Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, relating to the technical field of communications. By means of detailed analysis of capability information of a terminal device, it can be seen that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination (BC) has a complex structure, comprises a large amount of data, and accounts for a large proportion of the capability information of the overall terminal device, and the main reason why the capability information of the terminal device is different is capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. On this basis, it is proposed to use first identification information to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and when the terminal device reports own capability information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC can be replaced with the first identification information, so that the capability information of the terminal device can be accurately indicated while the signaling overhead is reduced, the air interface resource occupancy rate is reduced, the requirements on the storage space and management capability of a network side device are reduced, and the implementation complexity is reduced.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410564781.0 filed on April 30, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a communication system, when a network-side device makes various decisions or determines configurations or performs various algorithms for a certain terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device needs to be considered, and appropriate decisions are made according to the capability information of the terminal device. Since the capability information of different terminal devices may be different, the terminal device needs to report its own capability information to the network-side device.

[0004] Among them, the terminal device can report the complete capability information of the terminal device to the network-side device. However, with the continuous development of the communication system, the capability information of the terminal device is becoming larger and larger. When the terminal device reports the complete capability information of the terminal device, the signaling overhead is large, which will occupy a large amount of air interface resources, and will greatly demand the storage space and management capability of the network-side device, and the implementation complexity is high. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce the signaling overhead when the terminal device reports its own capability information, thereby reducing the occupied air interface resources, and at the same time, reducing the demand for the storage space and management capability of the network-side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device. In the absence of special description, the "terminal device" in the present application can refer to the terminal device itself, or can refer to a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the terminal device, or can refer to a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device function. The method comprises: determining first identification information, and sending the first identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination BC.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, through detailed analysis of the capability information of the terminal device, it can be seen that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is complex in structure, large in data amount, and accounts for a large proportion of the entire capability information of the terminal device, and the main reason for the different capability information of the terminal device is other capability information except the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. Based on this, it is proposed that the first identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the terminal device can use the first identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC when reporting its own capability information, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing signaling overhead, reducing air interface resource occupation rate, reducing the demand for storage space and management capability of the network side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0008] In a possible design, the first identification information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

[0009] Based on the possible design, the terminal device can send the first identification information in the first message (such as a registration request message) used to request registration, or can send it in other messages without limitation. The terminal device sends the first identification information corresponding to the capability information of the terminal device in the first message to the network device or the core network device, so that the network device or the core network device determines whether the corresponding capability information is stored, thereby determining the subsequent capability request process.

[0010] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second message from the network device; wherein the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate the reporting of the capability information except the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC; or the first indication information is used to indicate the reporting of the complete capability information of the terminal device.

[0011] Based on the possible design, the first indication information can be sent to the terminal device to make the terminal device report its own capability information. The network device can determine the first indication information according to the storage capability information of itself and the storage capability information of the core network, thereby reducing the repeated request of the capability information and achieving the purpose of reducing the air interface signaling overhead.

[0012] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending first capability information to the network device; wherein the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0013] In a possible design, when the first capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the network device; and sending, to the network device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range according to the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported.

[0014] In a possible design, the sending of the first capability information to the network device includes: sending, to the network device, the first capability information according to the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported.

[0015] Based on the above three possible designs, the terminal device can report the first capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information. The terminal device can also report the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range corresponding to the second identification information when the first capability information includes the second identification information, thereby providing multiple possible designs for reporting the capability information of the terminal device. The network device or the core network device can use the first identification information reported by the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, thereby reducing the storage overhead by avoiding repeated storage of the capability information, and also reducing the implementation complexity. For the network device, the network device can select to store the complete capability information of the terminal device or maintain the first identification information of the terminal device for different terminal devices. For example, the network device can maintain the first identification information of the terminal device for the terminal device in an inactive state, thereby reducing the storage overhead.

[0016] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, second capability information, where the second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range; or the second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

[0017] In a possible design, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range are located in different information elements of the second capability information; or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the second identification information are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0018] In a possible design, when the second capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the network device; and sending, to the network device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band according to the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported.

[0019] In a possible design, the sending of the second capability information to the network device includes: sending the second capability information to the network device according to the first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

[0020] Based on the four possible designs, the terminal device can report the second capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information. The terminal device can also report the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band corresponding to the second identification information when the first capability information includes the second identification information, thereby providing multiple possible designs for reporting capability information of the terminal device. The network device or the core network device can use the first identification information reported by the terminal device to maintain the capability information of one or more terminal devices corresponding to at least one BC, thereby reducing storage overhead by avoiding repeated storage of the capability information, and also reducing implementation complexity. For the network device, the network device can select to store complete capability information of the terminal device or maintain the first identification information of the terminal device for different terminal devices. For example, the network device can maintain the first identification information of the terminal device for a terminal device in an inactive state, thereby reducing storage overhead.

[0021] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending the second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0022] Based on the possible design, by allocating the second identification information to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, the terminal device can use the second identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band when reporting the capability information of the terminal device. Compared with reporting complete capability information of the terminal device, signaling overhead, air interface resource occupation rate, and storage capacity and storage space requirements of the network device and the core network device can be reduced. Compared with reporting UE wireless capability identification information, the number of identification information can be greatly reduced, air interface resources can be saved, and storage space and management capacity requirements of the network device and the core network device can be reduced, thereby reducing network maintenance costs.

[0023] In a possible design, the first identification information and the second identification are carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

[0024] Based on the possible design, the terminal device can carry the first identification information and the second identification information in a first message (such as a registration request message) for requesting registration, or can carry the first identification information and the second identification information in other messages, which is not limited. The terminal device sends the second identification information corresponding to the capability information of the terminal device in the first message to the network device or the core network device, so that the network device or the core network device determines whether the corresponding capability information is stored, thereby determining the subsequent capability request process.

[0025] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second message from the network device; the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

[0026] Based on the possible design, the terminal device can be caused to report its own capability information by sending the first indication information to the terminal device. The network device can determine the first indication information according to the stored capability information and the stored capability information of the core network, thereby reducing the repeated request of the capability information and achieving the purpose of reducing the air interface signaling overhead.

[0027] In a possible design, the first capability information is sent to the network device; the first capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range.

[0028] In a possible design, the first capability information is sent to the network device, including: the first capability information is sent to the network device according to the first indication information; the first indication information indicates that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is reported.

[0029] Based on the above two possible designs, the terminal device can report the first capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information, thereby providing a possible design for the terminal device to report the capability information. The network device or the core network device can use the first identification information reported by the terminal device to maintain the capability information corresponding to at least one BC of one or more terminal devices, thereby reducing the storage overhead by avoiding repeated storage of the capability information, and also reducing the implementation complexity. For the network device, for different terminal devices, the network device can choose to store the complete capability information of the terminal device or maintain the first identification information of the terminal device. For example, the network device can maintain the first identification information of the terminal device for the terminal device in the inactive state, thereby reducing the storage overhead.

[0030] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, third capability information; and the third capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC.

[0031] In a possible design, the sending, to the network device, of the third capability information includes: sending, to the network device, the third capability information according to the first indication information; and the first indication information indicates the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC.

[0032] Based on the above two possible designs, the terminal device can report the first capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information, thereby providing a possible design for the terminal device to report the capability information. The network device or the core network device can use the first identification information reported by the terminal device to maintain the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range of one or more terminal devices, thereby reducing the storage overhead by avoiding repeated storage of the capability information, and also reducing the implementation complexity. For the network device, for different terminal devices, the network device can choose to store the complete capability information of the terminal device or maintain the second identification information of the terminal device. For example, the network device can maintain the second identification information of the terminal device for the terminal device in the inactive state, thereby reducing the storage overhead.

[0033] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, fourth capability information, and the fourth capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device.

[0034] In a possible design, the sending, to the network device, of the fourth capability information includes: sending, to the network device, the fourth capability information according to the first indication information; and the first indication information indicates the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range.

[0035] Based on the above two possible designs, the terminal device can report the first capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information, thereby providing a possible design for the terminal device to report the capability information. The network device or the core network device can use the first identification information reported by the terminal device to maintain the capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range of one or more terminal devices, thereby reducing the storage cost and the implementation complexity. For the network device, the network device can select to store the complete capability information of the terminal device or maintain the first identification information and the second identification information of the terminal device for different terminal devices. For example, the network device can maintain the first identification information and the second identification information of the terminal device for the terminal device in the inactive state, thereby reducing the storage cost.

[0036] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, second capability information; and the second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range.

[0037] In a possible design, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0038] In a possible design, the sending, to the network device, of the second capability information includes: sending, to the network device, the second capability information according to the first indication information; and the first indication information indicates that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

[0039] Based on the above three possible designs, the terminal device can report the first capability information according to the specific indication meaning of the first indication information, thereby providing a possible design for the terminal device to report the capability information. When the network device or the core network device does not store the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the network device or the core network device can obtain the capability information of the terminal device by requesting the terminal device to report the capability information, and thereby determine a suitable configuration or strategy according to the capability information reported by the terminal device.

[0040] In a possible design, the method further includes: obtaining one or more of the following: third identification information or fourth identification information; the third identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range; the fourth identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC; the third identification information is different from the second identification information, and the fourth identification information is different from the first identification information.

[0041] Based on the possible design, the core network device can also allocate third identification information to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, or allocate fourth identification information to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, so as to use the third indication information or the fourth indication information to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when the network device and the core network device maintain the capability information of the terminal device, thereby reducing the requirement for the storage space and the management capability of the network device and the core network device.

[0042] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device. In the present application, the network device can refer to the network device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the network device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving first identification information from a terminal device, and sending the first identification information to a core network device; wherein the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination (BC).

[0043] Based on the second aspect, through detailed analysis of the capability information of the terminal device, it can be seen that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is complex in structure, large in data volume, and accounts for a large proportion of the entire capability information of the terminal device, and the main reason for the difference in the capability information of the terminal device is other capability information except the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. Based on this, it is proposed that the first identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the terminal device can use the first identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC when reporting its own capability information, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing the signaling overhead, reducing the air resource occupancy rate, reducing the requirement for the storage space and the management capability of the network side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0044] In a possible design, the first identification information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration. The terminal device sends the first identification information corresponding to the capability information of the terminal device to the network device or the core network device in the first message, so that the network device or the core network device determines whether the corresponding capability information is stored, thereby determining the subsequent capability request process.

[0045] In a possible design, the method further comprises: receiving third indication information from the core network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0046] In a possible design, the second message is sent to the terminal device, the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes the first indication information; where the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

[0047] Based on the above two possible designs, the network device can determine which first indication information needs to be sent to the terminal device according to the capability information of the terminal device stored in the core network device. The network device can determine the first indication information according to the stored capability information and the stored capability information of the core network, thereby reducing the repeated request of the capability information and achieving the purpose of reducing the air interface signaling overhead.

[0048] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving the first capability information from the terminal device; and sending the first capability information to the core network device, where the first capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the first capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0049] In a possible design, when the first capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: receiving the fourth indication information from the core network device; where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; sending the second indication information to the terminal device according to the fourth indication information; where the second indication information is used to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported; receiving the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band from the terminal device; and sending the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band to the core network device.

[0050] In a possible design, receiving the first capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; and receiving the first capability information from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0051] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second capability information from the terminal device; and sending the second capability information to the core network device, where the second capability information includes the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range; or the second capability information includes the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and second identification information; and the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

[0052] In a possible design, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range are located in different information elements of the second capability information; or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the second identification information are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0053] In a possible design, when the second capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: receiving fourth indication information from the core network device, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; sending second indication information to the terminal device according to the fourth indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; receiving the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range from the terminal device; and sending the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range to the core network device.

[0054] In a possible design, the receiving of the second capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that complete capability information of the terminal device is reported; and the second capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0055] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second identification information from the terminal device, where the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range; and sending the second identification information to the core network device.

[0056] In a possible design, the first identification information and the second identification information are carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

[0057] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving third indication information and fourth indication information from the core network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0058] In a possible design, the second message is sent to the terminal device; the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes the first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

[0059] Based on the above two possible designs, the network device can determine which first indication information needs to be sent to the terminal device according to the capability information of the terminal device stored in the core network device.

[0060] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving the first capability information from the terminal device; the first capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range; and sending the first capability information to the core network device.

[0061] In a possible design, the receiving of the first capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is reported; and the first capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0062] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving the third capability information from the terminal device; the third capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC; and sending the third capability information to the core network device.

[0063] In a possible design, the receiving of the third capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported; and the third capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0064] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving fourth capability information from the terminal device, where the fourth capability information includes terminal-device-specific capability information from the terminal device; and sending the fourth capability information to the core network device.

[0065] In a possible design, the receiving the fourth capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information indicates that the core network device has capability information corresponding to the first identifier information and the fourth indication information indicates that the core network device has capability information corresponding to the second identifier information, the first indication information indicates that the terminal device reports capability information other than capability information corresponding to at least one BC and capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range; and the receiving the fourth capability information from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0066] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second capability information from the terminal device; and sending the second capability information to the core network device, where the second capability information includes terminal-device-specific capability information, capability information corresponding to at least one BC, and capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range.

[0067] In a possible design, the capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0068] In a possible design, the receiving the second capability information from the terminal device includes: in a case where the third indication information indicates that the core network device does not have capability information corresponding to the first identifier information and the fourth indication information indicates that the core network device does not have capability information corresponding to the second identifier information, the first indication information indicates that the terminal device reports complete capability information; and the receiving the second capability information from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0069] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending a first request to the core network device, where the first request is used to request one or more of the following: capability information corresponding to the first identifier information, or capability information corresponding to the second identifier information; and receiving one or more of the following from the core network device: capability information corresponding to at least one BC, or capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range.

[0070] Based on this possible design, the network device can obtain the capability information corresponding to at least one BC or the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range through the first request.

[0071] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, from the core network device, one or more of the following: the third identification information or the fourth identification information; and sending, to the terminal device, one or more of the following: the third identification information or the fourth identification information; wherein the third identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; and the fourth identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, the fourth identification information being different from the first identification information, and the third identification information being different from the second identification information.

[0072] In a third aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a core network device. In the case where no special description is made, the core network device in this application can refer to the core network device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the core network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the core network device. The method includes: receiving first identification information from a network device, and determining whether there is capability information corresponding to the first identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of a terminal device corresponding to at least one BC.

[0073] Based on the third aspect, through detailed analysis of the capability information of the terminal device, it can be seen that the capability information structure of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is complex, the data amount is large, and the proportion of the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC in the entire capability information of the terminal device is large. In addition, the main reason for the difference in the capability information of the terminal device is other capability information except the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. Based on this, it is proposed that the first identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. When the terminal device reports its own capability information, the first identification information can be used to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing the signaling overhead, reducing the air interface resource occupation rate, reducing the demand for storage space and management capability of the network side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0074] In a possible design, the first identification information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

[0075] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, third indication information; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0076] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving first capability information from the network device; the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band; or the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band.

[0077] In a possible design, when the first capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: sending fourth indication information to the network device; the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; and receiving the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band from the network device.

[0078] In a possible design, the receiving of the first capability information from the network device includes: receiving the first capability information from the network device according to third indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0079] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second capability information from the network device; the second capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band; or the second capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band.

[0080] In a possible design, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band are located in different information elements of the second capability information; or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the second identification information are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0081] In a possible design, when the second capability information includes the second identification information, the method further includes: sending fourth indication information to the network device; the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; and receiving the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band from the network device.

[0082] In a possible design, the receiving of the second capability information from the network device includes: receiving the second capability information from the network device according to third indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0083] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second identification information from the network device; and wherein the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0084] In a possible design, the first identification information and the second identification information are carried in a first message; and the first message is used to request registration.

[0085] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending third indication information and fourth indication information to the network device; and wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0086] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving first capability information from the network device; and wherein the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0087] In a possible design, the first capability information received from the network device includes: receiving the first capability information from the network device according to third indication information and fourth indication information; and wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0088] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving third capability information from the network device; and wherein the third capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC.

[0089] In a possible design, the third capability information received from the network device includes: receiving the third capability information from the network device according to third indication information and fourth indication information; and wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0090] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving fourth capability information from the network device, and the fourth capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device from the terminal device.

[0091] In a possible design, the fourth capability information received from the network device includes: receiving the fourth capability information from the network device according to third indication information and fourth indication information; and wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0092] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving second capability information from the network device; and wherein the second capability information includes the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

[0093] In a possible design, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range are located in different information elements of the second capability information.

[0094] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving fourth capability information from the network device, including: receiving the second capability information from the network device according to third indication information and fourth indication information; and wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0095] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a first request from the network device; and wherein the first request is used to request to obtain one or more of the following: the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; and sending, to the network device, one or more of the following: the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

[0096] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, one or more of the following: third identification information, or fourth identification information; and wherein the third identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range, the fourth identification information is identification information allocated by the core network device for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, the fourth identification information is different from the first identification information, and the third identification information is different from the second identification information.

[0097] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by various possible designs in the second aspect and the third aspect are as described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be applied to the terminal device in the first aspect to implement the functions performed by the terminal device. The communication apparatus can be the terminal device, a chip or chip system or system on chip, etc. of the terminal device. The communication apparatus can perform the functions of the terminal device by hardware or by executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can perform the following transceiving operations independently or in cooperation with the processing module. Similarly, the processing module can perform the following processing operations independently or in cooperation with the transceiver module.

[0099] For example, the processing module is configured to determine the first identification information, and the transceiver module is configured to send the first identification information. The first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination BC.

[0100] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the fourth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the first aspect. For details, refer to the description of the method examples. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0101] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be applied to the network device in the second aspect to implement the functions performed by the network device. The communication apparatus can be the network device, a chip or chip system or system on chip, etc. of the network device. The communication apparatus can perform the functions of the network device by hardware or by executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can perform the following transceiving operations independently or in cooperation with the processing module. Similarly, the processing module can perform the following processing operations independently or in cooperation with the transceiver module.

[0102] For example, the transceiver module is configured to receive the first identification information from the terminal device, and is further configured to send the first identification information to the core network device. The first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination BC.

[0103] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the second aspect. For details, refer to the description of the method examples. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0104] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be applied to the core network device in the third aspect to implement the functions of the core network device. The communication apparatus can be the core network device, a chip or a chip system or a system on chip, etc. The communication apparatus can execute the functions of the core network device through hardware or corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can complete the following transceiving operations independently or in cooperation with the processing module. Similarly, the processing module can complete the following processing operations independently or in cooperation with the transceiver module. No limitation is imposed.

[0105] For example, the transceiver module is configured to receive the first identification information from the network device, and the processing module is configured to determine whether there is the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination BC.

[0106] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the sixth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the third aspect. For details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0107] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute computer programs or instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer programs or instructions, the communication method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is executed.

[0108] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories are configured to store the computer programs or instructions. In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication apparatus. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory can also be integrated into one device, i.e., the processor and the memory can also be integrated together. In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a transceiver configured to receive information and / or send information.

[0109] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes one or more communication interfaces coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more communication interfaces are configured to communicate with other modules outside the communication apparatus.

[0110] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is configured to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, process and / or generate information according to the information.

[0111] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is performed.

[0112] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer instructions, when the computer instructions are run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is performed.

[0113] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, when the computer program is run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is performed.

[0114] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor, the processor is coupled with a memory, the memory is configured to store programs or instructions, when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is performed.

[0115] The technical effects brought by any one of the seventh aspect to the twelfth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and will not be described here.

[0116] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system can comprise a communication apparatus for performing the communication method according to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, a communication apparatus for performing the communication method according to the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, and a communication apparatus for performing the communication method according to the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0117] FIG. 1 is a reporting process diagram of capability information of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG. 2 is a FSC diagram according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] FIG. 3 is a diagram of capability information of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a UE radio capability ID according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of capability information of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0127] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0134] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0135] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0136] Before describing the embodiments of the present application, technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0137] In a communication system, when a network side (such as an access network, a core network, etc.) makes various decisions or determines configurations or performs various algorithms for a certain terminal device, the capability information (including radio capability information and non-access stratum capability information) of the terminal device needs to be considered, and appropriate decisions are made according to the capability information of the terminal device. Since the capability information of different terminal devices can be different, the terminal device needs to report its own capability information to the network side.

[0138] Exemplarily, taking the capability information of the terminal device as the radio access layer capability information as an example, the terminal device can report the capability information of the terminal device in the manner shown in FIG. 1. When the network side needs the (additional) radio access layer capability information of the terminal device, the network device can start the process shown in FIG. 1, and send a terminal device capability query (UECapabilityEnquiry) message to the terminal device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, to request to obtain the capability information of the terminal device. After receiving the terminal device capability query message, the terminal device can send a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message to the network device, and the message can include the radio access layer capability information of the terminal device requested by the network side.

[0139] After receiving the capability information of the terminal device reported by the terminal device, the network device saves the received capability information of the terminal device. When the network device performs decision or sets configuration for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device needs to be considered to ensure the correctness of the decision and the applicability of the configuration. The network device can also send the received capability information of the terminal device to the core network, and the core network saves the capability information of the terminal device. The core network can not analyze the received capability information of the terminal device.

[0140] In a new radio (NR) communication system, the capability information of the terminal device can be divided into different levels, and the capability information of the terminal device is limited by the requirement of each level. According to the granularity of the limitation of the capability information of the terminal device from large to small, the capability parameters in the capability information of the terminal device can be divided into the following levels in turn:

[0141] per UE: capability information defined for each terminal device;

[0142] per band: capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each frequency band (band);

[0143] per BC: capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each band combination (BC);

[0144] per band per BC: capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each frequency band in each BC, which can also be referred to as per FS, i.e., capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each feature set (FS);

[0145] per CC: the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each component carrier (CC), which can also be referred to as per FSPC, i.e., the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to each CC in each feature set (feature set per component carrier, FSPC), which can also be referred to as per CC per band per BC.

[0146] For one frequency band, the terminal device can support multiple feature sets to provide optional different feature selections for multiple candidate cells on the frequency band. The feature sets of all frequency bands in one BC can form a two-dimensional matrix as shown in FIG. 2, which can be referred to as a feature set combination (FSC).

[0147] In addition, for some features of bandwidth intra-carrier aggregation (carrier aggregation, CA), the terminal device can report the capability information of each carrier separately.

[0148] Based on the above description of the level of the capability parameter, as shown in FIG. 3, the capability information of the terminal device can include the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC.

[0149] The capability information specific to the terminal device definition is per UE level, which can also be referred to as per UE capability information, per UE radio capability information, etc. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the per UE level capability parameter can include one or more of the following: a general parameter, a service data adaptation protocol (service data adaptation protocol, SDAP), a packet data convergence protocol (packet data convergence protocol, PDCP), a radio link control (radio link control, RLC), a medium access control (medium access control, MAC) parameter, a partial physical (physical, PHY) parameter, a measurement and mobility parameter, an access layer version, etc., without limitation. It can be understood that the per UE capability information is applicable to the entire UE.

[0150] The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band can be per band level, which can also be referred to as capability information of the terminal device corresponding to a band list (band list), band list capability information, etc., such as capability information contained in supportedBandListNR. The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to a frequency band can include capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one or more frequency bands, such as capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band 1, capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band 2,..., and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band n. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the per band level capability parameter can include one or more of the following: multiple input multiple output (MIMO) parameters, band width part (BWP) related capabilities, modulation parameters, UE power levels, etc., without limitation. It can be understood that the per band capability is applicable to the frequency band, that is, the same regardless of which BC the frequency band is in. The per band capability information can be different on different bands.

[0151] The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC can be per BC level, which can also be referred to as capability information of the terminal device corresponding to a BC list (BC list), BC list capability information, etc., such as capability information contained in supportedBandCombinationList. The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to a BC can include capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one or more BCs, such as capability information of the terminal device corresponding to BC 1, capability information of the terminal device corresponding to BC 2,..., and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to BC n. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the per BC level capability parameter can include one or more of the following: CA related parameters, multi RAT dual connectivity (MRDC) related parameters, etc., without limitation. It can be understood that the per BC capability is applicable to the BC, that is, the capability information is the same on different frequency bands in the BC. The per BC capability information of the same frequency band in different BCs can be different.

[0152] The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one BC can include the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one or more frequency bands in the BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the one or more frequency bands is per band per BC level (i.e., per FS level). For example, taking BC 2 as an example, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to BC 2 can include the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band 1 in BC 2, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band 2 in BC 2,..., and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to frequency band n in BC 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the capability parameters at the per FS level can include one or more of the following: dual active protocol stack (DAPS) related capability, demodulation reference signal (DMRS) related capability, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) related capability, and the like, without limitation. It can be understood that the per FS capability is applicable to the frequency band under the BC, that is, the per FS capability information of different CCs on the frequency band of the BC is the same. The per FS capability information can be different on different frequency bands in the same BC.

[0153] The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one frequency band in the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one BC can include the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to one or more CCs, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the one or more CCs is per CC per band per BC level (i.e., per FSPC level). For example, taking frequency band 2 in BC 2 as an example, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the frequency band 2 can include the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to CC 1, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to CC 2,..., and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to CC n. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the capability parameters at the per FSPC level can include one or more of the following: MIMO layer number capability, multi-transmission reception point (TRP) capability, and the like, without limitation. It can be understood that the per FSPC capability information is applicable only to the CC, that is, the per CC capability information can be different on different CCs of the same frequency band in the same BC.

[0154] Based on the above description of the capability information of the terminal device, as the communication technology continues to develop, the capability parameters included in the capability information of the terminal device are more and more, the size of the capability information of the terminal device is larger and larger, and more air interface resources need to be occupied. In addition, since the network side device (such as a network device and a core network device) needs to save the capability information of different terminal devices, the storage capability and storage space of the network side device are greatly challenged.

[0155] In order to solve the above technical problems, it is proposed that the radio capability identification information (UE radio capability ID) of the terminal device can be used to indicate the capability information of the terminal device, that is, an identification information can be allocated to represent a group of UE capability information, which can be called UE radio capability ID. The optimization method using the UE radio capability ID to optimize the UE capability information is called UE radio capability signaling optimization (RACS), which is an optional feature of the terminal device and the network.

[0156] Specifically, in an ideal case, since terminal devices of the same model and the same software version can support the same group of UE capability information, if the network device and the core network device still store the capability information of each terminal device, the storage overhead will be wasted. Moreover, since the network device does not maintain the information of each idle state terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device needs to be obtained again each time the terminal device connects, and the repeated reporting of the terminal device capability information will cause unnecessary signaling overhead. Therefore, if the network device and the core network device can identify terminal devices supporting the same UE capability information, and indicate the same UE capability information by introducing a UE radio capability ID, and store the mapping relationship between the UE radio capability ID and the UE capability information, the terminal devices reporting the same UE radio capability ID can be mapped to the same group of UE capability information, thereby saving the signaling overhead, reducing the air interface resource occupancy rate, and saving the storage space of the network device and the core network device.

[0157] The UE radio capability ID can be assigned by a terminal device manufacturer or a core network device (e.g., a UE radio capability management (UCMF) network element). The network device can store a mapping relationship between the UE radio capability ID assigned by the terminal device manufacturer or the core network device and the UE capability information. The UE radio capability ID assigned by the terminal device manufacturer can include a "manufacturer ID" of the terminal device manufacturer, and the UE radio capability ID uniquely identifies a set of UE capability information in the global by the terminal device manufacturer, thereby ensuring the uniqueness of the UE radio capability ID. The UE radio capability ID assigned by the core network device corresponds to different UE capability information received from a terminal device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), and the UE radio capability ID uniquely identifies a set of UE capability information in the PLMN.

[0158] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, UE1, UE3, UE4, and UE8 can report UE radio capability ID 1 to the network side device, respectively, to indicate that they correspond to a set of UE capability information corresponding to the UE radio capability ID 1. After receiving the UE radio capability ID 1, the network side device can determine the UE capability information corresponding to the UE radio capability ID 1 according to the mapping relationship between the UE radio capability ID and the UE capability information. Similarly, UE2, UE5, UE6, and UE7 can report UE radio capability ID 2 to the network side device, respectively, to indicate that they correspond to a set of UE capability information corresponding to the UE radio capability ID 2. After receiving the UE radio capability ID 2, the network side device can determine the UE capability information corresponding to the UE radio capability ID 2 according to the mapping relationship between the UE radio capability ID and the UE capability information.

[0159] However, in an actual network, the reasons for the different terminal device capability information include many other additional factors in addition to the terminal device model and software version mentioned above, such as terminal device card insertion conditions (single card / dual card / different operators, etc.), user setting state (5G switch / primary and secondary cards, etc.), performance limitation, and various configuration differences. One terminal device can derive multiple types of UE capability information, for example, a terminal device can derive several hundred to several thousand different types of UE capability information due to the above differences.

[0160] If the above RACS scheme is adopted, different UE capability information derived from the same terminal device needs to be assigned multiple UE radio capability IDs, and there can be great similarities between these UE capability information, but there are also differences. Therefore, the UE radio capability IDs that need to be assigned or stored in a PLMN can reach 300,000, and the different UE capability information types that need to be stored also reach 300,000. This puts a great demand on the storage space and management capability of the network equipment and core network equipment, and does not bring too much gain to the air interface resource saving, that is, the gain of the RACS scheme is very limited.

[0161] Therefore, how to reduce the signaling overhead, reduce the occupied air interface resources, and reduce the demand on the storage space and management capability of the network side equipment when the terminal device reports its own capability information has become a technical problem to be solved urgently.

[0162] To solve the technical problem, the capability information of the terminal device is analyzed in detail in the present application. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is complex in structure, large in data volume, and accounts for a large proportion of the entire capability information of the terminal device (more than 90% of the entire capability information of the terminal device). The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band is second. And through observation of the capability information of the terminal device reported in the actual network, it can be found that the proportion of the BC-related capability information that is different in the capability information of different terminal devices is very small (about 10%). That is, the reason for the difference in the capability information of the terminal device is mainly other capability information (such as capability information specific to the terminal device definition, capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band) other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. The reason can be that the above factors affecting the UE capability information (such as card insertion state, performance limitation, etc.) mainly affect other capability information other than per BC. Based on this, the present application proposes that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC can be identified by using first identification information, and the terminal device can use the first identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC when reporting its own capability information, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing the signaling overhead, reducing the air interface resource occupancy rate, reducing the demand on the storage space and management capability of the network side equipment, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0163] The implementation manner of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with the drawings of the specification.

[0164] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be used in any communication system, which can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, and can also be a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a system of mixed networking of LTE and 5G, an NR system, an NR vehicle to everything (V2X) system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an internet of things (IoT), a narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT) system, an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) system, an ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) system, an enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) system, and various types of next-generation communication systems such as a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, and can also be a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system (such as a satellite communication system), a non-3GPP communication system, and the like, without limitation.

[0165] The communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below by taking FIG. 5 as an example.

[0166] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication system can include a terminal device, a network device, and a core network device.

[0167] The terminal device in FIG. 5 can be a device with wireless transceiving function or a chip or chip system that can be arranged in the device, can allow a user to access a network, and is a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user. The terminal device can be located within the beam / cell coverage range of a network device and be provided with communication services by the network device. The terminal device can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), or a mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; can be deployed on water (such as a ship, etc.); and can be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, a balloon, etc.), without limitation.

[0168] For example, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a computer with wireless transceiving function. The terminal device can also be a user station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a user terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, a user equipment, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device, a processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in Internet of Things, a household appliance, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in smart power grid, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a road side unit (RSU), a vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, a smart connected vehicle, a drone with UAV to UAV (U2U) communication capability, a terminal device in future network, or a terminal device in future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., without limitation.

[0169] In the figure 5, the network device can be any device deployed in the access network and capable of wireless communication with the terminal device, can also be a chip or chip system provided in the above device, can also be a logic node or logic module or a function implemented in software, and is mainly responsible for the functions of wireless physical control, resource scheduling, wireless resource management, quality of service management, data compression and encryption, wireless access control, and mobility management. Specifically, the network device can be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access.

[0170] For example, the network device can be composed of one or more access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) nodes. The AN / RAN node can be various forms of base stations, such as satellite base stations, continued evolution of NodeB (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), NodeB (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (such as home evolved NodeB or home NodeB, HNB), macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small station, relay station, balloon station, unmanned aerial vehicle station, wireless backhaul node, baseband unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. It can be understood that the network device can be a device placed on the ground or a non-ground device (such as a satellite, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a high-altitude communication device, etc.). In addition, in a communication system using different wireless access technologies, the name of the network device with the function of the base station can be different, which is not limited in the present application.

[0171] In another example, the network device can include a BBU and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and the RRU can be placed in different places, for example, the RRU is pulled away and placed in a high traffic area, and the BBU is placed in a central machine room. The BBU and the RRU can also be placed in the same machine room. The BBU and the RRU can also be different components under one rack.

[0172] In another example, the network device can also be a device including a centralized unit (CU) node, or including a distributed unit (DU) node, or including a CU node and a DU node. For example, the network device can be divided into a CU and a DU from a logical function perspective, functions of part protocol layers are centrally controlled in the CU, and the rest or all protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a BBU. Further, the centralized unit CU can also be divided into a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP).

[0173] In another example, the network device can also be a device including a radio unit (RU), or including a CU, a DU and an RU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a RRU, an active antenna unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0174] It can be understood that the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, the CU-CP, the CU-UP, the DU and the RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or the CU-CP, the CU-UP), the DU and the RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0175] The core network device in FIG. 5 can be configured to transmit data of a terminal device transmitted by the network device to a data network. Specifically, the core network device can be configured to implement user registration, access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, charging and other services. The core network device can be composed of one or more functional units. For example, the core network device can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. The control plane functional entities can include a mobility management network element, a session management network element, a terminal device wireless capability management network element, etc., and the data plane functional entities can include a user plane network element, etc., without limitation.

[0176] It should be noted that the terminal device, the network device and the core network device in the embodiments of the present application can be one or more chips, or a system on chip (SOC) and the like. FIG. 5 is only an exemplary drawing, and the number of devices included in FIG. 5 is not limited. The names of the devices in FIG. 5 and the names of the links are not limited, and the devices and the links can be named by other names in addition to the names shown in FIG. 5.

[0177] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to FIG. 6 in combination with the communication system shown in FIG. 5. The terminal device can be any terminal device in the communication system shown in FIG. 5, the network device can be any network device in the communication system shown in FIG. 5 that is in communication connection with the terminal device, and the core network device can be any core network device in the communication system that is in communication connection with the network device or the terminal device.

[0178] It can be understood that the processing performed by a single execution subject (terminal device, or network device, or core network device) shown in the embodiments of the present application can also be divided into processing performed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated, without limitation. In addition, the names of the messages exchanged between the devices in the embodiments of the present application or the names of the parameters in the messages are only examples, and other names can also be used in specific implementations, without limitation. The actions and terms involved in the embodiments of the present application can be mutually referenced, without limitation.

[0179] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the method can include the following steps.

[0180] In step 601, the terminal device determines first identification information.

[0181] The first identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, or the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device specific to the BC definition. The first identification information can also be referred to as a BC list ID, or a BC wireless capability ID, or a wireless capability BC ID, and the like. It can be understood that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC can include per BC capability information, per FS capability information and per FSPC capability information.

[0182] It can be understood that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC can be the capability information corresponding to all BCs supported by the terminal device. Alternatively, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC can be the capability information corresponding to the BC requested by the network device, or the capability information corresponding to part of the BC supported by the terminal device.

[0183] Specifically, by analyzing the capability information of the terminal device in detail, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC is complex in structure, large in data volume, and accounts for a large proportion (more than 90%) of the entire capability information of the terminal device. And through observation of the capability information of the terminal device reported in the actual network, it can be found that the proportion of the difference in the BC-related capability information of different terminal devices is very small (about 10%), that is, the main reason for the difference in the capability information of the terminal device is other capability information (such as the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band) except the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. The reason may be that the above factors affecting the UE capability information (such as card state, performance limitation, etc.) mainly affect other capability information except per BC. Based on this, the present application proposes that the first identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and the terminal device can use the first identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC when reporting its own capability information, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing signaling overhead, reducing air resource occupancy, reducing the demand for storage space and management capability of the network side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0184] The first identification information can include one or more identification information. For example, the first identification information includes one identification information, which identifies the capability information corresponding to all BCs supported by the terminal device, or which identifies the capability information corresponding to all BCs requested by the network device. For another example, the first identification information includes multiple identification information, each of which identifies the capability information corresponding to a part of BCs supported by the terminal device, or which identifies the capability information corresponding to a part of BCs in the BCs requested by the network device.

[0185] For example, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC corresponding to the first identification information 1 can be as shown in Table 1 below, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC corresponding to the first identification information 2 can be as shown in Table 2 below:

[0186] Table 1 first identification information 1

[0187] Table 2 first identification information 2

[0188] Wherein, n41A / A, n28A / A, n78A / A respectively represent different frequency bands. SCS represents sub carrier space. BWCS represents bandwidth combination set. SRS represents sounding reference signal. PC represents power class.

[0189] Optionally, the first identification information can be assigned by a terminal device manufacturer, or can be assigned by a core network device (such as a UCMF network element or other network element, etc.), or can be predefined by a communication protocol, which is not limited.

[0190] Optionally, the network device or the core network device can store a mapping relationship between the first identification information and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. In this way, when the terminal device reports the first identification information, the network device or the core network device can determine the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC corresponding to the terminal device according to the first identification information.

[0191] Step 602, the terminal device sends the first identification information.

[0192] Wherein, the terminal device can send the first identification information to the core network device. Or, the terminal device can send the first identification information to the network device, and the network device can also forward or transparently transmit the first identification information to the core network device.

[0193] Optionally, the terminal device can carry the first identification information in a first message used for requesting registration, or can carry the first identification information in other messages, which is not limited. Exemplarily, the first message can be a registration request message.

[0194] Based on the method shown in the above figure 6, by assigning the first identification information to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC which changes less frequently, the terminal device can use the first identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC when reporting its own capability information. Compared with the above reporting complete terminal device capability information, the signaling overhead, the air interface resource occupation rate and the demand for storage capacity and storage space of the network device and the core network device can be reduced. Compared with the above reporting UE wireless capability identification information, the number of identification information can be greatly reduced, the air interface resource can be saved, the demand for storage space and management capacity of the network device and the core network device can be reduced, and the network maintenance cost can be reduced.

[0195] Similar to the first identification information allocated to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC in FIG. 6, the second identification information can also be allocated to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0196] FIG. 7 is a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 7, the method comprises:

[0197] In step 701, the terminal device determines the second identification information.

[0198] The second identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, or the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device specific to the frequency band definition. The second identification information can also be referred to as a band list ID, or a frequency band wireless capability ID, or a wireless capability frequency point ID, etc.

[0199] It can be understood that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band can be the capability information corresponding to all the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. Alternatively, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band can be the capability information corresponding to the frequency band requested by the network device, or the capability information corresponding to part of the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0200] Specifically, by analyzing the capability information of the terminal device in detail, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band also accounts for a large proportion of the entire capability information of the terminal device. Therefore, the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and the terminal device can use the second identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band when reporting its own capability information, so as to accurately indicate the capability information of the terminal device while reducing the signaling overhead, reducing the air resource occupancy rate, reducing the demand for storage space and management capability of the network side device, and reducing the implementation complexity.

[0201] The second identification information can include one or more identification information. For example, the second identification information includes one identification information, which identifies the capability information corresponding to all the frequency bands supported by the terminal device, or which identifies the capability information corresponding to all the frequency bands requested by the network device. For another example, the second identification information includes multiple identification information, each of which identifies the capability information corresponding to part of the frequency bands supported by the terminal device, or which identifies the capability information corresponding to part of the frequency bands requested by the network device.

[0202] Alternatively, the second identification information can be allocated by the terminal device manufacturer, or can be allocated by the core network device (such as UCMF network element or other network element, etc.), or can be predefined by the communication protocol, without limitation.

[0203] Optionally, the network device or the core network device can store a mapping relationship between the second identification information and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range. In this way, when the terminal device reports the second identification information, the network device or the core network device can determine the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range corresponding to the terminal device according to the second identification information.

[0204] Step 702, the terminal device sends second identification information.

[0205] The terminal device can send the second identification information to the core network device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send the second identification information to the network device, and the network device can also forward or transparently transmit the second identification information to the core network device.

[0206] Optionally, the terminal device can carry the second identification information in the first message for requesting registration, or can carry the second identification information in other messages, which is not limited. For example, the first message can be a registration request message.

[0207] Based on the method shown in FIG. 7, by allocating the second identification information to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range, the terminal device can use the second identification information to replace the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range when reporting the capability information of the terminal device. Compared with the above-mentioned reporting of complete terminal device capability information, the signaling overhead, the air interface resource occupation rate, and the demand for storage capacity and storage space of the network device and the core network device can be reduced. Compared with the above-mentioned reporting of UE wireless capability identification information, the number of identification information can be greatly reduced, the air interface resource can be saved, the demand for storage space and management capacity of the network device and the core network device can be reduced, and the network maintenance cost can be reduced.

[0208] It can be understood that the first identification information in FIG. 6 and the second identification information in FIG. 7 can be used independently, or can be used in combination, which is not limited. The first identification information and the second identification information can also be combined into one identification information, for example, the identification information is used to identify the capability information specific to the BC definition and the capability information specific to the frequency range definition.

[0209] Exemplarily, as shown in (a) of FIG. 8, when the terminal device reports the capability information of the terminal device, the reported capability information can include the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and the first identification information. Alternatively, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, when the terminal device reports the capability information of the terminal device, the reported capability information can include the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the second identification information, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. Alternatively, as shown in (c) of FIG. 8, when the terminal device reports the capability information of the terminal device, the reported capability information can include the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the second identification information, and the first identification information.

[0210] Optionally, when the terminal device reports the capability information of the terminal device, the terminal device can actively report to the network device or the core network device, or passively report according to the indication information (e.g., the first indication information) sent by the network device, which is not limited.

[0211] Exemplarily, the terminal device can send the first identification information to the core network device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send the first identification information to the network device. The network device can further forward or transparently transmit the first identification information to the core network device. According to the received first identification information, the core network device can determine whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, whether the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and further determine whether to trigger the capability information reporting process of the terminal device. For example, the core network device can send one or more of the following indication information to the network device: the third indication information and the fifth indication information. According to the indication information sent by the core network device, the network device can determine whether to send the first indication information to the terminal device to trigger the terminal device to report the capability information of the terminal device. According to the specific meaning of the first indication information sent by the network device, the terminal device reports the corresponding capability information. For details, refer to the related description of FIGS. 9 to 11, which will not be described here.

[0212] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0213] The first indication information is used to indicate to report the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, or the first indication information is used to indicate to report the complete capability information of the terminal device.

[0214] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device reports the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the at least one BC, the terminal device can send the first capability information to the network device, the first capability information comprising the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the first capability information comprising the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the second identification information; the second identification information being used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0215] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device reports the complete capability information of the terminal device, the terminal device can report the second capability information to the network device, the second capability information comprising the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the second capability information comprising the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the second identification information.

[0216] For example, the terminal device includes the identification information corresponding to the BC capability information supported by the terminal device in the registration request message. After receiving the identification information, the network device sends the terminal device a terminal device capability query message, which comprises the first indication information indicating the content of the capability information reported by the terminal device, and can comprise an indication that the terminal device reports the complete capability information or an indication that the terminal device reports the per UE capability information and the per band capability information. The terminal device reports the capability information according to the content indicated by the first indication information. The capability information can comprise the complete capability information or the per UE capability information and the per band capability information. The network device can send the capability information reported by the terminal device to the core network device.

[0217] For example, taking the case where the terminal device includes the complete capability information in the capability information as an example, the capability information reported by the terminal device can be as follows:

[0218] The information element bandCombination carries the capability information of the terminal device specific to the BC definition. Optionally, the information element rf-Parameters carries the capability information of the terminal device specific to the band definition.

[0219] For another example, taking the case where the terminal device includes the complete capability information in the capability information as an example, the capability information sent by the network device to the core network device can be as shown in Table 3:

[0220] Table 3

[0221] The following takes the terminal device sending the first identification information to trigger the capability reporting process of the terminal device as an example, and the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 as follows:

[0222] The terminal device can send the first identification information to the core network device. When the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information but does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, when the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send the stored capability information of the terminal device to the network device. Alternatively, the core network device and the network device can interact the capability information of the terminal device by referring to the method shown in FIG. 11.

[0223] The following takes the core network device having the capability information corresponding to the first identification information but not having the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information as an example, and the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device is described in detail with reference to the communication method shown in FIG. 9. The method can include the following steps.

[0224] In step 901, the terminal device sends the first identification information to the network device or the core network device. Correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information from the terminal device.

[0225] The first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. The description of the first identification information can be referred to the related description in FIG. 6, which is not repeated here.

[0226] The terminal device can carry the first identification information in the first message (such as a registration request message) for requesting registration to send to the core network device, or can carry it in other messages to send to the core network device, which is not limited. Optionally, when the terminal device sends the information to the core network device, the network device can forward or transparently transmit.

[0227] Optionally, the core network device can be a mobility management network element or a UCMF network element, which is not limited.

[0228] In step 902, the core network device determines that it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0229] In step 903, the core network device sends third indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the core network device.

[0230] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that the core network device can identify the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that the network device does not need to request the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that the network device needs to request the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. When the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, it can be considered that the core network device can identify the first identification information.

[0231] The terminal device sends the first identification information to the core network device, so that the core network device determines whether it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to the first identification information. If the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send the third indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can also not send the third indication information to the network device when it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The network device considers that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information without receiving the third indication information. It can be understood that step 903 is an optional step.

[0232] Alternatively, the core network device can also determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. If the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send the fifth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can also not send the fifth indication information to the network device when it does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The network device considers that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information without receiving the fifth indication information.

[0233] Alternatively, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be two independent indication information, which can be carried in the same message or different messages, without limitation. Alternatively, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be combined into one indication information, without limitation.

[0234] Optionally, the core network device can further send the first identification information to the network device when sending the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) to the network device.

[0235] Optionally, the core network device can further send capability information corresponding to the first identification information to the network device.

[0236] In step 904, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information.

[0237] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, can be a UECapabilityEnquiry message. The second message can include the first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate the reporting of the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. The first indication information can also be described as indicating the non-reporting of the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, or indicating the ability to identify the first identification information, or indicating the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, etc., which is not limited.

[0238] The network device can send the first indication information to the terminal device through the second message according to the third indication information sent by the core network device in the case where it is determined that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0239] Optionally, the network device can also send the first indication information to the terminal device through the second message according to the fifth indication information sent by the core network device in the case where it is determined that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Or, the network device can also send the first indication information to the terminal device through the second message in combination with the third indication information and the fifth indication information sent by the core network device in the case where it is determined that the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the first identification information, but does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0240] Optionally, the core network device can also directly define the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) as being used to indicate the reporting of the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC when sending the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) to the network device, that is, the meanings of the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) and the first indication information can be the same, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the network device.

[0241] Optionally, the network device can further receive the first identification information sent by the core network device, and determine whether the network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to the first identification information. If not, the network device can send a first request to the core network device to request the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to steps 903a and 903b. After receiving the first request, the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC to the network device.

[0242] Optionally, the network device can also receive the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the first identification information sent by the core network device.

[0243] Step 905: The terminal device sends the first capability information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first capability information from the terminal device.

[0244] The terminal device can carry the first capability information in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message and send it to the network device.

[0245] Step 906: The network device sends the first capability information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the first capability information from the network device.

[0246] In the first possible design, the first capability information can include the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band. Alternatively, the first capability information can include the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, or the first capability information does not include the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. Optionally, the first capability information can further include the first identification information.

[0247] Optionally, as shown in step 907 in FIG. 9, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to maintain the capability information of the terminal device after receiving the first capability information.

[0248] Optionally, the core network device can also determine an identification information, such as the third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Specifically, the core network device can consider the second identification information corresponding to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band as the third identification information according to the mapping relationship between the second identification information and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band which is pre-stored. Alternatively, the core network device can also allocate a new third identification information for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Based on this, the core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device, as shown in step 907 in FIG. 9, and the network device and the core network device can maintain the capability information of the terminal device by using the first identification information, the third identification information and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device.

[0249] In the second possible design, the first capability information can include the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and the second identification information, and the second identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Optionally, the first capability information can also include the first identification information.

[0250] In this case, the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and the second identification information can be located in different information elements of the first capability information. Based on this, when the core network device receives the first capability information, it does not need to parse the first capability information, and can also determine which part is the second identification information and which part is the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device.

[0251] Case 1: The core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, as shown in step 908 in FIG. 9, and the core network device and the network device can maintain the capability information of the terminal device by using the first identification information, the second identification information and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device.

[0252] Optionally, the core network device can send the fourth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can also not send the fourth indication information to the network device when it has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The network device considers that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information without receiving the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that the core network device can recognize the second identification information, or being used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, or being used to indicate that the network device does not need to request the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, etc. It can be understood that step 909 is an optional step.

[0253] The network device can send a first request to the core network device to request the capability information corresponding to the second identification information in a case that the network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to the network device upon receiving the first request.

[0254] Optionally, the core network device can also directly send the second identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information to the network device.

[0255] Case two: The core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. As shown in steps 909 to 913 in FIG. 9, the core network device can send fourth indication information to the network device to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device according to the fourth indication information to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band is reported. The terminal device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to the network device according to the second indication information, and the network device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to the core network device. Based on this, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and the capability information defined by the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0256] The fourth indication information can also be described as indicating that the core network device cannot identify the second identification information, or indicating that the core network device does not have the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, or indicating that the network device needs to request the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, or indicating that the network device requests the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, etc. Alternatively, the core network device can not send the fourth indication information to the network device in the case that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The network device considers that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information in the case that the fourth indication information is not received.

[0257] The second indication information can also be described as indicating that the second identification information cannot be identified, or indicating that the capability information corresponding to the second identification information is not available, or indicating that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band is not available, or indicating that the capability information corresponding to the second identification information is requested, etc.

[0258] When the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, it can be considered that the core network device cannot identify the second identification information. Alternatively, when the second identification information is assigned by the terminal device manufacturer, there can be a case that the core network device cannot identify the second identification information. At this time, since the core network device cannot identify the second identification information, it can be considered that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0259] Optionally, when the core network device sends the fourth indication information to the network device, the fourth indication information can also be directly defined as the indication information for indicating the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, that is, the meanings of the fourth indication information and the second indication information can be the same, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the network device.

[0260] Optionally, the core network device can also reassign a new identification information, such as the third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 913 in FIG. 9, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the third identification information, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0261] The following describes the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device in detail with reference to the communication method described with reference to FIG. 10, based on the assumption that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The method can include the following steps.

[0262] Step 1001: The terminal device sends the first identification information to the network device or the core network device; correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information from the terminal device.

[0263] The description of step 1001 can refer to the related description of step 901 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0264] Step 1002: The core network device determines that it does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0265] Step 1003: The core network device sends the third indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the core network device.

[0266] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as indicating that the core network device cannot identify the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as indicating that the network device needs to request the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the third indication information can also be described as indicating that the network device needs to request all capability information of the terminal device.

[0267] When the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, it can be considered that the core network device cannot identify the first identification information. Or, when the first identification information is assigned by the terminal device manufacturer, there may be a case that the core network device cannot identify the first identification information. At this time, since the core network device cannot identify the first identification information, it can be considered that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0268] The terminal device sends the first identification information to the core network device, so that the core network device determines whether it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to the first identification information. If the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send the third indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Or, the core network device can also not send the third indication information to the network device when it does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The network device considers that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information without receiving the third indication information. It can be understood that step 1003 is an optional step.

[0269] Alternatively, the core network device can also determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. If the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send the fifth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Or, the core network device can also not send the fifth indication information to the network device when it does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The network device considers that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information without receiving the fifth indication information.

[0270] Alternatively, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be two independent indication information, which can be carried in the same message or different messages, without limitation. Or, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be combined into one indication information, without limitation.

[0271] Step 1004, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information.

[0272] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, can be a UE capability enquiry (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The second message can include the first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported. The first indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that there is no capability information of the terminal device, or being used to indicate that the first identification information cannot be identified, or being used to indicate that there is no capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or being used to indicate that the capability information corresponding to the first identification information needs to be reported, etc., which is not limited.

[0273] The network device can send the first indication information to the terminal device through the second message according to the third indication information sent by the core network device, in a case where it is determined that the core network device has no capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0274] Optionally, the network device can also send the first indication information to the terminal device through the second message in a case where it is determined that the core network device has no capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the first identification information, and has no capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, in combination with the third indication information and the fifth indication information sent by the core network device.

[0275] Optionally, when the core network device sends the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) to the network device, the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) can also be directly defined as being used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported, that is, the meanings of the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) and the first indication information can be the same, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the network device.

[0276] Step 1005, the terminal device sends second capability information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the second capability information from the terminal device.

[0277] The terminal device can carry the second capability information in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message and send it to the network device.

[0278] Step 1006, the network device sends the second capability information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the second capability information from the network device.

[0279] In the first possible design, the second capability information can include the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range. Alternatively, it can be described that the second capability information includes complete terminal device capability information, or the second capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0280] The capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and other capability information (for example, the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range) can be located in different information elements of the second capability information, or can be understood as that the terminal capability information corresponding to the at least one BC is carried in a container. Based on this, when the core network device receives the second capability information, it does not need to parse other capability information in the second capability information, and can also determine which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and which part is other capability information. Therefore, the core network device can store the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the BC separately.

[0281] Optionally, as shown in step 1007 in FIG. 10, the network device and the core network device can use the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when receiving the second capability information.

[0282] Optionally, the core network device can also reassign a new identification information, such as a fourth identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the fourth identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1007 in FIG. 10, the network device and the core network device can use the fourth identification information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range, and the capability information defined by the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0283] Optionally, the core network device can also determine an identification information, such as third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Specifically, the core network device can consider the second identification information corresponding to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band as the third identification information according to the mapping relationship between the pre-stored second identification information and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Alternatively, the core network device can also allocate a new third identification information for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band. Based on this, the core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device, as shown in step 1007 in FIG. 10, and the network device and the core network device can maintain the capability information of the terminal device by using the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, the third identification information, and the capability information defined for the terminal device.

[0284] In combination with the third identification information and the fourth identification information, as shown in step 1007 in FIG. 10, the network device and the core network device can also maintain the capability information of the terminal device by using the fourth identification information, the third identification information, and the capability information defined for the terminal device.

[0285] In the second possible design, the second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the second identification information; and the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0286] The capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the second identification information can be located in different information elements of the second capability information, or can be understood as that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is carried in a container. Based on this, when the core network device receives the second capability information, it does not need to parse the second capability information, and can also determine which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, which part is the second identification information, and which part is the capability information defined for the terminal device. Thus, the core network device can store the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the BC separately.

[0287] In case one, the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, as shown in step 1008 in FIG. 10, the core network device and the network device can maintain the capability information of the terminal device by using the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, the second identification information, and the capability information defined for the terminal device.

[0288] Optionally, the core network device can send fourth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can not send the fourth indication information to the network device when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, and the network device considers that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information when the network device does not receive the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that the core network device can identify the second identification information, or being used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range, or being used to indicate that the network device needs to request the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, and the like. It can be understood that the step is an optional step.

[0289] The network device can send a first request to the core network device to request the capability information corresponding to the second identification information when the network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, and the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range to the network device when the core network device receives the first request.

[0290] Optionally, the core network device can also directly send the second identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information to the network device.

[0291] Optionally, the core network device can also allocate a new identification information, such as a fourth identification information, to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the fourth identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1008 in FIG. 10, the network device and the core network device can use the fourth identification information, the second identification information, and the capability information specific to the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0292] Case two: The core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. As shown in steps 1009 to 1013 in FIG. 10, the core network device can send fourth indication information to the network device to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device according to the fourth indication information to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range is reported. The terminal device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range to the network device according to the second indication information, and the network device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range to the core network device. Based on this, the network device and the core network device can use the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range, and the capability information specific to the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0293] Optionally, the core network device can also re-allocate a new identification information, such as the third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band reported by the terminal device. As shown in step 1013 in FIG. 10, the core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, the network device and the core network device can use the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, the third identification information, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0294] Optionally, the core network device can also re-allocate a new identification information, such as the fourth identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC reported by the terminal device. As shown in step 1013 in FIG. 10, the core network device can send the fourth identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, the network device and the core network device can use the fourth identification information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0295] In combination with the third identification information and the fourth identification information, as shown in step 1013 in FIG. 10, the network device and the core network device can also use the fourth identification information, the third identification information, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0296] With the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information of the terminal device in the core network device, the core network device and the network device can refer to the method shown in FIG. 11 to interact the capability-related information of the terminal device, which can include the following steps.

[0297] In step 1101, the terminal device sends the first identification information to the network device or the core network device, and correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information from the terminal device.

[0298] The description of step 1101 can be referred to the related description of step 901, which is not repeated here.

[0299] In step 1102, the core network device determines the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0300] In step 1103, the core network device sends the third indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the core network device.

[0301] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the description of the third indication information can be referred to the related description of step 903, which is not repeated here.

[0302] Optionally, the core network device can further determine whether the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. If the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the core network device can send fifth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can not send the fifth indication information to the network device when the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. The network device considers that the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information when the network device does not receive the fifth indication information.

[0303] Optionally, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be two independent indication information, and the two independent indication information can be carried in the same message or different messages, which is not limited. Alternatively, the third indication information and the fifth indication information can be combined into one indication information, which is not limited.

[0304] Optionally, when the core network device sends the third indication information (or the fifth indication information) to the network device, the core network device can further send the first identification information to the network device.

[0305] Step 1104: The network device sends a first request to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the first request from the network device.

[0306] The first request is used to request to obtain the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0307] The network device can send the first request to the core network device when the network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

[0308] Step 1105: The core network device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC to the network device.

[0309] Alternatively, unlike the steps 1103 to 1105, as shown in step 1106, the core network device can directly send the capability information corresponding to the first identification information to the network device.

[0310] Unlike the above steps 901 to 1105, the terminal device can send the second identification information to trigger the capability reporting process of the terminal device, and the process is similar to the communication method shown in the above steps 901 to 1105, which is not repeated here.

[0311] In addition, the terminal device can also send the first identification information and the second identification information to trigger the terminal device capability reporting process. The terminal device capability reporting process is described in detail with reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 16.

[0312] For example, the terminal device can send the first identification information and the second identification information to the core network device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device. The network device can also forward or transparently transmit the first identification information and the second identification information to the core network device. According to the received first identification information and the second identification information, the core network device can determine whether it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, whether it has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, whether it has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information of the terminal device, and further determine whether it needs to trigger the terminal device capability reporting process. For example, the core network device can send one or more of the following indication information to the network device: third indication information, fourth indication information, or fifth indication information. According to the indication information sent by the core network device, the network device determines whether to send the following first indication information to the terminal device to trigger the terminal device to report its capability information. According to the specific meaning of the first indication information sent by the network device, the terminal device reports the corresponding capability information. For details, please refer to the related description of FIG. 12 to FIG. 16, which will not be described here.

[0313] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information.

[0314] The first indication information is used to indicate reporting the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC; or the first indication information is used to indicate reporting the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band; or the first indication information is used to indicate reporting the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band; or the first indication information is used to indicate reporting the complete capability information of the terminal device.

[0315] In the case where the first indication information is used to indicate reporting the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, the terminal device can send the first capability information to the network device. The first capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band.

[0316] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate reporting of the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, the terminal device can send third capability information to the network device; the third capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC.

[0317] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate reporting of the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band, the terminal device can send fourth capability information to the network device; the fourth capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition.

[0318] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate reporting of the complete capability information of the terminal device, the terminal device can send second capability information to the network device; the second capability information includes the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

[0319] Specifically, when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, but does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in the following FIG. 12. Or, when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, but does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in the following FIG. 13. Or, when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, but does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in the following FIG. 14. Or, when the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, and does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the reporting of the capability information of the terminal device can be performed by referring to the method shown in the following FIG. 15. Or, when the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, and has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device to the network device; or the core network device and the network device can refer to the method shown in FIG. 16 to perform the interaction of the capability information of the terminal device.

[0320] The following is an example of the core network device having the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, but not having the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device is described in detail with reference to the communication method described in FIG. 12. The method can include:

[0321] Step 1201, the terminal device sends the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device or the core network device; correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the terminal device.

[0322] The first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. The description of the first identification information can be referred to the related description in FIG. 6 described above, and will not be repeated. The second identification information can be used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band. The description of the second identification information can be referred to the related description in FIG. 7 described above, and will not be repeated.

[0323] The terminal device can carry the first identification information and the second identification information in the first message (such as a registration request message) for requesting registration to send to the core network device, or can be carried in other messages to send to the core network device, which is not limited. Optionally, the terminal device can send the first identification information to the core network device through the network device forwarding or transparent transmission.

[0324] Optionally, the core network device can be a mobility management network element or a UCMF network element, which is not limited.

[0325] Step 1202, the core network device determines that there is capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and there is no capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0326] Step 1203, the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information and the fourth indication information from the core network device.

[0327] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The description of the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be referred to the related description described above, which will not be repeated.

[0328] Optionally, the core network device can further determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. If the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the core network device can send sixth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can not send the sixth indication information to the network device when it does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. The network device considers that the core network device does not have the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information when it does not receive the fifth indication information.

[0329] Optionally, the third indication information, the fourth indication information, and the sixth indication information can be three independent indication information, which can be carried in the same message or in different messages, without limitation. Alternatively, any two or more of the third indication information, the fourth indication information, and the sixth indication information can be combined into one indication information, without limitation. For example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information are combined into one indication information to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0330] Optionally, when the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information (or the sixth indication information) to the network device, it can also send the first identification information to the network device.

[0331] Optionally, the core network device can further send the capability information corresponding to the first identification information to the network device.

[0332] In step 1204, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0333] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, can be a UE capability enquiry (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The second message can include the first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the at least one BC of the terminal device is reported. The description of the first indication information can be referred to the foregoing description, which is not described here. In addition, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the capability information corresponding to the at least one BC is not reported and the capability information corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported, or used to indicate that the first identification information can be recognized and the second identification information cannot be recognized, or used to indicate that the report, etc.

[0334] Optionally, the network device can further receive the first identification information sent by the core network device, and determine whether the network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to the first identification information. If not, the network device can send a first request to the core network device to request the capability information corresponding to the first identification information according to steps 1203a and 1203b. After receiving the first request, the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC to the network device.

[0335] Optionally, the network device can also receive the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the first identification information sent by the core network device.

[0336] Step 1205: The terminal device sends the first capability information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first capability information from the terminal device.

[0337] The terminal device can send the first capability information to the network device in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message.

[0338] Step 1206: The network device sends the first capability information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the first capability information from the network device.

[0339] The first capability information can include the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band. Alternatively, the first capability information can include the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to at least one BC, or the first capability information does not include the capability information corresponding to at least one BC. Optionally, the first capability information can further include the first identification information.

[0340] The capability information defined specifically for the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band can be located in different information elements of the first capability information, or can be understood as that the terminal capability information corresponding to at least one frequency band is carried in a container. Based on this, the core network device can determine which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band and which part is the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device without parsing the first capability information when receiving the first capability information.

[0341] Optionally, as shown in step 1207 in FIG. 12, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when receiving the first capability information.

[0342] Optionally, the core network device can further re-allocate a new identification information, such as the third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1207 in FIG. 12, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the third identification information, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0343] The following describes the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device based on the communication method described with reference to FIG. 13, taking that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information but does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the second identification information as an example. The method can include the following steps.

[0344] In step 1301, the terminal device sends the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device or the core network device. Correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the terminal device.

[0345] The description of step 1301 can be referred to the related description of step 1201 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0346] In step 1302, the core network device determines that it does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information but has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0347] In step 1303, the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information and the fourth indication information from the core network device.

[0348] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The description of the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be referred to the foregoing related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] Optionally, the core network device can further determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. The specific description can be referred to the description of the sixth indication information in step 1203 above, which will not be repeated here. For example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information are combined into one indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0350] Optionally, when sending the third indication information and the fourth indication information (or the sixth indication information) to the network device, the core network device can further send the second identification information to the network device.

[0351] Optionally, the core network device can further send the capability information corresponding to the second identification information to the network device.

[0352] Step 1304, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0353] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, can be a UE capability enquiry (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The second message can include the first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported. The first indication information can also be described as indicating that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is not reported, or indicating that the second identification information can be recognized, or indicating that there is capability information corresponding to the second identification information, etc., which is not limited. In addition, the first indication information can also be used to indicate that the capability information corresponding to the at least one BC is reported and the capability information corresponding to the at least one frequency band is not reported, or to indicate that the first identification information cannot be recognized and the second identification information can be recognized.

[0354] Optionally, the network device can also receive the second identification information sent by the core network device, and determine whether the network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information according to the second identification information. If not, the network device can send a first request to the core network device to request to obtain the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, according to steps 1303a and 1303b. After receiving the first request, the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band to the network device.

[0355] Optionally, the network device can also receive the second identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information sent by the core network device.

[0356] Step 1305, the terminal device sends third capability information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the third capability information from the terminal device.

[0357] The terminal device can carry the third capability information in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message to send to the network device.

[0358] Step 1306, the network device sends the third capability information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the third capability information from the network device.

[0359] The third capability information can comprise capability information defined by the terminal device and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. Alternatively, the third capability information can comprise capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, or the third capability information does not comprise the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC. Optionally, the third capability information can further comprise the second identification information.

[0360] The capability information defined by the terminal device and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC can be located in different information elements of the third capability information, or can be understood as the terminal capability information corresponding to the at least one BC being carried in a container. Based on this, the core network device can determine which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and which part is the capability information defined by the terminal device without parsing the third capability information when receiving the third capability information.

[0361] Optionally, as shown in step 1307 in FIG. 13, the network device and the core network device can use the second identification information, the capability information defined by the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when receiving the third capability information.

[0362] Optionally, the core network device can further reassign a new identification information, such as a fourth identification information, to the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the fourth identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1307 in FIG. 13, the network device and the core network device can use the fourth identification information, the second identification information, and the capability information defined by the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0363] The following describes the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device in detail with reference to the communication method described in FIG. 14, taking the core network device having the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information but not having the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information of the terminal device as an example. The method can comprise:

[0364] Step 1401: The terminal device sends the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device or the core network device. Correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the terminal device.

[0365] The description of step 1401 can be referred to the related description of step 1201 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0366] In step 1402, the core network device determines the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0367] In step 1403, the core network device sends third indication information and fourth indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information and the fourth indication information from the core network device.

[0368] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The description of the third indication information and the fourth indication information can refer to the foregoing related description, which is not described herein. For example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information are combined into one indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification and has the capability information corresponding to the second identification.

[0369] Optionally, the core network device can also determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. For details, refer to the description of the sixth indication information in the foregoing step 1203, which is not described herein.

[0370] Optionally, when the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information (or the sixth indication information) to the network device, it can also send the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device.

[0371] Optionally, the core network device can also send the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information to the network device.

[0372] In step 1404, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0373] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, it can be a UE capability enquiry (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The second message can include first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range are not reported. The first indication information can also be described as indicating that the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range are not reported, or indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information can be recognized, or indicating that the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information is reported, or indicating that the capability information specific to the terminal device definition is reported, etc., which is not limited.

[0374] Optionally, the network device can further receive the first identification information and the second identification information sent by the core network device, and determine whether the network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information according to the first identification information and the second identification information. If not, the network device can send a first request to the core network device to request to obtain the capability information corresponding to the first identification information or the second identification information according to steps 1403a and 1403b. After receiving the first request, the core network device can send the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency range to the network device.

[0375] Optionally, the network device can also receive the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the second identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information sent by the core network device.

[0376] Step 1405: The terminal device sends fourth capability information to the network device; and correspondingly, the network device receives the fourth capability information from the terminal device.

[0377] The terminal device can carry the fourth capability information in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message and send it to the network device.

[0378] Step 1406: The network device sends the fourth capability information to the core network device; and correspondingly, the core network device receives the fourth capability information from the network device.

[0379] The fourth capability information can include capability information specific to the terminal device definition, or the fourth capability information does not include the capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range, or the fourth capability information includes capability information other than the capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range. Optionally, the fourth capability information can further include the first identification information and the second identification information.

[0380] Optionally, as shown in step 1407 in FIG. 14, the network device and the core network device can use the first identification information, the second identification information, and the capability information specific to the terminal device definition to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when receiving the fourth capability information.

[0381] The following describes the reporting process of the capability information of the terminal device in detail with reference to the communication method described in FIG. 15, taking the case that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, and does not have the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information.

[0382] Step 1501, the terminal device sends first identification information and second identification information to the network device or the core network device; correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the terminal device.

[0383] The description of step 1501 can be referred to the description of step 1201, and details are not described herein.

[0384] Step 1502, the core network device determines that there is no capability information corresponding to the first identification information and no capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0385] Step 1503, the core network device sends third indication information and fourth indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information and the fourth indication information from the core network device.

[0386] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has no capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has no capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The description of the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be referred to the foregoing description, and details are not described herein. For example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information are combined into one indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device has no capability information corresponding to the first identification and no capability information corresponding to the second identification.

[0387] Optionally, the core network device can also determine whether it has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. Details can be referred to the description of the sixth indication information in step 1203, and details are not described herein.

[0388] Step 1504, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second message from the network device. Optionally, the network device sends the second message to the terminal device according to the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0389] The second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, for example, can be a UE capability enquiry (UECapabilityEnquiry) message. The second message can include first indication information; the first indication information can be used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported. The first indication information can also be described as being used to indicate that there is no capability information of the terminal device, or being used to indicate that the first identification information and the second identification information cannot be identified, or being used to indicate that there is no capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, or being used to indicate that the reported capability information includes the capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency range, and details are not limited.

[0390] Step 1505: The terminal device sends second capability information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the second capability information from the terminal device.

[0391] The terminal device can carry the second capability information in a terminal device capability information (UECapabilityInformation) message and send it to the network device.

[0392] Step 1506: The network device sends the second capability information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the second capability information from the network device.

[0393] The second capability information can include capability information specific to the terminal device definition, capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band. Or it can be described as the second capability information includes complete terminal device capability information, etc.

[0394] The capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band can be located in different information elements of the second capability information, or it can be understood that the terminal capability information corresponding to at least one BC and the capability information corresponding to at least one frequency band are carried in different containers. Based on this, when the core network device receives the second capability information, it does not need to parse the second capability information, and it can also determine which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, which part is the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and which part is the capability information specific to the terminal device definition.

[0395] Optionally, as shown in step 1507 in FIG. 15, the network device and the core network device can use the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to maintain the capability information of the terminal device when receiving the second capability information.

[0396] Optionally, the core network device can also reassign a new identification information, such as a fourth identification information, for the terminal device to report the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC. The core network device can send the fourth identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1507 in FIG. 15, the network device and the core network device can use the fourth identification information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band, and the capability information specific to the terminal device definition to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0397] Optionally, the core network device can also re-allocate a new identification information, such as the third identification information, for the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band reported by the terminal device. The core network device can send the third identification information to the terminal device through the network device. Based on this, as shown in step 1507 in FIG. 15, the network device and the core network device can use the third identification information, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0398] In combination with the third identification information and the fourth identification information described above, as shown in step 1507 in FIG. 15, the network device and the core network device can also use the fourth identification information, the third identification information, and the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device to maintain the capability information of the terminal device.

[0399] The following describes a communication method described with reference to FIG. 16, taking that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, and also has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. The core network device and the network device can refer to the method shown in FIG. 16 to interact the capability-related information of the terminal device, which can include the following steps.

[0400] In step 1601, the terminal device sends the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device or the core network device; correspondingly, the network device or the core network device receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the terminal device.

[0401] The description of step 1601 can refer to the related description of step 1201 described above, which is not repeated here.

[0402] In step 1602, the core network device determines that it has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information.

[0403] In step 1603, the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information and the fourth indication information from the core network device.

[0404] The third indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information can be used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information. The description of the third indication information and the fourth indication information can refer to the related description described above, which is not repeated here. For example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information are combined into one indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification and has the capability information corresponding to the second identification.

[0405] Optionally, the core network device can further determine whether the core network device has the capability information of the terminal device other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information. If the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information, the core network device can send sixth indication information to the network device to explicitly indicate that the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. Alternatively, the core network device can not send the sixth indication information to the network device when the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the second identification information. The network device considers that the core network device has the capability information other than the capability information corresponding to the first identification information when the network device does not receive the sixth indication information.

[0406] Optionally, when the core network device sends the third indication information and the fourth indication information (or the sixth indication information) to the network device, the core network device can further send the first identification information and the second identification information to the network device.

[0407] In step 1604, the network device sends a first request to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the first request from the network device.

[0408] The first request is used to request the capability information corresponding to the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0409] The network device can send the first request to the core network device when the network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0410] In step 1605, the core network device sends the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one BC or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one frequency band to the network device.

[0411] Alternatively, the core network device can directly send the capability information corresponding to the first identification information and the capability information corresponding to the second identification information to the network device, as shown in step 1606, which is different from the steps 1603 to 1605.

[0412] It should be noted that each embodiment of the present application can be implemented independently or in combination, and is not limited. If there is no special description and no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions provided in different embodiments of the present application are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0413] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can execute part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also execute other operations or various modifications of the operations. For example, the embodiments can only include the execution steps between the terminal device and the network device, and the execution steps between the network device and the core network setting are optional steps. For another example, the embodiments can only include the execution steps between the network device and the core network setting, and the execution steps between the terminal device and the network setting are optional steps. In addition, each step can be executed in a different order as presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are executed.

[0414] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between devices. It can be understood that, in order to realize the above functions, each device comprises a hardware structure and / or a software module corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical scheme. Professional technicians can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0415] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of each device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical functional division. Actual implementation can have another division manner.

[0416] In the case of dividing each functional module according to each function, FIG. 17 shows a communication apparatus 170 which can execute the actions performed by the terminal device, or the network device, or the core network device in the methods shown in FIGS. 6 to 16. The above method embodiments involve all related contents of each step, which can be referred to the function description of the corresponding functional module, and the technical effects that can be obtained are referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be described here again.

[0417] The communication apparatus 170 can include a transceiver module 1701 and a processing module 1702. For example, the communication apparatus 170 can be a communication device, or a chip or other combination device or component applied in the communication device and having the above-mentioned communication apparatus functions. When the communication apparatus 170 is a communication device, the transceiver module 1701 can be a transceiver, which can include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module 1702 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor, which can include one or more CPUs. When the communication apparatus 170 is a component having the above-mentioned communication apparatus functions, the transceiver module 1701 can be a radio frequency unit. The processing module 1702 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the communication apparatus 170 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1701 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip). The processing module 1702 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, which can include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1701 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component. The processing module 1702 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0418] For example, the transceiver module 1701 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the communication apparatus in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-16 and / or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein. The processing module 1702 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the communication apparatus in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-16 other than the transceiver operations and / or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

[0419] As another implementation manner, the transceiver module 1701 in FIG. 17 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1701. The processing module 1702 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1702. Further, the communication apparatus 170 shown in FIG. 17 can further include a memory.

[0420] Alternatively, when the processing module 1702 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1701 is replaced by a transceiver, the communication apparatus 170 involved in the embodiments of the present application can also be the communication apparatus 180 shown in FIG. 18. The processor can be a logic circuit 1801 and the transceiver can be an interface circuit 1802. Further, the communication apparatus 180 shown in FIG. 18 can further include a memory 1803.

[0421] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 1900, as shown in FIG. 19. The communication device 1900 can be a dual connectivity device or a chip or system on chip in the dual connectivity device, or a core network device or a chip or system on chip in the core network device. As shown in FIG. 19, the communication device 1900 includes a processor 1901, a transceiver 1902 and a communication line 1903.

[0422] Further, the communication device 1900 can further include a memory 1904. The processor 1901, the memory 1904 and the transceiver 1902 can be connected through the communication line 1903.

[0423] The processor 1901 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a general processor network processor (NP), a digital signal processing (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD) or any combination thereof. The processor 1901 can also be other devices with processing functions, such as a circuit, a device or a software module, which are not limited herein.

[0424] The transceiver 1902 is configured to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network can be an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN) and the like. The transceiver 1902 can be a module, a circuit, a transceiver or any device capable of communication.

[0425] The communication line 1903 is configured to transmit information between components included in the communication device 1900.

[0426] The memory 1904 is configured to store instructions. The instructions can be a computer program.

[0427] The memory 1904 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions that are not to be changed by the device, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions for execution by the processor 1901 and / or for writing to other computer-readable media. The memory 1904 can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or another optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0428] It should be noted that the memory 1904 can exist independently of the processor 1901 or can be integrated with the processor 1901. The memory 1904 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 1904 can be located within the communication device 1900 or outside the communication device 1900, without limitation. The processor 1901 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1904 to implement the communication method provided by the embodiments described below.

[0429] In an example, the processor 1901 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 19.

[0430] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1900 includes multiple processors, for example, in addition to the processor 1901 in FIG. 19, the communication device 1900 can further include a processor 1907.

[0431] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1900 further includes an output device 1905 and an input device 1906. For example, the input device 1906 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or a joystick, etc., and the output device 1905 is a display screen, a speaker, etc.

[0432] It should be noted that the communication device 1900 can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device having a similar structure as shown in FIG. 19. In addition, the constituent structures shown in FIG. 19 do not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and the communication device can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different arrangement of components.

[0433] In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0434] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which can realize the functions of any of the method embodiments above when executed by a computer.

[0435] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program, which can realize the functions of any of the method embodiments above when executed by a computer.

[0436] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the flow of the method embodiments above can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, the program can be stored in the computer readable storage medium, and the program can include the flow of the method embodiments above when executed. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including the data sending terminal and / or the data receiving terminal) of any of the preceding embodiments, for example, a hard disk or a memory of the terminal. The computer readable storage medium above can also be an external storage device of the terminal, for example, a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card and the like. Further, the computer readable storage medium above can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the terminal. The computer readable storage medium above is used to store the computer program above and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer readable storage medium above can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0437] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification of the present application, claims and drawings are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order. "First", "second" are only for description purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of the embodiments, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more.

[0438] In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but can optionally include steps or units not listed, or can optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product or device.

[0439] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more. "At least two" means two or three and more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean that there are three cases: only A, only B, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c, can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "When" and "if" both mean that under certain objective circumstances, the corresponding processing will be done, not limited to time, and does not require a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0440] In the embodiments of the present application, the words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner for understanding.

[0441] In the present application, "sending information to (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal device. It can include direct or indirect sending of information to the terminal device. "Receiving information from (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal device, and it can include direct or indirect receiving of information from the terminal device. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information transmission, such as format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

[0442] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of functional modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0443] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method can be implemented by other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, for example, the division of the modules or units is merely a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units or components shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, apparatuses or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0444] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, can be located in one place or can be distributed to a plurality of different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0445] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0446] The integrated unit, if realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical scheme of the embodiment of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence or all or part of the technical scheme. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing an apparatus (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk and various program code storage media.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: comprising: determining first identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band combination (BC); sending the first identification information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first identification information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a second message from a network device; wherein the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending first capability information to the network device; wherein the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band; or the first capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the first capability information to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending second capability information to the network device; wherein the second capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band; or the second capability information includes the capability information defined specifically for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the second capability information to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second identification information; wherein the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to at least one band.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first identification information and the second identification are carried in a first message; and the first message is used to request registration.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a second message from a network device; wherein the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information; The first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

11. The method of any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, the first capability information is sent to the network device; wherein the first capability information comprises the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first capability information is sent to the network device, comprising: The first capability information is sent to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The third capability information is sent to the network device; wherein the third capability information comprises the capability information specific to the terminal device definition and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The third capability information is sent to the network device, comprising: The third capability information is sent to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The fourth capability information is sent to the network device, and the fourth capability information comprises the capability information specific to the terminal device definition.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The fourth capability information is sent to the network device, comprising: The fourth capability information is sent to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band is reported.

17. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized by, The method further comprises: The second capability information is sent to the network device; wherein the second capability information comprises the capability information specific to the terminal device definition, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The second capability information is sent to the network device, comprising: The second capability information is sent to the network device according to the first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

19. A method of communication, comprising: Comprise: The first identification information is received from the terminal device; wherein the first identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band combination BC; The first identification information is sent to the core network device.

20. The method of claim 19, characterized in that, The first identification information is carried in the first message, and the first message is used to request registration.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein, The method further comprises: receive third indication information from the core network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized by, The method further includes: sending a second message to the terminal device, wherein the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-22, characterized by, The method further includes: receiving first capability information from the terminal device; sending the first capability information to the core network device; The first capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the first capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The receiving first capability information from the terminal device includes: in the case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; receiving the first capability information from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

25. The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein, The method further includes: receiving second capability information from the terminal device; sending the second capability information to the core network device; The second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; or the second capability information includes the capability information defined for the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and second identification information; the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The receiving second capability information from the terminal device includes: in the case where the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported; receiving the second capability information from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein, The method further includes: receiving second identification information from the terminal device; wherein the second identification information is used to identify the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency band; sending the second identification information to the core network device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first identification information and the second identification information are carried in a first message; and the first message is used to request registration.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein, The method further includes: receive third indication information and fourth indication information from the core network device; the third indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identifier information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identifier information.

30. The method of any one of claims 27-29, wherein, The method further comprises: sending a second message to the terminal device; the second message is used to query the capability of the terminal device, and the second message comprises first indication information; The first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; or the first indication information is used to indicate that the complete capability information of the terminal device is reported.

31. The method according to any one of claims 27-30, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first capability information from the terminal device; the first capability information comprises capability information specific to the terminal device definition and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range; sending the first capability information to the core network device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, The receiving first capability information from the terminal device comprises: in the case that the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identifier information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the second identifier information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC is reported; According to the first indication information, the first capability information from the terminal device is received.

33. The method according to any one of claims 27-30, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third capability information from the terminal device; the third capability information comprises capability information specific to the terminal device definition and capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC; sending the third capability information to the core network device.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein, The receiving third capability information from the terminal device comprises: in the case that the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device does not have the capability information corresponding to the first identifier information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identifier information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; According to the first indication information, the third capability information from the terminal device is received.

35. The method of any one of claims 27-30, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving fourth capability information from the terminal device, the fourth capability information comprising capability information specific to the terminal device definition from the terminal device; sending the fourth capability information to the core network device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, The receiving fourth capability information from the terminal device comprises: In a case that the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; The fourth capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

37. The method of any one of claims 27-30, wherein, The method further comprises: The second capability information is received from the terminal device; The second capability information is sent to the core network device; The second capability information comprises the capability information defined by the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein, The second capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information. In a case that the third indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device has the capability information corresponding to the second identification information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the capability information other than the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC and the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range is reported; The second capability information is received from the terminal device according to the first indication information.

39. The method of any one of claims 19-38, wherein, The method further comprises: A first request is sent to the core network device; the first request is used to request to acquire one or more of the following: the capability information corresponding to the first identification information, or the capability information corresponding to the second identification information; One or more of the following is received from the core network device: the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one BC, or the capability information of the terminal device corresponding to the at least one frequency range.

40. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instructions, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-18 is executed, or so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 19-39 is executed.

41. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-18, or execute the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 19-39, process and / or generate the information according to the information.

42. A communications device, characterized by The computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-18 is executed, or so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 19-39 is executed.

43. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: ​ 44. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-18 is executed, or the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 19-39 is executed.

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