Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, used for solving the problems of high signaling overhead in UAI reporting and high processing complexity for network devices. In the present application, for one parameter of assistance information, a plurality of causes / characteristics corresponding to the parameter are aggregated and reported by means of one piece of information, so that the parameter and the plurality of causes / characteristics indicated by the information can be combined to obtain a plurality of sets of assistance information. Thus, the plurality of sets of assistance information can be reported by means of a single parameter reporting operation.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410852556.7, filed on June 27, 2024, and titled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] A terminal device can report UE assistance information (UAI) for a network device to refer to, and the network device can configure parameters / schedule resources for the terminal device according to the UAI. The terminal device can report one or more sets of UAI to the network device when reporting the UAI, and one set of UAI corresponds to one cause / characteristic, such as a delay budget report, overheating, UE power saving, multiple SIMs, In-Device Coexistence, and the like.

[0005] Currently, because parameters corresponding to different causes are independently designed, the parameter content can be the same, that is, the same parameter is reported multiple times in UAI corresponding to different causes, resulting in large signaling overhead and high network device processing complexity. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which is used to solve the problem of large UAI reporting signaling overhead and high network device processing complexity.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, and the execution subject of the method can be a terminal device, a chip or a circuit on the terminal device side. Taking the terminal device as an example, the method comprises: receiving a first message, the first message indicating that a desired terminal device capability or configuration is allowed to be reported; and sending a second message to a network device, wherein the second message comprises a first parameter and first indication information, the first parameter being used to indicate the desired terminal device capability or configuration, and the first indication information indicating a plurality of causes or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

[0008] This application addresses a single parameter in auxiliary information by summarizing multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter and reporting them through a single message. This allows the parameter to be combined with the multiple causes / characteristics indicated by the message to generate multiple sets of auxiliary information. Thus, multiple sets of auxiliary information can be reported with a single parameter report, avoiding duplicate parameter reporting and reducing signaling overhead. For example, for parameter A, a single message indicates that parameter A corresponds to causes 1 through 3. Parameter A combined with causes 1 through 3 yields three sets of auxiliary information: auxiliary information corresponding to cause 1, which includes parameter A; auxiliary information corresponding to cause 2, which includes parameter A; and auxiliary information corresponding to cause 3, which includes parameter A. If these three sets of auxiliary information were reported directly, parameter A would need to be reported three times. However, this application only requires reporting parameter A once, demonstrating that it reduces signaling overhead.

[0009] Furthermore, through the solution of this application, the terminal device can determine an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple causes / characteristics. Compared with the method of the network device determining an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple adjustment information reported for multiple causes / characteristics, this application can reduce the processing complexity of the network device on the one hand, and on the other hand, since the terminal device is more aware of its own situation / state, the adjustment information determined by the terminal device is more reasonable.

[0010] In one possible design, the first message is a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

[0011] In one possible design, the second message is a UAI message.

[0012] In one possible design, the first indication information indicates multiple of the following causes or characteristics: delay budget reporting, overheating, UE power saving, multiple cards, or in-device interference.

[0013] In one possible design, the first parameter is one of the following: user equipment type, maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of secondary cells, maximum number of carriers, maximum number of MIMO layers, maximum bandwidth, and discontinuous reception parameters.

[0014] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, comprising: the second message includes a first list and N parameters, wherein the first list includes N indication information, the N parameters include the first parameter, and the N indication information includes the first indication information, where N is an integer greater than 0; the N parameters correspond one-to-one with the N indication information.

[0015] Through the above design, if the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features can be indicated for that parameter, and the parameter content only needs to be reported once, thus reducing the duplication of parameter reporting. Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, according to the above design, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated for multiple parameters, the cause / feature contains less information and incurs less overhead compared to the parameter content. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the parameter content.

[0016] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes information about the first parameter, wherein the information about the first parameter includes the first parameter and the first indication information;

[0017] As introduced in the technical background above, current UE auxiliary information messages include a field corresponding to the cause / feature, which carries the content of one or more parameters corresponding to that cause / feature. The fields for different causes / features are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, the content of that parameter will appear repeatedly in the fields for multiple causes / features. The design described above includes a field corresponding to the parameter in the second message, which carries the content of that parameter and the corresponding indication information. The fields for different parameters are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features will be indicated in the field of that parameter. The content of that parameter only needs to appear once in the information element of that parameter, thus reducing the repeated reporting of that parameter.

[0018] Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated in the fields of multiple parameters according to the above design, the cause / feature contains less information and occupies less overhead compared to the content of the parameters. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the content of the parameters.

[0019] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, comprising: the second message includes a second indication information and N parameters, wherein the N parameters include the first parameter, and N is an integer greater than 0; the second indication information indicates the cause / characteristic corresponding to the N parameters.

[0020] Through the above design, if the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features can be indicated for that parameter, and the parameter content only needs to be reported once, thus reducing the duplication of parameter reporting. Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, according to the above design, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated for multiple parameters, the cause / feature contains less information and incurs less overhead compared to the parameter content. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the parameter content.

[0021] In one possible design, the first indication information is a first value, which corresponds to a combination of multiple causes / characteristics; or, the first indication information includes multiple fields, each of which corresponds to a cause / characteristic; or, the first indication information is a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a cause / characteristic.

[0022] The above design can further reduce reporting costs.

[0023] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving a third message indicating the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed cause / characteristic, wherein the allowed cause / characteristic includes the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0024] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a fourth message, which indicates that the first parameter is invalid or is no longer expected; wherein the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying a first list, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty. Alternatively, the fourth message includes N second information cells, which carry the content of the N parameters and indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty, or the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter only carries the first indication information. Alternatively, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying second indication information, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

[0025] In one possible design, the first message is used to enable the reporting of a first parameter; or, the first message is used to enable the reporting of at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the at least one cause / characteristic includes a cause / characteristic indicated by a first indication message. This design improves the accuracy of the enabling mechanism.

[0026] In one possible design, the first message also indicates the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter, wherein the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter includes the reason / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0027] In one possible design, the first message further indicates parameters that are allowed to be reported for at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the parameters that are allowed to be reported for the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information include the first parameter.

[0028] In one possible design, the terminal device has the desired terminal device capabilities or configurations that have not been reported, and sends a second message.

[0029] In one possible design, the terminal device has the desired terminal device capabilities or configurations, and if those capabilities or configurations have changed compared to the previously reported content, a second message is sent.

[0030] In one possible design, it is assumed that the second parameter has been reported, and the cause / characteristic corresponding to the second parameter has changed. The second message may also include the second parameter and third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one cause / characteristic currently corresponding to the second parameter; or, the second message includes the third indication information but does not include the second parameter, the second indication information indicating at least one cause / characteristic currently corresponding to the first parameter.

[0031] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a network device, or a chip or circuit on the network device side. Taking a network device as an example, the method includes: sending a first message to a terminal device, the first message indicating permission to report the desired capabilities or configurations of the terminal device; receiving a second message, wherein the second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, the first parameter indicating the desired capabilities or configurations of the terminal device, and the first indication information indicating multiple reasons or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

[0032] This application addresses a single parameter in auxiliary information by summarizing multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter and reporting them through a single message. This allows the parameter to be combined with the multiple causes / characteristics indicated by the message to generate multiple sets of auxiliary information. Thus, multiple sets of auxiliary information can be reported with a single parameter report, avoiding duplicate parameter reporting and reducing signaling overhead. For example, for parameter A, a single message indicates that parameter A corresponds to causes 1 through 3. Parameter A combined with causes 1 through 3 yields three sets of auxiliary information: auxiliary information corresponding to cause 1, which includes parameter A; auxiliary information corresponding to cause 2, which includes parameter A; and auxiliary information corresponding to cause 3, which includes parameter A. If these three sets of auxiliary information were reported directly, parameter A would need to be reported three times. However, this application only requires reporting parameter A once, demonstrating that it reduces signaling overhead.

[0033] Furthermore, through the solution of this application, the terminal device can determine an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple causes / characteristics. Compared with the method of the network device determining an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple adjustment information reported for multiple causes / characteristics, this application can reduce the processing complexity of the network device on the one hand, and on the other hand, since the terminal device is more aware of its own situation / state, the adjustment information determined by the terminal device is more reasonable.

[0034] In one possible design, the first message is a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

[0035] In one possible design, the second message is a UAI message.

[0036] In one possible design, the first indication information indicates multiple of the following causes or characteristics: delay budget reporting, overheating, UE power saving, multiple cards, or in-device interference.

[0037] In one possible design, the first parameter is one of the following: user equipment type, maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of secondary cells, maximum number of carriers, maximum number of MIMO layers, maximum bandwidth, and discontinuous reception parameters.

[0038] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, comprising: the second message includes a first list and N parameters, wherein the first list includes N indication information, the N parameters include the first parameter, and the N indication information includes the first indication information, where N is an integer greater than 0; the N parameters correspond one-to-one with the N indication information.

[0039] Through the above design, if the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features can be indicated for that parameter, and the parameter content only needs to be reported once, thus reducing the duplication of parameter reporting. Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, according to the above design, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated for multiple parameters, the cause / feature contains less information and incurs less overhead compared to the parameter content. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the parameter content.

[0040] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes information about the first parameter, wherein the information about the first parameter includes the first parameter and the first indication information;

[0041] As introduced in the technical background above, current UE auxiliary information messages include a field corresponding to the cause / feature, which carries the content of one or more parameters corresponding to that cause / feature. The fields for different causes / features are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, the content of that parameter will appear repeatedly in the fields for multiple causes / features. The design described above includes a field corresponding to the parameter in the second message, which carries the content of that parameter and the corresponding indication information. The fields for different parameters are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features will be indicated in the field of that parameter. The content of that parameter only needs to appear once in the information element of that parameter, thus reducing the repeated reporting of that parameter.

[0042] Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated in the fields of multiple parameters according to the above design, the cause / feature contains less information and occupies less overhead compared to the content of the parameters. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the content of the parameters.

[0043] In one possible design, the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, comprising: the second message includes a second indication information and N parameters, wherein the N parameters include the first parameter, and N is an integer greater than 0; the second indication information indicates the cause / characteristic corresponding to the N parameters.

[0044] Through the above design, if the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features can be indicated for that parameter, and the parameter content only needs to be reported once, thus reducing the duplication of parameter reporting. Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, according to the above design, the cause / feature will be repeatedly indicated for multiple parameters, the cause / feature contains less information and incurs less overhead compared to the parameter content. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is smaller than that caused by repeatedly reporting the parameter content.

[0045] In one possible design, the first indication information is a first value, which corresponds to a combination of multiple causes / characteristics; or, the first indication information includes multiple fields, each of which corresponds to a cause / characteristic; or, the first indication information is a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a cause / characteristic.

[0046] The above design can further reduce reporting costs.

[0047] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a third message indicating the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed cause / characteristic, wherein the allowed cause / characteristic includes the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0048] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving a fourth message, the fourth message indicating that the first parameter is invalid or no longer expected; wherein the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying a first list, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty; or, the fourth message includes N second information cells, the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters and indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty, or, the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter only carries the first indication information; or, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying second indication information, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

[0049] In one possible design, the first message is also used to enable the reporting of a first parameter; or, the first message is also used to enable the reporting of at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the at least one cause / characteristic includes the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information. This design improves the accuracy of the enabling mechanism.

[0050] In one possible design, the first message also indicates the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter, wherein the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter includes the reason / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0051] In one possible design, the first message further indicates parameters that are allowed to be reported for at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the parameters that are allowed to be reported for the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information include the first parameter.

[0052] In one possible design, the terminal device has the desired terminal device capabilities or configurations that have not been reported, and sends a second message.

[0053] In one possible design, the terminal device has the desired terminal device capabilities or configurations, and if those capabilities or configurations have changed compared to the previously reported content, a second message is sent.

[0054] In one possible design, it is assumed that the second parameter has been reported, and the cause / characteristic corresponding to the second parameter has changed. The second message may also include the second parameter and third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one cause / characteristic currently corresponding to the second parameter; or, the second message includes the third indication information but does not include the second parameter, the second indication information indicating at least one cause / characteristic currently corresponding to the first parameter.

[0055] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the first aspect. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the second aspect above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the methods of the first aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the second aspect and any possible design described above through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods in any possible design of the first aspect and any of the aspects described above.

[0066] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods in any possible design of the second aspect and any of the aspects described above.

[0067] A ninth aspect provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory for implementing the methods described in the first aspect and any possible designs thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any possible design in the second aspect and any of the preceding aspects. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0069] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the second aspect (such as a network device).

[0070] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the technical solutions in the third to eleventh aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solution in the first aspect mentioned above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack of a network device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an O-RAN system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the network element function division and protocol layer structure of an O-RAN device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device;

[0077] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device. Detailed Implementation

[0078] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] The technical background of this application is described below.

[0080] During communication, terminal devices can report UE assistance information (UAI) for reasons / characteristics such as delay budget reports, overheating, UE power saving, multiple SIMs, and in-Device coexistence. This information is provided to the network device for reference, allowing the network device to configure parameters and schedule resources based on the UAI. For example, regarding overheating, a terminal device may overheat during communication. When an internal overheating problem occurs, the terminal device can reduce its capabilities or configuration to cool down and resolve the issue. To reduce the terminal device's capabilities or configuration, the terminal device can send UE assistance information to the network device, informing it of the desired reduction in capabilities or configuration for reconfiguration.

[0081] The parameters of UE auxiliary information may include: UE category, maximum number of secondary component carriers (CCs), maximum number of secondary cells (SCells), maximum number of component carriers (CCs), maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers, maximum bandwidth, discontinuous reception (DRX) parameters, etc.

[0082] Currently, the auxiliary information corresponding to different causes / characteristics is independent and unrelated. However, if multiple causes / characteristics require reporting a certain parameter, that parameter will be reported multiple times in the auxiliary information corresponding to those causes / characteristics. For example, parameters such as the maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of carriers, and maximum number of MIMO layers can be adjusted due to overheating, UE power saving, or multiple SIM cards. If all three causes / characteristics require adjustment of the maximum number of secondary carriers, then the auxiliary information corresponding to these three causes / characteristics will include the maximum number of secondary carriers. Similarly, DRX parameters can be adjusted due to delay budget reporting or UE power saving. If both causes / characteristics require adjustment of the DRX parameter, then the auxiliary information corresponding to both causes / characteristics will include the DRX parameter.

[0083] As can be seen, the current protocol design is lengthy, with parameters designed independently for different causes / characteristics. This results in the same parameter being reported multiple times in the auxiliary information corresponding to different causes / characteristics, leading to signaling duplication and high signaling overhead for auxiliary information reporting. Furthermore, forward propagation is complex and lengthy. Moreover, the processing complexity of network devices is high, and the processing result may not be optimal for the UE. For example, if the terminal device reports an adjustment to the maximum MIMO layer number in both the overheating and UE power-saving auxiliary information, the network device needs to combine the maximum MIMO layer numbers from both sets of auxiliary information to determine the final configurable maximum MIMO layer number. This may involve considering the larger or smaller value from the two sets of auxiliary information, or the value corresponding to a specific cause. The network device needs to perform additional processing, and different network devices may use different processing methods. Therefore, the final configured maximum MIMO layer number may not be the optimal choice for the terminal device.

[0084] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus to address the problems of high signaling overhead and high processing complexity of network devices in UAI reporting. The method and apparatus are based on the same concept, and since the principles underlying the problem-solving are similar, implementations of the apparatus and method can be mutually referenced; repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0085] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to communication systems, which may be communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, the communication system may be a long-term evolution (LTE), a sixth-generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) communication system), or it can also be applied to future communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), internet of things (IoT) systems, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, and so on.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include the Internet.

[0087] The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device. For example, the wireless access network 100 includes two network devices, 110a and 110b, and terminal devices 120a to 120j. The network architecture shown in Figure 1 is only schematic; the number of terminal devices and / or network devices may be fewer or more. The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0088] In this embodiment, the network device refers to a radio access network (RAN) device. The RAN can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 5G / new radio (NR) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN), etc. The RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. The RAN device can also be referred to as a RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, etc.

[0089] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation network device in a 6G mobile communication system, or a network device in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro network device, a micro network device, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor / host node, or a radio controller. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, a RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0090] In another possible scenario, a RAN node can be a module or unit that performs some functions of a network device; or multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each performing some functions of the network device. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The function of a CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the function of a CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the function of the RAN node. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0091] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0092] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0093] For example, please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of two typical protocol stacks of the network device provided in the embodiments of this application. In network device (1), the network device is divided into CU and DU. CU is configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above PDCP (e.g., RRC layer and / or SDAP layer, etc.); DU is configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below PDCP (e.g., RLC layer, MAC layer, and / or PHY layer, etc.). CU and DU communicate with each other based on the F1 interface. In network device (2), the network device is divided into CU and DU. CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of CU. CU-CP and CU-UP can communicate based on the E1 interface. CU-CP and DU communicate based on the F1 interface (also called F1-C) that supports the control plane. CU-UP and DU communicate based on the F1 interface (also called F1-U) that supports the user plane. CU-CP is configured to implement the control plane and RRC layer functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is configured to implement the user plane and SDAP layer functions of the PDCP layer. DU is configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0094] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to protocol layers is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not limit this. For example, in one design, CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are located in the DU.

[0095] In another possible design, the DU and RU collaborate to implement the PHY layer functionality, or, more specifically, a portion of the PHY layer functionality of the DU can be moved to the RU. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU may be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU may be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Alternatively, the DU may be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU may be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the MAC layer, and lower-level functions may include another portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the mid-RF side. This application does not limit the specific functions of the DU and RU. The interface between the DU and RU can be called a fronthaul interface. In one design, the CU may not have a PDCP layer; for example, the CU may only include an RRC layer. The CU-CP may not have PDCP-C. The CU-UP may not have PDCP-U, or may not have a CU-UP. In one design, the DU may not have an RLC layer; for example, the DU may only have a MAC and a higher PHY layer.

[0096] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRT RIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / near-RT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and model updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0097] In the embodiments of this application, the means for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a means that supports the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the network device. This means can be installed in the network device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0098] In this application embodiment, any device capable of data communication with network devices can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices are also called terminals, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), user devices, mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, terminal devices can be: mobile phones, computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, stations (STA), robotic arms, cameras, robots, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, or smart home devices (such as televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, set-top boxes), relays, customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a water meter or electricity meter. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that enables human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0100] When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, autonomous car, pure electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, and RSU.

[0101] The various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed / installed inside the vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices can be built into a vehicle's in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit. In-vehicle terminal devices can be vehicle equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, in-vehicle units (on-board units, OBUs), remote sensing units (RSUs), in-vehicle infotainment systems (or in-vehicle transmission units) (telematics boxes, T-boxes), chips, or systems on a chip (SOCs), etc. These chips or SOCs can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU, or T-box.

[0102] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an O-RAN system. It should be understood that an O-RAN system may include components other than those shown in Figure 3, without specific limitations. As shown in Figure 3, access network equipment can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminal equipment via an air interface. For example, access network equipment may include a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). The BBU includes at least one core unit (CU) and at least one dual unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. The RU can implement lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) functions. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY may include PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The BBU can communicate with the CN via the backhaul link, and the RU can communicate with at least one terminal device via the air interface. The BBU can also communicate with at least one RU via the fronthaul link. The BBU and RU can be co-located or not.

[0103] Figure 4 illustrates the network element function division and protocol layer structure of an O-RAN device. It should be noted that the CU and DU configurations shown in Figure 4 are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only partial protocol layer processing functions. The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU can exchange control plane information and user plane information via the lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS) interface through the fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces that provide the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via the LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0104] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0105] In the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components capable of implementing the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the terminal device.

[0106] Taking a network device as an example and a UE as a terminal device, the network device and the UE can be fixed in location or mobile. The network device and the UE can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the UE.

[0107] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0108] In the embodiments of this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" can be substituted, and "when" and "in the case of" can be substituted. "When" and "if" / "if" can be substituted.

[0109] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0110] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0111] In this application, the parameter corresponds to the cause / characteristic, or the cause / characteristic corresponding to the parameter can be understood as the parameter reported for that cause / characteristic.

[0112] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0113] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This application addresses a parameter of auxiliary information by summarizing multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter and reporting them through a single message. This allows the parameter and the multiple causes / characteristics indicated by the message to be combined to obtain multiple sets of auxiliary information, thus enabling the reporting of multiple sets of auxiliary information through a single parameter report.

[0114] The method specifically includes:

[0115] S501: The network device sends the first message. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0116] The first message may indicate that reporting the desired capabilities or configuration of a terminal device is permitted, or it may indicate that reporting the preferred capabilities or configuration of a terminal device is permitted, or it may be described as allowing UE assistance information reporting. For example, the first message may be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0117] For example, UE assistance information may include one or more parameters corresponding to causes / features. Parameters are used to indicate the desired capabilities or desired configurations of the terminal device; for example, the first parameter below is used to indicate a desired capability or configuration of the terminal device.

[0118] For example, this application may include, but is not limited to, the following seven parameters: user equipment type, maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of secondary cells, maximum number of carriers, maximum number of MIMO layers, maximum bandwidth, or DRX parameters.

[0119] This application may include, but is not limited to, the following five reasons / features: delay budget report, overheating, UE power saving, multiple cards, or in-device interference.

[0120] In one alternative approach, the parameters in this application may be reported for at least one of the following: transmission direction (e.g., reported separately for uplink or downlink), frequency range (e.g., reported separately for different frequency ranges such as low frequency (i.e., frequency range 1, FR1), high frequency (i.e., frequency range 2, FR2 or frequency range 2-1, FR2-1), or ultra-high frequency (i.e., frequency range 2-2, FR2-2), or cell group (e.g., reported separately for master cell group (MCG) or secondary cell group (SCG).

[0121] For example, taking the maximum number of secondary carriers as an example, assuming the parameter is reported in the transmission direction, the terminal device can report the maximum number of uplink secondary carriers and / or the maximum number of downlink secondary carriers when reporting the maximum number of secondary carriers. Assuming the parameter is reported in the frequency range, the terminal device can report the maximum number of secondary carriers corresponding to at least one frequency range (e.g., the maximum number of secondary carriers for low frequency, high frequency, ultra-high frequency, etc.). Assuming the parameter is reported in the cell group, the terminal device can report the maximum number of secondary carriers for the primary cell group and / or the maximum number of secondary cell groups when reporting the maximum number of secondary carriers.

[0122] Assuming that the parameters are reported for the transmission direction and cell group, the terminal device can report at least one of the following when reporting the maximum number of secondary carriers: the maximum number of uplink secondary carriers of the primary cell group, the maximum number of downlink secondary carriers of the primary cell group, the maximum number of uplink secondary carriers of the secondary cell group, or the maximum number of downlink secondary carriers of the secondary cell group.

[0123] When enabling UE auxiliary information reporting in the first message, it can be enabled for all UE auxiliary information, or for one or more parameters, that is, enabling the terminal device to report the parameter. Alternatively, it can be enabled for one or more reasons / features, that is, enabling the terminal device to report the parameter for the reason / feature.

[0124] Optionally, enabling messages for different parameters can be achieved using a single message, meaning multiple parameters can be reported with a single message. Alternatively, enabling messages for different parameters can also be achieved using separate messages, meaning only one parameter can be reported with a single message.

[0125] Enabling messages for different reasons / features can be achieved through a single message, meaning that multiple reasons / features can be reported with a single message. Alternatively, enabling messages for different reasons / features can also be achieved through different messages, meaning that only one reason / feature can be reported with a single message.

[0126] Understandably, in a scheme that enables one or more parameters, if the first message enables the reporting of the first parameter, the second message can report the first parameter and the corresponding indication information. In a scheme that enables one or more causes / features, if the cause / feature enabled by the first message includes the cause / feature corresponding to the first parameter, i.e., the cause / feature indicated by the first indication information, the terminal device can report the first parameter and the first indication information in the second message.

[0127] When enabling a parameter, the first message can further indicate the reason / characteristic for which the parameter is allowed to report. For example, assuming the first message is used to enable reporting of a certain parameter, the first message can also indicate the reason / characteristic for which reporting is allowed for that parameter.

[0128] When enabling a cause / feature, the first message can further indicate the parameters that the enabled cause / feature is allowed to report. For example, if the first message is used to enable the reporting of a certain cause / feature, the first message can also indicate the parameters that are allowed to be reported for that cause / feature.

[0129] Optionally, the first message can also indicate the value of a timer, which indicates the period during which UE assistance information will not be reported. Alternatively, it can be understood that when a timer is configured, UE assistance information reporting is not allowed during the timer's duration. Based on this, the second message can be sent if the timer is not running or if the timer has expired.

[0130] The values ​​of the aforementioned timers can be configured for all UE assistance information, for parameters, or for causes / features. Specifically, timers configured for parameters indicate the time period during which the parameter will not be reported; or, in other words, when a timer is configured, reporting of the parameter is not allowed during the timer's duration. Timers configured for causes / features indicate the time period during which parameters for that cause / feature will not be reported; or, in other words, when a timer is configured, reporting of parameters for that cause / feature is not allowed during the timer's duration.

[0131] In a scheme that configures timer values ​​for parameters, network devices can configure different values ​​for the timers of two parameters; or, network devices can configure the same value for the timers of two parameters, that is, the two parameters correspond to different timers, but the timer values ​​are the same.

[0132] In a scheme where timer values ​​are configured for causes / features, network devices can configure different values ​​for timers of two causes / features; or, network devices can configure the same value for timers of two causes / features, meaning that the two causes / features correspond to different timers, but the timer values ​​are the same.

[0133] In this scheme, if a parameter corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, the parameter can correspond to a timer. The value of the timer for the parameter can be determined based on the timer values ​​of the multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to the parameter. For example, it can be the minimum, maximum, or average value of the timer values ​​of the multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to the parameter.

[0134] It should be noted that step S501 is an optional step.

[0135] In step S502, the terminal device sends a second message to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second message.

[0136] The second message is used to carry or indicate UE assistance information of the terminal device. For example, the second message is a UE assistance information message.

[0137] In this application, when a terminal device reports UE assistance information, if a parameter corresponds to multiple causes / features, the multiple causes / features corresponding to the parameter can be indicated by an indication message in the second message.

[0138] One feasible approach is that, for a parameter in the second message, an indication message can be used to indicate all the causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter. It is understood that if the parameter corresponds to one cause / characteristic, the indication message can indicate that one cause / characteristic; if the parameter corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, the indication message can indicate multiple causes / characteristics.

[0139] For example, suppose a terminal device needs to report a first parameter for multiple reasons / features. The second message may include the first parameter and first indication information, whereby the first indication information indicates the multiple reasons or features corresponding to the first parameter. Suppose the terminal device also needs to report a third parameter for one reason / feature. The second message may further include the second parameter and the indication information corresponding to the second parameter, whereby the indication information corresponding to the second parameter indicates the one reason or feature corresponding to the second parameter.

[0140] In some scenarios, when a terminal device first acquires the desired capability or configuration (which can also be understood as the terminal device having the desired capability or configuration and the desired parameters not having been reported before), the terminal device sends a second message to the network device.

[0141] In other scenarios, the terminal device's desired capabilities or configurations may have changed. This can also be understood as the terminal device having desired capabilities or configurations that have changed compared to the previously reported content. The terminal device then sends a second message to the network device.

[0142] For example, the desired capabilities or configurations of the terminal device may have changed. This could be due to changes in the content of previously reported parameters, such as a change in the desired value of the parameter. Alternatively, the desired capabilities or configurations of the terminal device may have changed, or the reason / characteristic corresponding to a previously reported parameter may have changed. For example, if the parameter was previously reported for reason / characteristic 1, it may now be reported for reason / characteristic 2.

[0143] In one possible implementation, in a scenario where the cause / characteristic corresponding to a previously reported parameter changes, the second message may or may not include the content of that parameter. For example, assuming the cause / characteristic corresponding to the second parameter changes, the second message may include the second parameter and third indication information; alternatively, the second message may include third indication information but not the second parameter, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the current cause / characteristic corresponding to the second parameter.

[0144] In this method, the network device can obtain the content of the parameter and the current cause / characteristic of the parameter by comparing the content of the reported parameter message and the second message.

[0145] The following describes three possible ways to implement instruction information.

[0146] Method 1: The indication information can indicate the cause / characteristic through N values, where each of the N values ​​corresponds to a combination of N causes / characteristics. A combination of causes / characteristics can include one cause / characteristic or multiple causes / characteristics.

[0147] For example, value 1 corresponds to overheating, value 2 corresponds to UE power saving, value 3 corresponds to latency budget report, value 4 corresponds to multiple SIM cards, value 5 corresponds to latency budget report and UE power saving, value 6 corresponds to UE power saving and multiple SIM cards, value 7 corresponds to overheating, UE power saving and multiple SIM cards, and value 8 corresponds to overheating, latency budget report, UE power saving and multiple SIM cards.

[0148] If the terminal device reports the maximum number of carriers for overheating, i.e., the maximum number of carriers corresponds to overheating, then the value of the indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers can be 1.

[0149] If the terminal device reports DRX parameters for delay budget reports and UE power saving, i.e., DRX parameters correspond to delay budget reports and UE power saving, then the value of the indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters can be 5.

[0150] If the terminal device reports the maximum MIMO layer number for overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple cards, i.e., the maximum MIMO layer number corresponds to overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple cards, then the value of the indication information corresponding to the maximum MIMO layer number can be 7.

[0151] Based on the above method one, taking the first parameter corresponding to multiple causes / features as an example, the first indication information corresponding to the first parameter can be a first value, the first value corresponds to a combination of causes / features, and a combination of causes / features can include multiple causes / features.

[0152] Method Two: The indication information can use multiple fields to indicate the cause / characteristic, with each field corresponding to one cause / characteristic. When the indication information indicates the cause / characteristic through fields, whether the field corresponding to the indication information includes the field corresponding to a certain cause / characteristic can indicate whether it corresponds to that cause / characteristic. Alternatively, whether it corresponds to that cause / characteristic can also be indicated by setting the field of a certain cause / characteristic in the field corresponding to the indication information to true or false.

[0153] In a scheme that indicates whether a cause / characteristic corresponds to a certain cause / characteristic by including or not including a field corresponding to that cause / characteristic, when the field corresponding to a certain cause / characteristic exists or appears in the field corresponding to the indication information, it is used to indicate the corresponding cause / characteristic; when the field corresponding to a certain cause / characteristic does not exist or does not appear in the field corresponding to the indication information, it does not indicate the corresponding cause / characteristic, or in other words, it indicates that the cause / characteristic is not the corresponding cause / characteristic.

[0154] Understandably, if a parameter corresponds to one cause / characteristic, the fields corresponding to the indication information can include the fields corresponding to that cause / characteristic. If a parameter corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, the fields corresponding to the indication information can include the fields corresponding to multiple causes / characteristics. In the above scheme, the number of fields corresponding to the indication information is the same as the number of causes / characteristics corresponding to the parameter.

[0155] For example, taking the five causes / characteristics listed above as examples, if the terminal device reports the maximum number of carriers for overheating, i.e., the maximum number of carriers corresponds to overheating, then the fields corresponding to the indication information for the maximum number of carriers include the fields corresponding to overheating.

[0156] If the terminal device reports DRX parameters for delay budget reports and UE energy saving, i.e., DRX parameters correspond to delay budget reports and UE energy saving, then the fields corresponding to the indication information of DRX parameters include the fields corresponding to delay budget reports and UE energy saving.

[0157] If the terminal device reports the maximum number of secondary carriers for overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards, then the fields corresponding to the indication information for the maximum number of secondary carriers include the fields corresponding to overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards.

[0158] In a scheme where a field is set to true or false to indicate whether a given cause / characteristic corresponds to a specific cause / characteristic, a field set to true indicates the corresponding cause / characteristic, while a field set to false indicates that the corresponding cause / characteristic is not indicated, or that the cause / characteristic is not the correct one. Therefore, fields corresponding to the indication information can be set to true to indicate the cause / characteristic corresponding to the parameter, and fields set to false to indicate that the parameter does not correspond to a specific cause / characteristic. It is understandable that if a parameter corresponds to one cause / characteristic, one field in the indication information is set to true. If a parameter corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, multiple fields in the indication information are set to true. In the above scheme, the number of fields corresponding to the indication information is the same as the total number of causes / characteristics, and the number of fields set to true in the indication information is the same as the number of causes / characteristics corresponding to the parameter.

[0159] For example, taking the five reasons / characteristics listed above as examples, the indication information can correspond to five fields.

[0160] If the terminal device reports overheating based on the maximum number of carriers (i.e., the maximum number of carriers corresponds to overheating), then the field corresponding to overheating in the five fields of the indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers is set to true, and the other fields are set to false.

[0161] If the terminal device reports DRX parameters for delay budget report and UE energy saving (i.e., DRX parameters correspond to delay budget report and UE energy saving), then the fields corresponding to delay budget report and UE energy saving in the five fields of the indication information corresponding to DRX parameters are set to true, and the other fields are set to false.

[0162] If the terminal device reports the maximum number of secondary carriers for overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards, then the fields corresponding to overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards in the indication information corresponding to the maximum number of secondary carriers are set to true, and the other fields are set to false.

[0163] Based on Method 2 above, taking the example of the first parameter corresponding to multiple causes / features, the first indication information corresponding to the first parameter can correspond to multiple fields, where each of the multiple fields corresponds to one cause / feature. Specifically, the first indication information can correspond to the fields corresponding to each of the multiple causes / features. Alternatively, the first indication information can correspond to K fields, which correspond to K causes / features. These K causes / features include the multiple causes / features corresponding to the first parameter. In the K fields of the first indication information, the fields corresponding to each of the multiple causes / features are set to true, and the other fields are set to false. K is an integer greater than 1.

[0164] Method 3: The indication information can be indicated by a bitmap to show the cause / characteristic. The length of the bitmap is the same as the total number of causes / characteristics, with one bit corresponding to one cause / characteristic.

[0165] When the bit corresponding to a cause / characteristic is set to the first value, it indicates the corresponding cause / characteristic. When the bit corresponding to a cause / characteristic is set to the second value, it indicates that no corresponding cause / characteristic is indicated, or in other words, that the cause / characteristic is not the corresponding cause / characteristic. Therefore, the indication information can use the bit with the first value to indicate the cause / characteristic corresponding to the parameter, and the bit with the second value to indicate the cause / characteristic that the parameter does not correspond to. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0166] Understandably, if a parameter corresponds to one cause / characteristic, the value of one bit in the corresponding indication information (i.e., bitmap) is the first value. If a parameter corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, the values ​​of multiple bits in the corresponding indication information (i.e., bitmap) are the first values.

[0167] For example, taking the five causes / characteristics listed above as examples, assuming the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, the indication information could be a bitmap of length 5, where the five bits correspond sequentially to latency budget report, overheating, UE power saving, multiple SIM cards, or in-device interference. It should be noted that the correspondence between causes / characteristics and bits here is merely an example, and this application does not limit the correspondence between causes / characteristics and bits.

[0168] If the terminal device reports the maximum number of carriers for overheating, i.e., the maximum number of carriers corresponds to overheating, then the indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers is 01000.

[0169] If the terminal device reports DRX parameters for delay budget reports and UE power saving (i.e., DRX parameters correspond to delay budget reports and UE power saving), then the indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters is 10100.

[0170] If the terminal device reports the maximum number of secondary carriers for overheating, UE power saving, and multiple SIM cards, then the indication information corresponding to the maximum number of secondary carriers is 01110.

[0171] Based on the above method three, taking the example of the first parameter corresponding to multiple causes / features, the first indication information corresponding to the first parameter is a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a cause / feature. Specifically, the first indication information is a bitmap of length K, where the K bits correspond to K causes / features. These K causes / features include the multiple causes / features corresponding to the first parameter. The bits corresponding to these multiple causes / features in the bitmap take the first value, and the other bits take the second value.

[0172] The signaling structure of the second message will be described below.

[0173] This application addresses a single parameter in auxiliary information by summarizing multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter and reporting them through a single message. This allows the parameter to be combined with the multiple causes / characteristics indicated by the message to generate multiple sets of auxiliary information. Thus, multiple sets of auxiliary information can be reported with a single parameter report, avoiding duplicate parameter reporting and reducing signaling overhead. For example, for parameter A, a single message indicates that parameter A corresponds to causes 1 through 3. Parameter A combined with causes 1 through 3 yields three sets of auxiliary information: auxiliary information corresponding to cause 1, which includes parameter A; auxiliary information corresponding to cause 2, which includes parameter A; and auxiliary information corresponding to cause 3, which includes parameter A. If these three sets of auxiliary information were reported directly, parameter A would need to be reported three times. However, this application only requires reporting parameter A once, demonstrating that it reduces signaling overhead.

[0174] Furthermore, through the solution of this application, the terminal device can determine an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple causes / characteristics. Compared with the method of the network device determining an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple adjustment information reported for multiple causes / characteristics, this application can reduce the processing complexity of the network device on the one hand, and on the other hand, since the terminal device is more aware of its own situation / state, the adjustment information determined by the terminal device is more reasonable.

[0175] The following describes three signaling structures for the second message.

[0176] Structure 1: The second message carries corresponding indication information for each parameter. Each indication information indicates the reason / characteristic of the corresponding parameter. Indication information for multiple parameters is carried in the same field. The method by which the indication information for each parameter indicates the reason / characteristic can be found in Methods 1 to 3 of the indication information above, and will not be explained further here.

[0177] For example, the second message includes a first list and N parameters. The first list includes N indications, where N is an integer greater than 0. Each of the N parameters corresponds one-to-one with one of the N indications. For instance, the first parameter of the N parameters corresponds to the first indication in the first list, the second parameter corresponds to the second indication in the first list, and so on. Understandably, if a parameter among the N parameters corresponds to one cause / characteristic, then the corresponding indication indicates that one cause / characteristic. If a parameter among the N parameters corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, then the corresponding indication indicates all the causes / characteristics.

[0178] A concrete example is that, assuming the terminal device reports DRX parameters, maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers, each of which corresponds to one or more causes, the signaling structure of the second message can be as follows:

[0179] Among them, UEAssistanceInformation-IEs are information elements that carry UE assistance information in the second message.

[0180] featureApplied is used to carry the first list, which specifically includes indication information corresponding to DRX parameters, indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers, indication information corresponding to the maximum bandwidth, and indication information corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers.

[0181] drx-Preference is used to hold the contents of DRX parameters.

[0182] maxCC-Preference is used to carry the maximum number of carriers.

[0183] maxBW-Preference is used to hold content with the maximum bandwidth.

[0184] maxMIMO-LayerPreference is used to hold content for the maximum number of MIMO layers.

[0185] Understandably, the number of indications carried by featureApplied (i.e., the number of indications in the first list) is the same as the number of parameters included in UEAssistanceInformation-IEs.

[0186] Structure 2: The second message carries corresponding indication information for each parameter. Each indication information indicates the reason / characteristic of the corresponding parameter. The indication information for multiple parameters is carried in different fields. For example, the indication information for a parameter can be carried in the field corresponding to that parameter. The field corresponding to the parameter is used to carry the information of the parameter, specifically including the content of the parameter and the indication information corresponding to the parameter.

[0187] For example, the second message may include information about N parameters. Each parameter's information includes its content and corresponding indication information. Understandably, if a parameter among the N parameters corresponds to one cause / characteristic, then the indication information for that parameter indicates that one cause / characteristic. If a parameter among the N parameters corresponds to multiple causes / characteristics, then the indication information for that parameter indicates all the causes / characteristics.

[0188] A concrete example is that, assuming the terminal device reports DRX parameters, maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers, each of which corresponds to one or more causes, the signaling structure of the second message can be as follows:

[0189] Among them, UEAssistanceInformation-IEs are information elements that carry UE assistance information in the second message.

[0190] drx-Preference is used to carry information about DRX parameters, including the content of the DRX parameters and the corresponding indication information.

[0191] maxCC-Preference is used to carry information about the maximum number of carriers, specifically including the maximum number of carriers and the corresponding indication information.

[0192] maxBW-Preference is used to carry information about the maximum bandwidth, specifically including the content of the maximum bandwidth and the corresponding indication information.

[0193] maxMIMO-LayerPreference is used to carry information about the maximum number of MIMO layers, specifically including the maximum number of MIMO layers and the corresponding indication information.

[0194] The manner in which the above-mentioned indication information indicates the cause / characteristic can be found in the indication information methods 1 to 3 above, and will not be explained further here.

[0195] As described in the preceding technical background, current UE auxiliary information messages include a field corresponding to a cause / feature, which carries the content of one or more parameters corresponding to that cause / feature. The fields for different causes / features are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, the content of that parameter will appear repeatedly in the fields for multiple causes / features. However, in Structure 2 of this application, the second message includes a field corresponding to the parameter, which carries the content of that parameter and the corresponding indication information. The fields for different parameters are independent of each other. If the same parameter is adjusted for multiple causes / features, multiple causes / features will be indicated in the field of that parameter. The content of that parameter only needs to appear once in the information element of that parameter, thus reducing the repeated reporting of that parameter.

[0196] Although in scenarios where multiple parameters are adjusted for a single cause / feature, according to Structure 2 of this application, the cause / feature is repeatedly indicated in the fields of multiple parameters, the cause / feature contains less information and incurs less overhead compared to the content of the parameters. Therefore, the signaling overhead caused by repeatedly reporting the cause / feature is lower than that caused by repeatedly reporting the content of the parameters. On the other hand, according to Method 1 for indicating causes / features, a single value indicates one or more causes / features. Therefore, even if the cause / feature needs to be repeatedly reported in multiple parameters, it is merely a change in the value, without incurring additional overhead. Thus, Structure 2 can reduce signaling overhead.

[0197] Structure 3: The second message indicates one or more causes / characteristics through an indication message, where the one or more causes / characteristics are the union of causes / characteristics corresponding to multiple parameters. The method by which this indication message indicates the causes / characteristics can be found in methods 1 to 3 of the preceding indication messages, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0198] The difference between Structure 3 and Structures 1 and 2 is that in Structures 1 and 2, each parameter in the second message corresponds to an indication message, while in Structure 3, the reasons / characteristics of multiple parameters are summarized together and indicated by a single indication message.

[0199] For example, suppose the maximum number of carriers corresponds to overheating, the DRX parameter corresponds to delay budget reporting and UE power saving, and the maximum number of MIMO layers corresponds to overheating, UE power saving, and multiple cards.

[0200] According to Structure 1 or Structure 2, the second message carries three indications: one for the maximum number of carriers, one for the DRX parameters, and one for the maximum number of MIMO layers. The indication for the maximum number of carriers indicates overheating. The indication for the DRX parameters indicates delay budget reporting and UE power saving. The indication for the maximum number of MIMO layers indicates overheating, UE power saving, and multiple SIM cards.

[0201] According to Structure 3, the second message carries an indication message indicating overheating, delay budget report, UE power saving, and multiple cards.

[0202] Taking the example of method 1 of the preceding instruction information, according to structure 1, the second message carries a first list, which includes {value 1, value 5, value 7}. According to structure 3, the second message carries the value 8.

[0203] Taking the example of indication information method 2 mentioned earlier, according to structure 1, the second message includes a first field, which includes fields for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers, fields for indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters, and fields for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers. Specifically, the fields for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers include an overheating field. The fields for indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters include a delay budget report field and a UE power saving field. The fields for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers include an overheating field, a UE power saving field, and a multi-SIM field. According to structure 3, the second message includes the first field, which includes fields for overheating, delay budget report, UE power saving, and multi-SIM.

[0204] Alternatively, according to Structure 1, the second message includes a first field, which includes fields for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers, indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters, and indication information corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers. The field for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of carriers includes five fields, where the field corresponding to overheating is set to true, and the other fields are set to false. The field for indication information corresponding to the DRX parameters includes five fields, where the fields corresponding to delay budget reports and UE energy saving are set to true, and the other fields are set to false. The field for indication information corresponding to the maximum number of secondary carriers includes five fields, where the fields corresponding to overheating, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards are set to true, and the other fields are set to false. According to Structure 3, the second message includes a first field, which includes five fields, where the fields for overheating, delay budget reports, UE energy saving, and multiple SIM cards are set to true, and the other fields are set to false.

[0205] Taking the example of method 3 of the preceding instruction information, according to structure 1, the second message carries a first list, which includes {01000, 10100, 01110}. According to structure 3, the second message carries 11110.

[0206] Structure 3 will be introduced below.

[0207] For example, the second message includes a second indication message and N parameters, where N is an integer greater than 0. The second indication message indicates a cause / characteristic combination, wherein the cause / characteristic combination includes the causes / characteristics corresponding to the N parameters. It can be understood that if the N parameters correspond to one cause / characteristic, then the cause / characteristic combination includes one cause / characteristic. If the N parameters correspond to multiple causes / characteristics, then the cause / characteristic combination includes multiple causes / characteristics.

[0208] A concrete example is that, assuming the terminal device reports DRX parameters, maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers, each of which corresponds to one or more causes, the signaling structure of the second message can be as follows:

[0209] Among them, UEAssistanceInformation-IEs are information elements that carry UE assistance information in the second message.

[0210] featureApplied is used to carry second indication information, which indicates a cause / characteristic combination, wherein the cause / characteristic combination includes the cause / characteristic corresponding to the DRX parameter, the cause / characteristic corresponding to the maximum number of carriers, the cause / characteristic corresponding to the maximum bandwidth, and the cause / characteristic corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers.

[0211] drx-Preference is used to hold the contents of DRX parameters.

[0212] maxCC-Preference is used to carry the maximum number of carriers.

[0213] maxBW-Preference is used to hold content with the maximum bandwidth.

[0214] maxMIMO-LayerPreference is used to hold content for the maximum number of MIMO layers.

[0215] The above describes the methods by which terminal devices report UE auxiliary information.

[0216] In one optional scheme, the correspondence between parameters and causes / features in the UE assistance information reported by the terminal device satisfies a constraint relationship. This constraint relationship indicates the correspondence between parameters and allowed causes / features; that is, for a given parameter, the constraint relationship indicates which causes / features are allowed to be reported. Alternatively, the constraint relationship can also be described as indicating the correspondence between causes / features and allowed parameters; that is, for a given cause / feature, the constraint relationship indicates which parameters are allowed to be reported for that cause / feature. This constraint relationship can be protocol-defined or configured by the network device via a third message.

[0217] For example, the constraint relationships can also be shown in Table 1.

[0218] Table 1

[0219] According to Table 1, for the DRX parameter, the instructions specify that reporting due to UE power saving and latency budget is allowed, but reporting due to overheating and multiple SIM cards is not allowed. For the maximum number of carriers, the instructions specify that reporting due to overheating, UE power saving, and multiple SIM cards is allowed, but reporting due to latency budget is not allowed. For the maximum bandwidth, the instructions specify that reporting due to overheating and UE power saving is allowed, but reporting due to latency budget and multiple SIM cards is not allowed. For the maximum number of MIMO layers, the instructions specify that reporting due to overheating and UE power saving is allowed, but reporting due to latency budget and multiple SIM cards is not allowed.

[0220] Alternatively, this can be understood as follows: For overheating, reporting the maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers is allowed, but reporting DRX parameters is not allowed. For UE power saving, reporting DRX parameters, maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers is allowed. For latency budget reports, reporting DRX parameters is allowed, but reporting the maximum number of carriers, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers is not allowed. For multi-card setups, reporting the maximum number of carriers is allowed, but reporting DRX parameters, maximum bandwidth, and maximum number of MIMO layers is not allowed.

[0221] As described in S501 above, the first message, when enabling parameter reporting, can indicate the reason / characteristic for which reporting is allowed for that parameter. The constraint relationship here also indicates the reason / characteristic for which reporting is allowed for that parameter.

[0222] In one approach, the reason / characteristic indicated by the first message that the parameter is allowed to report is the same as the reason / characteristic indicated by the constraint relationship that the parameter is allowed to report. In other words, the constraint relationship is indicated by indicating the reason / characteristic that the parameter is allowed to report when the first message enables the parameter to report. Alternatively, the third message and the first message can be understood as the same message.

[0223] In another approach, the reason / characteristic indicated by the first message for the parameter can be part or all of the reason / characteristic that the parameter is allowed to report, as indicated by the constraint relationship. This approach can be understood as allowing the network device to further constrain the reason / characteristic that the parameter is allowed to report through the first message.

[0224] Similarly, the first message, when enabling cause / feature reporting, can indicate the parameters that are allowed to be reported for that cause / feature. The constraints here also indicate the parameters that are allowed to be reported for that cause / feature.

[0225] In one approach, the parameter that the cause / characteristic is allowed to report, indicated by the first message, is the same parameter that the constraint relationship indicates that the cause / characteristic is allowed to report. In other words, the constraint relationship is indicated by specifying the allowed reportable parameter when the cause / characteristic is enabled to report via the first message. Alternatively, the third message and the first message can be understood as the same message.

[0226] In another approach, the parameters indicated in the first message for the cause / characteristic can be some or all of the parameters that the cause / characteristic is allowed to report, as indicated by the constraint relationship. This approach can be understood as allowing the network device to further constrain the parameters that the cause / characteristic is allowed to report through the first message.

[0227] In some application scenarios, when a terminal device no longer expects a certain capability or configuration, after reporting UE assistance information, the terminal device can also indicate to the network device that the capability or configuration is invalid. In other words, it can cancel / withdraw the previously reported expected terminal device capability or configuration. For example, after step S502, the terminal device can send a fourth message to the network device. The fourth message indicates that some / all of the information indicated by the second message is invalid. The structure of the fourth message can be the same as the structure of the second message. For example, the fourth message can be a UE assistance information message.

[0228] The following describes three ways in which the terminal device indicates that the UE's auxiliary information is invalid.

[0229] Method A, the fourth piece of information can indicate that a parameter is invalid by setting its content to empty.

[0230] For example, the fourth message includes a first list and N parameters, where the first list includes N indication messages corresponding to the N parameters. At least one of the N parameters in the fourth message is set to empty, indicating that the fourth message indicates that at least one parameter is invalid. It is understood that if the terminal device no longer has the desired capabilities or configurations, that is, if the terminal device no longer expects all previously reported capabilities or configurations, the content of all N parameters in the fourth message will be empty. For example, the signaling structure of the fourth message can be Structure 1 as described above.

[0231] For example, the fourth message includes a second indication information and N parameters, where the second indication information indicates a cause / characteristic combination, which includes the causes / characteristics corresponding to the N parameters. At least one of the N parameters in the fourth message is set to empty, indicating that the at least one parameter is invalid. It is understood that if the terminal device no longer has the desired capabilities or configurations, i.e., the terminal device no longer expects all previously reported capabilities or configurations, all N parameters in the fourth message will be empty. The fourth message may still include the second indication information or may not. For example, the signaling structure of the fourth message can be structure 3 as described above.

[0232] In method B, the fourth message can indicate that a parameter is invalid by setting its information to empty, or by omitting the parameter's content from its information (which can also be described as carrying only the indication information corresponding to the parameter).

[0233] For example, the fourth message includes information for N parameters, where the information for one parameter carries the parameter's content and indication information. In the fourth message, at least one parameter's information is empty, or the information for at least one parameter includes the parameter's content but only the corresponding indication information; in this case, the fourth message indicates that at least one parameter is invalid. It is understood that if the terminal device no longer has the desired capabilities or configurations—that is, if the terminal device no longer expects all previously reported capabilities or configurations—the information for all N parameters in the fourth message is empty, or the information for all N parameters in the fourth message does not include the parameter's content and only includes indication information. For example, the signaling structure of the fourth message can be structure 2 as described above.

[0234] This application addresses a single parameter in auxiliary information by summarizing multiple causes / characteristics corresponding to that parameter and reporting them through a single message. This allows the parameter to be combined with the multiple causes / characteristics indicated by the message to generate multiple sets of auxiliary information. Thus, multiple sets of auxiliary information can be reported with a single parameter report, avoiding duplicate parameter reporting and reducing signaling overhead. For example, for parameter A, a single message indicates that parameter A corresponds to causes 1 through 3. Parameter A combined with causes 1 through 3 yields three sets of auxiliary information: auxiliary information corresponding to cause 1, which includes parameter A; auxiliary information corresponding to cause 2, which includes parameter A; and auxiliary information corresponding to cause 3, which includes parameter A. If these three sets of auxiliary information were reported directly, parameter A would need to be reported three times. However, this application only requires reporting parameter A once, demonstrating that it reduces signaling overhead.

[0235] Furthermore, through the solution of this application, the terminal device can determine an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple causes / characteristics. Compared with the method of the network device determining an adjustment information for the parameter based on multiple adjustment information reported for multiple causes / characteristics, this application can reduce the processing complexity of the network device on the one hand, and on the other hand, since the terminal device is more aware of its own situation / state, the adjustment information determined by the terminal device is more reasonable.

[0236] Furthermore, this application indicates multiple reasons / characteristics corresponding to parameters by means of values, fields, and bitmaps, which can reduce the overhead of indication and thus further reduce signaling overhead.

[0237] This application can also enable different parameters or different reasons / characteristics individually, thereby improving the precision of network device control of UE auxiliary information reporting.

[0238] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, this application provides a communication device, the structure of which can be as shown in FIG6, including a communication unit 601 and a processing unit 602.

[0239] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement the method executed by the terminal device in the embodiment of FIG5. The device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of the chip's function for executing the relevant method. Specifically, the processing unit 602 is configured to receive a first message via the communication unit 601, the first message indicating permission to report the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device; and to send a second message to the network device via the communication unit 601, wherein the second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, the first parameter indicating the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device, and the first indication information indicating multiple reasons or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

[0240] Optionally, the communication unit 601 is further configured to receive a third message, the third message indicating the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed cause / characteristic, wherein the allowed cause / characteristic includes the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0241] Optionally, the communication unit 601 is further configured to send a fourth message, the fourth message indicating that the first parameter is invalid or no longer expected; wherein, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying the first list, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty; or, the fourth message includes N second information cells, the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters and indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty, or, the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter only carries the first indication information; or, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying the second indication information, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

[0242] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement the method executed by the network device in the embodiment of FIG5. The device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of the chip used to execute the relevant method function. Specifically, the processing unit 602 is configured to send a first message to the terminal device via the communication unit 601, the first message indicating permission to report the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device; and to receive a second message via the communication unit 601, wherein the second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, the first parameter indicating the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device, and the first indication information indicating multiple reasons or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

[0243] Optionally, the communication unit 601 is further configured to send a third message, the third message indicating the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed cause / characteristic, wherein the allowed cause / characteristic includes the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

[0244] Optionally, the communication unit 601 is further configured to receive a fourth message, the fourth message indicating that the first parameter is invalid or no longer desired; wherein, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying the first list, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty; or, the fourth message includes N second information cells, the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters and indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty, or, the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter only carries the first indication information; or, the fourth message includes a first information cell and N second information cells, the first information cell carrying the second indication information, and the N second information cells carrying the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information cell corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

[0245] The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application can be further described in the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0246] In one possible embodiment, the communication device can be as shown in FIG7. This device can be a communication equipment or a chip within a communication equipment, wherein the communication equipment can be either the first device or the second device described in the above embodiments. The device includes a processor 701 and a communication interface 702, and may also include a memory 703. The processing unit 602 can be the processor 701. The communication unit 601 can be the communication interface 702. Optionally, the processor 701 and the memory 703 can also be integrated together.

[0247] The processor 701 can be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or something similar. The communication interface 702 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device also includes a memory 703 for storing the program executed by the processor 701. The memory 703 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory 703 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0248] The processor 701 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 703, specifically to perform the actions of the processing unit 602 described above, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 702 is specifically used to perform the actions of the communication unit 601 described above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0249] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 702, processor 701, and memory 703. In Figure 7, the memory 703, processor 701, and communication interface 702 are connected via a bus 704, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 7, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0250] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to execute the processor, including a program required to execute the processor.

[0251] This application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of FIG5 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of FIG5.

[0252] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0253] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0254] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0255] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0256] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope and intent of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first message, the first message indicating that the desired terminal device capability or configuration is allowed to be reported; Send a second message to the network device, wherein the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, the first parameter being used to indicate the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device, and the first indication information indicating multiple reasons or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second message is the User Equipment Assistance Information (UAI) message.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first indication information indicates multiple of the following causes or characteristics: delay budget report, overheating, UE power saving, multiple cards, or in-device interference.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first parameter is one of the following parameters: user equipment type, maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of secondary cells, maximum number of carriers, maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers, maximum bandwidth, and discontinuous reception parameters.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes a first list and N parameters, wherein the first list includes N indication information, the N parameters include the first parameter, the N indication information includes the first indication information, and N is an integer greater than 0; the N parameters correspond one-to-one with the N indication information; Alternatively, the second message may include a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes information about the first parameter, wherein the information about the first parameter includes the first parameter and the first indication information; Alternatively, the second message may include a first parameter and a first indication information, including: the second message includes a second indication information and N parameters, wherein the N parameters include the first parameter, and N is an integer greater than 0; the second indication information indicates the cause / characteristic corresponding to the N parameters.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first indication information is a first value, and the first value corresponds to a combination of multiple causes / characteristics; Alternatively, the first indication information may include multiple fields, wherein each of the multiple fields corresponds to a reason / characteristic; Alternatively, the first indication information may be a bitmap, wherein each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a cause / characteristic.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third message is received, the third message indicating the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed reasons / characteristics, wherein the allowed reasons / characteristics include the reasons / characteristics indicated by the first indication information.

9. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate that the first parameter is invalid or that the first parameter is no longer expected; The fourth message includes a first information element and N second information elements. The first information element carries the first list, and the N second information elements carry the content of the N parameters. The information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter is empty. Alternatively, the fourth message may include N second information elements, which are used to carry the content of the N parameters and the indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter may be empty, or the second information element corresponding to the first parameter may only carry the first indication information; Alternatively, the fourth message includes a first information element and N second information elements, wherein the first information element is used to carry the second indication information, and the N second information elements are used to carry the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first message is used to enable the reporting of the first parameter; Alternatively, the first message may be used to enable the reporting of at least one cause / feature, wherein the at least one cause / feature includes the cause / feature indicated by the first indication information.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first message also indicates the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter, wherein the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter includes the reason / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

12. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first message also indicates parameters that are allowed to be reported for the at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the parameters that are allowed to be reported for the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information include the first parameter.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The second message includes third indication information, but does not include the second parameter, which indicates the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device. The third indication information indicates at least one reason / feature that the second parameter currently corresponds to.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a first message to the terminal device, the first message indicating that the desired capabilities or configurations of the terminal device are allowed to be reported; Receive a second message, wherein the second message includes a first parameter and a first indication information, the first parameter being used to indicate the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device, and the first indication information indicating multiple reasons or characteristics corresponding to the first parameter.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

16. The method as described in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The second message is the User Equipment Assistance Information (UAI) message.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that, The first indication information indicates multiple of the following causes or characteristics: delay budget report, overheating, UE power saving, multiple cards, or in-device interference.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, characterized in that, The first parameter is one of the following parameters: user equipment type, maximum number of secondary carriers, maximum number of secondary cells, maximum number of carriers, maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers, maximum bandwidth, and discontinuous reception parameters.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, characterized in that, The second message includes a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes a first list and N parameters, wherein the first list includes N indication information, the N parameters include the first parameter, the N indication information includes the first indication information, and N is an integer greater than 0; the N parameters correspond one-to-one with the N indication information; Alternatively, the second message may include a first parameter and first indication information, including: the second message includes information about the first parameter, wherein the information about the first parameter includes the first parameter and the first indication information; Alternatively, the second message may include a first parameter and a first indication information, including: the second message includes a second indication information and N parameters, wherein the N parameters include the first parameter, and N is an integer greater than 0; the second indication information indicates the cause / characteristic corresponding to the N parameters.

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The first indication information is a first value, and the first value corresponds to a combination of multiple causes / characteristics; Alternatively, the first indication information may include multiple fields, wherein each of the multiple fields corresponds to a reason / characteristic; Alternatively, the first indication information may be a bitmap, wherein each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a cause / characteristic.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third message is sent, which indicates the correspondence between the first parameter and the allowed reasons / characteristics, wherein the allowed reasons / characteristics include the reasons / characteristics indicated by the first indication information.

22. The method as described in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate that the first parameter is invalid or that the first parameter is no longer expected; The fourth message includes a first information element and N second information elements. The first information element carries the first list, and the N second information elements carry the content of the N parameters. The information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter is empty. Alternatively, the fourth message may include N second information elements, which are used to carry the content of the N parameters and the indication information corresponding to the N parameters; the information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter may be empty, or the second information element corresponding to the first parameter may only carry the first indication information; Alternatively, the fourth message includes a first information element and N second information elements, wherein the first information element is used to carry the second indication information, and the N second information elements are used to carry the content of the N parameters; the information carried by the second information element corresponding to the first parameter is empty.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-22, characterized in that, The first message is also used to enable the reporting of the first parameter; Alternatively, the first message may also be used to enable the reporting of at least one cause / feature, wherein the at least one cause / feature includes the cause / feature indicated by the first indication information.

24. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The first message also indicates the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter, wherein the reason / characteristic for which reporting is permitted for the first parameter includes the reason / characteristic indicated by the first indication information.

25. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The first message also indicates parameters that are allowed to be reported for the at least one cause / characteristic, wherein the parameters that are allowed to be reported for the cause / characteristic indicated by the first indication information include the first parameter.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14-25, characterized in that... The second message includes third indication information, but does not include the second parameter, which indicates the desired capabilities or configuration of the terminal device. The third indication information indicates at least one reason / feature that the second parameter currently corresponds to.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-26.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor causing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13 to be performed when executing the program instructions.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor causing the method of any one of claims 14-26 to be performed when executing the program instructions.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14-26, to be performed.

32. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on the device, it causes the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-13 or the method according to any one of claims 14-26.

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