Communication method and apparatus therefor

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and an apparatus therefor. The method comprises: a first network device serving a first terminal sends a first indication to the first terminal, the first indication being used for indicating an identifier of the first terminal; the first terminal sends the first indication to the first network device by means of an internal interface, and the first network device sends an establishment request to a second network device, the establishment request comprising the first indication; and the first network device sends to the second network device a response to successful establishment. In this embodiment, it is allowed to establish a communication connection between a network device (i.e. the first network device) jointly provided for the terminal and a network device (i.e. the second network device) serving the terminal. By transferring the first indication, which means that the first network device sends the first indication to the first terminal, the first terminal then sends same to the second network device, and the second network device then sends same to the first network device, the communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device.

Description

A communication method and device thereof

[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 April 2, 2024, with application number 202410410682.7 and application name "A Communication Method and Device Thereof", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] Generally, the location of a base station is fixed (excluding special cases such as base station migration). The base station can be pre-configured with relevant information of surrounding base stations, and establish communication connections with surrounding base stations based on the relevant information.

[0005] With the development of technology, mobile base stations have emerged, such as base stations deployed on moving vehicles. The location of mobile base stations can change, and the surrounding base stations can also change. In this case, how to establish communication connections between base stations is still unknown. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus thereof for establishing a communication connection between base stations.

[0007] In the first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the first network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the first network device. Take the method executed by the first network device as an example for introduction: the first network device sends a first indication to the first terminal, the first indication is used to indicate the identifier of the first terminal, and the identifier of the first terminal is associated with the first network device; the first network device serves the first terminal; the first network device receives an establishment request from the second network device, the establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request includes the first indication, and the second network device and the first terminal are jointly set; based on the first indication, the first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0008] In this embodiment, a communication connection is established between a network device co-located with a terminal (i.e., a first network device) and a network device serving the terminal (i.e., a second network device). The communication connection is established between the first network device and the second network device by transmitting a first instruction, i.e., the first network device sends a first instruction to the first terminal, the first terminal sends a instruction to the second network device, and the second network device sends a instruction to the first network device.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first network device may determine that the first terminal and the second network device are co-located based on the first indication. For example, if the first network device determines that the indication included in the establishment request is an indication sent by the first network device to the terminal served by the first network device, then the first network device determines that a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the network device that sent the establishment request (i.e., the second network device); otherwise, the first network device determines not to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the network device that sent the establishment request (i.e., the second network device).

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first network device may receive a second indication from a core network element, where the second indication is used to indicate that the first network device and the second network device serve the same public land mobile network PLMN; the first network device sends the establishment response to the second network device based on the first indication and the second indication.

[0011] In this implementation, it is limited that communication connections can be established between network devices serving the same PLMN. This ensures that the first network device and the second network device transmit parameters of the same PLMN during the process of establishing the connection. In this way, after the first network device receives the establishment request from the second network device, it can also save the parameters carried in the establishment request locally.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first network device first sends first configuration information to the first terminal, where the first configuration information is used to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, and then receives a connection establishment request from the second network device. The connection establishment request includes certain parameters configured in the first configuration information, for example, the parameters include one or more of the following: an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about AMFs to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. It should also be noted that in current technologies, one device sends configuration information to another device so that the two devices can establish a communication connection. In this embodiment, the configuration information used to establish a communication connection between the two network devices is sent to the first terminal and forwarded by the first terminal to the second network device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the establishment request also includes a third indication, and the third indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility; the first configuration information is determined based on the third indication. For example, when configuring a network device, the configuration information sent to a conventional network device (the conventional network device here refers to a network device without mobility) and the configuration information sent to a network device with mobility may be slightly different in certain parameters, for example, the IP address of the first network device is different. The first network device can obtain that the second network device has mobility based on the third indication, and determine the first configuration information for this situation. That is, the first configuration information sent to the second network device is associated with the third indication.

[0014] In a possible implementation, when the first network device no longer serves the first terminal, a fourth indication is sent to the second network device, where the fourth indication is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0015] On the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the second network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the second network device. Take the method executed by the second network device as an example for introduction: the second network device obtains a first indication, the first indication is used to indicate the identifier of the first terminal, and the identifier of the first terminal is associated with the first network device; the first network device serves the first terminal; the second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device, the establishment request is used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request includes the first indication, and the second network device and the first terminal are jointly set; the second network device receives an establishment response from the first network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the second network device may further obtain first configuration information from the first network device, the first configuration information being used by the first network device to establish a communication connection with the second network device, and then send an establishment request to the first network device. The establishment request includes certain parameters configured in the first configuration information.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the establishment request further includes a third indication, where the third indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility; and the first configuration information is determined based on the third indication.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the second network device may further receive a fourth instruction from the first network device, where the fourth instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0019] The effect of the second aspect can refer to the effect of the first aspect and will not be described in detail.

[0020] On the third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the first network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the first network device. Take the method executed by the first network device as an example for introduction: the first network device obtains information about the area where network devices that are allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device are located; the first network device receives an establishment request from the second network device, and the establishment request is used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the second network device has mobility; the first network device obtains the location information of the second network device, and based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area, sends an establishment response to the second network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0021] For example, before sending the establishment response to the second network device, the first network device determines that the second network device is located in the area based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area.

[0022] In this embodiment, one or more areas are configured for the first network device to limit the range of mobile network devices that can establish a communication connection with the first network device. When the second network device is in the configured area, a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the establishment request includes: an identifier of the first terminal; the first terminal and the second network device are jointly provided; and the first network device may obtain location information of the second network device based on the identifier of the first terminal. For example, the first network device obtains the location information of the first terminal from a core network where the first terminal is registered.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the establishment request includes a first indication indicating that the second network device has mobility; the first network device obtains the location information of the second network device based on the first indication and the identifier of the first terminal. Alternatively, the first network device triggers the acquisition of the location information of the second network device based on the first indication.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the establishment request includes: location information of the second network device; and the first network device obtains the location information of the second network device in the establishment request.

[0026] In the fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the second network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the second network device. Take the method being executed by the second network device as an example for introduction: the second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device, and the establishment request is used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the second network device has mobility; the establishment request includes the identifier of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device, the identifier of the first terminal can be used to determine the location information of the second network device, and the location information of the second network device is used to determine whether the first network device and the second network device can establish a communication connection; the second network device receives an establishment response from the first network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device has been successfully established.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the establishment request includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility.

[0028] The effect of the fourth aspect can refer to the effect of the third aspect and will not be described in detail.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules. The chip system or functional module can realize the functions of the first network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the first network device. Taking the method executed by the first network device as an example, the first network device is introduced: the first network device receives an establishment request from the second network device, the establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request includes the identification of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device, the second network device is jointly established with the first terminal, and the second network device has mobility; the first network device sends the identification of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device to the operation administration and maintenance function entity OAM; the identification of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device is used to determine whether to allow the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the first network device receives a first indication from the OAM, the first indication is used to indicate that the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed; the first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device, the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0030] In this embodiment, whether a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device is determined by using the location information of the second network device.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first network device may further send a second indication to the OAM, where the second indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device has been established.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the first network device may also receive a third indication from the OAM, where the third indication is used to indicate the release of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the first network device sends a fourth indication to the second network device, where the fourth indication is used to indicate the release of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0033] In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by OAM, or by other devices including OAM functions, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the function of OAM, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in OAM. Take the execution of this method by OAM as an example for introduction: OAM receives the identification of a first terminal from a first network device or the location information of a second network device, the second network device is co-located with the first terminal, and the second network device has mobility; OAM sends a first indication to the first network device based on the identification of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device, and the first indication is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed to be established.

[0034] For example, before sending the first instruction to the first network device, the OAM determines, based on the location information of the second network device, that the second network device is located in a set area, where the set area is related to the first network device.

[0035] In this embodiment, whether a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device is determined by using the location information of the second network device.

[0036] In one possible implementation, before sending the first indication to the first network device, the OAM may also obtain the location information of the second network device based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determine whether to allow the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device based on the location information of the second network device; or, determine whether to allow the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device based on the location information of the second network device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the OAM may further receive a second indication from the first network device, where the second indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device has been established.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the OAM may further send a third instruction to the first network device, the third instruction being used to instruct the release of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. For example, the OAM determines that the second network device has moved beyond a set threshold, and therefore needs to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0039] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the first network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the first network device. Take the method executed by the first network device as an example for introduction: the first network device receives first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes the identifier of at least one cell; the first network device receives an establishment request from the second network device, and the establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, and the establishment request includes the identifier of the first cell; the identifier of the first cell belongs to the identifier of the at least one cell, and the second network device has mobility; the first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0040] In this embodiment, a cell identifier is configured for the first network device. By comparing the cell identifier carried in the establishment request with the cell identifier configured in the first network device, it is determined whether the network device sending the establishment request (i.e., the second network device) and the first network device can establish a communication connection.

[0041] In one possible implementation, after sending an establishment response to the second network device, the first network device may also receive an identifier of a second cell from the second network device, where the identifier of the second cell does not belong to the identifier of the at least one cell; the first network device sends a first indication to the second network device, where the first indication is used to instruct the release of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. In this implementation, the second network device updates a cell, but the updated cell is not within the cell configured by the first network device, so the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device needs to be released.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first network device sends a second indication to the second network device, where the second indication is used to instruct the first network device to periodically report a cell identifier.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the second network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the second network device. Take the method executed by the second network device as an example for introduction: the second network device obtains the identifier of the first cell; the second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device, the establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, and the establishment request includes the identifier of the first cell; the second network device has mobility; the first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device, and the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0044] In this embodiment, a cell identifier is configured for the first network device. By comparing the cell identifier carried in the establishment request with the cell identifier configured in the first network device, it is determined whether the network device sending the establishment request (i.e., the second network device) and the first network device can establish a communication connection.

[0045] In one possible implementation, after establishing a communication connection with a first network device, a second network device moves and then receives an identifier of a second cell. The second network device then sends the identifier of the second cell to the first network device. The second network device then receives a first instruction from the first network device, instructing the release of the communication connection between the first and second network devices. In this implementation, the second network device updates a cell, but the updated cell is not within the cell configured by the first network device, so the communication connection between the first and second network devices needs to be released.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second network device receives a second instruction from the first network device, where the second instruction is used to instruct the first network device to periodically report a cell identifier.

[0047] Ninthly, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the second network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the second network device. Take the method executed by the second network device as an example for introduction: the second network device receives first configuration information, the first configuration information includes information of at least one authorized network device, information of at least one area and a mapping relationship between the two, the authorized network device includes at least the first network device; the second network device has mobility; the second network device determines that the second network device is in the first area based on the current location of the second network device, the first area belongs to the at least one area, the first area corresponds to the first network device, and the first network device belongs to the at least one authorized network device; the second network device sends a first establishment request to the first network device based on the information of the first network device, the first establishment request is used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the second network device receives a first establishment response from the first network device, the first establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second network device determines which network devices can establish a communication connection based on the area where the second network device is located.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information further includes an identifier of a cell corresponding to the authorized network device; the first establishment request includes an identifier of a first cell, and the first cell corresponds to the first network device.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second network device may further determine that the second network device currently moves out of the first area, and then send a first indication to the first network device, where the first indication is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0051] In one possible implementation, after sending the first indication to the first network device, the second network device may also send a second establishment request to the third network device, where the second establishment request is used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the third network device, and the third network device belongs to the authorized network device; the second network device receives a second establishment response from the third network device, where the second establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the third network device is successfully established.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the first network device described in the above-mentioned various aspects. The communication device has the functions of the above-mentioned first network device. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the first network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second network device described in the above-mentioned various aspects. The communication device has the functions of the above-mentioned second network device. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the second network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be the OAM described in the above-mentioned sixth aspect. The communication device has the functions of the above-mentioned OAM. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in OAM, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0053] In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the first network device described in the above aspects, or perform the function of the second network device described in the above aspects, or perform the function of the OAM described in the above sixth aspect.

[0055] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising an interface circuit and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instruction, the communication device executes the method performed by the first network device in each of the above aspects, or the method performed by the second network device in each of the above aspects, or the method performed by the OAM in the sixth aspect. Exemplarily, the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor implements the method performed by the first network device in each of the above aspects, or the method performed by the second network device in each of the above aspects, or the method performed by the OAM in the sixth aspect through logic circuits or execution of code instructions.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system.

[0057] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and, optionally, a memory; the processor and the memory are coupled; the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; the processor is used to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the function of the first network device in the above-mentioned various aspects, or to implement the function of the second network device in the above-mentioned various aspects, or to implement the function of OAM in the above-mentioned sixth aspect.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may further include a transceiver configured to transmit a signal processed by the processor or receive a signal input to the processor. The transceiver may perform the transmitting action or receiving action performed by the first network device in each aspect, or by the second network device in each aspect, or by the OAM in the sixth aspect.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the processing unit in the tenth aspect can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the tenth aspect can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiver unit in the tenth aspect can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system.

[0061] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the first network device of the first aspect and the second network device of the second aspect; alternatively, the communication system comprises the first network device of the third aspect and the second network device of the fourth aspect; alternatively, the communication system comprises the first network device of the seventh aspect and the second network device of the eighth aspect. For example, the first network device and the second network device may be implemented using the communication apparatus described in the tenth aspect.

[0062] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is used to store computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, enable the methods in the above-mentioned various aspects to be implemented.

[0063] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which enables the methods in the above aspects to be implemented when the computer program product is run on the computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G communication system provided by this application;

[0065] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another 5G communication system provided by this application;

[0066] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture of a MWAB device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figures 3 to 9 are schematic flow charts of the communication method provided by this application;

[0068] FIG10 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0069] FIG11 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network (TN) or a non-terrestrial network (NTN), such as a satellite network. The technical solution of the present application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, and can be applied to, but not limited to, the fourth generation mobile communication technology (the 4th generation, 4G) system (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the fifth generation mobile communication technology (the 5th generation, 5G) system (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to the next generation mobile communication system or other similar communication systems (such as the sixth generation mobile communication technology (the 6th generation, 6G) system), etc., without specific restrictions. In addition, the technical solution of the present application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, etc., or can be applied to V2X scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios, etc. The technical solution of the present application can also be applied to fields such as intelligent driving, assisted driving, or intelligent connected vehicles, or factory manufacturing scenarios.

[0071] For example, Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture to which the present application may be applied. Specifically, Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. For example, Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of another 5G communication system architecture to which the present application may be applied. Specifically, Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of a 5G architecture based on point-to-point. The main difference between Figure 1a and Figure 1b is that the interface between the network elements in Figure 1a is a service-oriented interface, while the interface between the network elements in Figure 1b is a point-to-point interface.

[0072] The 5G network architecture shown in Figures 1a and 1b includes terminal equipment, an access network, and a core network. Optionally, it also includes data network (DN) and application function (AF) network elements. Terminals access the core network through the access network, and the core network communicates with the DN or AF. The following briefly describes the functions of some of these network elements.

[0073] A terminal device (UE), also known as user equipment (UE), is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water (such as ships); or in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0074] The (R)AN device in this application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The (R)AN device is also called an access network device. The RAN equipment in this application includes but is not limited to: the next generation base station (g nodeB, gNB) in 5G, evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), node B (node ​​B, NB), base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (baseBand unit, BBU), transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmission point (transmitting point, TP), mobile switching center, etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary. For example, in the fifth generation (5G) system, it is called RAN or gNB (5G NodeB); in the LTE system, it is called evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB); in the third generation (3G) system, it is called Node B, etc.

[0075] A data network (DN) can deploy a variety of services, providing data and / or voice services to terminal devices. For example, a DN is the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can be terminal devices. The DN contains sensors and a control server, which provides services to the sensors. Sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions from the control server, and transmit collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions. Another example is a DN that is a company's internal office network. Employees' mobile phones or computers can be terminal devices, allowing them to access information and data resources on the company's internal office network.

[0076] The application network element mainly supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side. In the 5G communication system, the application network element can be an application function (AF) network element. In future communication systems, the application network element can still be an AF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0077] The core network may include one or more of the following network elements:

[0078] The access management network element (also known as the mobility management network element) is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator network, such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication and user functions. In the 5G communication system, the access management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0079] The session management network element is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses to users and selecting user plane network elements that provide message forwarding functions. In 5G communication systems, this session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0080] The user plane network element is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal device. It can receive user data from the data network and transmit it to the terminal device through the access network device; the user plane network element can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network device and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions that provide services to the terminal device in the user plane network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. In the 5G communication system, the user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0081] The data management network element is used for generating authentication credentials, user identification processing (such as storing and managing user permanent identities), access control, and contract data management. In a 5G communication system, this data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM) network element. In future communication systems, the unified data management can still be a UDM network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0082] The data storage network element is responsible for storing structured data information, including contract information, policy information, and network data or service data defined in a standard format. In a 5G communication system, the data storage network element can be a unified data repository (UDR). In future communication systems, the network open function network element can still be a UDR network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0083] The policy control network element mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to the control layer network function, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. In the 4G communication system, the policy control network element can be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. In the 5G communication system, the policy control network element can be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0084] The network storage network element can be used to provide network element discovery function and provide network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. NRF also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, and network element status subscription and push. In the 5G communication system, the network storage network element can be a network repository function (NRF) network element. In future communication systems, the network storage network element can still be an NRF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0085] A network exposure function element can be used to securely expose services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network function devices to the outside world. In a 5G communication system, the network exposure function element can be a network exposure function (NEF) element. In future communication systems, the network exposure function element can still be an NEF element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0086] The network slice selection function network element can be used to select a suitable network slice for the terminal's service. In a 5G communication system, the network slice selection network element can be a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element. In future communication systems, the network open function network element can still be an NSSF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0087] The network data analysis function network element can collect data from various network functions (NFs), such as policy control network elements, session management network elements, user plane network elements, access management network elements, and application function network elements (through network capability exposure function network elements), and perform analysis and prediction. In a 5G communication system, the network data analysis network element can be a network data analysis function (NWDAF). In future communication systems, the network data analysis function network element can still be an NWDAF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0088] It is understood that the above-mentioned network element or function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, or can be a functional module within a single device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0089] Figure 2 shows the communication architecture of a mobile gNB with wireless access backhaul (MWAB) device. The MWAB device can be deployed on a moving vehicle or other object. It consists of a gNB and a user equipment (UE). To distinguish it from a conventional base station (a fixed base station on the ground) and a conventional user equipment (a UE not co-located with a base station), the gNB in ​​the MWAB device is referred to as a MWAB-gNB, and the user equipment in the MWAB device is referred to as a MWAB-UE. Both the MWAB-gNB and the MWAB-UE are mobile. The MWAB-UE has the functionality of a conventional UE and can connect to the core network. The N2 / N3 backhaul link between the conventional gNB and the core network can be implemented using optical fiber. The N2 / N3 backhaul link between the mobile MWAB-gNB and the core network can be carried over the PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the core network, implementing wireless backhaul. This allows the MWAB-gNB to provide wireless access to other UEs near the vehicle.

[0090] A MWAB-UE can access the core network through an off-board base station (e.g., a donor-gNB) and establish a PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF (such as UPF#1 in Figure 2). N2 messaging between the MWAB-gNB and the AMF (such as AMF#2 in Figure 2) is implemented through the PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF. For example, when the MWAB-gNB needs to send an N2 message to AMF#2, the MWAB-gNB forwards the N2 message to the MWAB-UE via the internal interface between the MWAB-gNB and the MWAB-UE. The MWAB-UE then forwards the N2 message as the payload of a data packet to the anchor UPF (such as UPF#1 in Figure 2) via the established PDU session. The anchor UPF then forwards the data packet to AMF#2, completing the N2 message forwarding. N3 messaging between the MWAB-gNB and the UPF (such as UPF#2 in Figure 2) can also be implemented through the PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF. For example, when MWAB-gNB needs to send an N3 message to UPF#2, MWAB-gNB forwards the N3 message to MWAB-UE through the internal interface between it and MWAB-UE. MWAB-UE uses the N3 message as the payload of the data packet and passes it to the anchor point UPF of the PDU session through the established PDU session (which can be UPF#1 in Figure 2 or other UPFs, not limited in this application). The anchor point UPF then forwards the data packet to UPF#2, thereby completing the forwarding of the N3 message.

[0091] The present application proposes a variety of communication methods to achieve communication connections between a mobile network device and other network devices (which may be mobile network devices or conventional non-mobile network devices).

[0092] Below, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0093] The first network device is the network device where the first terminal is currently located, that is, the network device currently serving the first terminal. The first network device can be a conventional network device. In this application, a conventional network device refers to a network device that is not mobile and is not co-located with the terminal. For example, the first network device is the base station in Figure 2, such as a donor-gNB. Alternatively, the first network device can also be a mobile network device, for example, the second network device is an MWAB-gNB device, or an MWAB device.

[0094] The second network device is co-located with the first terminal, and the first terminal is mobile, so the second network device has mobility. For example, the first terminal is the MWAB-UE in Figure 2, and the second network device is the MWAB-gNB in ​​Figure 2.

[0095] In addition, the first terminal can establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session for accessing the first network device, and the interaction between the first network device and the second network device can be carried on the user plane path of the PDU session. For example, the establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device can be transmitted to the first network device through the user plane path of the PDU session. For another example, the establishment response, configuration information, and various indication information sent by the first network device to the second network device can be transmitted to the second network device through the user plane path of the PDU session.

[0096] In addition, the first terminal and the second network device are combined together and can be regarded as an integral device. In all embodiments of the present application, the interaction between the first terminal and the first network device can be replaced by the interaction between the integral device and the first network device, and the interaction between the second network device and the first network device can be replaced by the interaction between the integral device and the first network device. The integral device can be a MWAB device.

[0097] The communication connection established between the first network device and the second network device is an Xn connection.

[0098] In order to better describe the embodiments of the present application, the following describes the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the steps indicated by dotted lines in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application are all optional steps.

[0099] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0100] Step 301: A first network device sends a first indication to a first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first indication. The first indication is used to indicate an identifier of the first terminal, and the identifier of the first terminal is associated with the first network device.

[0101] The identifier of the first terminal is a terminal identifier on the air interface side. The identifier of the first terminal is a unique identifier of the first terminal in the first network device. For example, the first indication is an RRC-Transaction Identifier. Optionally, during the interaction between the first network device and the second network device, the first terminal must remain in an RRC connected state so that the first network device can continuously maintain the RRC-Transaction Identifier.

[0102] In one possible example, the first terminal may obtain the identifier of the first terminal through an RRC establishment process between the first terminal and the first network device. For example, before step 301, the first terminal sends an RRC establishment request to the first network device to request establishment of an RRC connection between the first terminal and the first network device, and the first network device sends an RRC establishment response to the first terminal, where the RRC establishment response is used to indicate that the RRC connection between the first terminal and the first network device is successfully established, and the RRC establishment response includes the first indication.

[0103] In one possible example, before step 301, the first terminal may further send indication information to the first network device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal is a terminal device co-located with the second network device, or that the first terminal is a terminal of an MWAB device. For example, the indication information is carried in the RRC establishment request. Furthermore, the first network device determines a first indication to be sent to the first terminal based on the indication information.

[0104] Step 302: The first terminal sends the first indication to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first indication from the first terminal.

[0105] The first terminal and the second network device are installed together, and the sending and receiving in step 302 refer to sending and receiving through the internal interface between the first terminal and the second network device.

[0106] Step 303: The second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the establishment request from the second network device. The establishment request is used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, and the establishment request includes the first indication.

[0107] In addition, in addition to the first indication, the setup request message may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup request message type (message type), an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a tracking area identity (TAI) list supported by the second network device, cell information supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0108] Step 304: The first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response; the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0109] The setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of TAIs supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the first network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0110] The first network device may send an establishment response to the second network device based on the first indication. For example, if the first network device determines that the indication included in the establishment request is an indication sent by the first network device to the terminal served by the first network device, then the first network device determines that a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the network device that sent the establishment request (i.e., the second network device); otherwise, the first network device determines not to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the network device that sent the establishment request (i.e., the second network device).

[0111] In this embodiment, it can be defined that: the terminal will send the RRC-Transaction indication from the resident network device to the network device co-located with itself, and will not send it to the network device not co-located with itself.

[0112] In this embodiment, a communication connection is established between a network device co-located with a terminal (i.e., a first network device) and a network device serving the terminal (i.e., a second network device). The communication connection is established between the first network device and the second network device by transmitting a first instruction, i.e., the first network device sends a first instruction to the first terminal, the first terminal sends a instruction to the second network device, and the second network device sends a instruction to the first network device.

[0113] In one possible implementation, it is limited that communication connections can be established between network devices serving the same public land mobile network (PLMN). This ensures that the first network device and the second network device transmit parameters of the same PLMN during the connection establishment process. In this way, after the first network device receives the establishment request from the second network device, it can also save the parameters carried in the establishment request locally. If a communication connection is established between network devices serving different PLMNs, the network devices from different PLMNs may not understand the parameters transmitted during the connection establishment process, resulting in the communication connection establishment process being meaningless. For example, the establishment request message carries a list of TAIs supported by the first network device. The TAI consists of a PLMN ID and a tracking area code (TAC). The PLMN ID is a combination of a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC), and is a unique code assigned to each operator. If the first network device serves PLMN#1 and the second network device serves PLMN#2, then when the setup request message carries the TAI list supported by the first network device (the TAI is assigned by PLMN#1), the second network device does not belong to PLMN#1 and does not understand the TAI list supported by the first network device. Therefore, it is meaningless for network devices of two different PLMNs to establish a connection. Based on this, before step 304 (sending a setup response to the second network device), the core network element can send a second indication to the first network device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the second indication from the core network element, where the second indication is used to indicate that the first network device and the second network device serve the same PLMN. In this way, in step 304, the first network device can send a setup response to the second network device based on the first and second indications. If the first network device receives an indication that the first and second network devices serve different PLMNs, it will not send a response indicating successful setup to the second network device.

[0114] Before step 303 (where the first network device receives the connection request from the second network device), the first network device may configure, via the first terminal, the parameters required for establishing a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. In one possible implementation, the first network device sends first configuration information to the first terminal, and the first terminal receives the first configuration information in response; the first configuration information is used to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. The first terminal sends the first configuration information to the second network device, and the second network device can receive the first configuration information, and then perform step 303 (send an establishment request to the second network device) based on the first configuration information. The first configuration information includes parameters required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with the first network device, and the parameters include but are not limited to one or more of the following: an identifier of the second network device (for example, a gNB ID), an IP address of the second network device, a TAI list supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, an identifier of the first network device, and an IP address of the first network device. Then, the second network device carries these parameters in the establishment request sent to the first network device. In the current technology, one device sends configuration information to another device so that a communication connection can be established between the two devices. In this embodiment, the configuration information for establishing a communication connection between the two network devices is sent to the first terminal and forwarded by the first terminal to the second network device.

[0115] When configuring a network device, the configuration information sent to a conventional network device (a conventional network device here refers to a network device that is not co-located with a terminal) and the configuration information sent to an unconventional network device (an unconventional network device here refers to a network device co-located with a terminal) may differ slightly in certain parameters. For example, the IP address of the first network device required for the conventional network device to establish a communication connection with the first network device (e.g., IP address #1) may be different from the IP address of the first network device required for the mobile network device to establish a communication connection with the first network device (e.g., IP address #2). The establishment request in step 303 includes a first indication, which is sent by the first network device to the first terminal. The first network device obtains the first indication again at the second network device. Based on this, the first network device can know that the second network device is co-located with the first terminal, and determines the first configuration information for this situation. That is, the first configuration information sent to the second network device is associated with the first indication.

[0116] In one possible example, the second network device may inform the first network device that the second network device has mobility. Exemplarily, the establishment request of step 303 includes a third indication, and the third indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility. When configuring a network device, the configuration information sent to a conventional network device (the conventional network device here refers to a network device without mobility) and the configuration information sent to a network device with mobility may be slightly different in certain parameters, for example, the IP address of the first network device is different. The first network device can obtain that the second network device has mobility based on the third indication, and determine the first configuration information for this situation, that is, the first configuration information sent to the second network device is associated with the third indication.

[0117] In conjunction with FIG3 and related content, as shown in FIG4, a flow chart of a specific communication method is introduced, which includes the following steps:

[0118] Step 400a: Configure the PLMN information served by the second network device in the second network device.

[0119] For example, the PLMN served by the second network device may be a PLMN broadcast by the second network device. For example, the PLMN information includes a PLMN ID.

[0120] Step 400b: The second network device sends the PLMN information served by the second network device to the first terminal through the internal interface.

[0121] Step 401: A first terminal sends an RRC setup request to a first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the RRC setup request, where the RRC setup request is used to request establishment of an RRC connection between the first terminal and the first network device.

[0122] Optionally, the RRC setup request message may also include indication information for indicating the type of the first terminal device. For example, the indication information indicates that the first terminal is co-located with the second network device, or indicates that the first terminal is a terminal of an MWAB device. Optionally, the RRC setup request message may also include PLMN information served by the second network device, such as a PLMN ID.

[0123] Step 402: The first network device sends an RRC setup response to the first terminal. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the RRC setup response, which is used to indicate that the RRC connection between the first terminal and the first network device is successfully established. The RRC setup response includes an RRC-Transaction Identifier (i.e., the first indication introduced above).

[0124] There is no restriction on the order of step 400b, step 401 and step 402.

[0125] Step 403a: The first terminal sends a registration request to the first network device.

[0126] Optionally, the registration request includes the PLMN served by the second network device in step 400b.

[0127] Step 403b: The first network device sends the registration request to the access management network element (eg, AMF), and the access management network element receives the registration request. The registration request is a NAS message, and the first network device transparently transmits the registration request.

[0128] Step 404: The access management network element obtains the contract information of the first terminal from the data management network element (eg, UDM), and determines whether the first terminal is successfully authorized based on the contract information.

[0129] The subscription information of the first terminal includes the type of the first terminal, such as a terminal of a MWAB device.

[0130] The contract information of the first terminal also includes information for authorizing the area where the first terminal is located.

[0131] In this example, the first terminal is successfully authorized as an example, where the authorization success means that the first terminal is allowed to register with the current network, or the first terminal is allowed to function as a terminal of the MWAB device (MWAB operation allowed).

[0132] Step 405: The access management network element sends an N2 message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the N2 message, which includes a registration acceptance response. Optionally, the N2 message also includes an indication that the first terminal is successfully authorized.

[0133] Optionally, the N2 message also includes an indication that the first network device and the second network device serve the same PLMN (i.e., the second indication described above). If the registration request includes the PLMN served by the second network device, the access management network element can obtain the PLMN served by the second network device from the registration request. The access management network element can also obtain the PLMN served by the first network device. The access management network element compares the two PLMNs to determine whether the two PLMNs are the same. If they are the same, the N2 message can also include an indication that the first network device and the second network device serve the same PLMN (i.e., the second indication described above). If they are not the same, the N2 message can also include an indication that the first network device and the second network device serve different PLMNs. If this embodiment does not limit the establishment of a communication connection to the requirement that the PLMNs served by the two network devices are the same, then the PLMN served by the second network device may not need to be carried in step 403. Alternatively, even if the PLMN served by the second network device is carried in step 403, the access management network element can use the PLMN served by the second network device for other purposes without comparing the PLMN served by the second network device with the PLMN served by the first network device.

[0134] Step 406: The first network device sends the registration acceptance response in step 404 to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the registration acceptance response. The registration acceptance response is a NAS message, and the first network device transparently transmits the registration acceptance response.

[0135] Step 407: The first network device sends an RRC configuration signaling to the first terminal. The RRC configuration signaling includes first configuration information. The first configuration information includes parameters required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with the first network device.

[0136] The parameters required to establish a communication connection include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: the identifier of the second network device (e.g., gNB ID), the IP address of the second network device, a list of TAIs supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about AMFs to which the second network device can connect, the identifier of the first network device, and the IP address of the first network device. Furthermore, the second network device carries these parameters in the establishment request sent to the first network device.

[0137] If this embodiment stipulates that a communication connection can only be established when the PLMNs served by the two network devices are the same, then the first network device will send the first configuration information to the first terminal only after receiving an indication that the first network device and the second network device serve the same PLMN (i.e., the second indication described above). If this embodiment does not stipulate that a communication connection can only be established when the PLMNs served by the two network devices are the same, then in step 405, there is no need to carry the indication that the PLMNs served by the two network devices are the same (i.e., the second indication). Alternatively, even if the indication that the PLMNs served by the two network devices are the same (i.e., the second indication) is carried in step 405, the first network device can use the indication to do other things without having to use it to determine whether to allow the two network devices to establish a communication connection.

[0138] In one possible example, the first network device may send an indication of successful authorization of the first terminal in step 405 to the first terminal, and the first terminal may then send an indication of successful authorization to the second network device via an internal interface. In another possible example, by default, the first terminal does not need to be notified of successful authorization of the first terminal, and is notified only if the first terminal fails to authorize. This can save signaling overhead. In this case, the first network device may not need to send an indication of successful authorization of the first terminal in step 405 to the first terminal.

[0139] Optionally, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the first terminal only after determining that the first terminal is successfully authorized.

[0140] The registration acceptance response in step 406, the first configuration information in step 407, and the indication of successful authorization of the first terminal may be carried in a different message and sent to the first terminal, or may be carried in different messages and sent to the first terminal.

[0141] Step 408: The first terminal sends the first indication (RRC-Transaction Identifier) ​​in step 402 and the first configuration information in step 407 to the second network device through the internal interface.

[0142] It is understandable that the RRC-Transaction Identifier in step 402 and the first configuration information in step 407 can be sent to the second network device simultaneously, or in any order. The RRC-Transaction Identifier in step 402 can be sent to the second network device after step 402 and before step 409.

[0143] Step 409: The second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the establishment request. The establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0144] The second network device may obtain the IP address of the first network device based on the first configuration information, and then send a setup request to the first network device.

[0145] The establishment request includes a first indication (RRC-Transaction Identifier) ​​and an identifier of the second network device (used to identify the network device that sends the establishment request). Optionally, the establishment request also includes: an indication that the second network device has mobility (i.e., the third indication introduced above, which may also be referred to as an MWAB indication). The first terminal can establish a PDU session for accessing the first network device. The establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device can be transmitted to the first network device via the user plane path of the PDU session. Subsequently, all interactions between the second network device and the first network device can be transmitted via the user plane path of the PDU session, for example, the establishment response of step 411 and the fourth indication of step 413.

[0146] The setup request also includes one or more of the following: a setup request message type (message type), an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0147] Step 410: The first network device determines whether the second network device and the first terminal are co-located based on the first indication (RRC-Transaction Identifier). If so, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed to be established; if not, the communication connection between the two is not allowed to be established.

[0148] Step 411: The first network device determines that the first terminal and the second network device are co-located, and the first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response; the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0149] The setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of TAIs supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the first network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0150] Step 412: The first network device no longer serves the first terminal.

[0151] If the first terminal moves or for other reasons, the first terminal no longer resides on the first network device, the first network device no longer serves the first terminal, and the first network device no longer maintains the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. For example, after the first network device establishes a communication connection with the second network device, the first network device can locally maintain the association between the RRC-Transaction Identifier and the second network device and store it locally. When the first network device no longer serves the first terminal, the first network device can determine the second network device from the locally stored information based on the first indication.

[0152] Step 413: The first network device sends a fourth instruction to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the fourth instruction, where the fourth instruction is used to instruct the removal of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0153] After releasing the communication connection, the first network device may release the resources occupied by the communication connection, and the second network device may also release the resources occupied by the communication connection.

[0154] The second network device is mobile and its location may change. The following introduces several examples for determining which network devices (which may be mobile or non-mobile) the second network device can establish communication connections with through the location information of the second network device.

[0155] As shown in FIG5 , a flow chart of a communication method is introduced, which includes the following steps:

[0156] Step 501: A first network device obtains information about a zone where network devices that are allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device are located.

[0157] For example, the first network device obtains information about a region in which network devices that are allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device are located from an operation administration and maintenance function (OAM) or a core network element. The region may be a geographic region and may be represented by longitude and latitude. The region may be one or more regions. The region information may be determined based on the current location of the first network device.

[0158] Step 502: The second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the establishment request from the second network device. The establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0159] Step 503: The first network device obtains the location information of the second network device.

[0160] In one possible implementation, the establishment request includes: an identifier of the first terminal (which may also be replaced by an identifier of a network device jointly provided by the first terminal and the second network device, such as an identifier of a MWAB device), and the identifier of the first terminal may be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI). The first network device may obtain the location information of the second network device based on the identifier of the first terminal; exemplarily, the first network device first obtains the location information of the first terminal based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the location information of the first terminal as the location information of the second network device. Optionally, the establishment request includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility; the first network device may determine that the second network device will move based on the second indication, so it may trigger the first network device to obtain the location information of the first terminal / second network device based on the identifier of the first terminal.

[0161] In another possible implementation, the establishment request includes: location information of the second network device; the first network device may obtain the location information of the second network device in the establishment request.

[0162] Step 504: The first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0163] The first network device may send an establishment response to the second network device based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area obtained in step 501; illustratively, the first network device determines that the second network device is located in the area based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area, then a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device, and then a successful establishment response is sent to the second network device; if the second network device is not located in the area, a communication connection cannot be established between the first network device and the second network device.

[0164] In this embodiment, in step 501, one or more areas are configured for the first network device to limit the range of mobile network devices that can establish a communication connection with the first network device. When the second network device is in the configured area, a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device.

[0165] Based on FIG5 , as shown in FIG6 , a flow chart of a specific communication method is introduced, which includes the following steps:

[0166] Step 600: Each network device (including but not limited to the first network device) sends broadcast information. The first terminal can receive the broadcast information, and the regular terminal can also receive the broadcast information.

[0167] The broadcast information includes synchronization information, PLMN information (eg, ID), cell ID, etc. The regular terminal may be a terminal residing in the first network device, or a terminal residing in a network device adjacent to the first network device.

[0168] Step 601: The second network device may obtain candidate cell IDs from the first terminal and the regular terminal to determine candidate network devices.

[0169] For example, the first terminal sends the cell ID in the received broadcast information to the second network device, and the regular terminal sends the cell ID in the received broadcast information to the second network device; the second network device regards the received cell IDs as candidate cell IDs, and determines the candidate network device based on the candidate cell ID, wherein the candidate cell ID includes the identification of the candidate network device.

[0170] If there are multiple candidate cell IDs, the candidate network device identifiers contained in these candidate cell IDs may be the same or different. For example, if candidate cell ID #1 contains the identifier of candidate network device #1, candidate cell ID #2 contains the identifier of candidate network device #1, and candidate cell ID #3 contains the identifier of candidate network device #2, this situation can be understood as candidate network device #1 broadcasting both cell ID #1 and cell ID #2, while candidate network device #2 only broadcasts candidate cell #3.

[0171] In this example, the candidate network devices include, but are not limited to, the first network device.

[0172] Step 602: The second network device sends a request message to the OAM, and correspondingly, the OAM receives the request message; the request message is used to request parameters required for the candidate network device to establish a communication connection with the second network device.

[0173] The request message may include the identifier of the candidate network device and the identifier of the second network device, which are used to identify the network devices between which the communication connection is established.

[0174] Optionally, the required parameters are requested only after it is determined that the first terminal is successfully authorized before step 602. For details on the successful authorization of the first terminal, please refer to the introduction of FIG4 and will not be repeated here.

[0175] Step 603: The OAM determines the parameters required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with each candidate network device based on the identifier of the candidate network device.

[0176] The parameter includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), an IP address of the second network device, a TAI list supported by the second network device, information of cells supported by the second network device, information of the AMF to which the second network device can connect, identifiers of each candidate network device, and IP addresses of each candidate network device.

[0177] If there are multiple candidate network devices, when the second network device initiates an establishment request with each candidate network device, the parameters carried by the second network device may be the same or different, without limitation.

[0178] Optionally, the request message of step 602 may also include: an indication that the second network device has mobility (also referred to as a MWAB indication). OAM may determine that the second network device has mobility based on the identifier and / or MWAB indication of the second network device, and then determine the parameters required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with each candidate network device. The parameters sent to a conventional network device (a conventional network device here refers to a network device that does not have mobility) may be slightly different from the parameters sent to a network device with mobility. For example, the IP address required for a conventional network device to establish a communication connection with a candidate network device (for example, IP address #1) may be different from the IP address required for a network device with mobility to establish a communication connection with a candidate network device (for example, IP address #2); therefore, it is possible to first determine whether the second network device has mobility, and then determine the parameters to be sent to the second network device.

[0179] Step 604: The OAM sends configuration information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the configuration information. The configuration information includes parameters required for the second network device to establish communication connections with the candidate network devices.

[0180] These configuration information can be presented in the form of a list. For example, a possible configuration information list is shown in Table 1.

[0181] Table 1:

[0182] Step 605: The first network device obtains from the OAM: information about the area where the network devices allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device are located.

[0183] For example, a first network device sends its location information to the OAM. Based on the location information of the first network device, the OAM determines information about the region in which network devices that are allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device are located. A region can be a geographic area, represented by longitude and latitude. The region can be one or more, and the number of regions depends on the granularity of the region division. The region here can be referred to as an area of ​​interest.

[0184] The order of step 605 and steps 600 to 604 is not limited.

[0185] Step 606: The second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the establishment request. The establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0186] The establishment request includes the identifier of the second network device (used to identify the network device sending the establishment request) and the identifier of the first terminal (the identifier of the first terminal can also be replaced by the identifier of the network device jointly provided by the first terminal and the second network device, such as the identifier of a MWAB device). For example, the identifier of the first terminal is GPSI. Optionally, the establishment request also includes: an indication that the second network device has mobility (also referred to as an MWAB indication).

[0187] Based on the configuration information obtained in step 604, the second network device sends a setup request to the first network device. For example, based on the identifier or IP address of the first network device (candidate network device) in the configuration information, the second network device determines the first network device and sends a setup request to the first network device. The setup request includes one or more of the following parameters: a setup request message type, an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and a list of neighboring NG-RAN nodes of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0188] The first terminal may establish a PDU session for accessing the first network device, and the establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device may be transmitted to the first network device via a user plane path of the PDU session.

[0189] Step 607: The first network device obtains the location information of the first terminal from the core network where the first terminal is registered.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the first network device can determine that the second network device will move based on the MWAB indication, so the first network device is triggered to obtain the location information of the first terminal based on the identifier (GPSI) of the first terminal, and determine the location information of the first terminal as the location information of the second network device. Exemplarily, the first network device triggers a periodic positioning process to the core network currently registered by the first terminal as an LCS client to obtain the location information of the first terminal. The network elements involved in the positioning process include but are not limited to the access management network element (such as AMF#1 in Figure 2) and the positioning management function network element LMF.

[0191] The order of step 606, step 605 and step 607 is not limited.

[0192] Step 608: The first network device determines whether a communication connection can be established between the first network device and the second network device based on the location information of the first terminal obtained in step 607 and the information about the area of ​​interest obtained in step 605. If the first terminal is located in the area of ​​interest, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed; otherwise, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is not allowed.

[0193] Step 609: The first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0194] The setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of TAIs supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the first network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0195] Step 610: The first network device may periodically obtain the location information of the first terminal. For this process, please refer to the introduction of step 607.

[0196] Step 611: The first network device determines based on the location information of the first terminal and the information of the area of ​​interest obtained in step 605 that the first terminal is no longer located in the area of ​​interest, and the first network device no longer needs to maintain the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0197] Step 612: The first network device sends a release (removal) indication to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the release indication, where the release indication is used to instruct the release of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0198] The first network device and the second network device release resources related to the communication connection.

[0199] Figures 5 and 6 above illustrate how a first network device determines whether a first terminal / second network device is located within the first network device's area of ​​interest, thereby determining whether to establish a communication connection between the first and second network devices. Next, as shown in Figure 7 , a flow chart of a communication method is described, in which an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) function entity determines whether a first terminal / second network device is located within the first network device's area of ​​interest, thereby determining whether to establish a communication connection between the first and second network devices and notifying the first network device of the determination.

[0200] Figure 7 includes the following steps:

[0201] Step 701: The second network device sends a first request to the OAM, where the first request is used to request configuration information for establishing a communication connection between the second network device and other network devices.

[0202] The first request includes the identifier of the second network device; optionally, the first request also includes the identifier of the first terminal (the identifier of the first terminal can also be replaced by the identifier of the network device jointly provided by the first terminal and the second network device, such as the identifier of the MWAB device) and / or the location information of the second network device, and the identifier of the first terminal can be GPSI.

[0203] Step 701 is an optional step. The configuration information may also be proactively sent to the second network device by the OAM without the need for a request from the second network device.

[0204] Optionally, the configuration information is requested only after it is determined that the first terminal is successfully authorized before step 701. For details on the first terminal being successfully authorized, please refer to the introduction of FIG4 and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Step 702: OAM determines: information about the area, and information about surrounding network devices in the area that can establish a communication connection with the second network device.

[0206] The area can also be called area of ​​interest. The area here can be one or more, and the number of areas depends on the granularity of the area division; if there are multiple areas, the distance between these multiple areas is also very close. The surrounding network devices here can be one or more, and the surrounding network devices are only a name distinction, which is only for the convenience of description. The surrounding network devices are within these one or more areas, and the second network device is also in one of the areas. It can be understood that: a communication connection can be established between the network devices within these one or more areas. For example, OAM determines the location information of the second network device, and determines the surrounding network devices and the area based on the location information of the second network device. In a possible example, OAM obtains the location information of the first terminal based on the identifier of the first terminal in step 701, and determines the location information of the first terminal as the location information of the second network device.

[0207] Step 703: OAM sends configuration information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the configuration information. The configuration information includes: information about surrounding network devices, parameter information required for the second network device to establish communication connections with these surrounding network devices, and optionally, area information.

[0208] This parameter includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the identifier of the second network device (e.g., gNB ID), the IP address of the second network device, a list of TAIs supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about AMFs to which the second network device can connect, identifiers of each surrounding network device, and IP addresses of each surrounding network device. This configuration information can be presented in the form of a list, similar to Table 1 described above. The surrounding network devices in the configuration information include, but are not limited to, the first network device. If there are multiple surrounding network devices, when the second network device initiates a setup request with each surrounding network device, the parameters carried by the second network device can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0209] Step 704: The second network device sends an establishment request to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the establishment request from the second network device. The establishment request is used to request to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0210] The establishment request includes a second network device identifier (used to represent the network device sending the establishment request), and the establishment request also includes an identifier of the first terminal and / or location information of the second network device. Optionally, the establishment request also includes an indication that the second network device has mobility (also known as a MWAB indication).

[0211] The first network device is a surrounding network device in the configuration information of step 703. The second network device sends a setup request to the first network device based on the configuration information for establishing a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. For example, based on the identifier or IP address of the first network device (candidate network device) in the configuration information, the second network device determines the first network device and sends the setup request to the first network device. The setup request also includes one or more of the following parameters: a setup request message type, an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0212] The first terminal may establish a PDU session for accessing the first network device, and the establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device may be transmitted to the first network device via a user plane path of the PDU session.

[0213] Step 705: The first network device sends the identifier of the first terminal and / or the location information of the second network device to the OAM. Correspondingly, the OAM receives the identifier of the first terminal and / or the location information of the second network device.

[0214] Exemplarily, the first network device sends a verification request to the OAM, the verification request including the identifier of the first terminal, and the verification request is used to request confirmation whether a communication connection can be established between the network device co-located with the terminal with the identifier and the first network device.

[0215] Exemplarily, the first network device sends a verification request to the OAM, the verification request including the location information of the second network device, and the verification request is used to confirm whether a communication connection can be established between the network device at the location information and the first network device.

[0216] Optionally, step 706: the OAM obtains the location information of the first terminal from the core network where the first terminal is registered based on the identifier of the first terminal.

[0217] For example, the OAM, acting as an LCS client, triggers a periodic positioning process to the core network where the first terminal is currently registered, obtains the location information of the first terminal, and determines the location information of the first terminal as the location information of the second network device. The network elements involved in this positioning process include, but are not limited to, the access management network element (e.g., AMF#1 in Figure 2) and the location management function (LMF). If the OAM has already received the location information of the second network device in step 705, step 706 may not be performed.

[0218] Step 707: OAM determines whether the second network device is located in the area of ​​step 702 based on the location information of the second network device obtained in step 705 or step 706. If so, the OAM replies to step 705 that the establishment is allowed; otherwise, the OAM replies to step 705 that the establishment is not allowed.

[0219] Step 708: The OAM sends a first indication to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication from the OAM, where the first indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed to be established.

[0220] Step 709: The first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response from the first network device. The establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0221] The setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of TAIs supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the first network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0222] Optionally, step 710: the first network device sends a second indication to the OAM, and accordingly, the OAM receives the second indication from the first network device, where the second indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device has been established.

[0223] After the first network device establishes a communication connection with the second network device, the first network device may also notify the OAM of the status of the established communication connection. Of course, it may also be provided that after the first network device establishes a communication connection based on the first instruction of the OAM, it is not necessary to feedback the established communication connection to the OAM.

[0224] Optionally, the first network device may further send an identifier of the first terminal to the OAM, and the identifier of the first terminal may be used by the OAM to obtain location information of the second network device.

[0225] Optionally, the first network device may further send a second network device identifier to the OAM to identify the second network device.

[0226] Step 711: OAM may periodically obtain the location information of the second network device. If the second network device is not in the area determined in step 702, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device needs to be released.

[0227] After the first network device establishes a communication connection with the second network device, if OAM determines that the second network device is no longer located in the area based on the location information of the second network device, OAM can instruct the first network device to release the connection. A possible implementation of OAM periodically obtaining the location information of the second network device is: when the first network device sends a second indication to OAM (used to indicate that a communication connection has been established between the first network device and the second network device), it also sends the identifier of the first terminal to OAM, and OAM receives the identifier of the first terminal; OAM periodically obtains the location information of the first terminal based on the identifier of the first terminal. The process of step 711 can refer to steps 706 and 707, and will not be repeated.

[0228] Step 712: The OAM sends a third indication to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the third indication, where the third indication is used to instruct the removal of the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0229] The third indication includes the second network device identifier, which is used by the first network device to know with which network device the communication connection is to be released.

[0230] If the first network device sends the second network device identifier to the OAM in step 710, the OAM may directly include the second network device identifier in the third indication. If the first network device sends the first terminal identifier to the OAM in step 710, the OAM may determine the second network device identifier based on the first terminal identifier and step 701.

[0231] Step 713: The first network device sends a fourth instruction to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the fourth instruction, where the fourth instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0232] Next, an example of establishing a communication connection between network devices based on the cell identifier carried in the establishment request by the second network device is introduced. As shown in Figure 8, a flow chart of a communication method is introduced, including the following steps:

[0233] Step 801: The second network device sends a first request to the OAM, where the first request is used to request configuration information for establishing a communication connection between the second network device and surrounding network devices.

[0234] The first request includes the identifier of the second network device. Optionally, the first request also includes the identifier of the first terminal (the identifier of the first terminal may also be replaced by the identifier of a network device jointly provided by the first terminal and the second network device, such as the identifier of an MWAB device), or the location information of the second network device. The identifier of the first terminal may be a GPSI.

[0235] Step 801 is an optional step. The configuration information may also be proactively sent to the second network device by the OAM without the second network device's request.

[0236] Optionally, the configuration information is requested only after it is determined that the first terminal is successfully authorized before step 801. For details on the first terminal being successfully authorized, please refer to the introduction of FIG4 and will not be repeated here.

[0237] Step 802: OAM determines: information about the area, and information about authorized network devices in the area that can establish a communication connection with the second network device.

[0238] The area can also be called area of ​​interest. The area here can be one or more, and the number of areas depends on the granularity of the area division; if there are multiple areas, the distance between these multiple areas is also very close. The authorized network device here can be one or more, and the authorized network device is only a name distinction, which is only for the convenience of description. The authorized network device is in the one or more areas, and the second network device is also in one of the areas or is relatively close to these areas. It can be understood that: a communication connection can be established between the network devices in the one or more areas. For example, OAM determines the location information of the second network device, and determines the authorized network device and the area based on the location information of the second network device. In a possible example, OAM obtains the location information of the first terminal based on the identifier of the first terminal in step 701, and determines the location information of the first terminal as the location information of the second network device.

[0239] Optionally, OAM can also determine the identifier of the cell corresponding to each area (that is, the identifiers of the cells corresponding to the authorized network devices in the area are the same), and the identifier of the cell is used to be carried by the second network device when sending a setup request to the authorized network device in the area. The identifiers of the cells in different areas can be the same or different. Alternatively, OAM can also determine the identifier of the cell corresponding to each authorized network device (that is, the identifiers of the cells corresponding to different authorized network devices are different, of course, it does not rule out the situation where the identifiers of the cells corresponding to two authorized network devices are the same), and the identifier of the cell is used to be carried by the second network device when sending a setup request to the authorized network device.

[0240] In this example, the authorized network devices include at least a first network device and a third network device.

[0241] Step 803: OAM sends first configuration information to the second network device. Accordingly, the second network device receives the first configuration information. The first configuration information includes: information of the authorized network device, information of the area, and a mapping relationship between the two. That is, the first configuration information is used to indicate the authorized network device in each area; optionally, the first configuration information also includes an identifier of a cell corresponding to each area or authorized network device.

[0242] It is understood that the first configuration information also includes parameter information required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with these authorized network devices. This parameter includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the identifier of the second network device (e.g., gNB ID), the IP address of the second network device, a list of TAIs supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about AMFs to which the second network device can connect, identifiers of each authorized network device, and the IP addresses of each authorized network device. This configuration information can be presented in the form of a list, similar to Table 1 described above. The authorized network devices in the configuration information include, but are not limited to, the first network device and the third network device. If there are multiple authorized network devices, when the second network device initiates a connection request with each authorized network device, the parameters carried by the second network device can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0243] Optionally, in step 804, the OAM sends the identifiers of their respective cells to the authorized network devices (including the first network device and the third network device) in step 802. The identifier of the cell refers to the identifier of the cell that can be carried in the establishment request sent to the authorized network device, so that the authorized network device can verify the establishment request. The OAM may also not configure the cell identifier for the authorized network device, so that the authorized network device cannot verify the establishment request.

[0244] Optionally, OAM can also configure the identifier of the second network device to the authorized network device, so that only the second network device can pass the verification if it carries the identifiers of these cells in the establishment request, and other network devices cannot pass the verification.

[0245] The order of step 804 and step 803 is not limited.

[0246] Step 805: The second network device determines an authorized network device that can send the setup request based on the current location and the first configuration information in step 803. Optionally, the second network device may also determine a cell identifier to be carried when sending the setup request to the authorized network device.

[0247] For example, the second network device determines which area indicated by the first configuration information it is currently in, selects an authorized network device from the area, and sends a setup request to the authorized network device.

[0248] Step 806 is described by taking the second network device sending a setup request to the first network device as an example.

[0249] Step 806: The second network device sends a first establishment request to the first network device. In response, the first network device receives the first establishment request from the second network device. The first establishment request is used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. The second network device is currently in a first area, which is a area specified in the first configuration information, and the first network device is located in the first area.

[0250] Optionally, the first establishment request includes an identifier of a first cell, and the first cell is a cell corresponding to the first network device.

[0251] The first network device is an authorized network device in the configuration information of step 803. The second network device sends a setup request to the first network device based on parameters required for establishing a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. For example, based on the identifier or IP address of the first network device (candidate network device) in the configuration information, the second network device determines the first network device and sends the setup request to the first network device. The setup request also includes one or more of the following parameters: a setup request message type, an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0252] The first terminal may establish a PDU session for accessing the first network device, and the establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device may be transmitted to the first network device via a user plane path of the PDU session.

[0253] Optionally, in step 807, the first network device determines whether the identifier of the first cell included in the first establishment request belongs to the identifier of the cell configured by the OAM in step 804. If so, it may be determined that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed to be established; if not, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device cannot be established.

[0254] If step 804 is not performed, the first network device does not need to perform step 807. After receiving the establishment request, the first network device can directly reply with an establishment response.

[0255] Step 808: The first network device sends a first establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first establishment response from the first network device. The first establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0256] The first setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a TAI list supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and identifiers of neighboring NG-RAN nodes of the first network device (neighbor NG-RAN node list). For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0257] Step 809: The second network device determines that the second network device has currently moved out of the first area, and at this time, the established communication connection between the second network device and the first network device may be released.

[0258] Step 810: The second network device sends a first instruction to the first network device, where the first instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0259] Step 811: The second network device determines an authorized network device that can send a setup request based on the current location and the first configuration information in step 803. Optionally, the second network device may also determine a cell identifier to be carried when sending the setup request to the authorized network device.

[0260] For example, the second network device determines which area indicated by the first configuration information it is currently in, selects an authorized network device from the area, and sends a setup request to the authorized network device.

[0261] Step 812 is introduced by taking the second network device sending a setup request to the third network device as an example.

[0262] Step 812: The second network device sends a second establishment request to the third network device, where the second establishment request is used to request establishment of a communication connection between the third network device and the second network device. The second network device is currently in a second area, which belongs to at least one area in the first configuration information, and the third network device is located in the second area.

[0263] Optionally, the second establishment request includes an identifier of a second cell, and the second cell is a cell corresponding to the third network device.

[0264] The first terminal may establish a PDU session for accessing the third network device, and the establishment request sent by the second network device to the third network device may be transmitted to the third network device via a user plane path of the PDU session.

[0265] Optionally, in step 813, the third network device determines whether the identifier of the second cell included in the second establishment request belongs to the identifier of the cell configured by OAM in step 804. If so, it may be determined that the communication connection between the third network device and the second network device is allowed to be established; if not, the communication connection between the third network device and the second network device cannot be established.

[0266] If step 804 is not performed, the first network device does not need to perform step 813. The third network device may directly reply with an establishment response after receiving the establishment request.

[0267] Step 814: The third network device sends a second establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the second establishment response from the third network device. The second establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the second network device and the third network device is successfully established.

[0268] The second setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the third network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a TAI list supported by the third network device, cell information supported by the third network device, information about the AMF to which the third network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the third network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0269] Next, we will introduce how to determine whether a communication connection can be established with the network device that receives the establishment request based on the identifier of the cell carried by the second network device in the establishment request. The differences from Figure 8 include: in Figure 8, the second network device detects its own position and determines the identifier of the cell carried in the establishment request. In Figure 9, OAM detects the position of the first terminal / the position of the second network device. When the position changes, OAM informs the second network device of the identifier of the cell carried in the establishment request. In addition, the second network device can periodically send the identifier of the cell to the first network device, and the first network device determines whether to release the communication connection with the second network device based on the identifier of the cell. As shown in Figure 9, a flow chart of a communication method is introduced, which includes the following steps:

[0270] Step 901: The second network device sends a first request to the OAM, where the first request is used to request configuration information for establishing a communication connection between the second network device and surrounding network devices.

[0271] The first request includes the identifier of the second network device. Optionally, the first request also includes the identifier of the first terminal (the identifier of the first terminal may also be replaced by the identifier of a network device jointly provided by the first terminal and the second network device, such as the identifier of an MWAB device), or the location information of the second network device. The identifier of the first terminal may be a GPSI.

[0272] Step 901 is an optional step. The configuration information may also be proactively sent to the second network device by the OAM without the second network device's request.

[0273] Optionally, the configuration information is requested only after it is determined that the first terminal is successfully authorized before step 901. For details on the first terminal being successfully authorized, please refer to the introduction of FIG4 and will not be repeated here.

[0274] Step 902: The OAM determines, based on the location information of the second network device, an authorized network device that can currently establish a communication connection with the second network device, and the identifier of the cell carried in the establishment request of the second network device.

[0275] The number of authorized network devices here may be one or more, and the authorized network device is only a name distinction for the convenience of description. In this example, the authorized network devices include at least a first network device and a third network device.

[0276] Step 903: OAM sends first configuration information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first configuration information, which includes information of the authorized network device and an identifier of the first cell carried when sending an establishment request to the authorized network device.

[0277] It is understood that the first configuration information also includes parameter information required for the second network device to establish a communication connection with these authorized network devices. Such parameters include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), an IP address of the second network device, a list of TAIs supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about AMFs to which the second network device can connect, identifiers of each authorized network device, and IP addresses of each authorized network device. This configuration information may be presented in the form of a list, similar to Table 1 described above. The authorized network devices in the configuration information include, but are not limited to, the first network device. If there are multiple authorized network devices, when the second network device initiates a connection request with each authorized network device, the parameters carried by the second network device may be the same or different, without limitation.

[0278] Step 904: OAM configures the identifier of the cell in step 902 to the authorized network device.

[0279] Optionally, OAM can also configure the identifier of the second network device to the authorized network device, so that only the second network device can pass the verification if it carries the identifiers of these cells in the establishment request, and other network devices cannot pass the verification.

[0280] Step 905: The second network device sends a setup request to the first network device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the setup request from the second network device. The setup request is used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. The setup request includes the identifier of the first cell from step 903.

[0281] Optionally, the establishment request also includes: an indication that the second network device has mobility (also referred to as a MWAB indication).

[0282] The first network device is an authorized network device in the configuration information of step 903. The second network device sends a setup request to the first network device based on parameters required for establishing a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device. For example, based on the identifier or IP address of the first network device (candidate network device) in the configuration information, the second network device determines the first network device and sends the setup request to the first network device. The setup request also includes one or more of the following parameters: a setup request message type, an identifier of the second network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of tracking area identities (TAIs) supported by the second network device, information about cells supported by the second network device, information about the AMF to which the second network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the second network device. For example, the setup request message type is XN SETUP REQUEST.

[0283] The first terminal may establish a PDU session for accessing the first network device. The establishment request sent by the second network device to the first network device may be transmitted to the first network device via a user plane path of the PDU session.

[0284] Step 906: The first network device verifies the identifier of the first cell.

[0285] For example, in step 904, the first network device obtains the identifier of the cell that can be carried in the establishment request, and the first network device determines whether the identifier of the cell obtained in step 904 is the same as the identifier of the cell carried in the first establishment request in step 903. If they are the same, a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device can also be established; if they are not the same, a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device cannot be established.

[0286] Step 907: The first network device sends an establishment response to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the establishment response from the first network device. The establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

[0287] The setup response may also include one or more of the following parameters: a setup response message type (message type), an identifier of the first network device (e.g., a gNB ID), a list of TAIs supported by the first network device, information about cells supported by the first network device, information about AMFs to which the first network device can connect, and an identifier of a neighboring NG-RAN node list of the first network device. For example, the setup response message type is XN SETUP RESPONSE.

[0288] Optionally, step 908: the first network device instructs the second network device to periodically report the cell identifier from the OAM.

[0289] Step 908 is an optional step. After the second network device establishes a communication connection with the first network device based on the establishment request carrying the cell identifier, the second network device may periodically send the cell identifier from the OAM to the first network device by default.

[0290] Step 909: The second network device moves.

[0291] Step 910: The OAM sends indication information to the second network device, which is used to indicate the identifier of the second cell. The second cell has changed compared to the first cell in step 903.

[0292] Based on the identifier of the first terminal, OAM can detect that if the first terminal moves, the second network device will also move. The movement of the second network device may require updating the cell identifier carried in the establishment request, or it may not. For example, OAM can set different cell identifiers for different regions, and determine the cell identifier sent to the second network device based on the region where the second network device is located.

[0293] Step 911: the second network device sends the identifier of the second cell to the first network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the identifier of the second cell from the first network device.

[0294] If the OAM does not execute step 910 , the cell identifier sent by the second network device to the first network device is still the identifier of the first cell in the establishment request in step 905 .

[0295] Step 912: The first network device verifies the identifier of the second cell.

[0296] For example, in step 904, the first network device obtains the identifier of the cell that can be carried in the establishment request, and the first network device determines whether the identifier of the cell obtained in step 904 is the same as the identifier of the second cell in step 911. If they are the same, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device can continue to be maintained. If they are not the same, the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device needs to be released.

[0297] Step 913: The first network device sends a release instruction to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the release instruction from the first network device. The release instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

[0298] In FIG. 9 above, steps 908, 910, and 911 may also be replaced by the following process:

[0299] The OAM sends the identifier of the second network device and the identifier of the second cell to the first network device. In other words, when the OAM determines that the second network device has moved and needs to update its cell identifier, it simply sends the updated cell identifier directly to the first network device. In this example, the OAM maintains the communication connections between network devices and the identifiers of the corresponding cells.

[0300] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal devices and network devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0301] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device and the network device in the above method embodiments, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0302] As shown in FIG. 10 , the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020 .

[0303] For example, the communication device 1000 is configured to implement the functions of the first network device, the second network device, and the first terminal in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The transceiver unit 1020 can execute the receiving and sending actions performed by the first network device, the second network device, and the first terminal in the method embodiments described above. The processing unit 1010 can execute other actions, except for the sending and receiving actions, among the actions performed by the first network device, the second network device, and the first terminal in the method embodiments described above.

[0304] Exemplarily, when the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4 , the transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send a first indication, send first configuration information, receive an establishment request, send an establishment response, and send a fourth indication. The processing unit 1010 is configured to determine, based on the first indication, that the first terminal and the second network device are co-located, and to determine that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is no longer maintained.

[0305] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4 : the transceiver unit 1020 is used to receive the first indication and the first configuration information, send an establishment request, and receive an establishment response. The processing unit 1010 is used to determine whether to carry the first indication in the establishment request.

[0306] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 9, and will not be repeated here. The processing unit 1010 can be implemented by a processor, and the transceiver unit 1020 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0307] As shown in Figure 11, communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. Processor 1110 and interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1120 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1100 may also include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by processor 1110, or storing input data required by processor 1110 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after processor 1110 executes instructions. Sometimes, interface circuit 1120 can also be understood as part of processor 1110, in which case communication device 1100 includes processor 1110.

[0308] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the methods shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 9 , the processor 1110 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1010 , and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1020 .

[0309] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. When the terminal device chip receives information from the network device, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal device chip by these modules. When the terminal device chip sends information to the network device, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0310] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The network device chip receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the network device chip by these modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal device by these modules. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network O-RAN architecture.

[0311] In the present application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be that A sends it directly to B, or that A sends it to B indirectly through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or that entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Entities A and B here can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules within a network device or modules within a terminal device. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or information interaction between two network devices, such as information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules within a device, such as information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules of the terminal device, or information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0312] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0313] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the above-mentioned communication method. In other words, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the above-mentioned communication.

[0314] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method provided above.

[0315] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes: a first network device and a second network device that execute the above communication method.

[0316] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as a read-only optical disc) or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0317] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0318] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0319] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. 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 or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or "one or more of them" and other similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c, means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0320] The ordinal numbers "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Moreover, such names do not indicate differences in the content, sender / receiver, transmission order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance of the two pieces of information. In addition, the numbering of the steps in the various embodiments introduced in this application is only for distinguishing different steps and is not used to define the order of the steps.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a first network device or a chip used for the first network device, including: Sending a first indication to a first terminal, where the first indication is used to indicate an identifier of the first terminal, where the identifier of the first terminal is associated with the first network device; and the first network device serves the first terminal; receiving an establishment request from a second network device, the establishment request being used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request including the first indication, the second network device being jointly provided with the first terminal; Based on the first indication, an establishment response is sent to the second network device, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: Based on the first indication, it is determined that the first terminal and the second network device are jointly provided.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also includes: receiving a second indication from a core network element, where the second indication is used to indicate that the first network device and the second network device serve the same public land mobile network (PLMN); The sending an establishment response to the second network device based on the first indication includes: Based on the first indication and the second indication, the establishment response is sent to the second network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Before receiving the establishment request from the second network device, the method further includes: First configuration information is sent to the first terminal, where the first configuration information is used to establish a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The establishment request further includes a third indication, where the third indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility; and the first configuration information is determined based on the third indication.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Also includes: When the first network device no longer serves the first terminal, a fourth instruction is sent to the second network device, where the fourth instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a first network device or a chip used for the first network device, including: Acquire information about a zone where a network device that is allowed to establish a communication connection with the first network device is located; receiving an establishment request from a second network device, the establishment request being used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; the second network device being mobile; Acquire location information of the second network device; Based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area, an establishment response is sent to the second network device, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein Before sending the establishment response to the second network device, the method further includes: Based on the location information of the second network device and the information of the area, it is determined that the second network device is located in the area.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The establishment request includes: an identifier of the first terminal; the first terminal and the second network device are jointly provided; Acquiring the location information of the second network device includes: Based on the identifier of the first terminal, location information of the second network device is obtained.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The establishment request includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate that the second network device has mobility; Also includes: Based on the first indication and the identifier of the first terminal, location information of the second network device is acquired.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The establishment request includes: location information of the second network device; Acquiring the location information of the second network device includes: Obtain location information of the second network device in the establishment request.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a first network device or a chip used for the first network device, including: receiving an establishment request from a second network device, the establishment request being used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request including an identifier of the first terminal or location information of the second network device, the second network device being co-located with the first terminal, and the second network device being mobile; Sending the identifier of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device to an operation, administration, and maintenance function entity OAM; the identifier of the first terminal or the location information of the second network device is used to determine whether to allow establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; receiving a first indication from the OAM, where the first indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is allowed to be established; An establishment response is sent to the second network device, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Also includes: A second indication is sent to the OAM, where the second indication is used to indicate that a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device has been established.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: Also includes: receiving a third instruction from the OAM, where the third instruction is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device; A fourth indication is sent to the second network device, where the fourth indication is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a first network device or a chip used for the first network device, including: receiving first configuration information, where the first configuration information includes an identifier of at least one cell; receiving an establishment request from a second network device, the establishment request being used to request establishment of a communication connection between the first network device and the second network device, the establishment request including an identifier of a first cell; the identifier of the first cell being an identifier of the at least one cell, and the second network device having mobility; An establishment response is sent to the second network device, where the establishment response is used to indicate that the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device is successfully established.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein After sending the establishment response to the second network device, the method further includes: receiving an identifier of a second cell from a second network device, where the identifier of the second cell does not belong to the identifier of the at least one cell; A first indication is sent to the second network device, where the first indication is used to instruct to release the communication connection between the first network device and the second network device.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: Also includes: A second indication is sent to the second network device, where the second indication is used to instruct the first network device to periodically report the cell identifier.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor coupled to a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: including processor and memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A chip system, characterized in that: comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is implemented.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is implemented.

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