Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, apparatus and system, applied to the technical field of communications. The communication method provided in the present application can optimize a handover decision of a source base station. The communication method comprises: a first access network device sends first request information to a second access network device, the first request information being used for requesting first information of a first terminal device, and the first information being used for indicating an energy consumption impact on the second access network device caused by a handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device; and the first access network device receives the first information from the second access network device.

Description

Communication method, apparatus and system

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411098252.2 filed on August 9, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus and system", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In a communication system, a terminal device can switch from a source cell served by a source base station to a target cell served by a target base station through a cell switching procedure. In the current cell switching procedure, the source base station can select a target cell for the terminal device to switch to, based on the signal quality of the neighboring cells measured by the terminal device and included in the measurement report reported by the terminal device.

[0004] However, in the current cell switching procedure, the switching decision determined by the source base station based on the measurement report may not be appropriate in some cases. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus and system, which can optimize the switching decision of the source base station.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the first access network device. Hereinafter, the communication method executed by the first access network device is taken as an example for description, which includes: the first access network device sends first request information to a second access network device, the first request information being used to request first information of a first terminal device, the first information being used to indicate the energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device. The first access network device receives the first information from the second access network device.

[0008] Based on the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption impact of the switching of a certain terminal device on the second access network device according to the information from the second access network device, and can evaluate whether the terminal device is suitable for switching to the second access network device from the perspective of energy consumption, thereby facilitating the first access network device to make a more energy-saving and optimal switching decision.

[0009] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the method further includes: sending, by the first access network device, second information to the second access network device, where the second information is used to indicate a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information, or is used to indicate a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the method further includes: sending, by the first access network device, second request information to the second access network device, where the second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one data type; and the second request information is used to indicate that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type. The data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device is the same as the at least one data type.

[0011] Based on the solution, the first access network device can first determine, from the second access network device, whether the second access network device supports providing data of certain data types, so as to avoid the case that the first access network device requests the first information from the second access network device when the second access network device does not support providing, thereby avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the method further includes: receiving, by the first access network device, first indication information from the second access network device, where the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending data of at least one data type, or the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

[0013] Based on the solution, the second access network device can notify the first access network device that it supports providing data of the data type requested by the first access network device, so as to enable the first access network device to perform subsequent procedures.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the second request information includes first identification information, and the first identification information is used to identify the at least one data type; and the first request information includes the first identification information.

[0015] Based on the solution, after receiving the first request information, the second access network device can determine the data type corresponding to the first information to be sent to the first access network device according to the first identification information in the first request information, without the first request information indicating the data type corresponding to the first information, thereby reducing overhead.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the first request information is carried in a handover request message, and the handover request message is used to request handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device.

[0017] Based on the solution, the first request information can be multiplexed in a message in a handover procedure, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the first information, the first information of the first terminal device comprises at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a handover event, or cell coverage configuration; and the handover event comprises that the terminal device switches to the second access network device or that the terminal device switches from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0019] The present scheme provides a plurality of possible first information.

[0020] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the method further includes: receiving, by the first access network device, fourth information from the second access network device; the fourth information is used for predicting an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device; and determining, by the first access network device, to switch the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the fourth information.

[0021] Based on the present scheme, the first access network device can evaluate whether it is suitable to switch the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the predicted energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching on the second access network device, and the first access network device can make a more energy-saving handover decision.

[0022] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the fourth information, the fourth information comprises at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

[0023] The present scheme provides a plurality of possible fourth information.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the method further includes: determining, by the first access network device, whether to switch the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device.

[0025] Based on the present scheme, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching on the second access network device according to the first information, evaluate whether the terminal device is suitable to switch to the second access network device, and help the first access network device make a more energy-saving and better handover decision.

[0026] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the first access network device further sends fifth information to the second access network device, where the fifth information indicates the predicted time for the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0027] Based on this scheme, the first access network device can also indicate the predicted switching time of the first terminal device to the second access network device, which can help the second access network device to predict the first information.

[0028] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the first access network device further receives sixth information from the second access network device, where the sixth information indicates rejection of the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0029] Based on this scheme, the second access network device can evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for access according to the first information, and if not, the second access network device can reject the access of the first terminal device.

[0030] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design of the method, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: information of a predicted switching event, energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, a predicted energy saving policy of the second access network device, or a predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; where the switching event includes switching of the terminal device to the second access network device or switching of the terminal device from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0031] This scheme provides a variety of possible first information.

[0032] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be executed by the second access network device, or can also be executed by a module (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the second access network device. Hereinafter, the communication method executed by the second access network device is taken as an example for description, which includes: the second access network device receives first request information from the first access network device, where the first request information is used to request first information of a first terminal device. The second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device, where the first information is used to indicate an impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0033] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the second access network device can provide the first access network device with information that can be used to estimate the energy consumption impact of the handover of a certain terminal device on the second access network device, thereby helping the first access network device to evaluate whether the terminal device is suitable for handover to the second access network device from the perspective of energy consumption, and facilitating the first access network device to make a more energy-saving and optimal handover decision.

[0034] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the second access network device, second information from the first access network device, where the second information is used to indicate a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information, or is used to indicate a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0035] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the second access network device, second request information from the first access network device, where the second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one data type; and the second request information is used to indicate that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type. The data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device is the same as the at least one data type.

[0036] Based on this solution, the first access network device can first determine, from the second access network device, whether the second access network device supports providing data of certain data types, thereby avoiding the first access network device from requesting the first information from the second access network device in a case where the second access network device does not support providing, and causing unnecessary signaling overhead.

[0037] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the second access network device, first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending data corresponding to at least one data type, or the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

[0038] Based on this solution, the second access network device can notify the first access network device that it supports providing data of the data type requested by the first access network device, so as to enable the first access network device to perform subsequent procedures.

[0039] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible design, the second request information includes first identification information, and the first identification information is used to identify the at least one data type; and the first request information includes the first identification information.

[0040] Based on the scheme, after the second access network device receives the first request information, the second access network device can determine the data type corresponding to the first information to be sent to the first access network device according to the first identifier information in the first request information, without the first request information indicating the data type corresponding to the first information, thereby reducing the overhead.

[0041] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the first request information is carried in a handover request message, and the handover request message is used to request to hand over the first terminal device to the second access network device.

[0042] Based on the scheme, the first request information can be multiplexed with the message in the handover process, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0043] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device is handed over to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device is handed over to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a handover event, or cell coverage configuration; and the handover event includes that the terminal device is handed over to the second access network device or that the terminal device is handed over from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0044] The scheme provides a plurality of possible first information.

[0045] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the second access network device, fourth information to the first access network device; and the fourth information is used to predict the energy consumption impact of the first terminal device being handed over to the second access network device on the second access network device.

[0046] Based on the scheme, the second access network device can provide the first access network device with information that can be used to predict the energy consumption impact of the handover of the first terminal device on the second access network device, thereby helping the first access network device to evaluate whether it is suitable to hand over the first terminal device to the second access network device, and enabling the first access network device to make a more energy-saving handover decision.

[0047] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption growth information of the second access network device, predicted energy-saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

[0048] The scheme provides a plurality of possible fourth information.

[0049] With reference to the above second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the second access network device, fifth information from the first access network device, where the fifth information indicates the predicted time for the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0050] According to the present solution, the first access network device can further indicate the predicted switching time of the first terminal device to the second access network device, which can help the second access network device to predict the first information.

[0051] With reference to the above second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the second access network device, sixth information to the first access network device, where the sixth information indicates rejection of the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0052] According to the present solution, the second access network device can evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for access according to the first information, and if not, the second access network device can reject the access of the first terminal device.

[0053] With reference to the above second aspect, in a possible design, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: information of a predicted switching event, energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, a predicted energy saving policy of the second access network device, or a predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; where the switching event includes: switching of the terminal device to the second access network device or switching of the terminal device from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0054] The present solution provides a plurality of possible first information.

[0055] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method implemented by the first access network device in the first aspect.

[0056] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0057] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processing module; the transceiver is configured to send first request information to the second access network device, where the first request information is used to request first information of the first terminal device, and the first information is used to indicate the energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device; and the transceiver is further configured to receive the first information from the second access network device; and the processing module is configured to determine the energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device according to the first information.

[0058] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to send second information to the second access network device, where the second information is used to indicate the time at which the second access network device sends the first information, or is used to indicate the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0059] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to send second request information to the second access network device, where the second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one data type; and the second request information is used to indicate that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type; and the first information of the first terminal device corresponds to the same data type as the at least one data type.

[0060] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information from the second access network device, where the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending data corresponding to the at least one data type, or indicates that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

[0061] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the second request information includes first identification information, and the first identification information is used to identify the at least one data type; and the first request information includes the first identification information.

[0062] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design, the first request information is carried in a handover request message, and the handover request message is used to request switching of the first terminal device to the second access network device.

[0063] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a handover event, or cell coverage configuration; and the handover event includes that the terminal device switches to the second access network device or that the terminal device switches from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0064] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive fourth information from the second access network device, where the fourth information is used to predict an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device; and the processor is further configured to determine, according to the fourth information, that the first terminal device is to switch to the second access network device.

[0065] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device, predicted energy saving policy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

[0066] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the processor is further configured to determine, according to the first information of the first terminal device, whether the first terminal device is to switch to the second access network device.

[0067] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send fifth information to the second access network device, where the fifth information indicates a predicted time for the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0068] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive sixth information from the second access network device, where the sixth information indicates a rejection of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

[0069] With reference to the third aspect as above, in a possible design of the third aspect, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy saving policy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; and the handover event includes that the terminal device switches to the second access network device or that the terminal device switches from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0070] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method implemented by the second access network device in the second aspect above.

[0071] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0072] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver module and a processing module; the transceiver module is configured to receive first request information from the first access network device, where the first request information is used to request first information of the first terminal device; the processing module is configured to determine the first information of the first terminal device; and the transceiver module is further configured to send the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device, where the first information is used to indicate an impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0073] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second information from the first access network device, where the second information is used to indicate a time at which the second access network device sends the first information, or is used to indicate a time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0074] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second request information from the first access network device, where the second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one data type; and the second request information is used to indicate that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type; and the first information of the first terminal device corresponds to the same data type as the at least one data type.

[0075] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending data corresponding to the at least one data type, or the first indication information indicates that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

[0076] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the second request information includes first identification information, and the first identification information is used to identify the at least one data type; and the first request information includes the first identification information.

[0077] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the first request information is carried in a handover request message, and the handover request message is used to request switching of the first terminal device to the second access network device.

[0078] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a handover event, or cell coverage configuration; and the handover event includes that the terminal device switches to the second access network device or that the terminal device switches from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0079] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first access network device, fourth information; and the fourth information is used for predicting an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device.

[0080] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

[0081] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive, from the first access network device, fifth information, and the fifth information indicates a predicted time for the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

[0082] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first access network device, sixth information, and the sixth information indicates a rejection of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

[0083] In a possible design of the fourth aspect, the first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; and the handover event includes that the terminal device switches to the second access network device or that the terminal device switches from the second access network device to another access network device.

[0084] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor, configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication apparatus performs the method in any of the aspects above. The communication apparatus can be the first access network device in the first aspect or any of the possible designs of the first aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the first access network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the second access network device in the second aspect or any of the possible designs of the second aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the second access network device.

[0085] In a possible design of the communication apparatus, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory, configured to store the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately arranged.

[0086] In a possible design of the communication apparatus, the memory is coupled with the processor and is outside the communication apparatus.

[0087] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit, configured to communicate with a module outside the communication apparatus; and the processor is configured to perform the method in any of the aspects above by means of a logic circuit, or by running a computer program or instructions. The communication apparatus can be the first access network device in the first aspect or any of the possible designs of the first aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the first access network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the second access network device in the second aspect or any of the possible designs of the second aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the second access network device.

[0088] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read-write interface circuit, configured to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, and can be directly read from the memory, or can pass through other devices) and transmit the computer execution instructions to the processor, so that the processor runs the computer execution instructions to perform the method in any of the aspects above.

[0089] In a possible design of the communication apparatus, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory, configured to store the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately arranged.

[0090] In a possible design of the communication apparatus, the memory is coupled with the processor and is outside the communication apparatus.

[0091] In some possible designs, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system.

[0092] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can perform the method in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any possible design of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0093] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can perform the method in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any possible design of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system) is provided, which includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any possible design of the first aspect to the second aspect. In a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. When the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0095] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first access network device and a second access network device. In a possible design, the first access network device is configured to implement the method in the first aspect, or any possible design of the first aspect, and the second access network device is configured to implement the method in the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0096] In a possible design, the communication system can further include a first terminal device.

[0097] The technical effects brought by any design of the third aspect to the tenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by different designs of the first aspect to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inter-station data collection process;

[0099] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of an ORAN according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of an ORAN according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0106] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0108] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0111] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0112] 1. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

[0113] Currently, communication systems can support intelligent radio access networks (RANs). RAN intelligence involves introducing AI technology into the RAN, utilizing the output of AI models or machine learning (ML) models to achieve dynamic optimization of network configuration and parameter settings.

[0114] In RANs incorporating AI, data collection between base stations is supported, and the collected data can be used for inference and decision-making. For example, the collected data can be used as input to AI / ML models, and the output of the AI / ML models can be used for inference and decision-making. Figure 1 illustrates the data collection process between base stations.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 1, if RAN node 1 has a data collection requirement, it can send a data collection request to RAN node 2, which can indicate RAN node 2 to provide data, for example, can indicate RAN node 2 to provide predicted radio resource status, predicted radio resource control (RRC) connection number, average packet delay, average uplink throughput, average downlink throughput, base station energy consumption, terminal device trajectory information, etc. In addition, RAN node 1 can also indicate when RAN node 2 feeds back the requested data. RAN node 2 sends a data collection response message to RAN node 1, feeding back whether it can provide the data requested by RAN node 1. If RAN node 2 can provide the data requested by RAN node 1, RAN node 2 sends the data to RAN node 1 through a data collection update message.

[0116] If RAN node 2 is deployed with an AI model, RAN node 2 can provide the predicted information output by the AI model to RAN node 1. For example, the AI model can output predicted radio resource status, predicted RRC connection number, etc.

[0117] 2. Cell handover (HO):

[0118] In the current cell handover process, the terminal device can measure the signal quality of the neighboring cells of the source cell, and report the signal quality of the neighboring cells to the source base station through a measurement report. The source base station can select a target cell from the neighboring cells based on the measurement report, and send a handover request to the target base station serving the target cell. If the target base station agrees to handover, the target base station can send an RRC configuration for the terminal device to access the target base station to the source base station.

[0119] However, in the current handover process, the source base station only makes a handover decision based on the signal quality of the neighboring cells in the measurement report, and in some scenarios, the handover decision made by the source base station may not be appropriate.

[0120] To solve the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device and system, and a device can estimate the energy cost of the access network device caused by the handover of a certain terminal device according to the obtained information, which is conducive to the device to make a more energy-saving and optimal handover decision.

[0121] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents a "or" relationship between the objects associated in front and behind, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the embodiments of the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural. And in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, can represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same function and role. The skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second" and the like do not necessarily mean different. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, "exemplary" or "for example" means to present relevant concepts in a specific way for understanding.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present application, "indication" can include direct indication and indirect indication, and can also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information is called to-be-indicated information, and there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information in the specific implementation process, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only by a part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be realized by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, a protocol stipulates), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common part of each information can be identified and uniformly indicated, so as to reduce the indication overhead caused by separately indicating the same information.

[0123] It should be understood that the to-be-indicated information can be sent together as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the sending end device to the receiving end device by sending configuration information.

[0124] In the embodiments of the present application, “predefined”, “predefinition”, “preconfigured”, “preconfiguration” or “local configuration” can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables or other means for indicating related information in the device, for example, burned in the device when the device is manufactured, or configured when the device accesses the network for the first time, and the specific implementation manner is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The “storing” can mean storing in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately set, or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor or communication device. The one or more memories can be partially separately set and partially integrated in the decoder, processor or communication device. The type of the memory can be any form of storage medium, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0125] In the embodiments of the present application, “when”, “in the case of”, “if” and the like all refer to that the device will make corresponding processing under certain objective conditions, and are not limited in time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor mean that there are other limitations.

[0126] In the embodiments of the present application, “sending information to … (taking the first access network device as an example)” can be understood as that the destination of the information is the first access network device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the first access network device. “Receiving information from … (taking the first access network device as an example)” can be understood as that the source of the information is the first access network device, and can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the first access network device. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information, for example, format change, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the embodiments of the present application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here.

[0127] The technical solutions provided in the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system and its evolution system, a 5th generation advanced (5GA), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, a system of LTE and new radio (NR) hybrid networking, or a device-to-device (D2D) system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an internet of things (IoT), and a future communication system, etc. In addition, the term "system" can be replaced by "network".

[0128] It should be noted that the network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0129] It should be noted that the network elements appearing in the present application are only possible exemplary names. If the actual name of the network element in the subsequent communication network is different from the name appearing in the present application, it does not affect the application of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0130] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a possible, non-limiting communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system includes a RAN 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in FIG. 2, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j in FIG. 2, collectively referred to as 120). Other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in FIG. 2), etc., can also be included in the RAN. The terminal devices 120 are connected to the RAN nodes 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN nodes 110 are connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the wireless access network.

[0131] Optionally, the communication system 10 can further include an Internet 300. The Internet 300 can be connected to the core network 200 or the RAN 100.

[0132] The RAN 100 can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP)-related cellular system, and can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, and can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0133] A terminal device refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios. For example, D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0134] Optionally, the terminal device can also include an AI module function, which can train an AI model / ML model and provide wireless-related data analysis and policy feedback.

[0135] The RAN node 110 can also be called an access network device, a network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc., which forms part of the communication system. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be the same type of node or different types of nodes. The roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal device 120 are relative in some scenarios. For example, the network element 120i in FIG. 2 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For a terminal device 120j that accesses the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminal devices 120 are sometimes collectively referred to as communication apparatuses. For example, the network elements 110a and 110b in FIG. 2 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal device functions.

[0136] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can help the terminal to implement wireless access and implement the function of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a Node B (also referred to as a base station), an evolved Node B (eNodeB) in an LTE system, a next generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G system, an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in FIG. 2), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in FIG. 2), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the RAN node in the V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0137] In another possible scenario, a terminal is assisted by multiple RAN nodes to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), a radio unit (RU), or the like. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0138] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0139] Optionally, the RAN node can also include an AI module function built-in, for AI model / ML model training, and providing wireless-related data analysis and policy feedback.

[0140] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting ORAN architecture. As shown in FIG. 3, the CU can communicate with the DU through an F1 interface. The DU can communicate with the terminal device through a Uu interface. The CU can communicate with the core network device through an NG module.

[0141] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the CU can also be split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. In the architecture with separation of the CP and the UP of the CU, the CU-CP can communicate with the DU through an F1-C interface, and the CU-UP can communicate with the DU through an F1-U interface.

[0142] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more AI modules can be arranged in the CU and / or the DU.

[0143] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, in the architecture of the separation of the CP and the UP of the CU, one or more AI modules can be arranged in the CU-CP and / or the CU-UP.

[0144] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more AI modules can be deployed in the core network device and / or the terminal device.

[0145] In the embodiments of the present application, the AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. One AI module can have one or more AI / ML models, and the models in the AI module can implement different functions according to different parameter configurations. The model of the AI module can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (such as at least one of the number of neural network layers, the width of the neural network, the connection relationship between layers, the weight of neurons, the activation function of neurons, or the bias in the activation function), input parameters (such as the type of input parameters and / or the dimension of input parameters), or output parameters (such as the type of output parameters and / or the dimension of output parameters). The bias in the activation function can also be referred to as the bias of the neural network. One model can infer an output, which includes one parameter or multiple parameters. The learning process, the training process, or the inference process of different models can be deployed in different nodes or devices, or can be deployed in the same node or device.

[0146] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another possible, non-limiting ORAN architecture.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system of the architecture includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). The RIC includes a near-real time RIC (near-RT RIC) and a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC). The near-real time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, for training an AI model, and using the AI model for inference. The near-real time RIC can obtain information on the network side and / or the terminal device side from the RAN node and / or the terminal device, which can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near-real time RIC can submit the inference result to the RAN node and / or the terminal device. Optionally, the inference result can be exchanged between the CU and the DU, and / or between the DU and the RU. For example, the near-real time RIC submits the inference result to the DU, and the DU sends it to the RU.

[0148] The non-real-time RIC has similar functions as the near-real-time RIC described above, and can be used for model training and inference, and can obtain network side and / or terminal device side information from the RAN node and / or the terminal device, which can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the non-real-time RIC can submit the inference result to the RAN node and / or the terminal.

[0149] Optionally, the near-real-time RIC and the non-real-time RIC can be respectively set as a network element alone. Alternatively, the near-real-time RIC and the non-real-time RIC can also be part of other devices, for example, the near-real-time RIC is set in the RAN node, and the non-real-time RIC is set in the operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) network element, the cloud server, the core network device, or other network devices.

[0150] It can be understood that the number of RAN nodes (such as CUs, DUs or RUs) in FIGS. 3 and 4 is exemplary, and the number of RAN nodes is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0151] The core network device (or core network network element) refers to a device in the core network that provides service support for the terminal. Currently, some examples of core network devices are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, and the like, which are not listed one by one here.

[0152] The RAN node is referred to as an access network device in the following, and the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in combination with the communication system shown in FIGS. 2-4.

[0153] It should be noted that the names of the messages between the network elements and the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names can also be used in specific implementations, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations.

[0154] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 5, the method comprises:

[0155] S501, the first access network device sends first request information to the second access network device, the first request information is used to request the first information of the first terminal device, and the first information of the first terminal device is used to indicate the impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0156] S502, the first access network device receives first information of the first terminal device from the second access network device.

[0157] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption impact of the switching of a certain terminal device on the second access network device according to the information from the second access network device, and can evaluate whether the terminal device is suitable for switching to the second access network device from the perspective of energy consumption, thereby facilitating the first access network device to make a more energy-saving and optimal switching decision.

[0158] S501-S502 can occur in a cell switching scenario of the first terminal device. The first terminal device can be any terminal device, and the first access network device is an access network device that provides communication services for the terminal device before the terminal device performs cell switching, i.e., the first access network device manages (may also be referred to as serves) the source cell of the terminal device. The second access network device can be an access network device that manages the target cell of the terminal device, or an access network device that manages the candidate target cell of the terminal device. The following is divided into different scenarios to introduce S501-S502.

[0159] Scenario one: in scenario one, when the first access network device obtains the first information of the first terminal device, the first terminal device has already switched to the target cell. That is, S502 occurs after the first terminal device switches to the target cell, and the second access network device is the access network device that manages the target cell.

[0160] In scenario one, the first information of the first terminal device requested by the first access network device includes information collected by the second access network device after the first terminal device actually switches to the second access network device. The first access network device can determine the energy consumption impact of the switching of the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device, for example, the first access network device can determine the energy consumption or energy consumption increase of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device. That is, the first information of the first terminal device can be understood as the information required to evaluate the energy consumption impact of the switching of the first terminal device on the second access network device.

[0161] It can be understood that if other terminal devices perform cell switching, the first access network device can also acquire the first information of the other terminal devices, and determine, according to the first information of the other terminal devices, the impact of the other terminal devices switching to any access network device (which can be the second access network device or any other access network device) on the energy consumption of the access network device. In this paper, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the application is introduced by taking the first terminal device performing cell switching and the first access network device acquiring the first information of the first terminal device as an example.

[0162] The embodiments of the application do not specifically limit the first information, and the following examples of the first information of the first terminal device are provided.

[0163] Optionally, the first information of the first terminal device can include energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device. For example, the energy consumption information of the second access network device can indicate the energy consumption of the second access network device from the beginning of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device to the time when the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0164] Correspondingly, the first access network device can determine the energy consumption of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device according to the energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device.

[0165] Optionally, the first information of the first terminal device can include energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device. For example, the energy consumption increase information of the second access network device can indicate the percentage of the increase in energy consumption of the second access network device from the beginning of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device to the time when the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0166] Correspondingly, the first access network device can determine the energy consumption increase of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device according to the energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device.

[0167] Optionally, the first information of the first terminal device can comprise information other than the handover of the first terminal device that will affect the energy consumption of the second access network device. The first access network device can evaluate the impact of the handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device on the energy consumption of the second access network device in combination with the information other than the handover of the first terminal device that will affect the energy consumption of the second access network device. For example, the first access network device determines that the energy consumption of the second access network device increases by 1% after the handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the energy consumption increase information of the second access network device comprised in the first information of the first terminal device, and the first access network device can estimate the impact of the handover of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device in combination with the information other than the handover of the first terminal device that will affect the energy consumption of the second access network device in the first information of the first terminal device, and the handover of the first terminal device accounts for half of the increase of 1%.

[0168] The following provides several examples of the information other than the handover of the first terminal device that will affect the energy consumption of the second access network device. For example, the first information of the first terminal device can comprise at least one of the following: location information of the first terminal device, information of the handover event, or cell coverage configuration.

[0169] The location information of the first terminal device can indicate the geographical position of the first terminal device, for example, the longitude and latitude of the terminal device. Alternatively, the location information of the first terminal device can indicate the position of the first terminal device relative to the edge / center of the coverage range of the target cell. For example, the location information of the first terminal device can be cell edge indication information indicating that the position of the first terminal device is at the edge (or close to the edge) of the coverage range of the target cell. For another example, the location information of the first terminal device can be cell center indication information indicating that the position of the first terminal device is at the center (or close to the center) of the coverage range of the target cell. For yet another example, the location information of the first terminal device can indicate the distance between the position of the first terminal device and the edge / center of the coverage range of the target cell.

[0170] The second access network device can determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the current position of the first terminal device when determining the first information of the first terminal device. If the second access network device determines the first information of the first terminal device when the first terminal device is not in the coverage range of the target cell, the second access network device can not determine the location information of the first terminal device.

[0171] Correspondingly, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption of the second access network device for data / signaling interaction with the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device. For example, if the first access network device determines, according to the location information of the first terminal device, that the terminal device is at the edge (or close to the edge) of the coverage range of the target cell, the first access network device can consider that the energy consumption of the second access network device for interaction with the terminal device is relatively large. For another example, if the first access network device determines, according to the location information of the first terminal device, that the terminal device is at the center (or close to the center) of the coverage range of the target cell, the first access network device can consider that the energy consumption of the second access network device for data / signaling interaction with the terminal device is relatively small.

[0172] Information of handover events: The handover events refer to handover events related to the second access network device, including handover of a terminal device (which can be any terminal device, and the terminal device hereinafter can also be understood in this way) to the second access network device, or handover of a terminal device from the second access network device to another access network device. The information of the handover events can indicate the number of handover events (which can also be understood as the number of terminal devices that hand over to the second access network device, or the number of terminal devices that hand over from the second access network device to another access network device) from the start of handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device to the period during which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0173] Correspondingly, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption of the second access network device for data / signaling interaction with the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device. For example, if the first access network device determines, according to the location information of the first terminal device, that the terminal device is at the edge (or close to the edge) of the coverage range of the target cell, the first access network device can consider that the energy consumption of the second access network device for interaction with the terminal device is relatively large. For another example, if the first access network device determines, according to the location information of the first terminal device, that the terminal device is at the center (or close to the center) of the coverage range of the target cell, the first access network device can consider that the energy consumption of the second access network device for data / signaling interaction with the terminal device is relatively small.

[0174] The cell coverage configuration can indicate the configuration of the coverage range of at least one cell managed by the second access network device from the start of handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device to the period during which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device. For example, the cell coverage configuration can include a cell coverage state and / or a cell coverage and optimization configuration. Optionally, the cell coverage configuration can indicate an update of the coverage range of at least one cell managed by the second access network device.

[0175] For example, the cell coverage configuration can indicate the number of deactivated cells. For another example, the cell coverage configuration can indicate the number of newly activated cells. For another example, the cell coverage configuration can indicate an increase or decrease in the coverage range of a cell.

[0176] Correspondingly, the first access network device can estimate, according to the cell coverage configuration, an influence of an update of a coverage range of a cell managed by the second access network device on energy consumption of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device. For example, if the cell coverage configuration indicates that a cell is deactivated, it means that the second access network device reduces a part of energy consumption.

[0177] The present embodiment does not limit the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device. In one possible implementation, the first access network device can send second information to the second access network device, where the second information is used to indicate the time at which the second access network device sends the first information (in this case, the second information can be understood as being used to indicate the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of any terminal device), or the second information is used to indicate the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device. The second access network device determines the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device according to the second information. For example, the second information can indicate a time length, which is an interval between the time at which the terminal device switches to the second access network device and the time at which the first information is sent. For another example, the second information can indicate a time length, which is an interval between the current time (i.e., the time at which the second information is sent) and the time at which the first information is sent. In another possible implementation, the second access network device can determine the time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device by itself. For example, the second access network device determines, by itself, that the first information of the first terminal device is sent to the first access network device 2 minutes after the first terminal device completes the switching.

[0178] Optionally, the second information can be carried in the same message as the first request information, or the second information can be carried in the second request information described below, or the second information can be carried in other messages.

[0179] Optionally, in the scenario one, the first request information can be carried in an existing message. For example, the first request information can be carried in a handover request message (HO request), which is used to request the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device. Alternatively, in the scenario one, the first request information can be carried in a newly defined message.

[0180] The present embodiment does not limit how the first request information requests the first information. For example, the first request information can be one bit (bit), where the value of the bit is 1, indicating that the second access network device needs to feed back the first information, and the value of the bit is 0, indicating that the second access network device does not need to feed back the first information.

[0181] Optionally, before S501, the method can further include the following steps:

[0182] S503, the first access network device sends second request information to the second access network device, the second request information includes third information, the third information is used to indicate at least one data type, and the second request information is used to request the second access network device to obtain (or collect, provide, etc.) data of the at least one data type. The second request information can also be understood as indicating that the first access network device needs the second access network device to provide data of the at least one data type indicated by the third information.

[0183] Embodiments of the present application do not limit how the third information indicates the data type. For example, at least one data type can be predefined (or agreed upon by the first access network device and the second access network device, etc.), the third information includes at least one bit, each bit of the at least one bit corresponds to each data type of the predefined at least one data type, if the value of a bit is 1, it represents that the first access network device needs the second access network device to provide data of the data type corresponding to the bit, and if the value of the bit is 0, it represents that the first access network device does not need the second access network device to provide data of the data type corresponding to the bit.

[0184] S504, the second access network device sends response information (also referred to as first indication information) to the first access network device. The response information is used to indicate whether the second access network device supports sending data of at least one data type (indicating the at least one data type indicated by the third information). If the response information indicates that the second access network device supports sending, the first access network device can perform S501. In one possible case, the first information of the first terminal device fed back by the second access network device includes data corresponding to the data type, that is, the at least one data type indicated by the third information. For example, assuming that data types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are predefined, the energy consumption information of the second access network device, the energy consumption increase information of the second access network device, the location information of the terminal device, the information of the handover event, and the cell coverage configuration correspond to data types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively, if the at least one data type indicated by the third information includes data types 1, 3, and 4, and the second access network device feeds back that it supports sending the data types 1, 3, and 4, the first information of the first terminal device fed back by the second access network device includes the energy consumption information of the second access network device, the location information of the terminal device, and the information of the handover event. In another possible case, the second access network device indicates that it supports part of the data types requested by the first access network device, and the data included in the first information corresponds to the part of the data types supported by the second access network device. For example, the at least one data type indicated by the third information includes data types 1, 3, and 4, and the second access network device feeds back that it supports sending the data types 1 and 4, the first information of the first terminal device sent by the second access network device includes the energy consumption information of the second access network device and the information of the handover event.

[0185] Optionally, in S503, the first access network device can send second request information to at least one neighboring access network device, and correspondingly, in S504, the at least one neighboring access network device can send a response message to the first access network device. The at least one neighboring access network device includes the second access network device.

[0186] Optionally, in S503, the second request information can further include first identification information, which is used to identify the data type indicated by the third information. Correspondingly, in S501, the first request information can also include the same first identification information. In this case, the first identification information can identify the data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device requested by the first request information. After receiving the first request information, the second access network device can determine the data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device to be sent to the first access network device according to the first identification information in the first request information, without the first request information indicating the data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device.

[0187] In addition, if in S504, the response message returned by the second access network device indicates that the second access network device does not support sending, the first access network device can not perform S501.

[0188] Optionally, in scenario one, after S502, the first access network device can optimize the local handover decision according to the first information. For example, if the first access network device determines that the handover of the first terminal device has a greater impact on the energy consumption of the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device, the first access network device can locally record the identification information of the second access network device, and in the subsequent handover process, the priority of selecting a cell managed by the second access network device as a target cell is reduced.

[0189] In a possible implementation, in scenario one, before S501, the first access network device can decide to access a target cell for the first terminal device based on a measurement report reported by the first terminal device. The measurement report can include a measurement result obtained by the terminal device by measuring a signal of at least one neighboring cell. The first access network device can select the target cell from the neighboring cells according to the measurement result.

[0190] For example, in scenario one, the first access network device selects a target cell according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary process in which the first access network device receives the first information of the first terminal device includes the following steps:

[0191] S601, the first terminal device measures signals of at least one neighbor cell based on the measurement configuration issued by the first access network device, and obtains measurement results. The first terminal device sends a measurement report to the first access network device, where the measurement report includes the measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell.

[0192] S602 (optional step), the first access network device sends second request information to the second access network device, where the second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one type of data, and the second request information is used to indicate that the first access network device needs the second access network device to provide data of the type of data indicated by the third information.

[0193] Optionally, the second request information can further include the first identification information.

[0194] S603 (optional step), the second access network device sends a response message to the first access network device, where the response message indicates whether the second access network device supports sending data of the type of data indicated by the third information. If the response message indicates that the second access network device supports sending, then in S605, the handover request message can include the first request information. If the response message indicates that the second access network device does not support sending, then in S605, the handover request message can not include the first request information.

[0195] S602-S603 can refer to the description of S503-S504 above.

[0196] S604, the first access network device decides to hand over the first terminal device to a target cell based on the measurement report, and determines that an access network device managing the target cell is the second access network device.

[0197] S605, the first access network device sends a handover request message to the second access network device, requesting to hand over the first terminal device to the target cell. The handover request message includes the first request information, which is used to request the first information of the first terminal device. The handover request message can include identification information of the first terminal device.

[0198] Optionally, the handover request message can further include the first identification information.

[0199] S605 can refer to the description of S501 above.

[0200] S606, the second access network device sends a handover response message (HO ACK) to the first access network device. The handover response message includes RRC configuration for the first terminal device to access the target cell.

[0201] S607, the first access network device sends the RRC configuration received in S606 to the first terminal device.

[0202] S608, the first terminal device accesses the target cell through RRC configuration.

[0203] S609, the second access network device sends first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device. The first information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of the handover event, or cell coverage configuration.

[0204] S609 can refer to the description of S501.

[0205] It can be understood that the flow shown in FIG. 6 is a logical schematic flow provided for the purpose of understanding the embodiments of the present application, and does not represent the actual timing of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the timing between different steps in FIG. 6.

[0206] In another possible implementation, in scenario one, before S501, the first access network device can send third request information to at least one third access network device, the third request information being used to request fourth information. The third access network device can be any access network device that manages a neighboring cell of the first terminal device (or the third access network device can be any access network device adjacent to the first access network device). After receiving the third request information, the third access network device sends the fourth information to the first access network device. The first access network device can select a target cell from at least one neighboring cell of the first terminal device according to the fourth information. That is, the second access network device is one of the at least one third access network device.

[0207] The third request information can be carried in an existing message or a newly defined message.

[0208] Optionally, the first access network device can periodically obtain the fourth information from the third access network device.

[0209] Optionally, in this implementation, the first access network device can select a target cell and make a handover decision in combination with the measurement report reported by the first terminal device and the obtained fourth information.

[0210] In this implementation, the fourth information can be used to predict the impact of the first terminal device switching to the third access network device on the energy consumption of the third access network device. Alternatively, the fourth information can be used to predict the load condition of the third access network device. The first access network device can evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device according to the fourth information, so as to select a target cell from at least one neighboring cell of the first terminal device and make a handover decision.

[0211] Optionally, the fourth information can include at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the third access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the third access network device, or predicted other information that will affect energy consumption. Wherein, embodiments of the present application do not limit the predicted other information that will affect energy consumption, for example, it can include predicted cell coverage configuration, predicted cell energy saving strategy and the like.

[0212] The following describes information that the fourth information can include.

[0213] Predicted handover event information: a predicted handover event, which is a handover event related to the third access network device in a predicted future period of time. The predicted handover event can include: a predicted terminal device will hand over to the third access network device, or a predicted terminal device will hand over from the third access network device to another access network device. The predicted handover event information can indicate the number of predicted handover events in a future period of time (which can also be understood as the number of predicted terminal devices that hand over to the third access network device in a future period of time, or the number of predicted terminal devices that hand over from the third access network device to another access network device in a future period of time).

[0214] Predicted energy consumption information of the third access network device: indicating the energy consumption of the third access network device in a predicted future period of time.

[0215] Correspondingly, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption of the third access network device in a future period of time according to the predicted energy consumption information, and further evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device. For example, if the predicted energy consumption information indicates that the energy consumption of the third access network device in a future period of time is relatively high, it can be considered that the load of the third access network device in the future period of time is relatively heavy, and the first terminal device is not suitable for accessing the third access network device in this period of time, and vice versa, it can be considered that the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device in this period of time.

[0216] Predicted energy consumption increase information of the third access network device: indicating the energy consumption increase of the third access network device in a predicted future period of time. For example, it can indicate the predicted energy consumption increase percentage of the third access network device in a future period of time.

[0217] Correspondingly, the first access network device can estimate the energy consumption growth of the third access network device in the future period of time according to the predicted energy consumption information, and further evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device. For example, if the predicted energy consumption growth information indicates that the energy consumption growth percentage of the third access network device in the future period of time is large, it can be considered that the load of the third access network device increases more in the future period of time, and the first terminal device is not suitable for accessing the third access network device in the future period of time. Conversely, it can be considered that the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device in the future period of time.

[0218] Predicted cell coverage configuration: indicating the configuration of the coverage range of the cell managed by the third access network device in the predicted future period of time. For example, it can be indicated that a certain cell will be deactivated. For another example, it can be indicated that the coverage range of a certain cell will be increased.

[0219] Correspondingly, the first access network device can evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device according to the predicted cell coverage configuration. For example, if the predicted energy consumption information indicates that the coverage range of the cell of the third access network device will be increased in the future period of time, it can be considered that more terminal devices are likely to access the third access network device in the future period of time, and the first terminal device is not suitable for accessing the third access network device in the future period of time.

[0220] Predicted cell energy saving strategy: indicating the energy saving strategy of the cell managed by the third access network device in the predicted future period of time. For example, the predicted cell energy saving strategy can indicate that a certain cell will be turned off in the future period of time.

[0221] Correspondingly, the first access network device can evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the third access network device according to the predicted cell energy saving strategy. For example, if the predicted energy consumption information indicates that a certain cell will be turned off in the future period of time, it can be considered that the first terminal device will not be able to obtain communication services if it accesses the cell in the future period of time, or it can be considered that the third access network device will turn on the cell for the first terminal device, which increases the energy consumption of the third access network device, and the first terminal device is not suitable for accessing the third access network device in the future period of time.

[0222] It can be understood that when the fourth information includes multiple pieces of information, the first access network device can comprehensively evaluate the multiple pieces of information to make a switching decision.

[0223] Optionally, the third request information can further include information indicating the data type corresponding to the fourth information. For example, at least one data type is predefined, and at least one bit corresponding to the at least one data type is set. The bit value of each bit in the at least one bit indicates whether the first access network device requests data of the data type corresponding to the bit.

[0224] Optionally, after receiving the third request information, the third access network device can send a response message to the first access network device, where the response message can indicate whether the third access network device supports sending the fourth information.

[0225] Optionally, before the third access network device sends the fourth information to the first access network device, the first access network device can send indication information to the third access network device, where the indication information is used to indicate a future time period, the future time period corresponds to the requested fourth information, or in other words, the future time period is used to determine the corresponding fourth information. In this case, the fourth information fed back by the third access network device is obtained based on the future time period indicated by the first access network device.

[0226] For example, the first access network device can indicate a start time and an end time of the future time period.

[0227] Optionally, the information indicating the future time period can be carried in the third request information.

[0228] Optionally, the first access network device can send indication information to the third access network device, where the indication information is used to indicate a sending time of the fourth information. For example, the indication information can indicate an interval between the sending time of the fourth information and a current time (indicating a sending time of the indication information). Optionally, the indication information can be carried in the third request information.

[0229] Embodiments of the present application do not limit how the third access network device obtains the fourth information. In one possible implementation, the third access network device can determine information in the fourth information by itself. For example, the third access network device can predict its energy consumption or energy consumption growth in a future time period. For another example, the third access network device can configure a cell coverage configuration in a future time period, i.e., determine a predicted cell coverage configuration included in the fourth information. For another example, the third access network device can determine a cell energy saving strategy in a future time period, i.e., determine a predicted cell energy saving strategy included in the fourth information. For another example, the third access network device can predict a handover event related to the third access network device in a future time period.

[0230] In another possible implementation, the third access network device can obtain information in the fourth information from other network elements. For example, the third access network device can request the fourth information from other access network devices. For another example, the third access network device can send one or more collected information to other network elements, the other network elements determine the fourth information based on the received information, and send the fourth information to the third access network device.

[0231] The following introduces an implementation of a third access network device determining predicted handover event information. As shown in FIG. 7, the implementation includes the following steps:

[0232] S701. At least one terminal device reports a measurement report to a fourth access network device based on a measurement configuration. The fourth access network device can be any access network device. For example, the fourth access network device can be an access network device adjacent to the third access network device.

[0233] S702. The third access network device sends a request message to the fourth access network device, where the request message is used to request the measurement report, or is used to request prediction of a handover event related to the third access network device. The measurement report can be used to predict the handover event related to the third access network device.

[0234] Optionally, if the request information is used to request prediction of the handover event related to the third access network device, the third access network device can send indication information to the fourth access network device, where the indication information can indicate a future period of time, and the future period of time is used to predict the handover event related to the third access network device. In other words, in this case, the request information sent by the third access network device is used to request prediction, and the indication information indicates the handover event related to the third access network device in the future period of time.

[0235] S703 (optional step). The fourth access network device sends a response message to the third access network device, where the response message is used to indicate whether the fourth access network device supports sending the measurement report or the predicted handover event related to the third access network device.

[0236] S704. The fourth access network device sends the measurement report or the predicted handover event information to the third access network device. The predicted handover event information can indicate a number of events predicted in a future period of time in which the terminal device switches to the third access network device (which can also be understood as a number of terminal devices predicted in the future period of time to switch to the third access network device).

[0237] Optionally, the fourth access network device can also send context information of the terminal device to the third access network device, such as quality of service (QoS) requirements of the terminal device. The third access network device can determine whether to admit the terminal device according to the context of the terminal device, and can also determine the influence of the terminal device on the third access network device in the future according to the context of the terminal device, such as predicting the energy consumption impact of the terminal device on the third access network device after the terminal device switches to the third access network device in the future.

[0238] If the third access network device receives the measurement report in S704, the third access network device can predict a handover event related to the third access network device based on the measurement report, and obtain predicted handover event information.

[0239] It can be understood that the third access network device can perform the flow shown in FIG. 7 with at least one fourth access network device to obtain the predicted handover event information. Among the at least one fourth access network device, the first access network device can be included.

[0240] Optionally, the third access network device can periodically request the measurement report or request the prediction of the handover event related to the third access network device from the fourth access network device.

[0241] For example, in scenario one, the first access network device selects a target cell according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device and the obtained fourth information, as shown in FIG. 8, a possible flow of the first access network device receiving the first information of the first terminal device from the second access network device can include the following steps:

[0242] S801, the first access network device sends third request information to at least one third access network device, the third request information being used to request fourth information. The second access network device is included in the at least one third access network device, and FIG. 8 takes the first access network device sending the third request information to the second access network device as an example.

[0243] Optionally, the third request information can further include indication information, the indication information being used to indicate a future period of time corresponding to the requested fourth information.

[0244] S802 (optional step), the second access network device sends a response message to the first access network device, the response message indicating whether the second access network device supports sending the fourth information.

[0245] If the second access network device does not support sending the fourth information, the second access network device can not perform S803.

[0246] S803, the second access network device sends the fourth information to the first access network device.

[0247] S804, the first terminal device measures signals of at least one neighbor cell based on the measurement configuration issued by the first access network device, and obtains measurement results. The first terminal device sends a measurement report to the first access network device, wherein the measurement report includes the measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell.

[0248] S805, the first access network device decides to hand over the first terminal device to a target cell managed by the second access network device according to the measurement results and the fourth information.

[0249] The step after S805 is the same as S603-S608.

[0250] In scenario two, the first access network device acquires the first information of the first terminal device before the first terminal device switches to the target cell. That is, S502 occurs before the first terminal device switches to the target cell, and the second access network device can be an access network device managing the target cell or an access network device managing a candidate target cell.

[0251] In scenario two, the first access network device can predict (or determine) the impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the energy consumption of the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device, and then evaluate whether the first terminal device is suitable for accessing the second access network device to make a switching decision. For example, the first access network device can predict the energy consumption or the increase of the energy consumption of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device. That is, the first information of the first terminal device can be understood as the information needed to predict the impact of the switching of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0252] In a possible implementation of scenario two, the first access network device can determine whether to continue switching the terminal device to the target cell or determine the impact of the switching of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device according to the first information sent by the second access network device after determining the target cell.

[0253] In this implementation, the first access network device can send first request information to the second access network device managing the target cell after determining the target cell (for example, the target cell can be determined according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device). The second access network device feeds back the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device according to the first request information. Alternatively, the first access network device can send the first request information to at least one candidate access network device before determining the target cell, and the at least one candidate access network device feeds back the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device according to the first request information. The candidate access network device refers to an access network device managing a candidate target cell, and the second access network device is one of the at least one candidate access network device. After determining the target cell, the first access network device determines whether to continue switching the first terminal device to the target cell or determines the impact of the switching of the first terminal device to the second access network device on the energy consumption of the second access network device according to the first information of the first terminal device fed back by the second access network device managing the target cell.

[0254] Optionally, the first information can also be used for model optimization or for optimizing future switching decisions of the first access network device.

[0255] In another possible implementation of the scenario two, the first access network device can determine a plurality of candidate target cells (for example, the target cells can be determined according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device), and send first request information to at least one candidate access network device managing the plurality of candidate target cells. The at least one candidate access network device feeds back the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device according to the first request information. The second access network device is one of the at least one candidate access network device. After receiving the first information of the first terminal device fed back by the at least one candidate access network device, the first access network device selects one cell as the target cell from the plurality of candidate target cells according to the received first information of the first terminal device.

[0256] It can be understood that if other terminal devices perform cell switching, the first access network device can also obtain the first information of the other terminal devices, and predict the energy consumption impact on any access network device (which can be the second access network device or any other access network device) if the other terminal devices switch to the access network device according to the first information of the other terminal devices. In this paper, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the application is introduced by taking the first terminal device performing cell switching and the first access network device obtaining the first information of the first terminal device as an example.

[0257] The embodiments of the application do not specifically limit the first information, and the following provides several information that the first information of the first terminal device can include.

[0258] Optionally, the first information of the first terminal device can include at least one of the following: predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted switching event information, predicted cell coverage configuration, or predicted cell energy saving strategy.

[0259] The predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device can indicate the energy consumption of the second access network device in a future period of time after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device. For example, it can indicate the energy consumption of the second access network device from the beginning of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device to the period during which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0260] The predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device can indicate an energy consumption increase of the second access network device in a future period of time after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, for example, can indicate an energy consumption increase percentage of the second access network device from when the first terminal device switches to the second access network device to when the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

[0261] The predicted handover event information, the predicted cell coverage configuration, and the predicted cell energy saving strategy can be referred to the foregoing description, and will not be repeated here.

[0262] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the second access network device to determine the first information. The second access network device can determine the first information by itself, or can obtain the first information from other network elements.

[0263] In the scenario two, the time when the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device can be referred to the foregoing description of the time when the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device in the scenario one, and will not be repeated here.

[0264] Optionally, before S501, S503 and S504 can also be included, which can be referred to the foregoing description, and will not be repeated here.

[0265] Optionally, in the scenario two, the first access network device can also send fifth information to the second access network device, and the fifth information is used to indicate a predicted time when the first terminal device switches to the second access network device. The second access network device can determine the first information according to the fifth information.

[0266] Optionally, in the scenario two, if the second access network device manages the target cell selected by the first access network device, after the first access network device sends the handover request message to the second access network device, the second access network device can determine whether to agree to the handover of the first terminal device according to the first information of the first terminal device. If the second access network device does not agree to the handover of the first terminal device, the second access network device can send sixth information to the first access network device, and the sixth information can indicate a rejection of the handover of the first terminal device to the second access network device. Optionally, the sixth information can also include a rejection reason, for example, the rejection reason can be "energy saving".

[0267] In the scenario two, in one possible implementation, the first access network device can determine a candidate target cell according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device, and then send first request information to a candidate access network device managing the candidate target cell.

[0268] For example, it is assumed that the first access network device selects to hand over the first terminal device to the second access network device (i.e., the second access network device manages the target cell) according to the first information of the first terminal device after triggering parallel handover, as shown in FIG. 9. In scenario two, the first access network device receives the first information of the first terminal device in a possible process, including the following steps.

[0269] S901 (optional step), the first access network device sends second request information to at least one neighboring access network device. The at least one neighboring access network device includes the second access network device, and FIG. 9 takes sending the second request information to the second access network device as an example. The second request information includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one type of data. The second request information is used to indicate that the first access network device needs the second access network device to provide data of the type of data indicated by the third information.

[0270] Optionally, the second request information can further include the first identification information.

[0271] S902 (optional step), the second access network device sends a response message to the first access network device, and the response message indicates whether the second access network device supports sending data of the type of data indicated by the third information. If the response message indicates that the second access network device supports sending, the handover request message can include the first request information in S905. If the response message indicates that the second access network device does not support sending, the handover request message can not include the first request information in S905.

[0272] S901-S902 can refer to the description of S503-S504 above.

[0273] S903, the first terminal device measures the signals of at least one neighbor cell based on the measurement configuration issued by the first access network device, and obtains measurement results. The first terminal device sends a measurement report to the first access network device, and the measurement report includes the measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell.

[0274] S904, the first access network device determines a plurality of candidate target cells managed by at least one candidate access network device based on the measurement report, and triggers handover decision of the plurality of candidate target cells.

[0275] S905, the first access network device sends a handover request message to at least one candidate access network device to request to hand over the first terminal device to a target cell. The handover request message includes first request information used to request the first information of the first terminal device. The at least one candidate access network device includes the second access network device, and FIG. 9 takes sending the handover request message to the second access network device as an example.

[0276] Optionally, the handover request message can further comprise first identification information.

[0277] S906, the second access network device sends a handover response message (HO ACK) to the first access network device, wherein the handover response message comprises first information of the first terminal device and RRC configuration, and the RRC configuration is used for accessing a candidate target cell managed by the second access network device.

[0278] S907, the first access network device selects a target cell from the plurality of candidate target cells according to the first information of the first terminal device, and indicates suspension of the handover procedure to other candidate target cells.

[0279] S905-S907, which can be specifically referred to the description of S501-S502 in scenario two.

[0280] S908, the first access network device sends the RRC configuration for accessing the target cell to the first terminal device.

[0281] S909, the first terminal device accesses the target cell through the RRC configuration.

[0282] In scenario two, in another possible implementation, the first access network device can predict the handover of the first terminal device, determine at least one candidate access network device to which the first terminal device is likely to hand over, and send first request information to the at least one candidate access network device.

[0283] For example, it is assumed that the first access network device predicts the handover of the first terminal device, and selects to hand over the first terminal device to the second access network device (i.e., the second access network device manages the target cell) according to the first information of the first terminal device fed back by the at least one candidate access network device. As shown in FIG. 10, in scenario two, one possible procedure of receiving the first information of the first terminal device by the first access network device comprises the following steps.

[0284] S1001 (optional step), the first access network device sends second request information to at least one neighboring access network device. The at least one neighboring access network device comprises the second access network device, and FIG. 10 takes sending the second request information to the second access network device as an example. The second request information comprises third information, and the third information is used to indicate at least one type of data. The second request information is used to indicate that the first access network device needs the second access network device to provide data of the type of data indicated by the third information.

[0285] Optionally, the second request information can further comprise first identification information.

[0286] S1002 (optional step), the second access network device sends a response message to the first access network device, the response message indicating whether the second access network device supports sending data of the data type indicated by the third information. If the response message indicates that the second access network device supports sending, in S1003, the handover request message can include the first request information. If the response message indicates that the second access network device does not support sending, in S1003, the handover request message can not include the first request information.

[0287] S1001-S1002 can refer to the description of S503-S504 above.

[0288] S1003, the first access network device predicts that the first terminal device can perform handover in a future period of time, determines at least one candidate access network device, and sends the first request information to the at least one candidate access network device, for requesting the first information of the first terminal device. The at least one candidate access network device includes the second access network device, and FIG. 10 takes sending the first request information to the second access network device as an example.

[0289] Optionally, the first request information can further include first identification information.

[0290] Optionally, the first access network device can further send, to the at least one candidate access network device, a predicted time when the first terminal device performs handover to the candidate access network device.

[0291] Optionally, the first access network device can further send, to the at least one candidate access network device, context information of the first terminal device.

[0292] S1004, the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device.

[0293] S1003-S1004 can refer to the description of S501-S502 in scenario two above.

[0294] S1005, the first terminal device measures signals of at least one neighbor cell based on a measurement configuration issued by the first access network device, to obtain measurement results. The first terminal device sends a measurement report to the first access network device, where the measurement report includes the measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell.

[0295] S1006, the first access network device selects a target cell from the at least one neighbor cell based on the measurement report and the first information of the first terminal device.

[0296] S1007, the first access network device sends a handover request message to the second access network device, for requesting to hand over the first terminal device to the target cell.

[0297] S1008. The second access network device sends a handover response message (HO ACK) to the first access network device, wherein the HO ACK comprises an RRC configuration for accessing the target cell.

[0298] S1009. The first access network device sends the RRC configuration for accessing the target cell to the first terminal device.

[0299] S1010. The first terminal device accesses the target cell according to the RRC configuration.

[0300] Optionally, in scenario two, after the first terminal device accesses the target cell, the access network device managing the target cell can also send information to the first access network device, which can be used to determine the impact of the handover of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device. For details, refer to the foregoing description of the first information of the first terminal device in scenario one.

[0301] Optionally, the method embodiment for obtaining the first information of the first terminal device in scenario two described above can be combined with the method embodiment for obtaining the first information of the first terminal device in scenario one. Before selecting the target cell, the first access network device obtains the first information of the first terminal device in scenario two, and selects the target cell according to the first information of the first terminal device. After the first terminal device is handed over to the target cell, the first access network device obtains the first information of the first terminal device in scenario one. For details, refer to the foregoing description of scenario one and scenario two.

[0302] For example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, after S909, the flowchart can further comprise:

[0303] S910. The second access network device sends feedback information to the first access network device, wherein the feedback information comprises information obtained by the second access network device after the handover of the first terminal device, which can be used to determine the impact of the handover of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0304] For another example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, after S1010, the flowchart can further comprise:

[0305] S1011. The second access network device sends feedback information to the first access network device, wherein the feedback information comprises information obtained by the second access network device after the handover of the first terminal device, which can be used to determine the impact of the handover of the first terminal device on the energy consumption of the second access network device.

[0306] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the predicted information (e.g., the fourth information, the first information in the second scenario, or the like) or the prediction made by various devices (e.g., the first terminal device predicted by the first access network device) can be determined by an AI module. The AI module can be deployed in a network node (e.g., a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network element), or the AI module can also be an independent node or module connected to the network node through an interface (which can be understood as an external device).

[0307] For example, assuming that the embodiments of the present application are applied to the O-RAN architecture shown in FIG. 3, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the AI module is deployed on the CU and the DU, the second access network device obtaining the predicted handover event information or the predicted energy consumption information can include the following steps:

[0308] The CU receives the predicted handover event information or the measurement report of the neighboring access network device. If the CU receives the measurement report, the CU can predict the possible handover event according to the measurement report to obtain the predicted handover event information. The CU sends the predicted handover event information to the DU, and the DU can predict the energy consumption according to the predicted handover event information to obtain the predicted energy consumption information. The DU sends the predicted energy consumption information to the CU, and the CU determines the predicted energy consumption information according to the predicted energy consumption of the DU and the predicted energy consumption of itself. Further, the CU can send the predicted energy consumption information to the first access network device.

[0309] For example, assuming that the embodiments of the present application are applied to the O-RAN architecture shown in FIG. 4, and the second access network device includes a CU and a DU, and the second access network device obtaining the predicted handover event information or the predicted energy consumption information can include the following steps:

[0310] The CU / DU sends the collected information to the RIC and requests the RIC to predict the handover event or the energy consumption. The RIC predicts the handover event or the energy consumption according to the collected information to obtain a prediction result. The RIC sends the prediction result to the CU / DU.

[0311] The above various method embodiments can be independently applied or combined.

[0312] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus for implementing the above various methods. The communication apparatus can be various devices (e.g., the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, or the fourth access network device) in the above method embodiments, or an apparatus containing the above various devices, or a component that can be used for the above various devices.

[0313] It should be noted that the communication apparatus includes hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on a specific application and design constraint condition of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but it should not be considered that such implementation is beyond the scope of the present application.

[0314] The embodiments of the present application can be divided into functional modules according to the above method embodiments, for example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software function module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner in actual implementation.

[0315] FIG. 11 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 1100. The communication apparatus 1100 includes a transceiver module 1101 and a processing module 1102. The transceiver module 1101, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit 1101, is used to realize the receiving and / or transmitting functions. The processing module 1102, which can also be referred to as a processing unit 1102, is used to realize the processing function.

[0316] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 can also include a storage module 1103.

[0317] Wherein, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be cited to the function description of the corresponding functional module, which will not be repeated here.

[0318] Optionally, in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11, the names of each module can also be different from those shown in the figure, for example, the transceiver module can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication unit.

[0319] The various units in FIG. 11, if implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application essentially or in other words the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The storage medium storing the computer software product includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0320] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device 1100 is presented in the form of dividing various function modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0321] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication device 1100 can take the form of the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12.

[0322] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device 1200 includes one or more processors 1201, a communication line 1202, and at least one communication interface (only exemplary to include a communication interface 1204 and a processor 1201 is taken as an example for illustration), and optionally further includes a memory 1203.

[0323] The processor 1201 can be a general central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs of the present application.

[0324] The communication line 1202 can include a channel for connecting between different components.

[0325] The communication interface 1204 can be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an Ethernet, a RAN, a terminal, a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the like. For example, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, a transceiver module, or the like. Alternatively, the communication interface 1204 can also be a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface within the processor 1201, for realizing signal input and signal output of the processor.

[0326] The memory 1203 can be a device having a storage function. For example, the memory 1203 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory 1203 can exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication line 1202. The memory 1203 can also be integrated with the processor.

[0327] The memory 1203 is configured to store computer-executable instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 1201 is configured to control execution of the computer-executable instructions. The processor 1201 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1203, so as to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0328] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the processor 1201 can execute the functions related to processing in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 1204 is responsible for communication with other devices or communication networks, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0329] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the computer-executable instructions can also be referred to as application program codes, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0330] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1201 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 12.

[0331] In a particular implementation, as an example, the communication apparatus 1200 can include multiple processors, such as the processor 1201 and the processor 1207 in FIG. 12. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processor herein can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, and the like computing devices running software, each of which can include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0332] In a particular implementation, as an example, the communication apparatus 1200 can further include an output device 1205 and an input device 1206. The output device 1205 communicates with the processor 1201 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1205 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, and the like. The input device 1206 communicates with the processor 1201 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1206 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensor device, and the like.

[0333] The communication apparatus 1200 described above can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. For example, the communication apparatus 1200 can be the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the fourth access network device, or a device having a similar structure as in FIG. 12. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the communication apparatus 1200.

[0334] In addition, the constituent structure shown in FIG. 12 does not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus 1200 can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements, in addition to the components shown in FIG. 12.

[0335] Optionally, the functions / implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1101 and the processing module 1102 in FIG. 11 can be implemented by invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1203 by the processor 1201 in the communication apparatus 1200 shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the functions / implementation procedures of the processing module 1102 in FIG. 11 can be implemented by invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1203 by the processor 1201 in the communication apparatus 1200 shown in FIG. 12, and the functions / implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1101 in FIG. 11 can be implemented by the communication interface 1204 in the communication apparatus 1200 shown in FIG. 12.

[0336] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method procedures. The processor can be built in a SoC or an ASIC, or be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor further includes a core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, and can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as an FPGA, a programmable logic device (PLD), or a logic circuit for implementing special logic operations.

[0337] When any of the above modules or units is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP chip, an MCU, an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a special digital circuit, a hardware accelerator, or a non-integrated discrete device, which can execute necessary software or be independent of software to perform the above method procedures.

[0338] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system), which comprises a processor configured to implement the method in any of the above method embodiments. In a possible design, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory. The memory is configured to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can invoke the program instructions stored in the memory to instruct the communication apparatus to perform the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory can also not be in the communication apparatus. When the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0339] For example, FIG. 13 shows a structural schematic diagram of a chip system. As shown in FIG. 13, the chip system includes a processor module, a storage module, a power module and a radio frequency / antenna module.

[0340] Among them, the processor module is used for various calculations, in which the CPU is responsible for executing various instructions, including the instructions of application programs, operating systems and other software; the graphic processing unit (GPU) is mainly responsible for graphic processing, but the CPU can also process some graphic tasks, such as rendering of application interfaces; the modem is used for modulating or demodulating signals, so that digital signals can be transmitted in space.

[0341] In the storage module, the RAM is a temporary storage space, used for temporarily storing data in use, for example, if the chip system is in a mobile phone, the RAN can store opened web pages, messages of chat applications, game states, etc. The ROM is a read-only storage space, for example, if the chip system is in a mobile phone, the ROM can store system files, pre-installed application programs and firmware.

[0342] The power module is used to provide voltage and current to other modules to maintain the normal operation of the chip.

[0343] The radio frequency / antenna module is used to amplify signals and radiate them into space, or receive wireless signals in space.

[0344] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation manner thereof.

[0345] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which stores computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation manner thereof.

[0346] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first access network device described in the above method embodiment and the second access network device described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the communication system can further include the terminal device described in the above method embodiment.

[0347] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or data storage device including one or more servers, data centers, etc. integrated with the medium. The available medium can be magnetic medium (such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical medium (such as DVD), or semiconductor medium (such as solid state drive (SSD)) and the like.

[0348] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, it is understood that other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from an inspection of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps not listed in the claims, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims. Means plus function claims are understood not to limit the claims with the means plus function to the preferred embodiments described herein but rather the means plus function are considered to be described by the claims themselves.

[0349] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, it is understood that other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from an inspection of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps not listed in the claims, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims. Means plus function claims are understood not to limit the claims with the means plus function to the preferred embodiments described herein but rather the means plus function are considered to be described by the claims themselves.

[0349] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, it is understood that other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from an inspection of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps not listed in the claims, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims. Means plus function claims are understood not to limit the claims with the means plus function to the preferred embodiments described herein but rather the means plus function are considered to be described by the claims themselves.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending first request information to a second access network device, the first request information being used for requesting first information of a first terminal device, the first information being used for indicating an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device; receiving the first information from the second access network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second information to the second access network device, the second information being used for indicating a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information, or being used for indicating a time point at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending second request information to the second access network device, the second request information comprising third information, the third information being used for indicating at least one data type, and the second request information being used for indicating that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The data type corresponding to the first information of the first terminal device is the same as the at least one data type.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second request information comprises first identification information, the first identification information being used for identifying the at least one data type. The first request information comprises the first identification information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information from the second access network device, the first indication information indicating that the second access network device supports sending data corresponding to the at least one data type, or the first indication information indicating that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information of the first terminal device comprises at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a switching event, or cell coverage configuration; wherein the switching event comprises: the terminal device switching to the second access network device, or the terminal device switching from the second access network device to another access network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving fourth information from the second access network device; the fourth information being used for predicting an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device; determining to switch the first terminal device to the second access network device according to the fourth information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The fourth information comprises at least one of the following: predicted switching event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption growth information of the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-6 or 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fifth information to the second access network device, the fifth information indicating time information of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving sixth information from the second access network device, the sixth information indicating rejection of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-6 or 9-11, characterized in that, The first information of the first terminal device comprises at least one of the following: information of a predicted switching event, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy consumption increase information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy saving policy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; wherein the switching event comprises terminal device switching to the second access network device or terminal device switching from the second access network device to another access network device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first request information is carried in a switching request message used to request the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

14. A communication method, comprising: The method further comprises: receiving first request information from a first access network device, the first request information being used to request first information of a first terminal device; sending the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device, the first information being used to indicate an impact of the first terminal device switching to a second access network device on energy consumption of the second access network device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second information from the first access network device, the second information being used to indicate a time at which the second access network device sends the first information, or being used to indicate a time at which the second access network device sends the first information of the first terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second request information from the first access network device, the second request information comprising third information, the third information being used to indicate at least one data type; the second request information being used to indicate that the second access network device sends data of the at least one data type.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The sending of the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device comprises: sending the first information of the first terminal device to the first access network device according to the second request information and the first request information; wherein the first information of the first terminal device corresponds to the same data type as the at least one data type.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The second request information comprises first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify the at least one data type; The first request information comprises the first identification information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, characterized by, The method further comprises: sending first indication information to the first access network device, the first indication information indicating that the second access network device supports sending data corresponding to the at least one data type, or the first indication information indicating that the second access network device supports sending the first information.

20. The method of any one of claims 14-19, wherein, The first information of the first terminal device comprises at least one of the following: energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, location information of the terminal device, information of a handover event, or cell coverage configuration; wherein the handover event comprises: the terminal device switching to the second access network device, or the terminal device switching from the second access network device to another access network device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-20, characterized by, The method further comprises: sending fourth information to the first access network device; the fourth information is used for predicting an energy consumption impact of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device on the second access network device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The fourth information comprises at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device, predicted energy consumption growth information of the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device.

23. The method of any one of claims 14-19, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving fifth information from the first access network device, the fifth information indicating predicted time information of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14-19 or 23, characterized by, The method further comprises: sending sixth information to the first access network device, the sixth information indicating rejection of the first terminal device switching to the second access network device.

25. The method of any one of claims 14-19, 23, or 24, wherein, The first information of the first terminal device comprises at least one of the following: predicted handover event information, predicted energy consumption information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy consumption growth information of the second access network device after the first terminal device switches to the second access network device, predicted energy saving strategy of the second access network device, or predicted cell coverage configuration of the second access network device; wherein the handover event comprises: the terminal device switching to the second access network device, or the terminal device switching from the second access network device to another access network device.

26. The method of any one of claims 14-25, wherein, The first request information is carried in a handover request message, and the handover request message is used for requesting the first terminal device to switch to the second access network device.

27. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus comprises modules or units for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-26.

28. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus comprises a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used for communicating with devices other than the communication apparatus, and the processor is used for executing instructions stored in a memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 1-26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer program product comprises instructions, when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method of any one of claims 1-26 is executed.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions, when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method of any one of claims 1-26 is executed.

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