Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a related apparatus. The method comprises: acquiring first information, the first information being used for instructing a terminal device to leave a first coverage interval at a first moment; and starting to execute a cell selection process at the first moment. The embodiments of the present application can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411746355.5, filed on November 28, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, when terminal devices enter weak coverage scenarios (such as underground parking garages, tunnels, and overpasses), they continuously perform a cell selection process (which can be understood as a continuous network search) to try to find available cells. Because the signal quality of the terminal device's service area and neighboring cells deteriorates in weak coverage scenarios, the cell selection process performed by the terminal device not only struggles to find available cells but also increases the terminal device's power consumption, resulting in wasted power. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can save power consumption of terminal devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0006] Obtain first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first moment;

[0007] The cell selection process begins immediately.

[0008] When the above method is applied to a terminal device, the terminal device can start executing the cell selection process at the first moment after leaving the first coverage area, avoiding the execution of the cell selection process within the first coverage area, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0009] In one alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0010] The signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0011] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​the terminal device does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0012] The terminal device could not find an available cell or a suitable cell in any area, path, or time interval; or

[0013] The terminal device is located in an area, path, or time interval where there is no serving cell.

[0014] In another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0015] Between the second time point and the first time point, no cell selection process is performed, where the second time point is the time when the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0016] Considering that even if the terminal device performs the cell selection process within the first coverage area (i.e., between the second moment and the first moment), it is difficult to find an available or suitable cell, the terminal device in the above method avoids performing the cell selection process within the first coverage area, and instead starts performing the cell selection process at the first moment after leaving the first coverage area, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0017] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0018] Radio link failure (RLF) was detected before the first moment.

[0019] In yet another alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0020] The terminal device enters the first coverage area at the second moment; or

[0021] Candidate cell information for the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells after the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0022] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0023] Send a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate updating the first time and / or the second time.

[0024] In the above method, the terminal device can instruct a network device (such as a base station) to update the first information to avoid unnecessary service interruption.

[0025] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0026] Historical mobile data of the terminal device; or

[0027] Signal quality in the service area of ​​the terminal equipment; or

[0028] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0029] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine when a terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0030] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0031] Send the first message.

[0032] In the above method, the terminal device can send first information to a network device (such as a base station), which is beneficial for the network device to further manage the terminal device based on the first information. For example, the scheduling of the terminal device can be stopped from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0033] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0034] Receive second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, the preset time advance is used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the time of sending the first information and the second time, and the second time is the time when the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0035] In the above method, the terminal device can receive the second information sent by a network device (such as a base station), which is beneficial for the terminal device to send the first information to the network device in advance before entering the first coverage area. This allows the network device to perform further management on the terminal device in a timely manner based on the first information. For example, it can manage schedulable resources in a timely manner and stop scheduling for the terminal device from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0036] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0037] Obtain first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time;

[0038] Stop detecting Radio Link Failure (RLF) between the second and first time points.

[0039] When the above method is applied to a terminal device, the terminal device can stop detecting RLF between the second time and the first time to avoid performing the cell selection process in the first coverage area, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0040] In one alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0041] The signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0042] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​the terminal device does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0043] The terminal device could not find an available cell or a suitable cell in any area, path, or time interval; or

[0044] The terminal device is located in an area, path, or time interval where there is no serving cell.

[0045] In another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0046] Measurements of the first cell begin at the third time point, where the third time point is determined based on the first time point. The first cell is the service area of ​​the terminal at the fourth time point, which is determined based on the second time point.

[0047] In the above method, the terminal device can determine whether it is still in the service area (i.e., the first cell) it was in before entering the first coverage area after leaving the first coverage area, so as to facilitate the subsequent execution of the synchronization process of the first cell and quickly restore the connection with the first cell.

[0048] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0049] If the signal quality of the first cell meets the preset threshold, the synchronization process of the first cell is executed.

[0050] In the above method, if the terminal device is still in the service area (i.e., the first cell) it was in before entering the first coverage area after leaving the first coverage area, it can quickly restore the connection with the first cell after performing the synchronization process of the first cell.

[0051] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0052] A second instruction is sent to the network equipment in the first cell, wherein the second instruction is used to instruct the terminal equipment to restore the connection.

[0053] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0054] If the signal quality of the first cell does not meet the preset threshold, the cell selection process is executed.

[0055] In the above method, if the terminal device leaves the service area (i.e., the first cell) it was in before entering the first coverage area after leaving the first coverage area, it can perform a cell selection process to find an available cell.

[0056] In yet another alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0057] The terminal device enters the first coverage area at the second moment; or

[0058] Candidate cell information for the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells after the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0059] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0060] Send a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate updating the first time and / or the second time.

[0061] In the above method, the terminal device can instruct a network device (such as a base station) to update the first information to avoid unnecessary service interruption.

[0062] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0063] Historical mobile data of the terminal device; or

[0064] Signal quality in the service area of ​​the terminal equipment; or

[0065] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0066] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine when a terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0067] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0068] Send the first message.

[0069] In the above method, the terminal device can send first information to a network device (such as a base station), which is beneficial for the network device to further manage the terminal device based on the first information. For example, it can manage schedulable resources in a timely manner and stop scheduling for the terminal device from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0070] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0071] Receive second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, the preset time advance is used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the time of sending the first information and the second time, and the second time is the time when the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0072] In the above method, the terminal device can receive the second information sent by a network device (such as a base station), which is beneficial for the terminal device to send the first information to the network device in advance before entering the first coverage area, so that the network device can perform further management on the terminal device in a timely manner based on the first information. For example, the scheduling of the terminal device can be stopped from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0073] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0074] Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time;

[0075] Downlink DL scheduling will cease at the second time step.

[0076] When the above method is applied to a network device (such as a base station), the network device can receive the first information sent by the terminal device, which is beneficial for the network device to further manage the terminal device based on the first information. For example, the scheduling of the terminal device can be stopped from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0077] In one alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0078] The terminal device leaves the first coverage area at the first moment; or

[0079] Candidate cell information for the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells after the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0080] In another alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0081] The signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0082] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​the terminal device does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0083] The terminal device could not find an available cell or a suitable cell in any area, path, or time interval; or

[0084] The terminal device is located in an area, path, or time interval where there is no serving cell.

[0085] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0086] Receive a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate updating a first time and / or a second time.

[0087] In the above method, a network device (such as a base station) can receive a first instruction sent by a terminal device to update the first information and avoid unnecessary service interruption.

[0088] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0089] Historical mobile data of the terminal device; or

[0090] Signal quality in the service area of ​​the terminal equipment; or

[0091] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0092] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine when a terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0093] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0094] Send a second message, wherein the second message includes a preset time advance, which is used to indicate the minimum time interval between the moment when the terminal device sends the first message and the second moment, and the second moment is the moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0095] In the above method, a network device (such as a base station) can send second information to a terminal device. This is beneficial for the terminal device to send the first information to the network device in advance before entering the first coverage area, so that the network device can perform further management on the terminal device in a timely manner based on the first information. For example, it can manage schedulable resources in a timely manner and stop scheduling for the terminal device from the second moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area, thereby saving wireless resources.

[0096] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0097] Obtain first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time;

[0098] At the fifth moment, an attempt is made to connect to the first PLMN, where the fifth moment is determined based on the first moment, and the first PLMN is the PLMN that the terminal device connected to before the second moment.

[0099] When the above method is applied to terminal devices, the terminal devices can attempt to access the first PLMN at the first moment after leaving the first coverage area. This not only saves the power consumption of the terminal devices, but also avoids network loss caused by blocking the PLMN for too long, which is conducive to the terminal devices quickly accessing the network.

[0100] In one alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0101] At the sixth moment, attempts to connect to the first PLMN ceased, where the sixth moment was earlier than the fifth moment.

[0102] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a device or functional module in a terminal device, including a module for performing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect;

[0103] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0104] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect;

[0105] Alternatively, the communication device includes a processor for performing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0106] Alternatively, the communication device includes a processor for performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0107] Alternatively, the communication device includes a processor for performing the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0108] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a network device or a device or functional module in a network device, including a module for performing the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0109] Alternatively, the communication device includes a processor for performing the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0110] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes logic circuitry and an interface coupled together; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, wherein:

[0111] The logic circuit is used to execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect;

[0112] Alternatively, the logic circuit is used to execute the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect of the method;

[0113] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to execute the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0114] Alternatively, the logic circuit may be used to execute the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0115] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device, wherein:

[0116] The terminal device is used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the network device is used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0117] Alternatively, the terminal device may be used to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the network device may be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0118] Alternatively, the terminal device may be used to perform the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the network device may be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0119] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein:

[0120] When the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect;

[0121] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect;

[0122] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0123] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it may be able to implement the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0124] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising instructions, wherein:

[0125] When this instruction is executed on the processor, it is capable of performing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0126] Alternatively, when the instruction is executed on the processor, it is capable of performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0127] Alternatively, when the instruction is executed on the processor, it can perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0128] Alternatively, when the instruction is run on the processor, it can perform the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0129] The beneficial effects of the apparatus or product provided by any possible implementation of the fifth to tenth aspects of this application can be referred to the first to fourth aspects, as well as the beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided by any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0130] The accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0131] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between signal quality and time according to an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of cell selection provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0135] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0136] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a time-domain prediction method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0137] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a frequency domain prediction method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0138] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0140] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0141] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0142] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0143] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a PLMN access provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0144] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0145] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0146] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0147] For ease of understanding, the following examples illustrate some concepts related to the embodiments of this application for reference. As follows:

[0148] 1. Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection: An RRC connection is a control plane connection between a terminal and a base station in a mobile communication system. It is mainly used to transmit higher-layer signaling messages, such as connection establishment, reconfiguration, handover, and connection release.

[0149] 2. RRC Connection Status: An RRC connection has been established between the terminal and the base station, enabling data transmission and signaling interaction. The terminal can receive and send user data, participate in cell handover and reconfiguration operations. The base station can perform more precise control and management of the terminal.

[0150] 3. RRC Connectivity-Free State: The terminal is in an idle state. It can monitor the broadcast channel and receive system messages, but cannot transmit data. The terminal can independently select a cell and initiate an RRC connection request to the base station when needed.

[0151] 4. Radio Link Failure (RLF): RLF refers to an unreliable or lost communication link between the terminal and the base station. Various events in wireless communication can trigger RLF, including random access problems, reaching the maximum retransmission count, a sudden decrease in signal strength, excessive interference, sudden obstacles in the radio path, or handover failure. The specific trigger is identified and determined based on the measurement results of signal quality-related parameters. For example, the physical layer monitors the radio link quality and assesses whether the triggering conditions for a "loss of synchronization" indication are met. If the physical layer detects that the triggering conditions for a "loss of synchronization" indication are met, it sends the indication to the upper layer (e.g., RRC). When the RRC layer receives N consecutive "loss of synchronization" indications, it starts a timer. If the RRC layer receives M consecutive "synchronization" indications from the physical layer during the timer's operation, it stops the timer. Otherwise, when the timer expires, the terminal considers an RLF detected.

[0152] The above descriptions of technical terms may be used in the embodiments below.

[0153] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0154] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0155] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, or new radio (NR) systems, etc.

[0156] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and business scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0157] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN device (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN devices, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). CN 200 includes at least one CN device 210.

[0158] Terminal device 120 is connected to RAN device 110 wirelessly, for example, via air interface technology (such as NR or LTE). RAN device 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. CN device 210 in CN 200 and RAN device 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0159] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0160] RAN equipment 110 forms part of the communication system, used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. RAN equipment can also be called RAN nodes, RAN network elements, RAN entities, access nodes, etc. Multiple RAN equipment 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN equipment 110 and terminal equipment 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal equipment 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN equipment 110 and terminal equipment 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication equipment. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication equipment with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication equipment with terminal device functions.

[0161] In one optional implementation, the RAN device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN device can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN device can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN device may also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. The RAN device in this application may also be a logic device, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN device functions.

[0162] In one alternative implementation, multiple RAN devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each RAN device implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the RAN devices can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0163] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0164] Terminal device 120 can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal device 120 can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal device. Terminal devices typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. Terminal devices can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0165] The CN device 210 in CN 200 can implement one or more of the following network functions: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), Binding Support Function (BSF), and Application Function (AF). CN devices can also be referred to as CN nodes, CN network elements, or CN entities.

[0166] Currently, when a terminal device enters a weak coverage scenario (such as an underground parking garage, tunnel, or overpass), it continuously performs a cell selection process (which can be understood as a continuous network search) to attempt to find an available cell. Optionally, a "weak coverage scenario" can be understood as a scenario where the signal quality of the terminal device's serving cell does not meet a preset signal quality threshold. Optionally, a "weak coverage scenario" can be understood as a scenario where the signal quality of neighboring cells in the terminal device's serving cell does not meet a preset signal quality threshold. Optionally, a "weak coverage scenario" can be understood as a scenario where the terminal device cannot find an available cell or a suitable cell. Optionally, a "weak coverage scenario" can be understood as a scenario where the terminal device has no serving cell (i.e., no coverage). In other words, a weak coverage scenario can include or be replaced by a no-coverage scenario.

[0167] In one optional implementation, the terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) connection state before entering a weak coverage scenario. For example, please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Before entering a weak coverage scenario, the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with a first base station. After entering the weak coverage scenario, the signal quality of the terminal device's service area (i.e., the cell covered by the first base station) deteriorates, and the terminal device detects a radio link failure (RLF) (step S201), thereby triggering an RRC reconstruction process. After triggering the RRC reconstruction process, the terminal device initializes the network configuration (step S202), executes a cell selection process (step S203), and sends a message requesting the reconstruction of the RRC connection to the second base station corresponding to the cell selected in the cell selection process (step S204).

[0168] Optionally, when initializing network configuration, the terminal device may perform at least the following operations:

[0169] 1. If the timer is running, stop the timer (e.g., T310, T312, T304, T311, etc.);

[0170] 2. Reset the medium access control (MAC) layer;

[0171] 3. Release the configuration of special cells (SpCell), where SpCell includes primary cells (PCell) and primary secondary cells (PSCell);

[0172] 4. Suspend all resource blocks (RBs);

[0173] 5. If a secondary cell (SCell) is configured in the master cell group (MCG), then release the SCell in the MCG;

[0174] 6. If multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) is configured, release MR-DC.

[0175] However, during cell selection, the terminal device measures or evaluates the signal quality of the serving area and neighboring cells, identifying cells with signal quality meeting preset thresholds as available or suitable cells. However, due to the deteriorating signal quality of the terminal device's serving area and / or neighboring cells in weak coverage scenarios (as shown in Figure 3A), the terminal device typically struggles to find an available cell before leaving the weak coverage scenario, thus preventing service transmission and ultimately causing service interruptions or even network loss. For example, as shown in Figure 3B, if the terminal device enters a weak coverage scenario at time T1 and leaves at time T2, it detects an RLF (Recurrent Leakage Fault) between time T1 and time T2 and continuously performs the cell selection process. It typically finds an available cell and completes RRC (Recurrent Reduction) reconstruction only after time T2. Therefore, within the weak coverage area, the terminal device experiences service interruptions.

[0176] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC disconnected state before entering a weak coverage scenario, and the terminal device will also perform a cell selection process after entering the weak coverage scenario. Similarly, before leaving the weak coverage scenario, the terminal device usually has difficulty finding an available cell, which results in power consumption for the terminal device.

[0177] Understandably, in weak coverage scenarios, the cell selection process performed by the terminal device not only makes it difficult to find an available cell, but also increases the power consumption of the terminal device, resulting in wasted power.

[0178] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and related apparatus that can save power consumption of terminal devices.

[0179] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0180] Step S401: The terminal device obtains the first information.

[0181] The first information is used to characterize the terminal device leaving the first coverage area at a first moment. Optionally, the first coverage area can be a region, path, or time interval where the signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet a preset signal quality threshold. Optionally, the first coverage area can be a region, path, or time interval where the signal quality of a neighboring cell of the terminal device's service area does not meet a preset signal quality threshold. Optionally, the first coverage area can be a region, path, or time interval where the terminal device cannot find an available cell or a suitable cell. Optionally, the first coverage area can be a region, path, or time interval where the terminal device has no serving cell. The embodiments of this application do not strictly limit the term "first coverage area." It should be noted that the first coverage area can also be called a "weak coverage area," and the first information can also be called a "black hole event" or "black hole information," etc.

[0182] It is understandable that the first moment can be the moment when the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0183] Optionally, the first information can also be used to characterize the terminal device entering the first coverage area at a second time. It is understood that the second time can be the moment the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0184] Optionally, the first information can also be used to characterize the candidate cell information of the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells after the terminal device leaves the first coverage area. The candidate cell can be understood as a cell that the terminal device may access after leaving the first coverage area, or the candidate cell can be understood as a cell that the terminal device may access at a second time, or the candidate cell can be understood as an available cell of the terminal device at a second time.

[0185] The terminal device may obtain the first information in the following ways:

[0186] Method 1: The terminal device determines / predicts the first piece of information. Alternatively, this can be understood as the terminal device determining / predicting the time when it enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0187] In one optional implementation, the terminal device can predict the first information based on one or more of the following: the terminal device's historical mobility data, the signal quality of the terminal device's service area, the signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area, and a preset signal quality threshold. The signal quality of the service area or neighboring cells can be indicators such as the reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), packet loss rate, or block loss rate of the service area or neighboring cells, or it may also include indicators such as the terminal device's service experience. The preset signal quality threshold is used to determine whether the terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area. The preset signal quality threshold can be a default threshold or a threshold set according to actual conditions. For example, the preset signal quality threshold can be sent from the network device to the terminal device; this embodiment does not strictly limit this. For example, when the signal quality of the terminal device's service area and / or neighboring cells is lower than or equal to a certain threshold, the terminal device enters the first coverage area; when the signal quality of the terminal device's service area and / or neighboring cells is higher than or equal to a certain threshold, the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0188] In this application embodiment, "network device" is a communication device that can transmit or receive signals and help terminal devices achieve wireless access. It can be understood that the network device can be the RAN device (such as a base station) in the system shown in Figure 1.

[0189] When predicting the first piece of information, artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be used. One or more of the following can be used as input to the AI ​​model: historical mobility data of the terminal device, signal quality of the terminal device's service area, signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area, and a preset signal quality threshold. The first piece of information is then obtained based on the output of the AI ​​model. Prediction methods can include time-domain prediction and / or frequency-domain prediction. For example, as shown in Figure 5A, time-domain prediction can predict the measurement results of a cell at a future time based on the actual measurement results of that cell; as shown in Figure 5B, frequency-domain prediction can predict the measurement results of cell B at another frequency point 2 based on the measurement results of cell A at frequency point 1. The measurement results can be cell-level or beam-level measurements.

[0190] For example, the historical mobility data of a terminal device may include one or more of the following: the cell the terminal device previously camped in, the signal quality of the serving cell at that time, a record of a link failure at that time, a record of the serving cell's signal quality being below a threshold at that time, or a record of a serving cell not being found at that time. Here, "previous time" can be the time before the terminal device acquired the first information, such as X milliseconds before the time the terminal device acquired the first information, or X days before, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Another example is that the historical mobility data of the terminal device includes its historical mobility path. If this historical mobility path is regular and reflects that the terminal device traverses a fixed path (such as a path through an underground parking garage, tunnel, or overpass) at the same time each day, then this path can be used as the area associated with the first coverage area, thereby predicting the first time the terminal device leaves the first coverage area and the second time it enters the first coverage area.

[0191] For example, the historical mobility data of the terminal device may also include the terminal device switching from the original service area to the second cell after passing through the path at the same time every day. In this case, the second cell can be predicted as a candidate cell for the terminal device after leaving the first coverage area.

[0192] For example, time-domain prediction can be performed based on the signal quality of the service area and / or neighboring cells at the current moment of the terminal device to predict the signal quality of the service area and / or neighboring cells at future moments. When the signal quality of the service area and / or neighboring cells at the predicted first future moment begins to fail to meet a preset signal quality threshold, it is determined that the terminal device begins to enter the first coverage area at that first future moment. When the signal quality of the service area and / or neighboring cells at the predicted second future moment begins to meet the preset signal quality threshold, it is determined that the terminal device begins to leave the first coverage area at that second future moment, thereby determining the first moment and the second moment.

[0193] For example, if it is determined that the signal quality of the current service area of ​​the terminal device and / or the signal quality of the neighboring cells gradually deteriorates over a certain period of time, then the time period during which the terminal device is in the first coverage area is predicted based on that time period, thereby determining the first moment and the second moment.

[0194] The above are all exemplary descriptions of "how a terminal device predicts first information". Prediction can be made based on a single example or a combination of multiple examples. This application does not strictly limit this.

[0195] After determining / predicting the first information, the terminal device can send the first information to the first network device, facilitating further management of the terminal device by the first network device based on the first information. For example, upon receiving the first information, the first network device can begin to stop downlink scheduling and / or begin to stop uplink scheduling for the terminal device at a second time, thereby avoiding waste of radio resources. It is understood that the first network device is the network device that establishes a connection with the terminal device before the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0196] Optionally, before the terminal device sends the first information to the first network device, the first network device may also send a second information to the terminal device. The second information includes a preset time advance, which indicates the minimum time interval between the time of sending the first information and the second time interval. For example, if the preset time advance is Y milliseconds, then after predicting the first information, the terminal device can send the first information to the network device Y milliseconds before the second time interval, where Y is a value greater than zero. By setting a preset time advance, the terminal can avoid reporting the first information to the network device very close to the second time interval. At this point, the network device will no longer be able to adjust its scheduling resources based on the first information reported by the terminal device, thus avoiding meaningless reporting and wasting wireless resources.

[0197] Method 2: The terminal device receives the first information sent from the network device.

[0198] Network devices can predict the first information. A network device can be the first network device to establish a connection with a terminal device before the terminal device enters the first coverage area, or it can be other communication devices that establish a connection with the terminal device. That is to say, "the terminal device obtains the first information" can be understood as the terminal device obtaining the first information itself, or it can receive the first information sent by the network device. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified below, the connection established between the terminal and the network device can be understood as an RRC connection.

[0199] In one optional implementation, the first network device can predict the first information based on one or more of the following: historical mobility data of the terminal device, signal quality of the terminal device's service area, signal quality of neighboring cells of the service area, and a preset signal quality threshold. Specifically, the historical mobility data of the terminal device can be sent from the terminal device to the network device. The first network device can measure the signal quality of the terminal device's service area. The signal quality of neighboring cells can be sent to the first network device by another network device corresponding to the neighboring cell. The preset signal quality threshold can be a default threshold in the first network device, or a threshold set according to actual conditions.

[0200] For explanations regarding "signal quality" and "preset signal threshold," please refer to the explanations of "signal quality" and "preset signal threshold" in Method 1, respectively; they will not be repeated here. For an exemplary explanation of "how the network device predicts the first information," please also refer to the exemplary explanation of "how the terminal device predicts the first information" in Method 1. That is, the logic for predicting the first information by the network device and the terminal device can be consistent; they will not be repeated here.

[0201] After predicting the first information, the network device sends the first information to the terminal device, facilitating the terminal device to execute step S402. Optionally, after predicting the first information, the network device can further manage the terminal device. For example, after predicting the first information, the network device can promptly manage schedulable resources, and at a second time, stop downlink scheduling for the terminal device and / or start stopping uplink scheduling for the terminal device, etc.

[0202] Understandably, terminal devices or network devices can obtain first information through prediction rather than actual measurement. On the one hand, this can reduce measurement overhead, such as the power consumption overhead of the terminal device performing the measurement, or the wireless resources of the network device transmitting reference signals. On the other hand, it is beneficial for the terminal device and / or network device to obtain the first information in advance and then perform subsequent operations, thereby saving terminal power consumption.

[0203] Step S402: The terminal device begins the cell selection process at the first moment.

[0204] It is understandable that while the terminal device is within the first coverage area, a Radio Link Failure (RLF) may be triggered due to poor signal quality of the serving cell. For example, the terminal device may detect an RLF before leaving the first coverage area, i.e., before the first moment.

[0205] In one alternative implementation, after the terminal device enters the first coverage area at the second time, the terminal device detects an RLF before the first time and does not perform a cell selection process before the first time. Alternatively, it can be understood that after detecting an RLF, the terminal device does not perform a cell selection process until the first time.

[0206] Optionally, between the second and first time points, after detecting an RLF, the terminal device may execute the initial network configuration process during the RRC reconstruction process, but not the cell selection process. Alternatively, after detecting an RLF, the terminal device may not execute part or all of the initial network configuration process and the cell selection process during the RRC reconstruction process. For explanations of the "RRC reconstruction process" and "initial network configuration," please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the embodiment shown in Figure 2; they will not be repeated here.

[0207] Optionally, during the period from the second time point to the first time point, after the terminal device detects an RLF, it does not perform the RRC reconstruction process. Alternatively, it can be understood that after the terminal device detects an RLF, it does not perform the RRC reconstruction process until the first time point.

[0208] It is understandable that the terminal device delays the execution time of the cell selection process after detecting RLF.

[0209] Furthermore, the terminal device begins the cell selection process at the first moment. During this process, the terminal device measures the signal quality of the first cell and its neighboring cells, selecting cells whose signal quality meets a preset threshold as available cells. The first cell is the terminal device's service area at the fourth moment, which is determined based on the second moment. For example, the fourth moment is Z milliseconds earlier than the second moment, where Z is a value greater than zero. It can be understood that the first cell is the service area where the terminal device was located before entering the first coverage area. For ease of description, the available cell selected by the terminal device through the cell selection process will be referred to as the "second cell" below.

[0210] Next, the terminal device sends a first request message to the second network device corresponding to the second cell. The first request message is used to request connection reconstruction (or RRC connection establishment). For example, the first request message may be an RRC reconstruction request message or an RRC establishment request message. Optionally, after receiving the first request message, the second network device sends RRC configuration information to the terminal device, which includes various channel configuration parameters. For example, this RRC configuration information may be carried in an RRC reconstruction message or an RRC establishment message. After the terminal device reconstructs or establishes a connection with the second network device based on the network configuration information, it sends an RRC response message to the second network device. This RRC response message is used to indicate that the connection reconstruction or establishment has been completed. For example, this RRC response message may be an RRC reconstruction completion message or an RRC establishment completion message.

[0211] Optionally, the second cell can be the first cell or a neighboring cell of the first cell. It is understood that when the second cell is the first cell, the second network device is the first network device.

[0212] In an optional implementation, as described in step S401, the first information can also be used to characterize the candidate cell information of the terminal device. The terminal device can then send a reconfiguration completion message to the network device corresponding to the candidate cell (for ease of description, the "network device corresponding to the candidate cell" will be referred to as the candidate network device below) after the first moment. This reconfiguration completion message is used to instruct the terminal device to complete the connection process with the candidate network device.

[0213] In one optional implementation, the terminal device may send a first instruction to the network device, the first instruction being used to update the first information. For example, if the terminal device determines that the original first information has changed, it can change the values ​​of the first time and / or the second time using the first instruction. "Update the first time and / or the second time" can mean changing the values ​​of the first time and / or the second time, or it can mean canceling the first time and / or the second time. As another example, if the terminal device determines that the first coverage area no longer exists, it can instruct the network device to release / discard the first information using the first instruction.

[0214] Optionally, if the terminal device does not detect an RLF after the second time step, it can be determined that the original first information has been changed. The terminal device can cancel the first and second time steps and will not execute step S402. That is to say, the terminal device can cancel the original first information.

[0215] Optionally, if the terminal device re-predicts new first information before the second time interval, and the time of leaving the first coverage area in the new first information is different from the first time interval in the original first information, and / or the time of entering the first coverage area in the new first information is different from the second time interval in the initial first information, then it can be determined that the original first information has changed. The terminal device can change the values ​​of the first time interval and / or the second time interval in the original first information, that is, replace the original first information with the new first information.

[0216] Furthermore, as described in step S401, after predicting the first information, the terminal device can send the first information to the first network device, facilitating further management of the terminal device by the first network device based on the first information. In an optional implementation, if the terminal device determines that the original first information has changed after predicting the first information, it can send a first instruction to the first network device, which instructs the first network device to update the first time and / or the second time.

[0217] Optionally, if the terminal device does not detect an RLF after the second time period, it can send a first indication to the first network device. Upon receiving the first indication, the first network device cancels both the first and second time periods and cancels any previous management operations performed on the terminal device. For example, the first network device can resume downlink scheduling for the terminal device after receiving the first indication. It is understood that in this case, the terminal device may need to send a message to the first network device after the second time period, and the first network device will not stop uplink scheduling for the terminal device after receiving the original first information in the second time period.

[0218] Optionally, if the terminal device re-predicts the new first information before the second time point, it can send a first instruction to the first network device. Upon receiving the first instruction, the first network device modifies the values ​​of the first time point and / or the second time point in the original first information and further manages the terminal device based on the new first information. For example, after receiving the first instruction, the first network device can stop downlink scheduling for the terminal device at the start of the new second time point.

[0219] In one optional implementation, after the terminal device obtains the first information and enters the first coverage area at a second time, it releases the RRC connection. That is, step S401 is replaced by: the terminal device obtains the first information and releases the RRC connection at a second time.

[0220] Optionally, the terminal device performs the action of entering the RRC idle state. It is understood that the terminal device will not perform the cell selection process before the first moment. That is, the terminal device may also choose not to perform the cell selection process between the second moment and the first moment, but instead begin performing the cell selection process at the first moment.

[0221] Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal device begins the cell selection process the moment it leaves the first coverage area, avoiding the need to perform the cell selection process within the first coverage area, thus saving power consumption. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can report the first information to the network device, allowing the network device to stop scheduling for the terminal device the moment it enters the first coverage area, saving radio resources. Additionally, this embodiment can update the first information if it changes, avoiding unnecessary service interruptions.

[0222] The embodiments shown in Figure 4 above may involve various information interactions between terminal devices and network devices. For ease of understanding, the embodiments shown in Figure 4 will be further explained below. For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0223] Step S601: The terminal device predicts the first information.

[0224] Step S602: The terminal device sends the first information to the first network device.

[0225] Step S603: The terminal device triggers RLF before the first moment.

[0226] Step S604: The first network device stops downlink scheduling for the terminal device at the second moment.

[0227] Step S605: The terminal device begins the cell selection process at the first moment.

[0228] Step S606: The terminal device sends a first request message to the second network device.

[0229] It should be noted that the operations, technical terms, and technical logic involved in steps S601 to S606 can be referred to the relevant descriptions of steps S401 to S402 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here. This application embodiment does not limit the order of steps S603 and S604. Steps S601, S602, and S604 can be optional steps, and this application does not limit them. The beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 can be referred to the beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0230] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0231] Step S701: The terminal device obtains the first information.

[0232] The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time. For an explanation of step S701, please refer to the explanation of step S401 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4; it will not be repeated here.

[0233] Step S702: The terminal device performs the cell selection process according to a preset cycle between the second time and the first time.

[0234] Understandably, while the terminal device is within the first coverage area, a radio link failure may be triggered due to poor signal quality of the serving cell. For example, the terminal device may detect a radio link failure before leaving the first coverage area, i.e., before the first moment.

[0235] After the terminal device enters the first coverage area at the second time point, it detects the RLF before the first time point and performs the cell selection process according to a preset period between the second time point and the first time point. Alternatively, it can be understood that the terminal device performs the cell selection process according to a preset period after detecting the RLF until the first time point.

[0236] In one possible implementation, the preset period is predefined. For example, the preset period is M milliseconds, and the terminal device performs serving area and / or neighbor cell measurements according to the M millisecond period. It is understood that the preset periods for serving areas and different neighbor cells can be different. As another example, the terminal device performs serving area and / or neighbor cell measurements at a period N times the original measurement period for the serving area and / or neighbor cells. In this case, the preset period includes the original measurement period and periods that are multiples of the original measurement period. Performing serving area and / or neighbor cell measurements can be replaced by performing a cell selection process. Here, M is a positive value, and N is a positive integer.

[0237] In another possible implementation, the preset period can be related to the prediction accuracy (or confidence level) of the first information. For example, the higher the prediction accuracy (or the higher the confidence level), the larger the preset period can be; conversely, the lower the prediction accuracy (or the lower the confidence level), the smaller the preset period can be. Here, prediction accuracy (or confidence level) can be understood as an evaluation index of the difference between the predicted result and the actual result. It is understandable that the terminal device can dynamically adjust the measurement period of the service area and / or neighboring cells based on the prediction accuracy before the first moment.

[0238] The prediction accuracy (or confidence level) can be obtained by the device executing the prediction of the first information based on historical prediction data. Referring to step S401 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the device executing the prediction of the first information can be a terminal device or a first network device.

[0239] Therefore, the terminal device in this application embodiment can increase the execution cycle of the cell selection process from the second time to the first time. This not only avoids frequent measurement of cell signal quality within the first coverage area, which helps save the power consumption of the terminal device, but also allows simultaneous detection of the signal quality of the service area and / or neighboring cells, avoiding unnecessary network loss due to inaccurate prediction of the first information.

[0240] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0241] Step S801: The terminal device obtains the first information.

[0242] The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time. For an explanation of step S801, please refer to the explanation of step S401 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4; it will not be repeated here.

[0243] Step S802: The terminal device stops detecting Radio Link Failure (RLF) between the second time point and the first time point.

[0244] After obtaining the first information, the terminal device will stop detecting the RLF between the second and first time points. It is understood that if the terminal device stops detecting the RLF, it will not perform the cell selection process between the second and first time points. For an explanation of "detecting the RLF," please refer to the description of the corresponding concepts in the embodiments of this application; it will not be repeated here.

[0245] Furthermore, the terminal device will begin measuring the first cell at the third time point. The first cell is the service area of ​​the terminal device at the fourth time point, which is determined based on the second time point. For example, the fourth time point can be V milliseconds earlier / later than the second time point, or it can be equal to the second time point. It is understood that the first cell is the service area where the terminal device was located before entering the first coverage area. The third time point is determined based on the first time point; for example, the third time point can be U milliseconds earlier / later than the third time point, or it can be equal to the third time point. Here, V and U are both positive values. It is understood that the terminal device can measure the first cell after leaving the first coverage area.

[0246] In one optional implementation, if the signal quality of the first cell meets a preset signal quality threshold, the terminal device continues its connection with the first cell. For example, if the signal quality of the first cell meets the preset signal quality threshold, the terminal device determines that it has not left its original service area (i.e., the first cell). The terminal device may send a second instruction to the first network device corresponding to the first cell. The second instruction is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain, continue, or restore its connection with the first cell. Optionally, the terminal device may perform a synchronization process for the first cell before sending the second instruction. Optionally, the synchronization process for the first cell includes a downlink synchronization process. Optionally, the synchronization process for the first cell may also include an uplink synchronization process.

[0247] In one optional implementation, if the signal quality of the first cell does not meet a preset signal quality threshold, the terminal device performs a cell selection process. Optionally, the terminal device releases the RRC connection and enters the RRC idle state. This can be understood as the terminal device having left its original service area. Therefore, the terminal device performs the cell selection process and sends a first request message to the second network device corresponding to the second cell selected by the cell selection process. For an explanation of the "first request message," the "cell selection process," and the interaction process between the terminal and the second cell, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0248] In one optional implementation, if the terminal device determines that the original first information has changed after predicting the first information, it can change the values ​​at the first time point and / or the second time point. For a detailed explanation of this optional implementation, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0249] In an optional implementation, if the terminal device determines that the original first information has changed after predicting the first information, it can send a first instruction to the first network device. This first instruction is used to instruct the first network device to update the first time and / or the second time. For a detailed explanation of this optional implementation, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] Therefore, the terminal device in this embodiment can stop detecting RLF between the second and first moments to avoid performing the cell selection process within the first coverage area, thereby saving power consumption. Furthermore, if the terminal device in this embodiment remains in the service area (i.e., the first cell) it was in before entering the first coverage area after leaving it, it can quickly restore connection with the first cell, for example, by only needing to perform the synchronization process of the first cell. In addition, the terminal device in this embodiment can report the first information to the network device, which allows the network device to stop scheduling for the terminal device at the second moment after it enters the first coverage area, thereby saving radio resources. This embodiment can also update the first information promptly if it changes, avoiding unnecessary service interruptions.

[0251] The embodiments shown in Figure 8 above may involve various information interactions between terminal devices and network devices. For ease of understanding, the embodiments shown in Figure 8 below will be further explained. For example, please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or it can be implemented based on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0252] Step S901: The terminal device predicts the first information.

[0253] Step S902: The terminal device sends the first information to the first network device.

[0254] Step S903: The first network device stops downlink scheduling for the terminal device at the second moment.

[0255] Step S904: The terminal device stops detecting Radio Link Failure (RLF) between the second time point and the first time point.

[0256] Step S905: The terminal device begins measuring the first cell at the third moment.

[0257] Step S906: The terminal device determines whether the signal quality of the first cell meets the preset signal threshold.

[0258] Step S907: If the signal quality of the first cell meets the preset signal threshold, the terminal device performs the synchronization process of the first cell.

[0259] Step S908: The terminal device sends a second instruction to the first network device.

[0260] Step S909: If the signal quality of the first cell does not meet the preset signal threshold, the terminal device performs the cell selection process.

[0261] Step S910: The terminal device sends a first request message to the second network device.

[0262] It should be noted that the operations, technical terms, and technical logic involved in steps S901 to S910 can be referred to the relevant descriptions of steps S801 to S802 in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, and will not be repeated here. Steps S901, S902, S903, S908, and S910 are all optional steps, and this application does not impose any limitations. The beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 9 can be referred to the beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] Furthermore, currently, terminal devices periodically or event-triggeredly perform registration processes (including initial registration and mobility registration) with the core network. If a terminal device attempts to send registration requests to the core network equipment a preset number of times (e.g., 5 times), it will stop attempting to access its local public land mobile network (PLMN) for a certain period of time, or attempt to find another PLMN within that period of time, or downgrade its network standard (e.g., from 5G to 4G) within a default period of time. In other words, the terminal device will no longer attempt to access its local PLMN (hereinafter referred to as a blocked PLMN) for a certain period of time.

[0264] This duration can be the default duration of a timer. For example, if the terminal device attempts to send a registration request to the core network 5 times, the timer will be triggered (e.g., T3502, default duration 12 minutes). This duration can also be the duration configured by the core network equipment (e.g., AMF equipment), or the default preset duration can be the duration configured by the terminal device (e.g., the duration configured in the terminal device's SIM card).

[0265] When a terminal device is in a weak coverage scenario, it has difficulty successfully sending a registration request to the core network through the access network, and it also has difficulty successfully receiving the response message sent by the core network in response to the registration request. Therefore, the registration requests sent by the terminal device to the core network device can easily reach a preset number, thereby triggering the blocking of the PLMN it was in before entering the weak coverage scenario for a certain period of time. When this certain period of time is much longer than the time the terminal device was in the weak coverage scenario, the terminal device cannot access the original PLMN for a period of time after leaving the weak coverage scenario, and may even need to perform some other operations (such as trying to find other PLMNs, or downgrading the standard (e.g., from 5G to 4G). This not only wastes the power consumption of the terminal device, but also causes network loss due to the prolonged blocking of the PLMN.

[0266] Based on this, this application provides another communication method. Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided by this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, or it can be implemented based on other architectures. This method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0267] Step S1001: The terminal device obtains the first information.

[0268] The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time. For an explanation of step S1001, please refer to the explanation of step S401 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4; it will not be repeated here.

[0269] Step S1002: The terminal device attempts to access the first PLMN at the fifth moment.

[0270] After obtaining the first information, the terminal device stops attempting to connect to the first PLMN at the sixth time, and after a preset time, resumes attempting to connect to the first PLMN at the fifth time. The sixth time is earlier than the fifth time. The first PLMN is the PLMN that the terminal device connected to before the second time.

[0271] It is understandable that the terminal device will decide to block the first PLMN at the sixth moment. For example, if the terminal device has sent a preset number of registration requests to the core network device before the sixth moment, then the terminal device will stop trying to access the first PLMN at the sixth moment.

[0272] The fifth moment is determined by the first moment, that is, the preset duration (i.e. the duration from the sixth moment to the fifth moment) is related to the first information.

[0273] Optionally, the preset duration can be the time from the sixth time point to the first time point, that is, the fifth time point can be the first time point. For example, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of PLMN access provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the terminal device predicts at the seventh time point T7 that the terminal device will enter the first coverage area at the second time point T2 and leave the first coverage area at the first time point T1. The terminal device stops attempting to access the first PLMN at the sixth time point T6, and after the preset duration, starts attempting to access the first PLMN again at the first time point T1.

[0274] Understandably, if the terminal device is not configured with a preset duration, then as mentioned earlier, after the terminal device stops attempting to connect to the first PLMN at time 6 (T6), it will need to wait a certain amount of time before it starts attempting to connect to the first PLMN again at time 8 (T8). With a relatively long default duration, time 8 (T8) will be later than time 1 (T1), which could easily lead to network loss due to prolonged PLMN blocking.

[0275] Optionally, the preset duration can be determined based on one or more of the following: the duration from the sixth time point to the first time point (hereinafter referred to as "first duration"), the default duration of the timer, the duration configured by the core network equipment (hereinafter referred to as "second duration"), and the duration configured by the terminal equipment (hereinafter referred to as "third duration"). For example, the preset duration can be the minimum duration among the above durations. That is to say, the preset duration can be expressed as: Preset duration = min{first duration, default duration, second duration, third duration}

[0276] Therefore, it can be seen that the terminal device in this application embodiment can attempt to access the first PLMN at the first moment after leaving the first coverage area. This not only saves the power consumption of the terminal device but also avoids network loss caused by prolonged PLMN blocking, which is beneficial for the terminal device to quickly access the network. In the embodiments provided above, the method provided by the embodiments of this application is described using the execution of terminal devices and network devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions in the method provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the network device.

[0277] The following describes the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0278] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 140 includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402. The transceiver module 1402 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1401 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 1402 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0279] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1402 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the transmitting end can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The processing module 1401 is used to perform the processing-related operations performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1401 can perform the corresponding operations by calling a computer program or by performing the corresponding operations through corresponding hardware circuits. The transceiver module 1402 can perform transceiver operations independently or under the control of the processing module 1401.

[0280] For example, the communication device 140 shown in FIG12 can be a terminal device or a device in a terminal device in the above method embodiment. The processing module 1401 and the transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can respectively perform the following operations:

[0281] The transceiver module 1402 is used to acquire first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the communication device 140 to leave the first coverage area at a first moment;

[0282] The processing module 1401 is used to start the cell selection process at the first moment.

[0283] In one alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0284] The signal quality of the service area of ​​communication device 140 does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0285] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​communication device 140 does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0286] Communication device 140 cannot find an area, path, or time interval where an available cell or suitable cell is not found; or

[0287] The communication device 140 has no area, path, or time interval for serving cells.

[0288] In another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is also used for:

[0289] Between the second time point and the first time point, no cell selection process is performed, where the second time point is the time when the communication device 140 enters the first coverage area.

[0290] In yet another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is also used for:

[0291] Radio link failure (RLF) was detected before the first moment.

[0292] In yet another alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0293] Communication device 140 enters the first coverage area at the second moment; or

[0294] The candidate cell information of the communication device 140, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells of the communication device 140 after leaving the first coverage area.

[0295] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0296] Send a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate updating the first time and / or the second time.

[0297] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0298] Historical mobile data of communication device 140; or

[0299] Signal quality of the service area of ​​communication device 140; or

[0300] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0301] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine whether the communication device 140 enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0302] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to send the first information.

[0303] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to receive second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, which is used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the time of sending the first information and the second time, and the second time is the time when the communication device 140 enters the first coverage area.

[0304] Reusing Figure 12, in some other embodiments of this application, for example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 12 can be a terminal device or a device in a terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1401 and the transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can respectively perform the following operations:

[0305] The transceiver module 1402 is used to acquire first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time.

[0306] The processing module 1401 is used to stop detecting Radio Link Failure (RLF) between the second time point and the first time point.

[0307] In one alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0308] The signal quality of the service area of ​​communication device 140 does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0309] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​communication device 140 does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0310] Communication device 140 cannot find an area, path, or time interval where an available cell or suitable cell is not found; or

[0311] The communication device 140 has no area, path, or time interval for serving cells.

[0312] In another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is further configured to start measuring the first cell at a third time, wherein the third time is determined based on the first time, the first cell is the service area of ​​the terminal at a fourth time, and the fourth time is determined based on the second time.

[0313] In another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is further configured to perform the synchronization process of the first cell when the signal quality of the first cell meets a preset threshold.

[0314] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to send a second instruction to the network equipment of the first cell, wherein the second instruction is configured to instruct the communication device 140 to restore the connection.

[0315] In another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is further configured to perform a cell selection process if the signal quality of the first cell does not meet a preset threshold.

[0316] In yet another alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0317] Communication device 140 enters the first coverage area at the second moment; or

[0318] The candidate cell information of the communication device 140, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells of the communication device 140 after leaving the first coverage area.

[0319] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to send a first indication, wherein the first indication is configured to indicate an update of a first time and / or a second time.

[0320] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0321] Historical mobile data of communication device 140; or

[0322] Signal quality of the service area of ​​communication device 140; or

[0323] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0324] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine whether the communication device 140 enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0325] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to send the first information.

[0326] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to receive second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, which is used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the time of sending the first information and the second time, and the second time is the time when the communication device 140 enters the first coverage area.

[0327] Reusing Figure 12, in some other embodiments of this application, for example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 12 can be a terminal device or a device in a terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1401 and the transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can respectively perform the following operations:

[0328] The transceiver module 1402 is used to acquire first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time, and to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first time.

[0329] The processing module 1401 is used to attempt to access the first PLMN at the fifth time, wherein the fifth time is determined according to the first time, and the first PLMN is the PLMN that the terminal device accessed before the second time.

[0330] In an alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is further configured to stop attempting to access the first PLMN at a sixth time, wherein the sixth time is earlier than the fifth time.

[0331] Reusing Figure 12, in some other embodiments of this application, for example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 12 can be a network device or a component in a network device in the method embodiments described above. The processing module 1401 and the transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can respectively perform the following operations:

[0332] The transceiver module 1402 is used to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time.

[0333] Processing module 1401 is used to stop downlink DL scheduling at the second moment.

[0334] In one alternative implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0335] The terminal device leaves the first coverage area at the first moment; or

[0336] Candidate cell information for the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells after the terminal device leaves the first coverage area.

[0337] In another alternative implementation, the first coverage interval satisfies one or more of the following:

[0338] The signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0339] The signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area of ​​the terminal device does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the area, path, or time interval; or

[0340] The terminal device could not find an available cell or a suitable cell in any area, path, or time interval; or

[0341] The terminal device is located in an area, path, or time interval where there is no serving cell.

[0342] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to receive a first indication, wherein the first indication is configured to indicate updating a first time and / or a second time.

[0343] In another alternative implementation, the first information is determined based on one or more of the following:

[0344] Historical mobile data of the terminal device; or

[0345] Signal quality in the service area of ​​the terminal equipment; or

[0346] Signal quality of neighboring cells in the service area; or

[0347] A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine when a terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area.

[0348] In another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to send second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, the preset time advance being used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the moment when the terminal device sends the first information and the second moment, and the second moment being the moment when the terminal device enters the first coverage area.

[0349] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module 1402 and the processing module 1401 shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module 1402 and the processing module 1401, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0350] The communication device according to the embodiments of this application has been described above. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. Any product possessing the functions of the communication device described in FIG12 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0351] The following description is merely an example and does not limit the product form of the communication device in the embodiments of this application to this.

[0352] In one possible implementation, in the communication device 140 shown in FIG12, the processing module 1401 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1402 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1402 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0353] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 150 includes one or more processors 1502 and transceivers 1501. Exemplarily, the transceiver 1501 is used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in Figure 12, and the processor 1502 is used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in Figure 12. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1502 and transceiver 1501 can be found in Figure 12 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0354] The descriptions of the relevant steps and information in the above embodiments can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments above, and will not be detailed here.

[0355] In various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 13, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0356] Optionally, the communication device 150 may further include one or more memories 1503 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1503 is coupled to the processor 1502. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1502 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1503. The processor 1502 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1503. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0357] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1501, processor 1502, and memory 1503. In Figure 13, the memory 1503, processor 1502, and transceiver 1501 are connected via a bus 1504, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be classified as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 13, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0358] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0359] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0360] Processor 1502 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. Memory 1503 is primarily used for storing software programs and data. Transceiver 1501 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0361] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1502 can read the software program in the memory 1503, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1502 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1502. The processor 1502 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0362] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0363] The communication device shown in this application embodiment may also have more components than those in Figure 13, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above.

[0364] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG12, the processing module 1401 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1402 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1402 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG14, the communication device 160 shown in FIG14 includes a logic circuit 1601 and an interface 1602. That is, the above-mentioned processing module 1401 can be implemented with logic circuit 1601, and the transceiver module 1402 can be implemented with interface 1602. Among them, the logic circuit 1601 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1602 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, FIG14 illustrates the above-mentioned communication device as a chip, which includes logic circuit 1601 and interface 1602.

[0365] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1601 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in FIG. 12, and the interface 1602 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in FIG. 12. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1601 and the interface 1602, please refer to FIG. 13 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0366] The above description of the communication device is only an example. For a detailed description of the communication device shown in Figure 14, please refer to the above method embodiment or Figure 12 or Figure 13. It will not be described in detail here.

[0367] The communication device shown in the embodiments of this application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0368] The descriptions of relevant steps and information in the above embodiments can be found in the method embodiments described above, and will not be detailed here. For the specific implementation methods of the embodiments shown in Figure 14, please also refer to the above embodiments, which will not be detailed here.

[0369] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device interact with each other. The first communication device is used to perform all or part of the operations of the terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments, and the second communication device is used to perform all or part of the operations of the base station in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0370] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various computing resource management devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0371] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various computing resource management devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0372] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0373] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0374] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0375] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0376] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0377] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0378] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application is for distinguishing multiple objects, and is not for limiting the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects, such as first information and first instruction.

[0379] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application 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 application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to leave the first coverage area at a first moment; The cell selection process begins at the first moment. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first coverage area satisfies one or more of the following: The signal quality of the terminal device's service area does not meet the preset signal quality threshold in the specified region, path, or time interval; or The area, path, or time interval in which the signal quality of the neighboring cells of the service area of ​​the terminal device does not meet the preset signal quality threshold; or The terminal device cannot find an available cell or a suitable cell in any area, path, or time interval; or The terminal device does not have a serving cell in any area, path, or time interval. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The cell selection process is not performed between the second time point and the first time point, wherein the second time point is the time when the terminal device enters the first coverage area. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: A radio link failure (RLF) was detected before the first moment. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first request message is sent to the cell selected in the cell selection process, wherein the first request message is used to request the re-establishment of the connection. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The terminal device enters the first coverage area at a second moment; or The candidate cell information of the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells of the terminal device after leaving the first coverage area. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate updating the first time and / or the second time. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first information is determined based on one or more of the following: The historical mobile data of the terminal device; or The signal quality of the service area of ​​the terminal device; or The signal quality of the neighboring cells of the service area; or A preset signal quality threshold is used to determine whether the terminal device enters and / or leaves the first coverage area. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first message. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, wherein the second information includes a preset time advance, the preset time advance being used to indicate the minimum value of the time interval between the time when the first information was sent and the second time, the second time being the time when the terminal device enters the first coverage area. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the first coverage area at a second time; Downlink DL scheduling stops at the second time point. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The terminal device leaves the first coverage area at a first moment; or The candidate cell information of the terminal device, wherein the candidate cell information is used to indicate the candidate cells of the terminal device after leaving the first coverage area. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-12; or, the communication device includes a processor configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-12. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes logic circuitry and an interface, the interface being used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuitry being used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-12. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed on a processor, perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-12.

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