Communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

Disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method and a communication device. The method executed by a terminal comprises: sending first information to a network device, the first information being used for indicating whether a terminal supports a first AI functionality. In this way, the application of AI technology in the field of communications is improved to a certain extent.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology, its application areas (such as image recognition, speech processing, and natural language processing) are becoming increasingly widespread. AI technology is not only widely used in education, transportation, home, healthcare, retail, and security, bringing convenience to people's lives, but also promoting industrial upgrading in various sectors. AI technology was also introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 18 (3GPP R18).

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0005] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0006] Send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0007] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0008] The receiving terminal sends first information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0009] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a terminal, the terminal comprising:

[0010] The transceiver module is used to send first information to the network device, the first information being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0011] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a network device, the network device comprising:

[0012] The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by the terminal, the first information being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0013] A fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, which includes one or more processors;

[0014] The device is used to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect or the second aspect above.

[0015] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication system including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect above, and the network device is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect above.

[0016] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect or the second aspect above.

[0017] The solution proposed in this disclosure allows the terminal to send information about its support for AI functionality to the network device, enabling the network device to understand the terminal's AI capabilities. This allows for better deployment and application of AI on the terminal, and performance upgrades in the communication field through AI technology. For example, it maximizes resource utilization, improves computing efficiency, and reduces computing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure will be described below.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0028] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0029] Send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0030] In the above embodiments, the terminal can send information about its support for AI functionality to the network device, so that the network device can understand the terminal's AI capabilities. This allows for better deployment and application of AI on the terminal, enabling performance upgrades in the communication field through AI technology. For example, it can maximize resource utilization, improve computing efficiency, and reduce computing costs.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, second information is sent to the network device, the second information including one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0032] In the above embodiments, the network device receives the second information and then understands the first associated information of the first AI functionality. This not only improves the speed of allocating relevant resources to the first AI functionality, but also determines the partial cell configuration information related to the first AI functionality, thereby enabling better implementation of related operations on the first AI functionality, such as training, updating, inference, and maintenance.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following:

[0034] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0035] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0037] The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal;

[0038] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal is currently located.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, and the second information is not sent to the network device; or, the second information includes a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that at least one of the current serving cell and the current cell group has no associated Associated ID.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the network device can determine based on the first indication that the current serving cell of the terminal or the cell group where the serving cell is located does not have the first association information of the first AI functionality. When it is necessary to perform related operations on the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, it can query the first association information corresponding to other cells.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information also includes the scope of application of the first associated information, the scope of application including at least one of applicable cells and applicable cell groups.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the applicable scope of different association information can be specified to the network device, that is, the applicable cell and cell group. Then, based on the association information corresponding to the applicable cell, related operations can be performed on the first AI functionality of the terminal in that cell.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, an association information table for the first AI functionality is determined, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, different AI models being trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, in response to the terminal's current serving cell being a cell in the association information table, the second information is sent to the network device, the second information including only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0046] In the above embodiments, the terminal can quickly send the first association information of the first AI functionality, as well as the scope of application of the first association information, to the network device based on the association information table.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, in response to the terminal's current serving cell not being a cell in the association information table, the second information is not sent to the network device; or, the second information including a first indication is sent to the network device.

[0048] In some embodiments, if the terminal determines that the current serving cell is not a cell in the association information table, it may not send the second information to save signaling resources; or it may send the first instruction to inform the network device.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, third information is sent to the network device, the third information being used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell ID of the target cell sent by the current serving cell of the terminal is received;

[0051] Based on the cell ID of the target cell, determine the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell;

[0052] A fourth piece of information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The fourth piece of information includes the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell. The fourth piece of information is forwarded by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0053] In the above embodiments, the terminal will switch cells due to movement. In order to support the implementation of the first AI functionality, the support status of the target cell for the first AI functionality and the Associated ID of the target cell can be reported to determine whether the implementation of the first AI functionality can be supported.

[0054] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0055] The receiving terminal sends first information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first artificial intelligence (AI) function.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, second information sent by the terminal is received, the second information including one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following:

[0058] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0059] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0061] The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal;

[0062] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal is currently serving cell.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is received, the second information including a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate at least one unassociated ID in the cell group to which the current serving cell and the serving cell belong.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information also includes the scope of application of the first associated information, the scope of application including at least one of applicable cells and applicable cell groups.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, a first AI functionality association information table is provided, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, different AI models being trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the current serving cell of the terminal is a cell in the association information table, and the second information only includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell is not a cell in the association information table, and the received second information includes a first indication, which is used to indicate that the current serving cell and the cell group to which the serving cell belongs have at least one unassociated ID.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal sends third information, which is used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell ID of the target cell is sent to the terminal;

[0071] The terminal receives a fourth piece of information, which includes an Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell, and sends the fourth piece of information to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0072] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a terminal, which includes a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the transceiver module is used to perform the transceiver operations in the first aspect and the embodiments described in the first aspect; and the processing module is used to perform the determination operations in the first aspect and the embodiments described in the first aspect.

[0073] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a network device, which includes a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the transceiver module is used to perform the transceiver operations in the second aspect and the embodiments described in the second aspect; and the processing module is used to perform the determination operations in the second aspect and the embodiments described in the second aspect.

[0074] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, which includes one or more processors; wherein the communication device is used to execute the first aspect and optional implementations of the first aspect, or to execute the second aspect and optional implementations of the second aspect.

[0075] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system comprising: a terminal and a network device; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and optional implementations thereof, and the network device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and optional implementations thereof.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a terminal, cause the terminal to perform the method described in the first aspect and its optional implementations, and when executed on a network device, cause the network device to perform the method described in the second aspect and its optional implementations.

[0077] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect and its optional implementations, or to perform the method described in the second aspect and its optional implementations.

[0078] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in the first aspect and optional implementations of the first aspect, or to perform the method as described in the second aspect and optional implementations of the second aspect.

[0079] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described according to the first aspect and optional implementations thereof, or configured to perform the method described according to the second aspect and optional implementations thereof.

[0080] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, access network devices, core network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, and communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" can be used interchangeably; the terms "message transmission device" and "information processing device" and "communication device" can be used interchangeably; and the terms "message transmission system" and "information processing system" and "communication system" can be used interchangeably.

[0082] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0083] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0084] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0085] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the aforementioned," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural expression.

[0086] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0089] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0090] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0091] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0092] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0094] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0095] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0096] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," or "fixed station." In some embodiments, it may also be understood as "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," or "bandwidth part (BWP)."

[0097] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," etc.

[0098] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0099] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0100] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0101] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0102] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0104] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0105] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0106] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0107] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0108] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0109] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the aforementioned one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Protocol Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0110] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0111] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0112] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0113] In 3GPP Release 18, a research project on artificial intelligence technology in the radio interface was established in RAN1. The project aims to study how to introduce artificial intelligence technology into the radio interface and explore how artificial intelligence technology can help improve the transmission technology of the radio interface.

[0114] In mobile communication research (e.g., 6G), AI services can be offered in more dimensions, such as AI-enabled connectivity. This means using AI methods to improve communication performance, for example, using AI for beam management.

[0115] Computing power services refer to the network side providing computing power to the terminal side, such as helping the terminal to perform model training and model inference.

[0116] Ultimate AI service refers to enhancing the network transmission pipeline to improve the experience of AI application services.

[0117] The concept of "network additional condition" (NW) was introduced in the discussion. This concept describes information related to network configuration or implementation, such as the downtilt angle and beamwidth of network-side antennas. The terminal needs to understand the NW during data collection and model management to ensure consistency between training and inference data. However, the network does not want to expose specific network-private information to the terminal, hence the concept of "Associated ID." Specifically, the network maps a NW NW to an Associated ID, and the terminal does not know the true physical meaning of a particular Associated ID. The terminal only needs to compare the Associated ID received during training data collection with the Associated ID received during model inference to determine whether the current model is suitable for the network environment.

[0118] Furthermore, for a specific use case, such as AI-based positioning or AI-based beam management, the correspondence between Associated ID and actual NW additional condition depends on the network implementation. In different cells or cell groups, the same Associated ID may correspond to different NW additional conditions. For example, Associated ID #1 in cell 1 might correspond to information related to the transmit beam angle, while in cell 2, Associated ID #2 might represent information related to transmit power.

[0119] In AI / ML use cases, a functionality describes a feature that an endpoint supports. A functionality can contain one or more AI models. The endpoint can report the AI ​​functionality it supports to the network. For example, AI-based spatial beam prediction is one AI functionality, while AI-based temporal beam prediction is another.

[0120] Since an AI model may be associated with a certain Associated ID, a function may also be associated with one or more Associated IDs. Furthermore, Associated IDs also have a scope of validity. So how should function identification be performed in this case?

[0121] In the communication method provided in this disclosure, the terminal can send information about its support for AI functionality to the network device, so that the network device can understand the terminal's AI capabilities and thus better deploy and apply AI on the terminal, achieving performance upgrades in the communication field through AI technology.

[0122] The communication methods, communication equipment, and communication systems provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the communication method involved in this embodiment is executed by a communication system, and the method includes:

[0124] Step S2101: The network device sends the fifth information to the terminal.

[0125] In some embodiments, the network device may send the fifth information to the terminal. Optionally, the terminal may receive the fifth information.

[0126] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to query whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0127] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to determine whether the terminal sends a message that supports the first AI functionality.

[0128] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to obtain whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0129] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth piece of information is not limited, and it may be, for example, “AI functionality query information” or “AI functionality acquisition information”.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality is one or more AI functionalitys among a plurality of AI functionalitys. For example, there may be a set of AI functionality that allows a network device to query whether a terminal supports a particular AI functionality, which is referred to as the first AI functionality.

[0131] In some embodiments, the fifth information may carry identification information of one or more first AI functionalitys to be queried, such as the functionality name, index value, etc.

[0132] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be a bitmap including AI functionality in the AI ​​functionality set, where one or more first AI functionality to be queried takes a first value on the bitmap, such as "1", and AI functionality not to be queried takes a second value on the bitmap, such as "0".

[0133] In step S2102, the terminal sends the first information to the network device.

[0134] In some embodiments, the terminal may send first information to the network device. Optionally, the network device may receive the first information.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first information may indicate that the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first information may indicate that the terminal does not support the first AI functionality.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first information may include a bit or an information field, through which the bit or information field indicates whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0139] In some embodiments, the value of the aforementioned bit or information field is a first value, such as "1", which can indicate that the terminal supports the first AI functionality; alternatively, the value of the aforementioned bit or information field is a second value, such as "0", which can indicate that the terminal does not support the first AI functionality.

[0140] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "indication information", "functionality indication information", etc.

[0141] In step S2103, the network device sends the sixth information to the terminal.

[0142] In some embodiments, the network device may send a sixth message to the terminal; alternatively, the terminal may receive the sixth message.

[0143] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to instruct the terminal to send the second information.

[0144] In some embodiments, the second information may include one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second information may identify one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0146] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to indicate one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal.

[0147] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be an information field or bit in existing information. When the information field or bit has a specific value, it may instruct the terminal to send one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0148] In some embodiments, after obtaining the first information, the network device may, based on the first information, determine that the terminal supports the first AI functionality, and then send the sixth information to the terminal to instruct the terminal to report the second information.

[0149] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "indication information of associated information", "reporting information of associated information", "acquisition information of associated information", etc.

[0150] In step S2104, the terminal sends the second information to the network device.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terminal may send second information to the network device, and optionally, the network device may receive the second information.

[0152] In some embodiments, the second information may include one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second information may identify one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0155] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0156] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality, wherein the Associated ID is mapped to at least part of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model within the first AI functionality.

[0157] In some embodiments, the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model described above may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the configuration of the cell's reference signal (RS), antenna tilt angle, transmit power, and beamwidth. It is understood that the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality may collect and transmit training data based on the cell configuration information during training.

[0158] In some embodiments, in order to ensure the security of cell configuration information, at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the AI ​​model training data can be mapped to Associated ID.

[0159] In some embodiments, different cells may correspond to different Associated IDs.

[0160] In some embodiments, when different cells correspond to the same Associated ID, the same Associated ID#1 can correspond to different configuration information in different cells. For example, cell 1 and cell 2 correspond to the same Associated ID#1. In cell 1, Associated ID#1 can correspond to configuration information related to the transmission beam angle, while in cell 2, Associated ID#1 represents configuration information related to the transmission power.

[0161] In some embodiments, the Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality can be one or more.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0163] The first Associated ID associated with the terminal's current serving cell;

[0164] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

[0165] In other words, the first association information for the first AI functionality may include at least one of the first Associated ID and the second Associated ID.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality may include one or more AI models, which are trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells.

[0167] In some embodiments, different AI models can generate an association information table for a first AI functionality based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells. The association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0168] In some embodiments, the terminal may maintain an association information table, such as adding and deleting associated Associated IDs, as well as the cells and cell groups to which the Associated IDs apply.

[0169] For example, the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality may include two AI models. The first AI model is trained based on training data identified as Associated IDs #1 and #4 in cell #1 and Associated IDs #2 and #5 in cell #2, while the second AI model is trained based on training data identified as Associated IDs #1 and #7 in cell #3 and Associated IDs #2 and #6 in cell #4. Optionally, the Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality can generate an association information table as shown in Table 1 below.

[0170] Table 1

[0171] It is understood that each element in Table 1 exists independently. These elements are listed in the same table as an example, but this does not mean that all elements in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in the table. The value of each element is independent of the values ​​of any other element in Table 1. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the value of each element in Table 1 is an independent embodiment.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality has an association information table, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first association information of the first AI functionality may include the associated ID of the current serving cell of the terminal and / or the cell group to which the serving cell is located, and the associated ID of at least one other cell in the association information table above.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first association information of the first AI functionality may include all the first association information.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality may include the aforementioned associated information table.

[0176] In other words, the second piece of information may include at least one of the following:

[0177] The first associated information of the first AI functionality corresponding to any item in the current serving cell and the group to which the serving cell belongs;

[0178] The association information table of the first AI functionality includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and the cell or cell group corresponding to each Associated ID;

[0179] The first AI functionality's associated information table includes, in addition to the terminal's current serving cell and / or the serving cell's group, at least one other cell and other cell groups' first associated information.

[0180] In some embodiments, when the network device sends the sixth information to the terminal, that is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, it does not need to pay attention to the terminal's current serving cell and current cell group. The terminal can send the Associated ID corresponding to one or more cells in the association information table of the first AI functionality to the network device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second information may further include the scope of application of the first associated information, which includes at least one of the applicable cells and the applicable cell groups.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, and the second information is not sent to the network device.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, and the network device sends second information including a first indication, wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the current serving cell and the serving cell's cell group have at least one unassociated Associated ID.

[0184] In some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell is a cell in the association information table, and the terminal sends second information to the network device. The second information only includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell.

[0185] For example, the related information table in Table 1 above will be used as an example for explanation:

[0186] When the terminal accesses cell#1, the network device sends the sixth piece of information to the terminal. That is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal can report the association information Associated ID#1 and Associated ID#4 corresponding to cell#1.

[0187] When the terminal accesses cell#2, the network device sends the sixth piece of information to the terminal. That is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal can report the association information Associated ID#2 and Associated ID#5 corresponding to cell#2.

[0188] When the terminal accesses cell#3, the network device sends the sixth piece of information to the terminal. That is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal can report the association information Associated ID#1 and Associated ID#7 corresponding to cell#3.

[0189] When the terminal accesses cell#4, the network device sends the sixth piece of information to the terminal. That is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal only reports the association information Associated ID#2 and Associated ID#6 corresponding to cell#4.

[0190] In some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell and / or the cell group where the serving cell is located are grouped in the association information table, and the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0191] For example, taking the association information table in Table 1 above as an example for explanation: When the terminal accesses cell#1, the network device sends the sixth information to the terminal, that is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal can report the association information Associated ID#1 and Associated ID#4 corresponding to cell#1, and Associated ID#2 and Associated ID#5 corresponding to cell#2.

[0192] In some embodiments, if the terminal's current serving cell and / or the cell group where the serving cell is located are not in the association information table, the second information is not sent to the network device.

[0193] In some embodiments, if the terminal's current serving cell and / or the cell group where the serving cell is located is not in the association information table, the terminal sends second information including the first indication to the network device.

[0194] For example, taking the association information table in Table 1 above as an example for explanation: When the terminal accesses cell#5, the network device sends the sixth information to the terminal, that is, when the network device queries the first association information of the first AI functionality supported by the terminal, the terminal does not send the second information or carries the first indication in the second information, which is used to indicate that the current cell or the cell group to which the terminal is located does not have the associated ID of the first AI functionality.

[0195] In step S2105, the terminal sends third information to the network device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the terminal may send third information to the network device; alternatively, the network device may receive third information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality, and / or the first associated information corresponding to the target cell.

[0198] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0199] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate that the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0200] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate that the target cell to which the terminal is to access does not support the first AI functionality.

[0201] In some embodiments, the third information may include a bit or an information field that indicates whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0202] In some embodiments, the value of the bit or information field is a first value, such as "1", which can indicate that the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality; alternatively, the value of the bit or information field is a second value, such as "0", which can indicate that the target cell to which the terminal is to access does not support the first AI functionality.

[0203] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "instruction information", "functionality instruction information", etc.

[0204] In some embodiments, the network device corresponding to the current serving cell of the terminal may send third information to the terminal, requesting the terminal to send the Associated ID corresponding to the target cell, if it is determined that the target cell supports the first AI functionality.

[0205] In some embodiments, when a terminal switches from its current serving cell to a target cell, the network device corresponding to the current serving cell can send the cell ID of the target cell to the terminal. The terminal can then determine the associated ID of the target cell based on the target cell ID. Optionally, the associated ID can be determined by querying the association information table of the first AI functionality based on the target cell ID. Optionally, the associated ID of the cell ID can be one or more.

[0206] In some embodiments, the network device may send a seventh message to the terminal, the seventh message being used to request the terminal to send a third message and / or a fourth message.

[0207] Step S2106: The terminal sends the fourth information to the network device.

[0208] In some embodiments, the terminal sends fourth information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. Optionally, the network device corresponding to the current serving cell can receive the fourth information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell.

[0210] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell.

[0211] In some embodiments, the network device corresponding to the current serving cell can send the fourth information to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0212] For example, taking the association information table in Table 1 above as an example for explanation: When a terminal attempts to switch from cell#1 to cell#2, cell#1 can inform the terminal of the target cell ID cell#2 and request the terminal to send the associated ID related to cell#2. The terminal sends the associated ID#2 and associated ID#5 corresponding to cell#2 to cell#1. Further, cell#1 sends the associated ID#2 and associated ID#5 corresponding to cell#2 to cell#2.

[0213] Optionally, in some embodiments, before step S 2105, the network device may send a seventh message to the terminal, the seventh message being used to request the terminal to send a third message and / or a fourth message.

[0214] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “uplink,” “uplink transmission,” “uplink transmission,” “downlink,” “downlink transmission,” “downlink transmission,” “report,” “send,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0215] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “codebook”, “codeword”, “codepoint”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, and “chip” can be used interchangeably.

[0216] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2106. For example, step S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2101+S2102 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0217] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0218] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method involved in this embodiment is executed by a terminal, and the method includes:

[0219] Step S3101: Send first information to the network device. The first information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0220] In some embodiments, a second message is sent to a network device, the second message including one or more first associated messages of a first AI functionality.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following:

[0222] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0223] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality, wherein the Associated ID is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0225] The first Associated ID associated with the terminal's current serving cell;

[0226] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, and the second information is not sent to the network device.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, and the network device sends second information including a first indication, wherein the first indication is used to indicate that at least one Associated ID is not associated in the current serving cell and the current cell group.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second information may also include the scope of application of first associated information of the first AI functionality, the scope of application including at least one of applicable cells and applicable cell groups.

[0230] In some embodiments, an association information table for a first AI functionality is determined, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, which are trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0232] In some embodiments, in response to the terminal's current serving cell being a cell in the association information table, the second information is sent to the network device, the second information including only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0233] In some embodiments, in response to the terminal's current serving cell and the serving cell's packet not being a cell in the association information table, the second information is not sent to the network device; or, the second information including the first indication is sent to the network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, a third message is sent to the network device, the third message being used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0235] In some embodiments, the receiving terminal receives the cell ID of the target cell from its current serving cell; determines the associated ID of the target cell based on the cell ID of the target cell; and sends fourth information, including the associated ID of the target cell, to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The fourth information is forwarded by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0236] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method involved in this embodiment is executed by a network device, and the method includes:

[0237] Step S4101: Receive first information sent by the terminal. The first information is used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0238] In some embodiments, a second message sent by the terminal is received, the second message including one or more first associated messages of the first AI functionality.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following:

[0240] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0241] The associated ID of the first AI functionality, wherein the associated ID is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0243] The first Associated ID associated with the terminal's current serving cell;

[0244] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

[0245] In some embodiments, second information is received, the second information including a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate at least one unassociated ID in the cell group to which the current serving cell and the serving cell belong.

[0246] In some embodiments, the second information may further include the scope of application of the first associated information, which includes at least one of the applicable cells and the applicable cell groups.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality has an association information table, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, which are trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0249] In some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell is a cell in the association information table, and the second information includes only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0250] In some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell is not a cell in the association information table, and the received second information includes a first indication, which is used to indicate that there is at least one unassociated ID in the current serving cell and the cell group where the terminal is currently located.

[0251] In some embodiments, the receiving terminal sends third information, which is used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0252] In some embodiments, the cell ID of the target cell is sent to the terminal;

[0253] The receiving terminal sends a fourth piece of information, which includes the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell, and sends the fourth piece of information to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0254] The communication method provided in this disclosure will be further described below with reference to the following embodiments.

[0255] In some embodiments, optionally, an information reporting method is applied to the terminal side, wherein the terminal sends first information to the network, the first information indicating the support status of a first AI functionality. The support status includes whether the terminal supports the first AI functionality.

[0256] In some embodiments, the method further includes the terminal sending second information to the network. The second information identifies first association information of the AI ​​functionality. The association information indicates at least a portion of cell configuration information (which may be network information configured for the cell) corresponding to the training data of the model training the first AI functionality. Optionally, the network information corresponding to the cell is mapped to an Associated ID. The association information is the Associated ID associated with the AI ​​functionality.

[0257] In some embodiments, the method further includes, whereby the first associated message information only indicates the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell (also referred to as the cell to which the terminal has currently accessed) or with the cell group to which the current serving cell is located.

[0258] In some embodiments, in response to the first association information of the first AI functionality not having an Associated ID associated with the current serving cell or the current cell group, the terminal does not send the second information or indicates in the second information that the current cell has no associated Associated ID.

[0259] In some embodiments, the method includes, as the second information further includes, the applicable region of the first associated information. The applicable region here includes applicable cells or applicable cell groups.

[0260] In some embodiments, the second information includes multiple first associated information; optionally, the second information includes all the first associated information.

[0261] In some embodiments, for example, if the first AI functionality contains two AI models, the first AI model is trained based on Associated IDs #1 and #4 in cell #1 and Associated IDs #2 and #5 in cell #2, and the second AI model is trained based on Associated IDs #1 and #7 in cell #3 and Associated IDs #2 and #6 in cell #4, then the Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality can be summarized as shown in Table 1 of the above embodiments, which is the association information table of the first AI functionality.

[0262] In some embodiments:

[0263] Regardless of which cell the terminal accesses, when the network queries the terminal's associated information, the terminal reports multiple associated information entries from Table 1 above to the accessing cell.

[0264] In some embodiments:

[0265] When a terminal accesses cell#1, when the network queries the terminal's association information, the terminal only reports the association information corresponding to cell#1: Associated ID#1,#4.

[0266] When a terminal accesses cell#2, when the network queries the terminal's association information, the terminal only reports the association information corresponding to cell#2: Associated ID#2,#5.

[0267] When a terminal accesses cell#3, when the network queries the terminal's associated information, the terminal only reports the associated information corresponding to cell#3: Associated ID#1,#7.

[0268] When a terminal accesses cell#4, when the network queries the terminal's association information, the terminal only reports the association information corresponding to cell#4: Associated ID#2,#6.

[0269] When a terminal accesses cell#5, and the network queries the terminal's associated information, the terminal does not send the second information or at least does not contain the relevant Associated ID in the second information.

[0270] In some embodiments, the method further includes, when the terminal switches from one cell to another target cell, the current cell may request the terminal to report the target cell's support for the first AI functionality and / or first associated information.

[0271] In some embodiments, the specific steps include the terminal receiving the cell ID of the target cell sent by the current cell, and the terminal reporting the Associated ID associated with the cell ID.

[0272] In some embodiments, when a terminal is about to switch from cell #1 to cell #2, cell #1 can inform the terminal of the target cell ID cell #2 and request the terminal to send the associated ID related to cell #2. The terminal sends the associated ID #2, #5 corresponding to cell #2 to cell #1, and cell #1 sends the information to cell #2.

[0273] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0274] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0275] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0276] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A, the terminal 4100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5101, a processing module 5102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send first information to a network device, the first information being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0277] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to send second information to the network device, the second information including one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0279] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0280] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality, wherein the Associated ID is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0282] The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal;

[0283] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

[0284] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to not send the second information to the network device if the first associated information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID; or, the second information includes a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that at least one of the current serving cell and the current cell group has no associated Associated ID.

[0285] In some embodiments, the second information may further include the scope of application of the first associated information, the scope of application including at least one of applicable cells and applicable cell groups.

[0286] The aforementioned processing module is used to determine the association information table of the first AI functionality, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, different AI models being trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0288] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to, in response to the terminal's current serving cell being a cell in the association information table, send the second information to the network device, wherein the second information includes only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, send the second information including the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0289] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to, in response to the fact that the current serving cell of the terminal is not a cell in the association information table, not send the second information to the network device; or, send the second information including the first indication to the network device.

[0290] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to send third information to the network device, the third information being used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0291] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to receive the cell ID of the target cell sent by the current serving cell of the terminal; determine the associated ID of the target cell based on the cell ID of the target cell; and send fourth information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, the fourth information including the associated ID of the target cell, the fourth information being forwarded by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0292] Optionally, the transceiver module described above is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0293] Optionally, the above processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0294] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0295] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, the network device 5200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5201, a processing module 5202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by a terminal, the first information being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

[0296] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to receive second information sent by the terminal, the second information including one or more first associated information of the first AI functionality.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following:

[0298] At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality;

[0299] The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following:

[0301] The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal;

[0302] The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

[0303] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to receive the second information, the second information including a first indication, the first indication being configured to indicate at least one unassociated Associated ID in the current serving cell and the cell group to which the serving cell is located.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second information may further include the scope of application of the first associated information, the scope of application including at least one of applicable cells and applicable cell groups.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes an association information table, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, different AI models being trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

[0307] In some embodiments, the terminal's current serving cell is a cell in the association information table, and the second information includes only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

[0308] In some embodiments, if the current serving cell of the terminal is not a cell in the association information table, the received second information includes a first indication, which is used to indicate that at least one of the current serving cell and the current cell group has no associated ID.

[0309] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to receive third information sent by the terminal, the third information being used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

[0310] The aforementioned transceiver module is further configured to send the cell ID of the target cell to the terminal; receive fourth information sent by the terminal, the fourth information including the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell; and send the fourth information to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0311] Optionally, the transceiver module described above is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0312] Optionally, the above processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0313] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0314] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0315] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0316] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100.

[0317] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceivers 6103 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0318] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0319] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102, and the interface circuit 6104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the instructions to the processor 6101.

[0320] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0321] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0322] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0323] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, the interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and the interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive signals from memory 6203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 6202 can be used to send signals to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6202 can read instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the instructions to processor 6201.

[0324] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 6201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0325] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0326] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200.

[0327] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 6100, cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0328] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 6100, causes the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0329] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0330] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0331] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0332] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0333] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal, includes: Send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first artificial intelligence (AI) function.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send a second message to the network device, the second message including one or more first associated messages of the first AI functionality.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following: At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality; The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality is mapped to at least a portion of the cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following: The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal; The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first association information does not include either the first Associated ID or the second Associated ID, the second information is not sent to the network device; or, the second information includes a first indication, which indicates that at least one of the current serving cell and the cell group to which the serving cell is located does not have the Associated ID.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information also includes the scope of application of the first associated information, which includes at least one of the applicable cells and the applicable cell groups.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the association information table of the first AI functionality, wherein the association information table includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, and different AI models are trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the terminal's current serving cell being a cell in the association information table, the second information is sent to the network device, the second information including only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the fact that the current serving cell of the terminal is not a cell in the association information table, the second information is not sent to the network device; or, the second information including the first indication is sent to the network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third information is sent to the network device, which indicates whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the cell ID of the target cell sent by the current serving cell of the terminal; Based on the cell ID of the target cell, determine the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell; A fourth piece of information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The fourth piece of information includes the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell. The fourth piece of information is forwarded by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: The receiving terminal sends first information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal supports a first AI functionality.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method further comprises: The terminal sends a second message, which includes one or more first associated messages of the first AI functionality.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first associated information of the first AI functionality is at least one of the following: At least some cell configuration information corresponding to the training data of the AI ​​model used to implement the first AI functionality; The Associated ID associated with the first AI functionality, the Associated ID being used to implement the first AI The training data of the AI ​​model for the functionality is mapped to at least some of the cell configuration information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first associated information of the first AI functionality includes at least one of the following: The first Associated ID associated with the current serving cell of the terminal; The second Associated ID associated with the cell group where the terminal's current serving cell is located.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second information is received, the second information including a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that at least one of the current serving cell and the cell group to which the serving cell belongs does not have the Associated ID.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The second information also includes the scope of application of the first associated information, which includes at least one of the applicable cells and the applicable cell groups.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that, The association information table of the first AI functionality includes one or more Associated IDs associated with the first AI functionality and at least one of the cells and cell groups to which each Associated ID is applicable.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first AI functionality includes one or more AI models, and different AI models are trained based on one or more Associated IDs associated with different cells in the association information table.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The terminal's current serving cell is a cell in the association information table, and the second information includes only the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell; or, the second information includes the Associated ID associated with the current serving cell and the Associated ID associated with at least one other cell in the association information table.

22. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The terminal's current serving cell is not a cell in the association information table. The received second information includes a first indication, which indicates that at least one of the current serving cell and the current cell group does not have the Associated ID.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13-22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal sends third information, which is used to indicate whether the target cell to which the terminal is to access supports the first AI functionality.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the cell ID of the target cell to the terminal; The terminal sends a fourth piece of information, which includes the Associated ID associated with the cell ID of the target cell. The fourth information is sent to the network device corresponding to the target cell.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1-12 and 13-24.

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