Communication method, communication device, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a storage medium, and a program product. The method comprises: a first network device sends a first message to a second network device, the first message being used for requesting collection of data used for performing model training and / or performance monitoring on an artificial intelligence (AI) model. A first network device sends a first message to a second network device, and the second network device collects data, so as to perform model training and / or performance monitoring on an AI model, thereby achieving the objective of improving data collection efficiency.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, communication devices, storage media, and program products. Background Technology

[0002] The continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in fields such as intelligent voice and computer vision has not only brought a wide variety of applications to smart terminals, but also found widespread use in education, transportation, home, healthcare, retail, security, and many other sectors. While bringing convenience to people's lives, it is also promoting industrial upgrading across various industries. AI technology is also accelerating its cross-disciplinary integration with other disciplines, providing new directions and methods for the development of different fields while simultaneously consolidating knowledge from various fields. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, storage medium, and program product that can be used in the field of communication technology.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a first network device, comprising: sending a first message to a second network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a second network device, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being for requesting the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model; and / or sending a second message to a third network device, the second message being for subscribing to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an AI model.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, performed by a third network device, comprising: receiving a second message sent by a second network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a core network device, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, which are respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, and configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, and to implement the methods described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium is provided that stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, when the program and at least one of the instructions are executed by a communication device, they implement the communication method described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0011] According to the communication method proposed in this disclosure, data for model training and / or performance monitoring of AI models by the first network device is collected through a second network device, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 1B is the AI ​​functional architecture diagram;

[0015] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of artificial intelligence model training;

[0016] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4A is an interactive schematic diagram of Embodiment 1;

[0021] Figure 4B is an interactive schematic diagram of Embodiment 2;

[0022] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 5D is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, communication equipment, storage medium, and program product.

[0029] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first network device, comprising: sending a first message to a second network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0030] In the above embodiments, the first message sent by the first network device is used by the second network device to collect data for the first network device to perform model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information: information indicating the purpose or use of data collection; information indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with data collection; information indicating the area where data collection is performed; information indicating that configuration is required for data collection; and information indicating the data content to be collected.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: receiving a first response message sent by a second network device, the first response message indicating whether the second network device accepts the first message; receiving an uplink positioning signal sent by a first terminal, the first terminal being determined by the second network device or a third network device; measuring the uplink positioning signal to determine measurement information of the first terminal for determining the terminal's location; sending the measurement information to a third network device; receiving actual location information of the first terminal sent by the third network device; and performing model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model based on the measurement information and / or the actual location information.

[0033] In the above embodiments, a first message is sent from the first network device to the second network device to request data collection, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0034] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a second network device, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model; and / or sending a second message to a third network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an AI model.

[0035] In the above embodiments, the second network device may collect data based on the request of the first network device and / or subscribe to data from the third network device in order to improve the efficiency of data collection.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message and / or the second message includes at least one of the following information: information for indicating the identifier of the first network device; information for indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information for indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information for indicating the area where the data collection is performed; information for indicating the configuration required for the data collection; and information for indicating the data content to be collected.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: in response to the first message, determining a first terminal based on at least one of terminal positioning capability, terminal location, terminal subscription information, and terminal type, wherein the first terminal is used for data collection.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the second network device can determine the terminal collecting data based on the first message in order to collect data and improve the efficiency of data collection.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the first terminal includes any one of the following: determining a terminal in an area as the first terminal based on the terminal location, wherein the area is the area indicated by the first message; determining the first terminal based on the subscription information of the second terminal obtained from the fourth network device, wherein the subscription information is used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data; determining a terminal whose terminal type is a Location Reference Unit (PRU) as the first terminal; determining a terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal location, wherein the TRP is the TRP indicated by the first message; determining a terminal within a preset range of the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal location; or determining a terminal with terminal positioning capability as the first terminal.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the second network device can select a terminal to determine the terminal for collecting data, thereby improving data collection efficiency.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: receiving a second response message sent by a third network device, the second response message indicating whether the third network device accepts the second message; sending a third message to at least one third network device, the third message requesting the actual location information of the first terminal; receiving a third response message sent by the third network device, the third response message indicating whether the third network device accepts the third message; and sending a first response message to the first network device, the first response message indicating whether the second network device accepts the first message.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following: information for indicating the identifier of the first network device; information for indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information for indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information for indicating the area where the data collection is performed; information for indicating the configuration required for the data collection; and information for indicating the data content to be collected.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the second network device collects data based on the first message sent by the first network device, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0044] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a third network device, comprising: receiving a second message sent by a second network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the third network device can collect data based on the subscription of the second network device, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following information: information for indicating the identifier of the first network device; information for indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information for indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information for indicating the area where the data collection is performed; information for indicating the configuration required for the data collection; and information for indicating the data content to be collected.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: in response to the second message, determining a first terminal based on at least one of terminal positioning capability, terminal location, terminal subscription information, and terminal type, wherein the first terminal is used for data collection.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, determining a first terminal includes any one of the following: sending a first query request to a fifth network device according to the area indicated by the second message, the first query request being used to query at least one second network device corresponding to the area; sending a second query request to at least one second network device, the second query request being used to query terminals that support data collection and positioning functions; determining a terminal that supports data collection and positioning functions as a first terminal; determining a first terminal based on the subscription information of a second terminal obtained from a fourth network device, the subscription information being used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data; determining a terminal whose terminal type is a Location Reference Unit (PRU) as a first terminal; determining a terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP as a first terminal according to the terminal location, the TRP being the TRP indicated by the first message; determining a terminal within a preset range of the TRP as a first terminal according to the terminal location; determining a terminal with terminal positioning capabilities as a first terminal.

[0049] In the above embodiments, the third network device can improve data collection efficiency by identifying the first terminal so that the first terminal can collect data.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: receiving a third message sent by a second network device, the third message being used to request the actual location information of the first terminal; in response to the third message, performing a positioning process to determine the actual location information of the first terminal; in response to the third message, configuring the first terminal to send an uplink positioning signal to the first network device, so that the first network device measures the uplink positioning signal and determines measurement information for the first terminal; receiving the measurement information sent by the first network device; and sending the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following: information for indicating the identifier of the first network device; information for indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information for indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information for indicating the area where the data collection is performed; information for indicating the configuration required for the data collection; and information for indicating the data content to be collected.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the third network device can determine the terminal and collect data based on the second message sent by the second network device, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0053] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a core network device, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0054] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first network device, including a transceiver module, for sending a first message to a second network device, the first message being for requesting the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second network device, including a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model; and / or send a second message to a third network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an AI model.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a third network device, including a transceiver module, for receiving a second message sent by a second network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0057] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a core network device, including a transceiver module, for receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being for requesting the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0058] Ninth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, including: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including: a first network device, a second network device, a third network device, and a core network device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure; the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the second aspect of this disclosure; and the third network device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the third aspect of this disclosure.

[0060] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of this disclosure.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0062] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0063] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects above.

[0064] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] This disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" can be used interchangeably.

[0066] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0067] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0068] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0069] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0070] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0071] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0073] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0074] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0075] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0076] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0078] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0079] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0080] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0081] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0082] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0083] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0084] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0085] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0086] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0087] The method proposed in this disclosure is applicable to various communication systems, including but not limited to 4G, 5G, 5G-advance and subsequent communication technologies (such as 6G).

[0088] The following are the communication terms used in this disclosure:

[0089] 1. TA, Time Alignment.

[0090] 2. CU, Central Unit.

[0091] 3. DU, Distributed Unit.

[0092] 4. SRS, Sounding Reference Signal.

[0093] 5. AMF, Access Management Function.

[0094] 6. LMF, Location Management Function.

[0095] 7. AI, Artificial Intelligence.

[0096] 8. CU, Central Unit.

[0097] 9. DU, Distributed Unit.

[0098] 10. F1AP, F1 Application Proposal, F1 Application Protocol.

[0099] 11. NRPPa, NR Positioning Protocol A.

[0100] 12. UDM: Unified Data Management; In the 5G core network, the NF functionalities related to user data include UDM, AUSF, PCR, and UDR. 1) UDM: Unified Data Management, responsible for managing user identifiers, subscription data, authentication data, and user service element registration management (e.g., the AMF and SMF currently providing services to the terminal; if a user switches their accessed AMF, UDM will also send a deregistration message to the old AMF, requesting the old AMF to delete the user's relevant information). 2) AUSF: Authentication Server Function, AUSF receives requests from the AMF (access and mobility management function) to authenticate the UE, requests a key from UDM, and then forwards the key issued by UDM to the AMF for authentication processing. 3) PCF: Policy Control Function, supports a unified policy framework to manage network behavior, provides policy rules to network entities for implementation, and accesses subscription information from the Unified Data Repository (UDR). 4) UDR: Unified Data Repository, used by UDM to store or retrieve subscription data and PCF to store or retrieve policy data.

[0101] 13. NRF: Network Repository Function, responsible for registering network function services, monitoring their status, etc., to achieve automated management, selection and expansion of network function services, and to allow each network function to discover services provided by other network functions.

[0102] 14. TRP: Transmission and Receiving Point. Multi-TRP is one of the wireless communication technologies.

[0103] 15. PRU: Positioning Reference Unit.

[0104] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a first network device 101, a second network device 102, and a third network device 103.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may send a first message.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may receive an uplink positioning signal.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 can measure the uplink positioning signal to determine the measurement location information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may send measurement location information.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may receive actual location information.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 can perform model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may be an intermediate node. An intermediate node includes at least one of a terminal, repeater, repeater, integrated access, and backhaul IAB node.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may be a base station, an auxiliary node, etc.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first network device may be NG-RAN.

[0115] In some embodiments, the name of the first network device 101 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for sending a first message", "device for AI model training and / or performance monitoring", "device for measuring terminal location information", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may receive the first message.

[0117] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may send a second message.

[0118] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may identify the first terminal.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may send a third message.

[0120] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be an AMF.

[0121] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be an intermediate node or an auxiliary node.

[0122] In some embodiments, the name of the second network device 102 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device receiving the first message", "device sending the second message", "device determining the first terminal", "device sending the third message", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0123] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may receive the second message.

[0124] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may identify the first terminal.

[0125] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may receive a third message.

[0126] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 can be configured to send an uplink positioning signal to the first network device.

[0127] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may receive the measured location information of the terminal.

[0128] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may send the actual location information of the terminal.

[0129] In some embodiments, the third network device 103 may be an LMF.

[0130] In some embodiments, the name of the third network device 103 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for receiving a second message", "device for receiving a third message", "device for determining a first terminal", "device for configuring a terminal to send an uplink positioning signal", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0131] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes at least one first terminal, a fourth network device, and a fifth network device. The fourth network device may be a UDM, and the fifth network device may be an NRF.

[0132] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes core network equipment, which includes a second network device, a third network device, a fourth network device, and a fifth network device.

[0133] In some embodiments, the terminal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0134] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0135] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0136] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0137] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may be a single device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0138] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0139] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0140] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0141] Applications of wireless AI include: AI-based CSI enhancement; AI-based beam management; and AI-based positioning. The AI ​​functionality architecture, as shown in Figure 1B, includes functions such as data collection, model management, model training, and model inference. Specifically, for AI-based positioning, there are five deployment methods:

[0142] 1. Direct positioning of artificial intelligence / machine learning:

[0143] Case 1: UE localization based on UE-side model, AI / MI direct localization;

[0144] Case 2b: UE-assisted / LMF localization based on LMF side model, AI / MI direct localization;

[0145] Case 3b: NG-RAN node-assisted localization based on LMF side model, AI / MI direct localization.

[0146] 2. Artificial intelligence / machine learning-assisted localization:

[0147] Case 2a: UE-assisted / LMF localization and AI / MI-assisted localization based on UE-side model;

[0148] Case 3a: NG-RAN node-assisted localization based on gNB side model, AI / MI-assisted localization.

[0149] For training data collection for AI / machine learning-based localization, the collected data samples may include the following components:

[0150] A: Channel measurement; Channel measurement quality indicators; Channel measurement timestamp;

[0151] B: Ground truth label (or an approximation thereof); quality metrics of the label; timestamp of the label.

[0152] Regarding data collection and association, RAN3 agrees that LMF should provide terrestrial authenticity labels and related data (i.e., the B-part information accessed by RAN1) to NG-RAN. For training the AI ​​model, as shown in Figure 1C, multiple datasets can be used as input for training data. A dataset includes A-part parameters (i.e., channel measurement-related information) and B-part parameters (i.e., terrestrial authenticity label-related information). Considering that A-part comes from TRP and B-part comes from LMF, how should the A-part parameters and B-part parameters be associated? From the perspective of UE and timing, the A-part parameters and B-part parameters in a dataset should be associated.

[0153] There are currently two options:

[0154] Option 1: The base station indicates the UEs that need data collection to the AMF, and the AMF obtains the B part information of the corresponding UE from the LMF;

[0155] Option 2: The LMF indicates the selectable UEs to the base station, and the base station requests the LMF to collect data on the selected UEs.

[0156] The existing technical solutions have the following problems:

[0157] In Scheme 1, the base station does not know whether the UE is a PRU or has UE authorization, nor does it know whether the UE has positioning capabilities. This method may result in the base station not receiving any data that can be used for training.

[0158] For Option 2, this method must occur during UE positioning. If there is no UE positioning, the base station will not receive any data that can be used for training.

[0159] In summary, this application provides a method for obtaining positioning data through AMF for base station-side model training or monitoring.

[0160] Specifically, it includes:

[0161] 1. The base station sends a data collection request to the AMF for model training and performance monitoring of AI positioning.

[0162] Method 1: The AMF selects the UE based on the information in the data collection request. The information considered by the AMF in selecting the UE includes: the UE's positioning capability, the UE's location, and the UE's subscription information.

[0163] Method 2: The AMF sends a data collection request to the LMF, which then selects the UE based on the request, considering the UE's positioning capabilities, location, and subscription information. The data collection request includes the following information:

[0164] The purpose of data collection is to indicate the intended use of the data, such as for AI-based positioning;

[0165] TRP information, used to indicate the associated TRP information for data collection, such as one or more TRP IDs and / or the location information corresponding to the TRP;

[0166] Area of ​​interest, used to indicate the area where data is collected, such as one or more cell identifiers;

[0167] The requested data collection configuration is used to indicate the configuration required for data collection. For example, in positioning, it indicates the measurement type, specifying whether the required measurement type is path-based (e.g., angle of arrival and time of arrival) or sample-based (e.g., sample-based measurement).

[0168] The requested data content is used to indicate the requested data content. For example, in location, the request is to collect ground truth labels.

[0169] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product, which sends a first message to a second network device through a first network device, so that the second network device can identify a first terminal and the first terminal can collect data, thereby achieving the purpose of improving data collection efficiency.

[0170] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0171] Step S2101: The first network device sends a first message to the second network device.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following: information indicating the purpose or use of data collection; information indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information indicating the area where the data collection is to be conducted; information indicating that configuration is required for the data collection; and information indicating the data content to be collected.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first message may be a data collection request message, which includes data collection request information. The name of the first message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first message may be a measurement request message.

[0176] In some embodiments, the purpose or use of data collection may be for AI-based positioning, or AI-based CSI enhancement, AI-based beam management, etc., which are not limited in this disclosure.

[0177] In some embodiments, the information of a TRP may be the identifier of one or more TRPs, or the location information corresponding to one or more TRPs.

[0178] In some embodiments, the information about the area where data is collected may be information about the area of ​​interest to the first network device, such as the identification information of one or more cells.

[0179] In some embodiments, the information required for data collection may be, in AI-based positioning, an indication of the measurement type, indicating whether the type to be measured is a first type or a second type. For example, the first type may be path-based measurement, and the second type may be sample-based measurement.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first network device determines to collect data before sending the first message. In other words, data collection is initiated when there is a purpose for data collection, such as when AI model training or monitoring is required.

[0181] For example, a base station determines that it needs to collect data and sends a data collection request message to the AMF. The data collection request message includes at least one of the following: the purpose of data collection, indicating the intended use of the data collection, such as for AI-based positioning; TRP information, indicating the associated TRP information for data collection, such as one or more TRP IDs and / or the location information corresponding to the TRP; the region of interest, indicating the area for data collection, such as one or more cell identifiers; the requested data collection configuration, indicating the requested configuration for data collection, such as, in positioning, indicating the measurement type, whether the required measurement type is path-based or sample-based; and the requested data content, indicating the requested data content, such as, in positioning, requesting the collection of groundtruth labels.

[0182] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0183] In some embodiments, "acquire," "get," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bidirectional transmission," and "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation. Protocols include, for example, at least one of the 3GPP protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and audio and / or video protocols.

[0184] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0185] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0186] Step S2102: The second network device determines the first terminal.

[0187] In some embodiments, in response to a first message, a second network device determines a first terminal based on at least one of terminal positioning capability, terminal location, terminal subscription information, and terminal type, and the first terminal is used for data collection.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second network device determines the first terminal by any of the following: determining a terminal in an area as the first terminal based on the terminal's location, wherein the area is the area indicated by the first message; determining the first terminal based on the subscription information of the second terminal obtained from the fourth network device, wherein the subscription information is used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data; determining a terminal whose terminal type is a Location Reference Unit (PRU) as the first terminal; determining a terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal's location, wherein the TRP is the TRP indicated by the first message; determining a terminal within a preset range of the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal's location; or determining a terminal with terminal positioning capability as the first terminal.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first terminal is the object of data collection, that is, data from the first terminal is collected for AI model training and / or performance monitoring.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first terminal is the source of data collection, i.e., data is collected from the first terminal for AI model training and / or performance monitoring.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second network device identifies the terminal in the area indicated in the first message as the first terminal based on the terminal's location. The first terminal may support location services.

[0192] For example, the AMF determines the UE to be used for this data collection based on the data collection request. The AMF selects the UE in the area of ​​interest. Optionally, the UE supports positioning function.

[0193] In some embodiments, the second network device determines the first terminal based on the subscription information of the second terminal obtained from the fourth network device. The subscription information is used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data. The fourth network device may be a UDM. The second network device obtains the subscription information of the second terminal from the UDM to determine the first terminal.

[0194] In some embodiments, the second network device may identify a second terminal that agrees to provide data as the first terminal.

[0195] For example, the AMF obtains the selected UE consent from the UDM to determine whether the UE agrees to provide data.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second network device identifies a terminal whose terminal type is a Positioning Reference Unit (PRU) as the first terminal.

[0197] For example, when the UE is a PRU, the AMF can directly select that UE to provide data.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second network device may, based on the terminal location, identify a terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP, a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP, or a terminal within the coverage area of ​​the TRP as the first terminal, where the TRP is the TRP indicated in the first message. In other words, the second network device may identify a terminal whose uplink signals sent by the terminal can be received by the TRP as the first terminal.

[0199] In some embodiments, if the first message indicates one or more TRP IDs or location information corresponding to a TRP, the second network device will determine the corresponding terminal that meets the above conditions as the first terminal based on the TRP ID, indicating a one-to-one or one-to-many relationship between the TRP and the terminal. In some embodiments, the terminal may be a terminal served by the TRP, or it may be a terminal served by other adjacent TRPs.

[0200] For example, when selecting a UE, the AMF may consider whether the UE is served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or whether the UE is in the vicinity of the TRP, that is, whether the uplink signal sent by the UE can be received by the TRP.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second network device identifies a terminal with terminal positioning capability as the first terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, if the second network device determines that there is no first terminal that meets the conditions, it sends a feedback message indicating that data collection has failed to the first network device.

[0203] For example, if the AMF does not have a suitable UE to choose from to provide data, the AMF sends a data collection failure message to the NG-RAN, stating the reason for the failure, such as the lack of a suitable terminal.

[0204] In some embodiments, the second network device may determine multiple first terminals, and at least one first terminal may correspond to different first network devices. At least one first terminal may correspond to at least one third network device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first terminal identified may not be a terminal served by the first network device, thereby increasing the amount of data that can be collected.

[0206] In step S2103, the second network device sends a third message to the third network device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0208] In some embodiments, the third message may be a location request message, a location request message, or a location information request, and the name of the third message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a third message to at least one third network device based on the identified first terminal, in order to request the actual location information of the first terminal corresponding to at least one third network device.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a third message to the third network device corresponding to the first terminal based on the determined first terminal, in order to request the third network device to send the actual location information of the corresponding first terminal to the second network device.

[0211] For example, the AMF sends a location information request to the LMF to request the location information of the selected UE.

[0212] In some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following: information indicating the identifier of the first network device; information indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information indicating the area where the data collection is to be performed; information indicating that configuration is required for the data collection; and information indicating the data content to be collected.

[0213] In some embodiments, the identification information of the first network device is used to inform the third network device of the information of the first network device, so that the third network device sends the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device requesting data.

[0214] For example, the location information request sent by the AMF to the LMF includes at least one of the following: base station information, indicating the base station information for which data collection is requested, such as the NG-RAN node ID; TRP information, indicating the TRP information for which data collection is required, such as the TRP ID; requested data collection configuration, indicating the requested configuration for data collection, such as, in positioning, indicating the measurement type, whether the required measurement type is path-based or sample-based; and requested data content, indicating the requested data content, such as, in positioning, requesting the collection of groundtruth labels.

[0215] In step S2104, the third network device sends a third response message to the second network device.

[0216] In some embodiments, a third response message is used to indicate whether a third network device accepts a third message.

[0217] In some embodiments, the third response message may be a location information request response or a location request response, and the name of the third response message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0218] For example, the LMF sends a location information request response to the AMF to acknowledge the AMF's request.

[0219] In some embodiments, the third network device may send a third response message to the second network device, the third response message indicating that the third network device refuses to accept the third message. At this time, the second network device sends a feedback message indicating that data collection has failed to the first network device.

[0220] For example, the LMF can reject the AMF's request, and the AMF will send a data collection failure message to the NG-RAN.

[0221] In some embodiments, at least one third network device sends a third response message to the second network device to indicate whether it accepts the third message.

[0222] In step S2105, the second network device sends a first response message to the first network device.

[0223] In some embodiments, a first response message is used to indicate whether the second network device accepts the first message.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a data collection feedback, a data collection confirmation message, or a data collection failure message, etc., and the name of the first response message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0225] For example, the AMF sends a data collection feedback to the NG-RAN to acknowledge the NG-RAN's data request.

[0226] In some embodiments, if the third network device rejects the request of the second network device, the second network device sends a data collection failure response message to the first network device.

[0227] In some embodiments, if the second network device fails to determine a suitable first terminal to provide data, the second network device sends a data collection failure response message to the first network device.

[0228] Step S2106: The third network device performs terminal configuration.

[0229] In some embodiments, in response to a third message, a third network device configures a first terminal to send an uplink positioning signal to a first network device, so that the first network device measures the uplink positioning signal and determines measurement information for the first terminal.

[0230] For example, the LMF initiates a location-related process based on a location information request, and configures the selected UE to transmit an uplink location signal, such as SRS.

[0231] In some embodiments, the third network device may be configured to measure the uplink positioning signal of the first network device, determine the measurement information of the first terminal, and report the result to the third network device.

[0232] Step S2107: The first terminal sends an uplink positioning signal to the first network device.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first terminal is determined by the second network device, and the first terminal may not be a terminal whose services are provided by the services of the first network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, at least one first terminal sends an uplink positioning signal to a first network device.

[0235] For example, the selected UE sends an SRS to the NG-RAN.

[0236] Step S2108: The first network device measures the uplink positioning signal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first network device measures the uplink positioning signal sent by the first terminal to determine measurement information for determining the terminal's location.

[0238] In some embodiments, the measurement information may be location-related measurements or measurement information of the first terminal.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends an uplink positioning signal to the first network device based on the configuration of the third network device. The first network device can measure the uplink positioning signal sent by the first terminal to determine the measurement information of the first terminal.

[0240] For example, NG-RAN measures the uplink positioning signal sent by the selected UE to obtain second data, which is the measurement information related to the UE's location.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first network device measures uplink location signals sent by a first terminal that is not providing services, which can increase the amount of data that can be collected.

[0242] Step S2109: The first network device sends the measurement information of the first terminal to the third network device.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first network device sends measurement information of the first terminal determined by measurement to the third network device, so that the third network device can determine the measurement information of the first terminal.

[0244] For example, NG-RAN sends UE location-related measurement information obtained from measuring the uplink positioning signal to LMF.

[0245] In some embodiments, step S2109 is optional. When the third network device is configured to send an uplink positioning signal from the terminal, the first network device can send measurement information to the third network device for model training and / or performance monitoring of the AI ​​model on the third network device side. In scenarios where the first network device performs model training and / or performance monitoring of the AI ​​model, the first network device may not send measurement information to the third network device.

[0246] In step S2110, the third network device determines the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0247] In some embodiments, the third network device responds to a third message and performs a positioning process to determine the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0248] In some embodiments, the actual location information of the first terminal may be the real location of the first terminal, a calculated value obtained based on the real location of the first terminal, or information that corresponds to the real location of the first terminal.

[0249] For example, the LMF obtains the location of the selected UE through a positioning process.

[0250] In step S2111, the third network device sends the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device.

[0251] In some embodiments, the third network device sends the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device based on the information indicating the identifier of the first network device in the third message.

[0252] In some embodiments, the actual location information of the first terminal may be first data, such as ground truth label or real location label.

[0253] In some embodiments, the actual location information of the first terminal may be the real location of the first terminal, or a calculated value based on the real location, or information related to the real location of the first terminal, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0254] For example, LMF provides the first data to NG-RAN, which could be, for instance, ground truth labels.

[0255] For example, the groundtruthlabel can be the actual location information of the first terminal, or measurement information calculated based on the actual location information.

[0256] In step S2112, the first network device performs model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first network device collects the actual location information and measurement information of the first terminal, and performs model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model based on the measurement information and / or actual location information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first network device uses the actual location information and measurement information of the first terminal to train the AI ​​model.

[0259] For example, NG-RAN uses the first and second data for model training.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first network device uses measurement information from the first terminal to monitor the performance of the AI ​​model.

[0261] For example, NG-RAN uses second data for model performance monitoring.

[0262] In the above embodiments, a first message is sent from a first network device to a second network device, enabling the second network device to identify a first terminal for data collection, and then data collection is performed through a third network device to improve data collection efficiency.

[0263] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2112. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101+S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2105 and S2101+S2102+S2103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104, S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105, S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105+S2106, S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2112, and S2101+S2102+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2112, ... S2101+S2102+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2112, S2101+S2102+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2112, S2101+S2102+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S 2103+S2104+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2110, step S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2110+S2111, step S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2 Steps 105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2110+S2111+S2112 and S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105+S2106+S2107+S2108+S2109+S2110+S2111+S2112 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0264] In some embodiments, step S2109 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0265] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0266] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0267] Step S2201: The first network device sends a first message to the second network device.

[0268] In some embodiments, the implementation of the first network device sending the first message to the second network device can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] In step S2202, the second network device sends a second message to the third network device.

[0270] In some embodiments, the second message is used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of artificial intelligence (AI) models.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second message may be a subscription data message, which carries subscription data information. The name of the second message is not limited herein.

[0272] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following: information indicating the identifier of the first network device; information indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information indicating the area where the data collection is to be performed; information indicating that configuration is required for the data collection; and information indicating the data content to be collected.

[0273] For example, the AMF sends information to the LMF for subscribing to data. The information for subscribing to data includes information received from the NG-RAN.

[0274] In step S2203, the third network device sends a second response message to the second network device.

[0275] In some embodiments, the second response message is used to indicate whether the third network device accepts the second message.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second response message may be a subscription confirmation message or an acceptance of subscription request message, and the name of the second response message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0277] In some embodiments, the third network device may accept or reject the second message sent by the second network device to send an acceptance or rejection feedback message to the second network device.

[0278] For example, the LMF sends a subscription confirmation message to the AMF to confirm whether it accepts the request.

[0279] Step S2204: The second network device sends a first response message to the first network device.

[0280] In some embodiments, a first response message is used to indicate whether the second network device accepts the first message.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a data collection feedback, a data collection confirmation message, or a data collection failure message, etc., and the name of the first response message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0282] For example, the AMF sends a data collection feedback to the NG-RAN to acknowledge the NG-RAN's data request.

[0283] In some embodiments, if the third network device rejects the second message sent by the second network device, the second network device sends a feedback message indicating that data collection has failed to the first network device.

[0284] In some embodiments, if the third network device receives a second message sent by the second network device, the second network device sends feedback information to the first network device to accept the data collection request.

[0285] Step S2205: The third network device identifies the first terminal.

[0286] In some embodiments, in response to a second message, a third network device determines a first terminal based on at least one of terminal positioning capability, terminal location, terminal subscription information, and terminal type, and the first terminal is used for data collection.

[0287] In some embodiments, determining the first terminal includes any one of the following: sending a first query request to a fifth network device according to the area indicated by the second message, the first query request being used to query at least one second network device corresponding to the area; sending a second query request to the at least one second network device, the second query request being used to query terminals that support data collection and positioning functions; determining the terminal that supports data collection and positioning functions as the first terminal; determining the first terminal based on the subscription information of the second terminal obtained from the fourth network device, the subscription information being used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data; determining the terminal whose terminal type is a Location Reference Unit (PRU) as the first terminal; determining the terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or the terminal served by the neighboring cells of the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal according to the terminal location, the TRP being the TRP indicated by the first message; determining the terminal within a preset range of the TRP as the first terminal according to the terminal location; determining the terminal with terminal positioning capability as the first terminal.

[0288] In some embodiments, a third network device sends a first query request to a fifth network device based on the area indicated by the second message, and determines at least one second network device based on the query result, and sends a second query request to the at least one second network device to determine a first terminal based on the query result. The fifth network device may be an NRF (Network Radio Service). The first query request may be to query the second network devices within the area indicated by the second message, and the second query request may be to query whether multiple terminals corresponding to the second network devices support data collection and positioning functions, so as to determine the terminal that supports data collection and positioning functions as the first terminal.

[0289] For example, the LMF queries the NRF for AMF information based on the area information. There are multiple AMFs in the area, there is a correspondence between the area and the AMF, there is a correspondence between the AMF and the UE, and the AMF has the ability to know the UEs with which it has a correspondence.

[0290] For example, the LMF obtains UEs that can support data collection and positioning functions from the AMF based on the area information.

[0291] In some embodiments, the third network device obtains the subscription information of the second terminal from the fourth network device to determine the first terminal. There may be multiple second terminals, the fourth network device may be a UDM, and the subscription information of the second terminal may be information on whether the second terminal agrees to provide data.

[0292] In some embodiments, a third network device may identify a second terminal that agrees to provide data as a first terminal.

[0293] For example, the LMF queries the UDM for UE consent based on the UE ID to confirm whether the UE agrees to provide data.

[0294] In some embodiments, the third network device determines the terminal served by the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal location, where the TRP is the TRP indicated in the first message; or the third network device determines the terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal based on the terminal location; or the third network device determines the terminal within a preset range of the TRP as the first terminal. The signal sent by the first terminal can be received by the TRP.

[0295] In some embodiments, the third network device may identify a terminal with terminal positioning capability as the first terminal.

[0296] In some embodiments, a third network device may identify a terminal of type Positioning Reference Unit (PRU) as the first terminal.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first terminal is the object of data collection, that is, data from the first terminal is collected for AI model training and / or performance monitoring.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first terminal is the source of data collection, i.e., data is collected from the first terminal for AI model training and / or performance monitoring.

[0299] In some embodiments, the third network device may determine multiple first terminals, and at least one first terminal may correspond to different first network devices. At least one first terminal may also correspond to different third network devices.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first terminal identified by the third network device may not be a terminal whose services are provided by the services of the first network device.

[0301] Step S2206: The second network device sends a third message to the third network device.

[0302] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0303] In some embodiments, the third message may be a location request message, a location request message, or a location information request, and the name of the third message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a third message to the third network device based on node information to request the actual location information of the corresponding first terminal on each third network device.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a third message to at least one third network device, wherein the third network devices corresponding to the different first terminals determined in step S2205 may not be the same device.

[0306] In some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following: information indicating the identifier of the first network device; information indicating the purpose or use of the data collection requested by the first network device; information indicating the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information indicating the area where the data collection is to be performed; information indicating that configuration is required for the data collection; and information indicating the data content to be collected.

[0307] In step S2207, the third network device sends a third response message to the second network device.

[0308] In some embodiments, a third response message is used to indicate whether a third network device accepts a third message.

[0309] In some embodiments, the third response message may be a location information request response or a location request response, and the name of the third response message is not limited in this disclosure.

[0310] In some embodiments, the third network device may reject or accept the third message and send a third response message to the second network device to inform the second network device.

[0311] In some embodiments, if the third network device does not have a corresponding terminal identified as the first terminal, it can send a third response message to the second network device indicating that it does not accept the third message.

[0312] For example, if the LMF rejects the AMF's request, the AMF will send a data collection failure message to the NG-RAN.

[0313] In some embodiments, if a third network device has a corresponding terminal that is identified as the first terminal, it can send a third response message to the second network device to accept the third message.

[0314] For example, the LMF sends a location information request response to the AMF to acknowledge the AMF's request.

[0315] In step S2208, the third network device performs terminal configuration.

[0316] In some embodiments, an optional implementation of step S2208 may refer to an optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG2A.

[0317] Step S2209: The first terminal sends an uplink positioning signal to the first network device.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first terminal is determined by a third network, and the first terminal may not be a terminal whose services are provided by the service of a first network device.

[0319] In some embodiments, at least one first terminal identified by the third network device sends an uplink positioning signal to the first network device.

[0320] For example, the selected UE sends an SRS to the NG-RAN.

[0321] Step S2210: The first network device measures the uplink positioning signal.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first network device measures uplink positioning signals sent by at least one first terminal to determine measurement information for each first terminal.

[0323] In some embodiments, an optional implementation of step S2210 may refer to an optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG2A.

[0324] Step S2211: The first network device sends the measurement information of the first terminal to the third network device.

[0325] In some embodiments, an optional implementation of step S2211 may refer to an optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2A.

[0326] In some embodiments, step S2211 is optional. When the third network device is configured to send an uplink positioning signal from the terminal, the first network device can send measurement information to the third network device for model training and / or performance monitoring of the AI ​​model on the third network device side. In scenarios where the first network device performs model training and / or performance monitoring of the AI ​​model, the first network device may not send measurement information to the third network device.

[0327] In step S2212, the third network device determines the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0328] In some embodiments, at least one third network device responds to a third message to perform a positioning process to determine the actual location information of the first terminal.

[0329] In some embodiments, when at least one first terminal determined in step S2206 corresponds to at least one third network device, each third network device responds to the third message and performs a positioning process to determine the actual location information of the at least one first terminal it corresponds to.

[0330] In step S2213, the third network device sends the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device.

[0331] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S2213 can be found in optional implementations of step S2111 in Figure 2A.

[0332] Step S2214: The first network device performs model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model.

[0333] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S2214 may refer to optional implementations of step S2112 in Figure 2A.

[0334] In the above embodiments, the first network device sends a first message to the second network device, which in turn sends a request to the third network device. The third network device then determines the first terminal for data collection, thereby achieving the purpose of data collection and improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0335] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2214. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2201+S2202 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, steps S2201+S2204 and S2201+S2202+S2203 can be implemented as standalone embodiments, and steps S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204, S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205, S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206, and S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207, step... S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208, Step S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209, Step S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210, Step S2212, Step S2 201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2212+S2213, Step S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2212+S2213+S2214, Step S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2111, Step S2201+S2202+S2203+ Steps S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2211+S2212, S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2211+S2212+S2213, and S2201+S2202+S2203+S2204+S2205+S2206+S2207+S2208+S2209+S2210+S2211+S2212+S2213+S2214 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0336] In some embodiments, step S2211 is optional, and this step may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0337] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0338] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0339] Step S2301: The first network device sends a first message to the core network device.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0341] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step S2301 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2101 in Figure 2A and step S2201 in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0342] In step S2302, the core network device sends a first response message to the first network device.

[0343] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step S2302 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2105 in Figure 2A and step S2204 in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0344] Optionally, the optional implementation methods within the core network equipment can be found in steps S2102, S2103, and S2104 in Figure 2A, and steps S2202 and S2203 in Figure 2B, which will not be elaborated here.

[0345] In step S2303, the first terminal sends an uplink positioning signal to the first network device.

[0346] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step S2303 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2107 in Figure 2A and step S2209 in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] In step S2304, the core network device sends the actual location information of the first terminal to the first network device.

[0348] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step S2304 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2111 in Figure 2A and step S2213 in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] Step S2305: The first network device performs model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI ​​model.

[0350] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step S2305 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2112 in Figure 2A and step S2214 in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] In the above embodiments, the first network device sends a first message to the core network device so that the core network device can collect data and provide it to the first network device, thereby achieving the purpose of the first network device collecting data and improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0352] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2305. For example, step S2301 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2301+S2302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2301+S2302+S2303, S2301+S2302+S2303+S2304, and S2301+S2302+S2303+S2304+S2305 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0353] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0355] Step 3101: The first network device sends a first message to the second network device.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

[0357] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 3101 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, and step S2301 in Figure 2C, as well as other alternative implementations involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be elaborated here.

[0358] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0359] The following are specific solutions proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0360] Example 1:

[0361] Figure 4A is an interactive schematic diagram of Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4A, it includes the following steps:

[0362] Step 101: The base station determines to collect data.

[0363] Step 102: The base station sends a data collection request to the AMF, wherein the data collection request includes at least one of the following:

[0364] The purpose of data collection is to indicate the intended use of the data, such as for AI-based positioning;

[0365] TRP information, used to indicate the associated TRP information for data collection, such as one or more TRP IDs and / or the location information corresponding to the TRP;

[0366] Area of ​​interest, used to indicate the area where data is collected, such as one or more cell identifiers;

[0367] The requested data collection configuration is used to indicate the configuration required for data collection. For example, in positioning, it indicates the measurement type, specifying whether the required measurement type is path-based or sample-based.

[0368] The requested data content is used to indicate the requested data content; for example, in location, the request is to collect groundtruth labels.

[0369] Optionally, alternative implementations of steps 101 and 102 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2101 in Figure 2A and step S2301 in Figure 2C.

[0370] Step 103: The AMF determines the UEs that can be used for this data collection based on the data collection request.

[0371] Optionally, an alternative implementation of step 103 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A.

[0372] Step 103a: The AMF selects a UE in the region of interest. Optionally, the UE supports positioning functionality.

[0373] Step 103b: The AMF obtains the selected UE consent from the UDM and determines whether the UE agrees to provide data.

[0374] In some embodiments, if the UE is a PRU, the AMF can directly select the UE to provide data.

[0375] In some embodiments, the AMF may select a UE by considering whether the UE is served by the cell corresponding to the TRP or whether the UE is in the vicinity of the TRP, i.e., the uplink signal sent by the UE can be received by the TRP.

[0376] Step 104: The AMF sends a location information request (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Request) to the LMF to request the location information of the selected UE.

[0377] The location information request includes at least one of the following:

[0378] UE ID, used to indicate the selected UE;

[0379] Base station information, used to indicate the base station information for which data collection is requested, such as the NG-RAN node ID;

[0380] TRP information, used to indicate the TRP information that requires data collection, such as TRP ID;

[0381] The requested data collection configuration is used to indicate the configuration required for data collection. For example, in positioning, it indicates the measurement type, specifying whether the required measurement type is path-based or sample-based.

[0382] The requested data content is used to indicate the requested data content; for example, in location, the request is to collect groundtruth labels.

[0383] Optionally, an alternative implementation of step 104 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A.

[0384] Step 105: The LMF sends a location request response (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Response) to the AMF to acknowledge the AMF's request.

[0385] Optionally, an alternative implementation of step 105 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A.

[0386] Step 106: AMF sends data collection feedback to NG-RAN to confirm the data request from NG-RAN.

[0387] In some embodiments, the LMF can reject the AMF's request, thus causing the AMF to send a data collection failure message to the NG-RAN.

[0388] In some embodiments, if the AMF does not have a suitable UE to provide data, the AMF sends a data collection failure message to the NG-RAN.

[0389] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 106 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2105 in Figure 2A and step S2302 in Figure 2C.

[0390] Step 107: The LMF initiates a location-related process based on the request in step 4, which is used to configure the selected UE to transmit uplink location signals, such as SRS.

[0391] Optionally, an alternative implementation of step 107 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A.

[0392] Step 108, optionally, if the LMF does not know the UE location, the LMF can obtain the UE location through the positioning process.

[0393] Optionally, an alternative implementation of step 108 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2110 in Figure 2A.

[0394] Step 109: The LMF provides the first data to the NG-RAN, for example, the first data is the groundtruth label.

[0395] Optionally, the alternative implementation of step 109 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2111 in Figure 2A and step S2304 in Figure 2C.

[0396] Step 110: The LMF configures the NG-RAN to measure the uplink positioning signal of the selected UE, which was configured in step 107. The NG-RAN obtains second data through measurement, for example, the measurement result of the uplink positioning signal.

[0397] In some embodiments, NG-RAN uses first data and second data for model training.

[0398] In some embodiments, NG-RAN uses second data for model performance testing.

[0399] In some embodiments, the first message is a measurement request message, but is not limited thereto.

[0400] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 110 can be found in steps S2107, S2108, and S2112 in Figure 2A and step S2305 in Figure 2C.

[0401] In summary, Example 1 enables the AMF to know the UE's location, serving base station, and subscription information, and to select the UE for data collection, thereby improving the efficiency of data collection.

[0402] Example 2:

[0403] Figure 4B is an interactive schematic diagram of Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 4B, it includes the following steps:

[0404] Steps 201 and 202 are the same as in Example 1.

[0405] Optionally, alternative implementations of steps 201 and 202 can be found in step S2201 in Figure 2B and step S2301 in Figure 2C.

[0406] Step 203: Based on the information in step 202, the AMF sends information for subscribing to data (Nlmf_DataExposure_Subscribe) to the LMF, wherein the information includes the information obtained from step 202. The LMF sends subscription confirmation information to the AMF to confirm whether it accepts the request.

[0407] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 203 can be found in the alternative implementations of steps S2202 and S2203 in Figure 2B.

[0408] Step 204: AMF sends data collection feedback to NG-RAN to confirm the data request from NG-RAN.

[0409] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 204 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2204 in Figure 2B and step S2302 in Figure 2C.

[0410] Step 205: The LMF performs UE selection based on the information in step 203.

[0411] In some embodiments, the LMF queries the NRF for AMF information based on the region information;

[0412] In some embodiments, the LMF obtains UEs that can support data collection and positioning functions from the AMF based on area information;

[0413] In some embodiments, the LMF queries the UDM for UE consent based on the UE ID to confirm whether the UE agrees to provide data.

[0414] Alternatively, an alternative implementation of step 205 can be found in the alternative implementation of step S2205 in Figure 2B.

[0415] Step 206 is consistent with steps 107-110 in the embodiment.

[0416] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 206 can be found in steps S2206 to S2214 in Figure 2B, and steps S2303, S2304, and S2305 in Figure 2C.

[0417] In summary, Example 2 enables terminal selection via LMF to collect data via AMF, thereby improving data collection efficiency.

[0418] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0419] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0420] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0421] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The first network device 5100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the first network device 5100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5101, a processing module 5102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send a first message to a second network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network device 101 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2101, S2105, S2107, S2109, S2111, S2201, S2204, S2209, S2211, S2213, S2301, S2302, S2303, S2304, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the above processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2108, step S2112, step S2210, step S2214, step S2305, but not limited thereto) executed by the first network device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0422] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The second network device 5200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the second network device 5200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5201, a processing module 5202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model; and / or to send a second message to a third network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an AI model. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2103, S2104, S2105, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2206, S2207, S2301, S2302, S2304, but not limited thereto) performed by the second network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform other steps (e.g., step S2102) performed by the second network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0423] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The third network device 5300 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5C, the third network device 5300 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5301, a processing module 5302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a second message sent by the second network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the third network device 103 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2103, S2104, S2109, S2111, S2202, S2203, S2206, S2207, S2211, S2213, S2301, S2302, S2304, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the above processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as steps S2106, S2110, S2205, S2208, and S2212, but not limited thereto) executed by the third network device 103 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0424] Figure 5D is a schematic diagram of the core network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The core network device 5400 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5D, the core network device 5400 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5401, a processing module 5402, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request the collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2301, S2302, S2304, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2206, S2207, S2109, S2111, S2211, S2213, but not limited thereto) performed by the core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (steps S2102, S2106, S2110, S2205, S2208, S2212, S2305, but not limited thereto) performed by the core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0425] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0426] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0427] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0428] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0429] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0430] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6102. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6102, the transceivers 6102 perform communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2107, S2109, S2111, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2206, S2207, S2209, S2211, ...). At least one of steps S2213, S3101, S2301, S2302, S2303, and S2304 (but not limited thereto) is performed by the processor 6101, and at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2106, S2108, S2110, S2112, S2205, S2208, S2210, S2212, S2214, and S2305, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver device, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0431] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6103 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6103 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6103 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0432] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0433] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0434] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0435] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0436] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2107, S2109, S2111, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2206, S2207, S2209, S2211, S2213, S3101, S2301, S2302, S2303, S2304, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 6202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2106, S2108, S2110, S2112, S2205, S2208, S2210, S2212, S2214, S2305, but is not limited thereto).

[0437] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0438] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0439] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0440] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first network device, and the method comprises: sending, to a second network device, a first message, the first message being used for requesting collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The method of claim 1, wherein The first message comprises at least one of the following information: information used for indicating a purpose or use of data collection; information used for indicating a transmission and reception point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information used for indicating an area for the data collection; information used for indicating a configuration required for the data collection; information used for indicating data content required to be collected. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: receiving a first response message sent by the second network device, the first response message being used for indicating whether the second network device accepts the first message; receiving an uplink positioning signal sent by a first terminal, the first terminal being determined by the second network device or a third network device; performing measurement on the uplink positioning signal to determine measurement information of the first terminal used for determining a terminal position; sending the measurement information to the third network device; receiving actual position information of the first terminal sent by the third network device; performing model training and / or performance monitoring on the AI model based on the measurement information and / or the actual position information. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a second network device, and the method comprises: receiving a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used for requesting collection of data for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model; and / or sending, to a third network device, a second message, the second message being used for subscribing to data for model training and / or performance monitoring of the AI model. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first message and / or the second message comprises at least one of the following information: information used for indicating an identity of the first network device; information used for indicating a purpose or use of data collection requested by the first network device; information used for indicating a transmission and reception point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information used for indicating an area for the data collection; information used for indicating a configuration required for the data collection; information used for indicating data content required to be collected. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: in response to the first message, determining a first terminal according to at least one of a terminal positioning capability, a terminal position, terminal subscription information, and a terminal type, the first terminal being used for performing data collection. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The determination of the first terminal comprises any one of the following: determining, as the first terminal, a terminal in an area according to the terminal position, the area being indicated by the first message; determining, as the first terminal, a second terminal based on subscription information of the second terminal obtained from a fourth network device, the subscription information being used for indicating whether the second terminal agrees to provide data; determining, as the first terminal, a terminal of a terminal type being a positioning reference unit (PRU); and / or determine, according to the terminal position, a terminal served by a cell corresponding to a TRP indicated in the first message or a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP as the first terminal; determine, according to the terminal position, a terminal within a preset range of the TRP as the first terminal; determine a terminal having the terminal positioning capability as the first terminal. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The method further includes at least one of the following: receive a second response message sent by the third network device, the second response message being used to indicate whether the third network device accepts the second message; send a third message to at least one third network device, the third message being used to request actual position information of the first terminal; receive a third response message sent by the third network device, the third response message being used to indicate whether the third network device accepts the third message; send a first response message to the first network device, the first response message being used to indicate whether the second network device accepts the first message. The method of claim 8, wherein The third message includes at least one of the following information: information used to indicate an identity of the first network device; information used to indicate a purpose or use of data collection requested by the first network device; information used to indicate a transmission reception point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information used to indicate an area in which the data collection is performed; information used to indicate configuration required for the data collection; information used to indicate data content required to be collected. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a third network device, and the method includes: receive a second message sent by a second network device, the second message being used to subscribe to data used for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The method of claim 10, wherein The second message includes at least one of the following information: information used to indicate an identity of the first network device; information used to indicate a purpose or use of data collection requested by the first network device; information used to indicate a transmission reception point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information used to indicate an area in which the data collection is performed; information used to indicate configuration required for the data collection; information used to indicate data content required to be collected. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The method further includes: in response to the second message, determine a first terminal according to at least one of a terminal positioning capability, a terminal position, terminal subscription information, and a terminal type, the first terminal being used to perform data collection. The method of claim 13, wherein The determination of the first terminal includes any one of the following: send a first query request to a fifth network device according to an area indicated in the second message, the first query request being used to query at least one second network device corresponding to the area; send a second query request to the at least one second network device, the second query request being used to query a terminal supporting data collection and positioning functions; determine a terminal supporting data collection and positioning functions as the first terminal; determine the first terminal based on subscription information of a second terminal obtained from a fourth network device, the subscription information being used to indicate whether the second terminal agrees to provide data. determine, as the first terminal, a terminal of which a terminal type is a positioning reference unit (PRU); determine, as the first terminal, a terminal served by a cell corresponding to a TRP indicated in the first message or a terminal served by a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the TRP, according to a terminal position; determine, as the first terminal, a terminal within a preset range of the TRP, according to the terminal position; determine, as the first terminal, a terminal having the terminal positioning capability. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further includes at least one of the following: receive a third message sent by a second network device, the third message being used to request actual position information of the first terminal; in response to the third message, perform a positioning process to determine the actual position information of the first terminal; in response to the third message, configure the first terminal to send an uplink positioning signal to the first network device, so that the first network device measures the uplink positioning signal and determines measurement information of the first terminal; receive the measurement information sent by the first network device; send the actual position information of the first terminal to the first network device. The method of claim 14, wherein The third message includes at least one of the following information: information used to indicate an identity of the first network device; information used to indicate a purpose or use of data collection requested by the first network device; information used to indicate a transmission and reception point (TRP) associated with the data collection; information used to indicate an area associated with the data collection; information used to indicate configuration required for the data collection; information used to indicate data content required to be collected. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a core network device, and the method includes: receive a first message sent by a first network device, the first message being used to request collection of data used for model training and / or performance monitoring of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. A communication device characterized by comprising: The communication device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3 or 4-9 or 10-15 or 16. A storage medium storing instructions, the storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, The instructions, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3 or 4-9 or 10-15 or 16. A program product comprising at least one of a program, instructions, characterized in that The program or instructions, when executed on the communication device, implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-3 or 4-9 or 10-15 or 16.

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