208] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes indication information allowing the UE to switch paths between the first RAT and the second RAT using the second handover method. It is understandable that the indication information may trigger the first access network device to send handover configuration information to the UE.

[0209] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes the network allowing the UE to initiate a path switch. For example, the UE can initiate a path switch between a TN RAT and an NTN RAT; or between a TN frequency and an NTN frequency. In this case, the UE does not need to be aware of the RAT type, but only needs to be aware of the corresponding frequency and perform measurements and cell access on that frequency.

[0210] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes the RAT for priority access. For example, the TN RAT is the primary access and the NTN RAT is the secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the TN cell. Alternatively, the 6G RAT is the primary access and the 5G RAT is the secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the 6G cell.

[0211] Step 603 (optional): The first access network device sends handover configuration information to the UE.

[0212] The handover configuration information is used by the UE to switch paths using the second handover method. Exemplarily, the handover configuration information is a path switch configuration.

[0213] In a possible implementation, the first access network device determines the handover configuration information according to the handover policy information. Alternatively, the first access network device determines the handover configuration information according to the information acquired in step 600.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the first access network device sends the handover configuration information via broadcast. It is understandable that at this time, the first access network device does not need to receive the handover policy information according to step 602 and determines the handover configuration information according to the information obtained in step 600.

[0215] In another possible implementation manner, the first access network device sends the handover configuration information to the UE via unicast.

[0216] In one possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a first handover condition and, optionally, a first threshold. The first handover condition is that the path is switched when the signal quality between the UE and the access network device is lower than the first threshold. For example, the access network device may be an access network device of a first RAT type. The value of the set first threshold may be lower than the threshold for path switching between the first RAT type and the first RAT type, such as the threshold for TN-to-TN switching, thereby avoiding a transmission conflict between TN-to-TN switching and TN-to-NTN switching. That is, the threshold for TN-to-NTN switching is lower than the threshold for TN-to-TN switching, thereby giving TN-to-TN switching a higher priority.

[0217] In another possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a first handover condition and a second handover condition, and optionally, a first threshold and a second threshold. The second handover condition is that when the signal quality between the UE and the access network device of the first RAT type exceeds the second threshold, the UE switches back to the path corresponding to the access network device of the first RAT type. For example, when the UE is transmitting a session through the access network device of the second RAT type, when the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device exceeds the second threshold, the UE switches back to the path corresponding to the first access network device, i.e., the session is switched to the path corresponding to the first access network device for transmission. Exemplarily, when the second RAT type is NTN, the value of the set second threshold can be lower than the threshold for path switching between the second RAT type and the second RAT type, such as the threshold for NTN-to-NTN switching, thereby avoiding transmission conflicts between NTN-to-NTN switching and NTN-to-TN switching. That is, the threshold for NTN-to-TN switching is lower than the threshold for NTN-to-NTN switching, thereby giving NTN switching to TN a higher priority.

[0218] In a possible implementation, the signal quality may be Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) or Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), etc.

[0219] Step 604: The UE receives first information from the network.

[0220] The first information indicates that the network does not support the first switching mode, or indicates that the UE is allowed to switch the path through the second switching mode.

[0221] In one possible implementation, the information that the first handover mode is not supported includes information indicating that handover between the first RAT and the second RAT using the first handover mode is not supported, such as between a TN and an NTN (e.g., TN / NTN handover not supported). Alternatively, the information that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second handover mode includes information indicating that the UE is allowed to switch paths between the first RAT and the second RAT using the second handover mode.

[0222] In one possible implementation, the area granularity corresponding to the first information may be a cell (Cell) / tracking area (TA) / network (PLMN) granularity. In other words, the first information is valid in the area corresponding to the area granularity. The UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching mode within the area.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the UE receives the first information in step 604a, that is, the UE receives the first information from the first access network device. For example, the first access network sends the first information to the UE via an RRC message. The RRC message may be an RRC configuration message or an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0224] In another possible implementation, the UE receives the first information through step 604b, i.e., the UE receives the first information from the AMF. For example, the AMF sends the first information to the UE via an NAS message. The NAS message may be a registration accept message. Optionally, the AMF sends the first information to the UE only if, in step 602, the AMF receives switching policy information from the first network element (the switching policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching method). Optionally, the AMF sends the first information to the UE only if the registration request message includes capability information indicating that the UE supports switching paths using the second switching method.

[0225] In another possible implementation, the UE receives the first information via another path different from the first path. It is understood that the UE is also registered with the network via another path at this time.

[0226] Step 605: The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0227] It can be understood that the UE transmits data of the first session through the first path of the first access network device.

[0228] Step 606 (optional): The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF through the second access network device.

[0229] In one possible implementation, the first information triggers the UE to register with the network via the second path. For example, the UE registers with the network via the second access network device (NTN RAT), thereby reducing the time required to establish the second path. It should be noted that in this case, the UE registers with the network via the second access network device in advance and does not send data via the second access network device.

[0230] Step 607: The UE determines whether the first switching condition is met.

[0231] The first switching condition is that the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is lower than a first threshold. For example, if the TN signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is lower than the first threshold, the UE considers the TN path unavailable and switches to the second path. If the TN signal quality is higher than the first threshold, the UE considers the TN path available.

[0232] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures the value of the first threshold. In this case, the handover configuration information received by the UE in step 603 may not include the first threshold.

[0233] Optionally, the UE further determines that the signal quality between the UE and the second access network device is higher than a third threshold. The value of the third threshold may be locally configured by the UE or received from the network.

[0234] Step 608: The UE establishes a first session through the second access network device.

[0235] If the first switching condition is met, the UE switches the first path to the second path using a second switching method. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message via the second path. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted via the first path to be transmitted via the second path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request via the second path, the first request being used to request the switching of the session transmitted via the first path to be transmitted via the second path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0236] Exemplarily, according to "TN / NTN handover not supported", the UE actively selects to access the cell corresponding to NTN (the cell with the frequency corresponding to NTN), and sends a session handover request through the RAN2 corresponding to the cell.

[0237] Step 609 (optional): The UE determines that the second switching condition is met.

[0238] The second switching condition is that the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is higher than a second threshold.

[0239] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures the value of the second threshold. In this case, the handover configuration information received by the UE in step 603 may not include the second threshold.

[0240] Step 610 (optional): The UE establishes a first session through a first access network device.

[0241] If the second switching condition is met, the UE switches the second path to the first path using a second switching method. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message via the first path. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted via the second path to be transmitted via the first path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request via the first path. The first request is used to request the switching of the session transmitted via the second path to be transmitted via the first path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0242] Exemplarily, the UE actively selects to access a cell corresponding to TN (a cell with a frequency corresponding to TN) according to "TN / NTN handover not supported", and sends a request for session handover through the RAN1 corresponding to the cell.

[0243] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the UE can initially access the cell corresponding to the NTN (for example, when there is no TN NR signal at the time of initial access). In other words, steps 605-607 can be skipped and the session can be established through RAN2 (NTN). Subsequently, when the second handover condition of step 609 is met (for example, when the TN NR signal quality is detected to be greater than the second threshold), the UE executes step 610. In other words, if the UE first accesses the cell corresponding to the NTN, steps 600-604 and steps 608-610 can be executed in this embodiment.

[0244] In method 600, the network sends information to the UE regarding switching paths using the second switching method, thereby enabling the network to control the UE's switching paths. Upon receiving the information regarding switching paths using the second switching method, the UE switches paths using the second switching method if the first switching condition is met, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes. Furthermore, the network sends the UE a higher-priority RAT, enabling the UE to transmit data on the path corresponding to the higher-priority RAT as much as possible, thereby ensuring a better communication experience for the user.

[0245] As shown in FIG7 , a method 700 applicable to the present application is described. This method can be applied to application scenario 2 described in FIG3 . Through method 700 , the network instructs the UE to allow path switching between different PLMNs via Path Switch, allowing the UE to initiate a path switch across PLMNs, thereby ensuring that the handover process and path switching coordination do not conflict. The method includes the following steps:

[0246] Step 700: The access network device and / or AMF obtains information that the first switching method is not supported for switching the path between the first network and the second network.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the network management OAM configures the access network device and / or AMF to not support the first handover mode for switching between different PLMNs (for example, inter-PLMN handover not supported). The access network device includes a first access network device and a second access network device, and the AMF includes AMF1 and AMF2. The first handover mode is a handover mode initiated by a wireless access network device (such as handover). It can be understood that the first access network device corresponds to the first network, and the second access network device corresponds to the second network. Or the first access network device belongs to the first network, and the second access network device belongs to the second network. Or the first access network device provides access to the first network for the UE, and the second access network device provides access to the second network for the UE.

[0248] In another possible implementation, the access network device and / or AMF local configuration does not support information about switching between different PLMNs in the first switching method.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the access network device and / or the AMF obtains information allowing the UE to switch paths between the first network and the second network using a second switching mode. Alternatively, the information that the first switching mode is not supported for switching paths between the first network and the second network may indicate that the UE is allowed to switch paths between the first network and the second network using the second switching mode. Exemplarily, the information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs using the second switching mode. The second switching mode is a switching mode initiated by the UE (e.g., a path switch).

[0250] This embodiment is described as follows: the first access network device and AMF1 belong to PLMN1, the second access network device and AMF2 belong to PLMN2, PLMN1 is the UE's home public land mobile network (HPLMN), and PLMN2 is the UE's visited public land mobile network (VPLMN).

[0251] Step 701: The UE sends a registration request message to AMF1 through the first access network device.

[0252] The registration request message is used for the UE to register with the network by connecting to the first access network device and AMF1. Accordingly, the AMF1 is responsible for the registration management of the UE.

[0253] It should be understood that the UE accesses the network through the first path, and the first path includes the first access network device and AMF1.

[0254] Optionally, the registration request message includes capability information of the UE supporting path switching in the second switching manner, for example, supporting path switching (path switch support), or supporting path switching between different PLMNs in the second switching manner.

[0255] Step 702 (optional): The first network element sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0256] The switching policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching method. Exemplarily, the switching policy information is a path switch policy.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the first network element may be a PCF or a UDM. The PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to the first access network device through AMF1. For example, the PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to AMF1, and AMF1 sends the switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0258] In a possible implementation, when the first network element determines, based on the subscription data of the UE, that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching manner, the first network element sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0259] In a possible implementation, the handover policy information includes indication information allowing the UE to switch paths between PLMN1 and PLMN2 using the second handover method. It is understandable that the indication information may trigger the first access network device to send handover configuration information to the UE.

[0260] In a possible implementation, the handover policy information includes a priority access PLMN. For example, PLMN1 is a primary access and PLMN2 is a secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the cell of PLMN1.

[0261] Step 703 (optional): The first access network device sends handover configuration information to the UE.

[0262] The handover configuration information is used by the UE to switch paths between different PLMNs using the second handover method. Exemplarily, the handover configuration information is a path switch configuration.

[0263] In a possible implementation, the first access network device determines the handover configuration information according to the handover policy information. Alternatively, the first access network device determines the handover configuration information according to the information acquired in step 700.

[0264] In a possible implementation, the first access network device sends the handover configuration information via broadcast. It is understandable that at this time, the first access network device does not need to receive the handover policy information according to step 702 and determines the handover configuration information according to the information obtained in step 700.

[0265] In another possible implementation manner, the first access network device sends the handover configuration information to the UE via unicast.

[0266] In one possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a first handover condition and, optionally, a first threshold. The first handover condition is that the path is switched when the signal quality between the UE and the access network device is lower than the first threshold. For example, the access network device may be the access network device of PLMN1. The value of the set first threshold may be lower than the threshold for path switching between PLMN1 and PLMN1, thereby avoiding a transmission conflict between PLMN1-to-PLMN1 handover and PLMN1-to-PLMN2 handover. That is, the threshold for handover from PLMN1 to PLMN2 is lower than the threshold for handover from PLMN1 to PLMN1, thereby giving PLMN1 a higher priority when switching to a different cell within PLMN1.

[0267] In another possible implementation, the handover configuration information includes a first handover condition and a second handover condition, and optionally, a first threshold and a second threshold. The second handover condition is that when the signal quality between the UE and the access network device of PLMN1 is higher than the second threshold, the UE switches back to the path corresponding to the access network device of PLMN1. For example, when the UE transmits a session through the access network device corresponding to PLMN2, when the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is higher than the second threshold, the UE switches back to the path corresponding to the first access network device, i.e., the session is switched to the path corresponding to the first access network device for transmission. Exemplarily, the value of the set second threshold can be lower than the threshold for path switching between different cells under PLMN2, thereby avoiding a conflict between PLMN2-to-PLMN2 handover and PLMN2-to-PLMN1 handover, i.e., the threshold for handover from PLMN2 to PLMN1 is lower than the threshold for handover from PLMN2 to PLMN2, thereby giving PLMN2 a higher priority when switching to PLMN1.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the signal quality may be RSRQ or RSRP, etc.

[0269] Step 704: The UE receives first information from the network.

[0270] The first information indicates that the network does not support the first switching method for switching paths between different PLMNs, or indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching method.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the information that the first switching method is not supported for switching paths between different PLMNs is that the first switching method is not supported for switching paths between PLMN1 and PLMN2. For example, the network may support the first switching method for switching paths between PLMN1 and PLMN3, or the network may support the first switching method for switching paths between PLMN2 and PLMN3, but the network does not support the first switching method for switching paths between PLMN1 and PLMN2.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the area granularity corresponding to the first information may be a cell (Cell) / tracking area (TA) / network (PLMN) granularity. In other words, the first information is valid in the area corresponding to the area granularity. The UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs within the area using the second switching method.

[0273] In one possible implementation, the UE receives the first information in step 704a, i.e., the UE receives the first information from the first access network device. For example, the first access network sends the first information to the UE via an RRC message. The RRC message may be an RRC configuration message or an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0274] In another possible implementation, the UE receives the first information through step 704b, i.e., the UE receives the first information from AMF1. For example, AMF1 sends the first information to the UE via an NAS message. The NAS message may be a registration accept message. Optionally, the AMF sends the first information to the UE only if, in step 702, the AMF receives handover policy information from the first network element (the handover policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs using the second handover method). Optionally, the AMF sends the first information to the UE only if the registration request message includes information indicating that the UE supports the capability of switching paths using the second handover method.

[0275] In another possible implementation, the UE receives the first information via another path different from the first path. It is understood that the UE is also registered with the network via another path at this time.

[0276] Step 705: The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0277] It can be understood that the UE transmits data of the first session through the first path of the first access network device.

[0278] It should be noted that the first path may also include UPF. The first path in this embodiment may refer to the user plane path from the UE to the UPF through the first access network device.

[0279] Step 706 (optional): The UE sends a registration request message to AMF2 through the second access network device.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the first information triggers the UE to register with the network via the second path. For example, the UE registers with PLMN2 via the second access network device (located in PLMN2), thereby reducing the time required to establish the second path. It should be noted that in this case, the UE has already registered with PLMN2 via the second access network device and will not send data without going through the second access network device.

[0281] Step 707: The UE determines whether the first switching condition is met.

[0282] The first handover condition is that the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is lower than a first threshold. For example, if the PLMN signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is lower than the first threshold, the UE considers the PLMN path unavailable and switches to the second path. If the PLMN signal quality is higher than the first threshold, the UE considers the PLMN path available.

[0283] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures the value of the first threshold. In this case, the handover configuration information received by the UE in step 703 may not include the first threshold.

[0284] Optionally, the UE further determines that the signal quality between the UE and the second access network device is higher than a third threshold. The value of the third threshold may be locally configured by the UE or received from the network.

[0285] Step 708: The UE establishes a first session through the second access network device.

[0286] If the first switching condition is met, the UE switches the first path to the second path using a second switching method. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message via the second path. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted via the first path to be transmitted via the second path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request via the second path, the first request being used to request the switching of the session transmitted via the first path to be transmitted via the second path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0287] Exemplarily, the UE actively selects to access the cell corresponding to PLMN2 (the cell with the frequency corresponding to PLMN2) according to "Inter-PLMN handover not supported", and sends a session handover request through RAN2 corresponding to the cell.

[0288] Step 709 (optional): The UE determines whether the second switching condition is met.

[0289] The second switching condition is that the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is higher than a second threshold.

[0290] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures the value of the second threshold. In this case, the handover configuration information received by the UE in step 703 may not include the second threshold.

[0291] Step 710 (optional): The UE establishes a first session through a first access network device.

[0292] If the second switching condition is met, the UE switches the second path to the first path using a second switching method. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message via the first path. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted via the second path to be transmitted via the first path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request via the first path. The first request is used to request the switching of the session transmitted via the second path to be transmitted via the first path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0293] Exemplarily, the UE actively selects to access the cell corresponding to PLMN1 (the cell with the frequency corresponding to PLMN1) according to "Inter-PLMN handover not supported", and sends a session handover request through RAN1 corresponding to the cell.

[0294] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the UE can initially access the cell corresponding to PLMN2 (for example, when there is no PLMN1 signal at the time of initial access). In other words, steps 705-707 can be skipped and a session can be established via RAN2 (located in PLMN2). Subsequently, if the second handover condition of step 709 is met (for example, if the signal quality of PLMN1 is detected to be greater than a second threshold), the UE will execute step 710. In other words, if the UE first accesses the cell corresponding to PLMN2, steps 700-704 and steps 708-710 can be executed in this embodiment.

[0295] In method 700, the network sends information to the UE regarding the path switching between PLMN1 and PLMN2 using the second switching method, thereby enabling the network to control the UE's path switching. Upon receiving the information regarding the path switching using the second switching method, the UE switches the path using the second switching method if the first switching condition is met, thereby avoiding conflicts between different handover processes. Furthermore, the network sends the UE a PLMN with a higher priority, enabling the UE to transmit data on the path corresponding to the higher-priority PLMN as much as possible, thereby ensuring a better communication experience for the user.

[0296] As shown in Figure 8, a method 800 applicable to the present application is described. This method can be applied to application scenario 1 described in Figure 2. Through method 800, the access network device instructs the UE to initiate a path switch based on the information that the UE allows path switching via Path Switch, thereby ensuring that the handover process and path switching coordination do not conflict. The method includes the following steps:

[0297] Step 800 (optional): The access network device and / or AMF obtains information that the first switching mode is not supported.

[0298] For related descriptions, please refer to the descriptions related to step 600 in Figure 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] This embodiment is described by taking an example where the RAT type of the first access network device is TN and the RAT type of the second access network device is NTN.

[0300] Step 801: The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF through the first access network device.

[0301] The registration request message includes capability information of the UE supporting path switching in the second switching manner, for example, path switch support.

[0302] Step 802 (optional): The first network element sends switching policy information to the AMF.

[0303] The switching policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching manner. Exemplarily, the switching policy information is a path switch policy.

[0304] In one possible implementation, the first network element may be a PCF or a UDM. The PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to the AMF.

[0305] In one possible implementation, when the first network element determines, based on the UE's subscription data, that the UE is allowed to switch paths using the second switching method, it sends switching policy information to the AMF.

[0306] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends a request message to the first network element based on the UE's capability information for supporting path switching using the second handover mode. The request message is used to request handover policy information. In response to the request message, the first network element sends the handover policy information to the AMF. Alternatively, the AMF sends a request message to the first network element, the request message being used to request policy information, the request message including the UE's capability information for supporting path switching using the second handover mode. In response to the request message, the first network element sends the handover policy information to the AMF.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes indication information that allows the UE to switch paths between the first RAT and the second RAT using the second handover mode. It is understood that the indication information can trigger the AMF to send the handover policy information to the first access network device.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes the RAT for priority access. For example, the TN RAT is the primary access and the NTN RAT is the secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the TN cell. Alternatively, the 6G RAT is the primary access and the 5G RAT is the secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the 6G cell.

[0309] Step 803: AMF sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0310] In one possible implementation, the AMF sends the switching policy information to the first access network device based on the switching policy information received from the first network element.

[0311] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends switching policy information to the first access network device based on the information obtained in step 800 that the first switching mode is not supported.

[0312] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends switching policy information to the first access network device based on the UE's capability information sent by the UE in step 801 that supports switching paths through the second switching method.

[0313] Step 804 (optional): The first access network device sends measurement configuration information to the UE.

[0314] In a possible implementation, the measurement configuration information includes a frequency signal of a cell measured by the UE, for example, a frequency corresponding to the NTN.

[0315] Step 805: The AMF sends switching policy information to the UE through the first access network device.

[0316] In one possible implementation, the AMF sends the handover policy information to the UE via a NAS message.

[0317] For the description of the switching strategy information, please refer to step 602 in FIG6 , which will not be repeated here.

[0318] Step 806: The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0319] It can be understood that the UE transmits data of the first session through the first path of the first access network device.

[0320] It should be noted that the first path may also include UPF. The first path in this embodiment may refer to the user plane path from the UE to the UPF through the first access network device.

[0321] Step 807 (optional): The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF through the second access network device.

[0322] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information triggers the UE to register with the network via the second path. For example, the UE registers with the network via the second access network device (NTN RAT), thereby reducing the time required to establish the second path. It should be noted that in this case, the UE registers with the network in advance and does not send data.

[0323] Step 808 (optional): The AMF sends switching policy information to the second access network device.

[0324] For the description of the switching strategy information, please refer to step 602 in FIG6 , which will not be repeated here.

[0325] Step 809: The first access network device determines that the UE switches to the second path through the second switching manner.

[0326] In a possible implementation manner, the first access network device determines to switch the first path of the UE to the second path according to the switching policy information.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the first access network device determines to switch the UE's first path to a second path based on the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device falling below a first threshold. For example, when the TN signal quality between the UE and the first access network device falls below the first threshold, the first access network device deems the TN path unusable and switches the UE to the second path. When the TN signal quality rises above the first threshold, the first access network device deems the TN path usable.

[0328] In one possible implementation, the UE reports a measurement report to the first access network device based on the received measurement configuration information. The measurement report includes a Cell ID and corresponding signal measurement values. For example, if the UE is within satellite coverage, the measurement report includes the Cell ID corresponding to the NTN and the signal measurement values ​​corresponding to the Cell ID.

[0329] In a possible implementation, the first access network device determines the second access network device on the second path according to the signal quality between the UE and the second access network device being higher than a second threshold.

[0330] In another possible implementation, the first access network device preferentially determines whether a cell corresponding to a TN is available for handover. If so, handover is preferentially made to the cell corresponding to the TN, i.e., switching the path using a first handover method. If not, handover is determined to be made to a cell corresponding to the NTN, i.e., switching the path using a second handover method.

[0331] In one possible implementation, when the first access network device determines that there is no cell corresponding to the TN that can be switched (for example, the signal measurement value between the UE and the first access network device is lower than the first threshold, and the UE's measurement report is empty, or the UE's measurement report is not received within a specific period, or the signal measurement values ​​in the measurement report are all lower than the threshold. This can indicate that there is no suitable cell corresponding to the TN that can be switched), that is, the path cannot be switched through the first switching method, and a message is sent to the UE allowing the path to be switched through the second switching method. For example, path switching is allowed (path switch allowed). It should be noted that the first access network device can skip step 804, that is, the first access network device does not need to know the signal measurement value of the cell corresponding to the NTN measured by the UE.

[0332] Step 810: The first access network device sends handover indication information to the UE.

[0333] For example, the first access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes switching indication information. The switching indication information is used for the UE to switch the path to the second path using the second switching mode. Exemplarily, the switching indication information may be a path switch indication.

[0334] Optionally, the first access network device further sends a Cell ID corresponding to the NTN to the UE, and the second radio access network device corresponding to the Cell ID is on the second path.

[0335] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message also includes the RAT type corresponding to the NTN.

[0336] Step 811: The UE establishes a first session through the second access network device.

[0337] The UE switches the first path to the second path using a second switching method based on the switching indication information and the Cell ID corresponding to the NTN. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the second radio access network device corresponding to the Cell ID. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted along the first path to be transmitted along the second path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request through the second path, the first request being used to request the switching of the session transmitted along the first path to be transmitted along the second path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0338] Optionally, if the first access network device does not send the Cell ID corresponding to the NTN to the UE, the UE may search for the Cell ID corresponding to the NTN and establish the first session through the second access network device corresponding to the Cell ID.

[0339] It can be understood that after executing step 811, the UE is connected to the network through the second access network device and transmits session data.

[0340] Step 812 (optional): The second access network device determines that the UE switches to the first path through the second switching manner.

[0341] In a possible implementation manner, the second access network device determines to switch the second path of the UE to the first path according to the switching policy information.

[0342] In one possible implementation, the second access network device determines to switch the UE's second path to the first path based on the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device being greater than a second threshold. For example, when the TN signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is greater than the second threshold, the second access network device considers the TN path to be available and switches the UE to the first path.

[0343] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures a value of the second threshold.

[0344] In one possible implementation, the UE reports a measurement report to the second access network device, where the measurement report includes signal measurement values ​​corresponding to the first access network device. For example, if the UE is within the coverage of the first access network device, the measurement report includes signal measurement values ​​between the UE and the first access network device.

[0345] Step 813 (optional): The second access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE.

[0346] The RRC reconfiguration message includes switching indication information. The switching indication information is used for the UE to switch the path to the first path through the second switching mode. Exemplarily, the switching indication information may be a path switch indication.

[0347] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message also includes a Cell ID corresponding to the TN, and the first access network device corresponding to the Cell ID is on the first path.

[0348] Step 814 (optional): The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0349] The UE switches the second path to the first path using a second switching method based on the switching indication information and the Cell ID corresponding to the TN. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the first access network device corresponding to the Cell ID. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct the switching of the first session transmitted along the second path to be transmitted along the first path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request through the first path, the first request being used to request the switching of the session transmitted along the second path to be transmitted along the first path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0350] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the UE can initially access the cell corresponding to the NTN (for example, there is no TN NR signal during initial access). In other words, steps 806-810 can be skipped and the session can be established through RAN2 (NTN). Subsequently, when the second handover condition of step 812 is met, the second radio access network device executes step 813 (for example, detecting that the TN NR signal quality is greater than the second threshold). In other words, if the UE first accesses the cell corresponding to the NTN, this embodiment can execute steps 800-805 and steps 811-814.

[0351] In method 800, the access network device receives policy information that allows the UE to switch paths using the second switching method, and sends switching indication information to the UE to instruct the UE to switch paths using the second switching method, thereby enabling the network to control the UE's path switching, thereby avoiding conflicts between different switching processes. As shown in Figure 9, a method 900 applicable to the present application is introduced, which can be applied to application scenario 2 described in Figure 3. Through method 900, the access network device instructs the UE to initiate a cross-PLMN path switch based on the UE's permission to perform path switching between different PLMNs through Path Switch, thereby ensuring that the Handover process and the path switch coordination do not conflict. The method includes the following steps:

[0352] Step 900 (optional): The access network device and / or AMF obtains information that the first switching method is not supported for switching the path between the first network and the second network.

[0353] For related descriptions, please refer to the descriptions related to step 700 in Figure 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0354] This embodiment is described by taking the first access network device and AMF1 belonging to PLMN1, the second access network device and AMF2 belonging to PLMN2, PLMN1 being the HPLMN of the UE, and PLMN2 being the VPLMN of the UE as an example.

[0355] Step 901: The UE sends a registration request message to AMF1 through the first access network device.

[0356] The registration request message is used for the UE to register with the network through the first path connecting the first access network device and AMF1.

[0357] The registration request message includes capability information of the UE supporting path switching using the second switching mode, such as supporting path switching (path switch support), or supporting path switching between different PLMNs using the second switching mode.

[0358] Step 902 (optional): The first network element sends switching policy information to AMF1.

[0359] The switching policy information indicates that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching method. Exemplarily, the switching policy information is a path switch policy.

[0360] In one possible implementation, the first network element may be a PCF or a UDM. The PCF / UDM sends the switching policy information to the AMF.

[0361] In one possible implementation, when the first network element determines, based on the UE's subscription data, that the UE is allowed to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching method, it sends switching policy information to AMF1.

[0362] In another possible implementation, AMF1 sends a request message to the first network element based on the UE's capability information for supporting path switching using the second handover mode. The request message is used to request handover policy information. In response to the request message, the first network element sends the handover policy information to AMF1. Alternatively, the AMF sends a request message to the first network element, the request message being used to request policy information, the request message including the UE's capability information for supporting path switching using the second handover mode. In response to the request message, the first network element sends the handover policy information to the AMF.

[0363] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information includes indication information allowing the UE to switch paths between PLMN1 and PLMN2 using the second handover method. It is understandable that the indication information can trigger AMF1 to send the handover policy information to the first access network device.

[0364] In a possible implementation, the handover policy information includes a priority access PLMN. For example, PLMN1 is a primary access and PLMN2 is a secondary access, so that the UE preferentially accesses the cell of PLMN1.

[0365] Step 903: AMF1 sends switching policy information to the first access network device.

[0366] In one possible implementation, AMF1 sends switching policy information to the first access network device based on the switching policy information received from the first network element.

[0367] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends switching policy information to the first access network device based on the information obtained in step 900 that the first switching mode is not supported.

[0368] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends switching policy information to the first access network device based on the UE's capability information sent by the UE in step 901 that supports switching paths through the second switching method.

[0369] Step 904 (optional): The first access network device sends measurement configuration information to the UE.

[0370] In a possible implementation, the measurement configuration information includes a frequency signal of a cell measured by the UE, for example, a frequency corresponding to a PLMN2 cell.

[0371] Step 905: AMF1 sends switching policy information to the UE through the first access network device.

[0372] In one possible implementation, AMF1 sends handover policy information to the UE through a NAS message.

[0373] For the description of the switching strategy information, please refer to step 702 in FIG. 7 , which will not be repeated here.

[0374] Step 906: The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0375] It can be understood that the UE transmits data of the first session through the first path between the first access network device and AMF1.

[0376] It should be noted that the first path may also include UPF. The first path in this embodiment may refer to the user plane path from the UE to the UPF through the first access network device.

[0377] Step 907 (optional): The UE sends a registration request message to AMF2 through the second access network device.

[0378] In one possible implementation, the handover policy information triggers the UE to register with the network via the second path. For example, the UE registers with PLMN2 via the second access network device (located in PLMN2), thereby reducing the time required to establish the second path. It should be noted that at this time, the UE is pre-registered with PLMN2 and does not send data.

[0379] Step 908 (optional): AMF2 sends switching policy information to the second access network device.

[0380] For the description of the switching strategy information, please refer to step 702 in FIG. 7 , which will not be repeated here.

[0381] Step 909: The first access network device determines that the UE switches to the second path through the second switching manner.

[0382] In a possible implementation manner, the first access network device determines to switch the first path of the UE to the second path according to the switching policy information.

[0383] In one possible implementation, the first access network device determines to switch the UE's first path to a second path based on the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device being lower than a first threshold. For example, when the PLMN1 signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is lower than the first threshold, the first access network device deems the PLMN1 path unusable and switches the UE to the second path. When the PLMN1 signal quality is higher than the first threshold, the first access network device deems the PLMN1 path available.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the UE reports a measurement report to the first access network device based on the received measurement configuration information. The measurement report includes a Cell ID and corresponding signal measurement values. For example, if the UE is within the coverage of PLMN2, the measurement report includes the Cell ID corresponding to PLMN2 and the signal measurement values ​​corresponding to the Cell ID.

[0385] In a possible implementation, the first access network device determines the second access network device on the second path according to the signal quality between the UE and the second access network device being higher than a second threshold.

[0386] In another possible implementation, the first access network device preferentially determines whether a cell corresponding to PLMN1 exists that can be switched to. If so, the device preferentially switches to the cell corresponding to PLMN1, i.e., switches the path using the first switching method. If not, the device determines to switch to the cell corresponding to PLMN2, i.e., switches the path using the second switching method.

[0387] In one possible implementation, when the first access network device determines that there is no cell corresponding to PLMN1 that can be switched (for example, the signal measurement value between the UE and the first access network device is lower than the first threshold, and the UE's measurement report is empty, or the UE's measurement report is not received within a specific period, or the signal measurement values ​​in the measurement report are all lower than the threshold. This can indicate that there is no suitable cell corresponding to PLMN1 that can be switched), that is, the path cannot be switched through the first switching method, and a message is sent to the UE allowing the path to be switched through the second switching method. For example, path switching is allowed (path switch allowed). It should be noted that the first access network device can skip step 904, that is, the first access network device does not need to know the signal measurement value of the cell corresponding to PLMN2 measured by the UE.

[0388] Step 910: The first access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE.

[0389] The RRC reconfiguration message includes switching indication information. The switching indication information is used for the UE to switch the path to the second path through the second switching mode. Exemplarily, the switching indication information may be a path switch indication.

[0390] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message also includes a Cell ID corresponding to PLMN2, and the second radio access network device corresponding to the Cell ID is on the second path.

[0391] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message also includes an identifier of PLMN2.

[0392] Step 911: The UE establishes a first session through the second access network device.

[0393] The UE switches the first path to the second path using a second switching method based on the switching indication information and the Cell ID corresponding to PLMN2. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the second radio access network device corresponding to the Cell ID. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct switching of the first session transmitted along the first path to transmission along the second path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request through the second path, the first request being used to request switching of the session transmitted along the first path to transmission along the second path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0394] Optionally, if the first access network device does not send the Cell ID corresponding to PLMN2 to the UE, the UE may search for the Cell ID corresponding to PLMN2 and establish the first session through the second access network device corresponding to the Cell ID.

[0395] It can be understood that after executing step 911, the UE is connected to PLMN2 through the second access network device and transmits session data.

[0396] Step 912 (optional): The second access network device determines that the UE switches to the first path through the second switching manner.

[0397] In a possible implementation manner, the second access network device determines to switch the second path of the UE to the first path according to the switching policy information.

[0398] In one possible implementation, the second access network device determines to switch the UE's second path to the first path based on the signal quality between the UE and the first access network device being greater than a second threshold. For example, when the TN signal quality between the UE and the first access network device is greater than the second threshold, the second access network device considers the TN path to be available and switches the UE to the first path.

[0399] In a possible implementation, the UE locally configures a value of the second threshold.

[0400] In one possible implementation, the UE reports a measurement report to the second access network device, where the measurement report includes signal measurement values ​​corresponding to the first access network device. For example, if the UE is within the coverage of the first access network device, the measurement report includes signal measurement values ​​between the UE and the first access network device.

[0401] Step 913 (optional): The second access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE.

[0402] The RRC reconfiguration message includes switching indication information. The switching indication information is used for the UE to switch the path to the first path through the second switching mode. Exemplarily, the switching indication information may be a path switch indication.

[0403] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message also includes a Cell ID corresponding to PLMN1, and the first access network device corresponding to the Cell ID is on the first path.

[0404] Step 914 (optional): The UE establishes a first session through the first access network device.

[0405] The UE switches the second path to the first path using a second switching method based on the switching indication information and the Cell ID corresponding to PLMN1. Specifically, the UE sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the first access network device corresponding to the Cell ID. The session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a switching indication and an identifier of the first session. The switching indication is used to instruct switching of the first session transmitted along the second path to transmission along the first path. Alternatively, the UE sends a first request through the first path, the first request being used to request switching of the session transmitted along the second path to transmission along the first path. For example, the session is a PDU session.

[0406] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the UE can initially access the cell corresponding to PLMN2 (for example, there is no PLMN1 signal during initial access). In other words, steps 906-910 can be skipped and a session can be established through RAN2 (belonging to PLMN2). Subsequently, when the second handover condition of step 912 is met, the second radio access network device executes step 913 (for example, detecting that the signal quality of the cell corresponding to PLMN1 is greater than a second threshold). That is, if the UE first accesses the cell corresponding to PLMN2, this embodiment can execute steps 900-905 and steps 911-914.

[0407] In method 900, the access network device receives policy information that allows the UE to switch paths between different PLMNs through the second switching method, and sends switching indication information to the UE to instruct the UE to switch paths through the second switching method, thereby enabling the network to control the terminal switching path and avoiding conflicts between different switching processes.

[0408] The above description of the communication method embodiment of the present application is described in detail in conjunction with Figures 6 to 9. The following description of the communication device embodiment of the present application is described in detail in conjunction with Figures 10 to 12. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0409] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the device 1000 may include a transceiver unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020. The transceiver unit 1010 can communicate with the outside world, and the processing unit 1020 is used to process data. The transceiver unit 1010 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit.

[0410] In one possible design, the device 1000 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the UE in the above method embodiments, wherein the processing unit 1020 is used to perform processing-related operations of the UE in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the UE in the above method embodiments.

[0411] In another possible design, the device 1000 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform operations related to the reception and transmission of the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1020 is used to perform operations related to the processing of the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment.

[0412] In another possible design, the device 1000 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the access network device in the above method embodiment, wherein the processing unit 1020 is used to perform processing-related operations of the access network device in the above method embodiment, and the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0413] It should be understood that the device 1000 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a merging logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1000 can be specifically the transmitting end in the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the transmitting end in the above-mentioned method embodiment, or the device 1000 can be specifically the receiving end in the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the receiving end in the above-mentioned method embodiment. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0414] The apparatus 1000 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the transmitting end in the above-mentioned method, or the apparatus 1000 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the receiving end in the above-mentioned method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0415] In addition, the above-mentioned transceiver unit can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit. In an embodiment of the present application, the device 1000 can be the receiving end or the transmitting end in the aforementioned embodiment, or it can be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). Among them, the transceiver unit can be an input and output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, microprocessor or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0416] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, the device 2000 includes a processor 2010 and a transceiver 2020. The processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The processor 2010 is used to execute instructions to control the transceiver 2020 to send and / or receive signals.

[0417] Optionally, the apparatus 2000 may further include a memory 2030, which communicates with the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 via an internal connection path. The memory 2030 is used to store instructions, and the processor 2010 may execute the instructions stored in the memory 2030.

[0418] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 2000 is used to implement various processes and steps corresponding to the UE in the above method embodiment.

[0419] In another possible implementation, the apparatus 2000 is used to implement various processes and steps corresponding to the access and mobility management network elements in the above method embodiment.

[0420] In another possible implementation, the apparatus 2000 is used to implement various processes and steps corresponding to the access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0421] It should be understood that the device 2000 can be specifically the transmitting end or receiving end in the above-mentioned embodiments, or can also be a chip or chip system. Correspondingly, the transceiver 2020 can be the transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here. Specifically, the device 2000 can be used to perform the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the transmitting end or receiving end in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0422] Optionally, the memory 2030 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 2010 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory. When the processor 2010 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 2010 is configured to perform the various steps and / or processes of the above-described method embodiments corresponding to the transmitting end or the receiving end.

[0423] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or an instruction in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0424] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above-mentioned method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or by software instructions. The above-mentioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor in the embodiments of the present application can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0425] It will 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 but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory, dynamic random access memory, synchronous dynamic random access memory, double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory, enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory, synchronous linked dynamic random access memory, and direct memory bus random access memory. It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0426] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip system 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the chip system 3000 (or also referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 3010 and an input / output interface 3020 .

[0427] The logic circuit 3010 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 3000. The logic circuit 3010 may be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit so that the chip system 3000 can implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 3020 may be an input / output circuit in the chip system 3000, outputting information processed by the chip system 3000 or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 3000 for processing.

[0428] As a solution, the chip system 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the UE in the above various method embodiments.

[0429] As a solution, the chip system 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the access and mobility management network element in the above various method embodiments.

[0430] As a solution, the chip system 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the access network device in the above various method embodiments.

[0431] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions are stored for implementing the methods executed by the UE, access and mobility management network element, and access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0432] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, comprising computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer implements the methods performed by the UE, the access and mobility management network element, and the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0433] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned UE, access and mobility management network element and access network equipment, and optionally, may also include UDM or PCF.

[0434] The explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0435] To facilitate understanding of the above embodiments provided in this application, the following points are explained:

[0436] 1) In this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0437] 2) In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Where a, b and c can be single or multiple, respectively.

[0438] 3) Throughout this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical references (e.g., #1, #2, etc.) are used to distinguish between different messages for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they are used to distinguish between different messages, rather than to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that such references are interchangeable, where appropriate, to allow for the description of scenarios beyond the embodiments of this application.

[0439] 4) In this application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", and "if" all mean that the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They do not limit the time, nor do they require the device to perform judgment actions when implementing them, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0440] 5) In this application, "used to indicate" can include being used for direct indication and being used for indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that the indication information must carry A.

[0441] The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to encompass various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain information to be indicated. 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 timing of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific transmission method.

[0442] In the embodiments of the present application, the "indication information" may be an explicit indication, i.e., a direct indication via signaling, or may be obtained based on parameters indicated by the signaling, in combination with other rules, other parameters, or by deduction. It may also be an implicit indication, i.e., based on a rule or relationship, or based on other parameters, or by deduction. This application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0443] 6) In this application, "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as 5G protocol, NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, which are not limited in this application. "Predefined" may include pre-definition. For example, protocol definition. "Preconfiguration" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. This application does not limit its specific implementation method.

[0444] 7) In this application, "communication" may also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", "data processing", etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving".

[0445] 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.

[0446] 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.

[0447] 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 only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, 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.

[0448] 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.

[0449] 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.

[0450] 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 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, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0451] 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, The method includes: The terminal receives first information from the network, where the first information indicates that the network does not support a first handover method, or indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second handover method; the first handover method is a handover method initiated by a radio access network device, and the second handover method is a handover method initiated by the terminal; According to the first information, switch the first path to a second path through the second handover method; the first path includes the connection between the terminal and a first access network device, and the second path includes the connection between the terminal and a second access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of switching the first path to the second path according to the first information through the second handover method includes: The terminal sends a session establishment request message or a session modification request message through the second path, where the session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a handover indication and an identifier of a first session, and the handover indication is used to indicate that the first session transmitted on the first path is switched to be transmitted on the second path; or The terminal sends a first request through the second path, and the first request is used to request to switch the session transmitted on the first path to be transmitted on the second path.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before switching the first path to the second path through the second handover method, the method further includes: When a first handover condition is satisfied, switch the first path to the second path through the second handover method; the first handover condition is that the signal quality between the terminal and the first access network device is lower than a first threshold.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the first access network device is a first RAT, and the RAT corresponding to the second access network device is a second RAT; The first information indicating that the network does not support the first handover method, or indicating that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through the second handover method includes: The first information indicates that the network does not support handover between the first RAT and the second RAT through the first handover method, or indicates that the terminal is allowed to perform handover between the first RAT and the second RAT through the second handover method.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information includes policy information, and the policy information indicates preferential access to the access network device corresponding to the first RAT type. The method further includes: Switch the second path to the first path through the second handover method, where the first path includes the connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the RAT corresponding to the first access network device is the first RAT.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The step of switching the second path to the first path through the second handover method includes: When a second handover condition is satisfied, switch the second path to the first path through the second handover method; the second handover condition is that the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device corresponding to the first RAT type is higher than a second threshold.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first message to the terminal, where the first message indicates that the network does not support a first handover method, or indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second handover method; the first handover method is a handover method initiated by a radio access network device, and the second handover method is a handover method initiated by the terminal; Receive a first request sent by the terminal through a second path, where the first request is used to request to switch a session transmitted through a first path to be transmitted through the second path; the first path includes a connection between the terminal and a first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and a second access network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein Before sending the first message to the terminal, the method further includes: Determine the first message according to the configuration of the network management; or, Receive the first message sent by a policy control network element or a data management network element.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first request is a session establishment request message or a session modification request message, and the session establishment request message or the session modification request message includes a handover indication and an identifier of a first session, and the handover indication is used to indicate to switch the first session transmitted through the first path to be transmitted through the second path.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive handover policy information, where the handover policy information indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second handover method, and the second handover method is a handover method initiated by the terminal; Send handover configuration information to the terminal according to the handover policy information, where the handover configuration information is used for the terminal to switch paths through the second handover method.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The handover configuration information includes a first handover condition, and the first handover condition is used to switch paths through the second handover method when the signal quality between the terminal and the access network device is lower than a first threshold.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The handover configuration information further includes a second handover condition, and the second handover condition is used to switch back to the path corresponding to the access network device when the signal quality between the terminal and the corresponding access network device is higher than a second threshold.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 - 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message to the terminal, where the first message indicates that the network does not support a first handover method, and the first handover method is a handover method initiated by a radio access network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The method further includes: Determine the first message according to the configuration of the network management; or, Receive the first message sent by an access and mobility management network element.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive handover policy information, where the handover policy information indicates that the terminal is allowed to switch paths through a second handover method, and the second handover method is a handover method initiated by the terminal; According to the handover policy information, send path handover indication information to the terminal, where the path handover indication information is used for the terminal to switch paths through a second handover method, the first path includes a connection between the terminal and a first access network device, and the second path includes a connection between the terminal and a second access network device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein Sending path handover indication information to the terminal according to the handover policy information includes: Determine to switch the first path of the terminal to the second path according to the handover policy information; Send the path handover indication information to the terminal.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, Before determining to switch the first path of the terminal to the second path according to the handover policy information, the method further includes: Receive a measurement report sent by the terminal, where the measurement report includes the signal quality of a first cell corresponding to the first access network device, and the signal quality of the first cell is lower than a first threshold corresponding to the second path switching method.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, Before sending handover indication information to the terminal, the method further includes: Determine handover indication information according to first information, where the first information indicates that the network does not support a first handover method, and the first handover method is a handover method initiated by a radio access network device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the first information according to the configuration of the network management; or, Receive the first information sent by an access and mobility management network element.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive path switching indication information through the first access network device; The terminal, according to the path switching indication information, switches the first path to the second path through a second handover method; the second handover method is a handover method initiated by the terminal, the first path includes the connection between the terminal and the first access network device, and the second path includes the connection between the terminal and the second access network device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein Before receiving the path switching indication information through the first access network device, the method further includes: The terminal sends capability information, where the capability information indicates that the terminal supports switching paths through the second handover method.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The method further includes: Send a measurement report to the first access network device, where the measurement report includes the signal quality of a first cell corresponding to the first access network device, a second cell identifier, and the corresponding signal quality; Receive the second cell identifier and switch to the second cell of the second path according to the second cell identifier.

23. A terminal, characterized in that, The terminal includes a module for executing the communication method according to any one of claims 1-6, or includes a module for executing the communication method according to any one of claims 20-22.

24. An access and mobility management network element, characterized in that, The access and mobility management network element includes a module for executing the communication method according to any one of claims 7-9.

25. An access network device, characterized in that, The access network device includes a module for executing the communication method according to any one of claims 10-19.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1-22.

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