Communication method and apparatus, and readable storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, and a readable storage medium, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The communication method provided in the present application can prevent functionality / models acquired by a terminal from failing to meet the requirements of a network. The communication method comprises: a terminal receiving first information, wherein the first information comprises one or more first configurations; and the terminal sending applicability information of the one or more first configurations, wherein the applicability information of the first configurations is used for indicating the applicability of the first configurations, the applicability comprises being applicable or being not applicable, the applicability of the one or more first configurations is determined on the basis of priorities corresponding to the one or more first configurations or the order of the one or more first configurations.

Description

Communication methods, devices and readable storage media

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202412000009.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on December 31, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus and Readable Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, apparatus and readable storage media. Background Technology

[0003] Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability to endow machines with human-like intelligence, such as enabling machines to use computer hardware and software to simulate certain intelligent human behaviors. Machine learning (ML) is an important technological approach to realizing AI. In machine learning methods, machines learn (or train) AI models using training data. AI models represent the mapping relationship or function between inputs and outputs, and can be used for reasoning (or prediction), that is, AI models can be used to predict the output corresponding to a given input. The output of an AI model can also be called the reasoning result (or prediction result).

[0004] Currently, AI has been introduced into wireless communication networks and can be applied to many application scenarios of air interface technology. For example, network devices and / or terminals can use AI models to perform channel state information (CSI) prediction, beam management, positioning, etc.

[0005] In air interface scenarios, AI model lifecycle management (LCM) can be based on either model ID or functionality. A function refers to a configuration-related AI feature, or in other words, a specific configuration corresponding to an AI feature. For example, a function could be AI-based CSI feedback or AI-based beam management under a specific configuration. In function-based LCM, network devices can instruct the terminal to perform operations on functions via signaling, such as activation / deactivation / selection / rollback / switching. At the physical layer, the terminal can implement the operations on functions instructed by the network device using the acquired AI model.

[0006] Before a network device instructs a terminal to perform an operation on a function via signaling, the terminal can use an applicability reporting process to inform the network device of its applicable functions (which can be understood as the functions currently available to the terminal). In this process, the network device issues a specific configuration and requests the terminal to report the applicability of that configuration. Based on the configuration issued by the network side, the terminal determines the applicable functions and reports the applicability information indicating these functions to the network device. Once the network device knows the terminal's applicable functions, it can instruct the terminal to perform the corresponding operation.

[0007] However, the local storage resources of a terminal are limited. When a network device issues multiple configurations, the terminal may not be able to store the models corresponding to all the configurations issued by the network device. In this case, how the terminal can determine the applicability of the configurations so that the models stored with limited resources meet the requirements of the network device as much as possible is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and readable storage medium, which enables a terminal to determine the suitability of a configuration according to network requirements, thereby avoiding situations where the suitable configuration determined by the terminal does not meet network requirements.

[0009] The embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0010] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal or by a module applied to the terminal (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). Taking the terminal executing the method as an example, the method includes: the terminal receiving first information, the first information including one or more first configurations; the terminal sending applicability information of the one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the first configurations being used to indicate the applicability of the first configurations, the applicability including: applicable, or, not applicable. The applicability of the one or more first configurations is determined according to the priority corresponding to the one or more first configurations or the order of the one or more first configurations.

[0011] In one possible design, the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration in order of priority.

[0012] In one possible design, the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration sequentially based on the order of the first configurations.

[0013] In one possible design, the terminal can directly determine the applicability of one or more first configurations based on the current available resources, the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively, and the priority order of one or more first configurations.

[0014] In one possible design, the terminal can directly determine the applicability of one or more first configurations based on the current available resources, the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively, and the order of one or more first configurations.

[0015] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration according to the priority or order of the first configuration, so that the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration according to the needs of the network device, avoiding the situation where the terminal selects a storage model that cannot meet the needs of the network device when there are insufficient resources on the terminal side.

[0016] Optionally, the first configuration is the CSI report configuration, or the first configuration is a set of inference-related parameters.

[0017] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal acquiring second information, which is used to indicate the priority corresponding to one or more first configurations.

[0018] Based on this scheme, the terminal can determine the priority of the first configuration according to the second information indicated by explicit or implicit instructions.

[0019] In one possible design, the terminal obtains the second information by: the terminal receiving the second information, the second information including information in the first configuration indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration; or, the second information including a mapping relationship between the identifier of the first configuration and the priority corresponding to the first configuration; or, the first information including multiple first configurations, the second information including multiple priorities, the multiple first configurations and the multiple priorities corresponding one-to-one, and the sending order of the multiple priorities in the second information being the same as the sending order of the multiple first configurations in the first information.

[0020] This solution provides several ways to explicitly indicate the priority of the first configuration with second information.

[0021] In one possible design, the first information includes multiple first configurations, the order of which indicates the priority of each configuration. The terminal obtaining the second information includes: the terminal retrieving the second information from the first information.

[0022] This solution provides a way to implicitly indicate the priority of the first configuration through the order of the first configuration.

[0023] In one possible design, the first configuration is the CSI reporting configuration, and the priority of one or more first configurations is determined according to at least one of the following parameters corresponding to one or more first configurations: reporting type, reporting volume, serving cell identifier, configuration identifier, maximum number of serving cells, or maximum number of configurable CSI reports.

[0024] This solution provides a method for determining the priority of CSI reported configurations based on the parameters reported by CSI.

[0025] In one possible design, after receiving the first information, the method further includes: the terminal receiving third information, the third information including one or more second configurations; wherein the one or more first configurations become invalid after receiving the third information.

[0026] Based on this scheme, the configuration previously received by the terminal will automatically become invalid after the next configuration is received.

[0027] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal receiving first indication information and determining, based on the first indication information, whether one or more first configurations have become invalid after receiving third information.

[0028] Based on this scheme, whether the configuration previously received by the terminal becomes invalid after receiving the next configuration is indicated by other information. The terminal may receive the first indication information before or after receiving the first information, or simultaneously with the first information. The terminal may receive the first indication information before or after receiving the third information, or simultaneously with the third information.

[0029] In one possible design, one or more second configurations have a higher priority than one or more first configurations, or one or more second configurations have a lower priority than one or more first configurations.

[0030] Based on this scheme, for two configurations received by the terminal at different times, the priority of the configuration received first is lower than the priority of the configuration received later, or the priority of the configuration received first is higher than the priority of the configuration received later.

[0031] In one possible design, after receiving the first information, the method further includes: the terminal receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate that at least one of the one or more first configurations has failed.

[0032] Based on this scheme, whether the configuration received by the terminal is invalid is indicated by other information.

[0033] In one possible design, in one or more first configurations, the applicability information of at least one first configuration indicates that the applicability of at least one first configuration is not applicable, and at least one first configuration becomes invalid after sending the applicability information of at least one first configuration.

[0034] Based on this solution, configurations reported as inapplicable by the terminal will automatically become invalid after the applicability information is reported.

[0035] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal determining, based on a first condition, to release the resources corresponding to the third configuration, wherein the third configuration is one or more configurations in the first configuration.

[0036] Based on this solution, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the configuration when certain conditions are met.

[0037] In one possible design, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the third configuration is invalid. Alternatively, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the third configuration is applicable, the priority corresponding to the third configuration is lower than the priority corresponding to the second configuration, and the reception time of the second configuration is later than the reception time of the third configuration. Alternatively, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the third configuration is applicable, a first duration reaches a first threshold, wherein the first duration is the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration, the start time of the timer corresponding to the third configuration is the transmission time of the applicability of the third configuration, or the first duration includes the duration during which the third configuration is not activated or triggered.

[0038] This solution provides various conditions for releasing the resources corresponding to the configuration.

[0039] In one possible design, among the applicability information of one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the applicability of the third configuration is applicable. After releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the method further includes: the terminal sending applicability information indicating that the applicability of the third configuration is not applicable.

[0040] Based on this scheme, if the corresponding resources are released, the terminal can also report information indicating that the applicability is not applicable, so as to update the applicability information of the configuration known to the network side in a timely manner.

[0041] In one possible design, if the fourth configuration in one or more first configurations is not invalid and the applicability of the fourth configuration is not applicable, after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the method further includes: the terminal sending applicability information indicating that the applicability of the fourth configuration is applicable.

[0042] Based on this scheme, if the applicability of the fourth configuration is not applicable, after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the applicability of the fourth configuration may become applicable because there are sufficient resources. At this time, the terminal can report information indicating that the applicability of the fourth configuration is applicable, so as to update the configuration applicability information obtained by the network side in a timely manner.

[0043] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal or by a module applied to the terminal (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). Taking the terminal executing the method as an example, the method includes: the terminal sending first information and / or second information; wherein, the first information is used to indicate the applicability of one or more first configurations, the applicability including: applicable or not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether one or more first configurations are supported; the second information is used to indicate whether there are idle resources, or to indicate whether the applicability of configurations other than the first configurations is applicable.

[0044] Based on the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the network device can determine whether the terminal supports the first configuration based on the first information. For unsupported first configurations, the network device can stop sending them to the terminal, avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead caused by continuously sending unsupported first configurations to the terminal. If the first information indicates that the terminal supports the first configuration, but the applicability of the first configuration is inapplicable, the network device can determine that the terminal's local storage resources are insufficient, causing the first configuration to be inapplicable. This avoids sending many invalid configurations to the terminal even when local storage resources are insufficient. The network device can determine the terminal's idle resource status based on the second information, and thus adjust the configurations sent to the terminal according to the terminal's idle resource status, avoiding sending many invalid configurations to the terminal even when local storage resources are insufficient.

[0045] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value, the second value, or the third value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable but the first configuration is supported, and the first configuration corresponding to the third value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable and the first configuration is not supported.

[0046] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate the first configuration that is not supported.

[0047] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether the first configuration whose applicability is not applicable is supported.

[0048] This solution provides multiple implementation methods for indicating the applicability of the first configuration and whether the first configuration is supported through first information.

[0049] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal or by a module applied to the terminal (such as a processor, chip, or chip system). Taking the terminal executing the method as an example, the method includes: the terminal sending first information, the first information being used to indicate the association between a first configuration and one or more second configurations, wherein the task corresponding to the first configuration shares a first resource with the tasks corresponding to one or more second configurations.

[0050] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the network can obtain the correlation between different configurations, which facilitates the network device to make more reasonable configurations. For example, when storage resources are insufficient, the network device may not configure new tasks. Or, the latency requirements of each task can be aligned with those of the terminal device, which facilitates the network device to make more reasonable configurations.

[0051] In one possible design, the first resource includes at least one of the following: storage resources, activation resources, and applicability resources.

[0052] Based on this solution, multiple dimensions of primary resources are provided, which can be used to determine the relationships between different configurations.

[0053] In one possible design, the first information is carried in a message corresponding to the first configuration, and the first information is used to indicate one or more second configurations.

[0054] In one possible design, the first information indicates a set, which includes a first configuration and one or more second configurations.

[0055] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal sending one or more second pieces of information, the one or more second pieces of information corresponding one-to-one with one or more second configurations, and the first information and the one or more second pieces of information being the same.

[0056] This solution provides several ways to indicate the association between a first configuration and one or more second configurations.

[0057] In one possible design, the first configuration has the same functionality or model as one or more second configurations. The functionality or model corresponding to a configuration refers to the functionality or model that can be used for inference under that configuration.

[0058] Based on this solution, different configurations corresponding to the same function / model can be identified as configurations with a relationship.

[0059] Fourthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method implemented by the terminal device in the first aspect above.

[0060] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0061] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the transceiver module is used to receive first information, the first information including one or more first configurations. The processing module is used to determine applicability information for the one or more first configurations. The transceiver module is further used to transmit the applicability information of the one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the first configurations being used to indicate the applicability of the first configurations, the applicability including: applicable, or not applicable. The applicability of the one or more first configurations is determined according to the priority corresponding to the one or more first configurations or the order of the one or more first configurations.

[0062] In one possible design, the processing module is used to determine the applicability of the first configuration in order of priority.

[0063] In one possible design, the processing module is used to determine the applicability of the first configuration sequentially according to the order of the first configuration.

[0064] In one possible design, the processing module is used to directly determine the applicability of one or more first configurations based on the current available resources, the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively, and the priority order of one or more first configurations.

[0065] In one possible design, the processing module is used to directly determine the suitability of one or more first configurations based on the current available resources, the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively, and the order of one or more first configurations.

[0066] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to obtain second information, which indicates the priority of one or more first configurations.

[0067] In one possible design, the processing module acquires the second information by: receiving the second information through the transceiver module, the second information including information indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration in the first configuration; or, the second information including a mapping relationship between the identifier of the first configuration and the priority corresponding to the first configuration; or, the first information including multiple first configurations, the second information including multiple priorities, and the sending order of the multiple priorities in the second information being the same as the sending order of the multiple first configurations in the first information.

[0068] In one possible design, the first information includes multiple first configurations, and the order of the multiple first configurations in the first information is used to indicate the priority of the multiple first configurations.

[0069] In one possible design, the first configuration is the CSI reporting configuration, and the priority of one or more first configurations is determined according to at least one of the following parameters corresponding to one or more first configurations: reporting type, reporting volume, serving cell identifier, configuration identifier, maximum number of serving cells, or maximum number of configurable CSI reports.

[0070] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive third information, which includes one or more second configurations; wherein one or more first configurations become invalid after the third information is received.

[0071] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive first indication information and determine, based on the first indication information, whether one or more first configurations have become invalid after receiving third information.

[0072] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive a fourth message indicating that at least one of the one or more first configurations has failed.

[0073] In one possible design, in one or more first configurations, the applicability information of at least one first configuration indicates that the applicability of at least one first configuration is not applicable, and at least one first configuration becomes invalid after sending the applicability information of at least one first configuration.

[0074] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to determine, based on a first condition, the release of resources corresponding to a third configuration, wherein the third configuration is one or more configurations in the first configuration.

[0075] In one possible design, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the third configuration is invalid. Alternatively, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the third configuration is applicable, the priority corresponding to the third configuration is lower than the priority corresponding to the second configuration, and the reception time of the second configuration is later than the reception time of the third configuration. Alternatively, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the third configuration is applicable, a first duration reaches a first threshold, wherein the first duration is the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration, the start time of the timer corresponding to the third configuration is the transmission time of the applicability of the third configuration, or the first duration includes the duration during which the third configuration is not activated or triggered.

[0076] In one possible design, among the applicability information of one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the applicability of the third configuration is applicable. After releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the transceiver module is also used to send applicability information indicating that the applicability of the third configuration is not applicable.

[0077] In one possible design, if the fourth configuration in one or more first configurations is not invalid and the applicability of the fourth configuration is not applicable, after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the transceiver module is also used to send applicability information indicating that the applicability of the fourth configuration is applicable.

[0078] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method implemented by the terminal described in the second aspect.

[0079] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0080] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the processing module is used to determine first information and / or second information; the transceiver module is used to send the first information and / or the second information; wherein the first information is used to indicate the applicability of one or more first configurations, the applicability including: applicable or not applicable, the first information is also used to indicate whether one or more first configurations are supported; the second information is used to indicate whether there are idle resources, or to indicate whether the applicability of configurations other than the first configurations is applicable.

[0081] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value, the second value, or the third value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable but the first configuration is supported, and the first configuration corresponding to the third value indicates that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable and the first configuration is not supported.

[0082] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate the first configuration that is not supported.

[0083] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether the first configuration whose applicability is not applicable is supported.

[0084] Sixthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method implemented by the terminal described in the third aspect.

[0085] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0086] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the transceiver module is used to send first information, the first information being used to indicate the association between a first configuration and one or more second configurations, wherein the task corresponding to the first configuration shares a first resource with the tasks corresponding to one or more second configurations.

[0087] In one possible design, the first resource includes at least one of the following: storage resources, activation resources, and applicability resources.

[0088] In one possible design, the first information is carried in a message corresponding to the first configuration, and the first information is used to indicate one or more second configurations.

[0089] In one possible design, the first information indicates a set, which includes a first configuration and one or more second configurations.

[0090] In one possible design, the transceiver module is used to send one or more second messages, which correspond one-to-one with one or more second configurations, and the first message is the same as the one or more second messages.

[0091] In one possible design, the first configuration has the same function or model as one or more second configurations.

[0092] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be a terminal (or a component, such as a chip, in a terminal) in any of the following designs: the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0093] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or they are separate.

[0094] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0095] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit for communicating with a module outside the communication device; the processor for executing the method described in any of the preceding aspects via logic circuitry or by running a computer program or instructions. The communication device may be a terminal (or a component, such as a chip, in any of the possible designs of the first aspect).

[0096] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit, which receives computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmits them to the processor so that the processor runs the computer execution instructions to perform the methods described in any of the above aspects.

[0097] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or the processor and memory are separate.

[0098] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0099] In some possible designs, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system.

[0100] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods described in the first to third aspects, or any possible design of the first to third aspects.

[0101] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods described in the first to third aspects above, or any possible design of the first to third aspects.

[0102] Eleventhly, a communication device (e.g., a chip or a chip system) is provided, comprising a processor for implementing the functions described in the first to third aspects, or any possible design of the first to third aspects. In one possible design, the communication device further comprises a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0103] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication device comprising a terminal and a network device. The terminal device is configured to implement the first aspect described above, or any possible design of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to transmit first information and further to receive one or more suitability information of a first configuration; or, the terminal device is configured to implement the second aspect described above, or any possible design of the second aspect, and the network device is configured to receive first information and / or second information; or, the terminal device is configured to implement the third aspect described above, or any possible design of the third aspect, and the network device is configured to receive first information.

[0104] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects four through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through three above, and will not be repeated here.

[0105] It should be noted that any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other. Attached Figure Description

[0106] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of spatial beam prediction and temporal beam prediction;

[0107] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the current applicability reporting process;

[0108] Figure 3 is a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a possible application framework provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another possible application framework provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 6 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a first type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a second type of information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 15 is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of another type of first information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another type of first information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another type of first information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another type of second information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another type of second information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 21 is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of yet another type of first information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of another type of first information provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0129] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of yet another type of first information provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0130] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of another type of first information provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0131] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of yet another type of first information provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0132] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0134] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0135] 1. CSI Feedback:

[0136] In existing Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) communication systems, network devices need to acquire downlink Channel Information System (CSI) to determine the downlink data channel resources, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), precoding, and other configurations for scheduling terminals. In some communication systems, such as Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, the terminal needs to measure downlink reference signals, such as the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) or the Synchronizing Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB), to obtain the downlink CSI. The terminal then generates a CSI report according to predefined protocol specifications or network device configuration and feeds the CSI report back to the network device to acquire the downlink CSI.

[0137] Currently, the downlink CSI configuration and reporting process in the protocol is as follows: The network device sends a CSI reporting configuration (CSI-ReportConfig) to the terminal, specifying parameters such as the reporting type (reportConfigType) and reporting quantity (reportQuantity). The reporting type refers to the time domain behavior of the report, which can be periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic. The reporting quantity can include at least one of the following: rank indicator (RI), channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and reference signal received power (RSRP). The network device sends a downlink reference signal to the terminal, and the terminal performs channel and interference measurements based on the downlink reference signal to obtain the measurement results. Based on the measurement results and the CSI reporting configuration, the terminal generates a CSI report and reports it to the network device. The CSI report includes downlink CSI. If the reporting quantity specified in the CSI reporting configuration includes RSRP, the CSI report can be used for beam management.

[0138] Currently, in the protocol, CSI reporting configuration is configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. CSI-ReportConfig entries can be added, modified, or deleted within the CSI measurement configuration (CSI-MeasConfig). Specifically, CSI-ReportConfig entries can be added / modified using the CSI-ReportConfigToAddModList method, and deleted using the CSI-ReportConfigToReleaseList method.

[0139] Currently, the protocol defines priority rules for CSI reports. The priority between CSI reports is determined by quantitatively calculating the priority parameter Pri value based on the following formula (1) and comparing Pri values. When two CSI reports have different Pri values, the CSI report with the smaller Pri value has a higher priority. iCSI (y,k,c,s)=2·N cells ·M s·y+N cells ·M s ·k+M s ·c+s; Formula (1)

[0140] In formula (1) above, y has different values ​​depending on the reporting type of the CSI report. The value of y is 3 for a periodic CSI report (P-CSI report), 2 for a semi-persistent CSI report (SP-CSI report) sent on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), 1 for an SP-CSI report sent on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and 0 for an aperiodic CSI report (AP-CSI report).

[0141] In the above formula (1), if the CSI report includes the reported amount RSRP, k = 0; if the CSI report does not include RSRP, k = 1.

[0142] In formula (1) above, c represents the serving cell ID. N Cells This represents the maximum number of serving cells, configured via the higher-level parameter: `maxNrofServingCells`. `s` represents the report configuration ID. `M` s This indicates the maximum number of configurable CSI reports, configured via the higher-level parameter: Maximum Number of CSI Reports (maxNrofCSI-ReportConfigurations). The report configuration ID is configured by CSI-ReportConfig.

[0143] 2. AI in air communication scenarios:

[0144] Currently, AI has been introduced into wireless communication networks and can be applied to many scenarios in air interface technology, such as CSI feedback, CSI prediction, beam management, and positioning. For example, when applying AI in CSI feedback scenarios, an autoencoder architecture can be used for CSI feedback. This architecture typically includes an AI encoder and an AI decoder. The AI ​​encoder can be deployed on the terminal, and the AI ​​decoder can be deployed on the network device. Compared to traditional CSI feedback technology, AI-based CSI feedback can reduce air interface feedback overhead and terminal computational complexity while maintaining the same CSI feedback performance. When applying AI in CSI prediction scenarios, the terminal device or network device can use a prediction model to predict future CSI based on historical CSI data and feed it back to the network device. The AI ​​model can reside solely in the terminal device or solely in the network device. Accurate prediction of future CSI can solve the problem of inaccurate CSI feedback information caused by channel time-varying characteristics. When applying AI models in positioning scenarios, a triangulation approach can be used. The terminal device obtains the location information of three surrounding network devices and inputs it into the corresponding AI model. Then, based on the distance, direction, and channel information from the terminal device to the three network devices, the location of the terminal device is obtained.

[0145] For example, when applying AI in beam management scenarios, terminal devices or network devices can efficiently and accurately identify the best beam using AI models. This AI model can reside solely in the terminal device or solely in the network device. Specifically, AI-based beam management includes two typical use cases: spatial beam prediction and temporal beam prediction, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of spatial beam prediction. As shown in Figure 1(a), the AI ​​model can predict the IDs of the K best-performing beams (hereinafter referred to as the top K beams) in the selectable beam set (i.e., set A, also known as the full beam set, all the small squares shown in Figure 1(a)) based on the measurements of beams in set B (set B, the shaded squares shown in Figure 1(a)). It should be understood that traditional beam measurement requires beam scanning of all beams in the selectable beam set to obtain the best-performing beam. In large-scale antenna systems, the selectable beam set may be very large (e.g., 1024), and the traditional beam scanning process requires a large measurement overhead. With the introduction of AI, only a portion of the selectable beams (e.g., set B) can be measured, and the top K beams in set A can be predicted based on the measurements of the portion of the beams. K-beams significantly reduce beam measurement overhead. Figure 1(b) illustrates a time-domain beam prediction method. As shown in Figure 1(b), the AI ​​model can use historical beam information (e.g., beam information at times t-2 and t-1 that have already been measured) to predict future beam information (e.g., beam information at times t, t+1, and t+2), thereby improving the robustness of beam management in scenarios with rapidly changing channels and avoiding frequent beam measurements and switching. In AI-based beam management scenarios, the output of the AI ​​model can be the index of the top K beams or parameters such as the reference signal received power (RSRP) corresponding to the top K beams.

[0146] In air interface scenarios, AI model lifecycle management (LCM) can be based on either model ID or functionality. A model ID is an identifier assigned in some way to identify the model. In model ID-based LCM, network devices can use the model ID to instruct the terminal on actions performed on the model, such as activation / deactivation / selection / rollback / switching.

[0147] In this article, AI models may also be referred to as models, ML models, rules, or other names.

[0148] A function refers to an AI feature related to the configuration, or a specific configuration under an AI feature corresponding to a function. An AI feature refers to a characteristic that can use AI, or a characteristic that requires the use of an AI model, such as AI-based CSI feedback or AI-based beam management. For example, the configuration corresponding to a function can be an RRC configuration, which may include: CSI-RS resource configuration, CSI reporting configuration, and inference-related parameter configuration (such as beam set configuration and prediction window configuration).

[0149] In this article, the function may also be referred to as an AI function, an ML function, or other names. AI features may also be referred to as features, ML features, or other names.

[0150] Optionally, the functionality may also correspond to specific scenarios / sites. For example, scenarios / sites may include: urban areas, suburbs, urban macrocells (UMa), urban microcells (UMi), indoor hotspot cells (InH), highways, etc.

[0151] Specifically, an AI feature may encompass one or more functionalities, with one functionality corresponding to one AI feature. For each functionality, there may be one or more AI models used to implement it. One AI model can be used to implement one or more functionalities. The following example illustrates the relationship between functionalities and AI features:

[0152] Example 1: One function corresponds to one AI feature + a specific configuration. For example, function 1 is AI-based temporal beam prediction under configuration 1, and function 2 is AI-based temporal beam prediction under configuration 2. Another example is function 1 being AI-based temporal beam prediction under configuration 1, and function 2 being AI-based spatial beam prediction under configuration 1.

[0153] Example 2: One function corresponds to one AI feature + a specific set of configurations + scene / site identifier. For example, function 1 is AI-based temporal beam prediction under configuration 1 and scene 1, and function 2 is AI-based temporal beam prediction under configuration 1 and scene 2.

[0154] In function-based LCM, network devices can use signaling, such as RRC, media access control (MAC) control element (CE) (MAC CE), and downlink control information (DCI), to instruct terminals to operate AI functions, such as activation / deactivation / selection / rollback / switching.

[0155] At the physical level, the terminal side can implement functions through models; in other words, the terminal-side model is the physical implementation of the function. Therefore, in this paper, "function" and "model" can be used interchangeably. The terminal's operation on a function can also be understood as an operation on the model corresponding to that function.

[0156] In this article, the "activation" operation can also be referred to as "trigger," "load," "download," "deploy," or "transfer" operations. It instructs the terminal to activate a specific function. Activation can be understood as the process of changing a function from a deactivated (or inactive) state to an activated state. Before activation, the function is in a deactivated state; after activation, the function is in an activated state. Functions in an activated state can directly execute the inference process, while functions in a deactivated state need to be converted to an activated state before they can execute the inference process. In one possible implementation, the terminal's "activation" operation involves moving the model stored in off-chip resources to on-chip resources so that the model can be used for inference. On-chip resources refer to resources within an integrated circuit, such as resources within a single processor or microprocessor, including GPU, CPU, RAM, ROM, I / O ports, etc. Off-chip resources refer to resources that cannot be directly accessed or are located on another integrated circuit or external device, such as external storage devices, network interfaces, USB interfaces, etc.

[0157] 3. Applicability reporting process:

[0158] Before a network device instructs a terminal to perform an operation on a function via signaling, the terminal can use an applicability reporting process to inform the network device of its applicable functions (which can be understood as the functions currently available to the terminal). In this process, the network device issues a specific configuration and requests the terminal to report the applicability of that configuration. Based on the configuration issued by the network side, the terminal determines the applicable functions and reports the applicability information indicating these functions to the network device. Once the network device knows the terminal's applicable functions, it can instruct the terminal to perform the corresponding operation.

[0159] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the current applicability reporting process. As shown in Figure 1, the applicability reporting process includes the following steps:

[0160] S201. The network device sends a UE Capability Enquiry message to the user equipment (UE), triggering the UE to report supported functions.

[0161] S202. The UE sends UE Capability Information to the network device, which includes the supported functionality of the UE.

[0162] S203. The network device sends an RRC configuration to the UE, requesting an applicability function report. Optionally, the network device may issue the configuration based on the functions supported by the UE.

[0163] In S203, network devices can issue one or more configurations (if the configuration is represented by a set of parameters, it can also be called a set or multiple sets of configurations).

[0164] For example, in AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios, the RRC configuration sent by the network device may include CSI-ReportConfig, inference-related parameters (such as information cells in CSI-ReportConfig, information cells referenced by CSI-ReportConfig, etc.), such as report content-related information, measurement time instance-related information, prediction time instance-related information, etc.

[0165] S204. Based on the RRC configuration issued by the network device, the UE determines the applicable functionality and reports the applicability information to the network. Optionally, the applicability information reported by the UE may include the applicability of each configuration, where applicability includes applicable or inapplicable. Alternatively, the applicability information reported by the UE may only indicate the applicable configuration, for example, an identifier indicating the configuration used. Here, applicable configuration refers to a configuration for which the applicable functionality exists on the UE side, and inapplicable configuration refers to a configuration for which the applicable functionality does not exist on the UE side.

[0166] In S204, the UE can determine the supported functions corresponding to the configuration for which the network device requests applicability based on the RRC configuration sent by the network device. For example, if the network device sends CSI-ReportConfig and the reported data is prediction-related, the UE can determine that the network device is requesting the applicability of AI-based CSI prediction under this configuration.

[0167] In S204, at the physical layer, the UE can prepare the corresponding model based on the RRC configuration issued by the network device. If the UE can obtain the model corresponding to the configuration, and the model can be used for inference, then the configuration is applicable. If the UE cannot obtain the model corresponding to the configuration, then the configuration is not applicable.

[0168] Optionally, if the model corresponding to a certain configuration is not local to the UE, for example, if the model is stored on a cloud server or other device / platform / network element / server, the UE can download the model from the other device / platform / network element / server to its local machine. If the UE successfully downloads the model, the configuration is considered applicable. If the UE fails to download the model, for example, if the UE's resources do not support downloading or storing the model, then the configuration is not applicable.

[0169] S205 (Optional Step): The network device sends the configuration for inference to the UE. If the RRC configuration sent by the network device in S203 can be used for inference (e.g., sending CSI-ReportConfig), then S205 does not need to be executed.

[0170] S206. Perform subsequent activation / deactivation / inference / monitoring operations.

[0171] In this article, "supported features" and "applicable features" have different meanings. "Supported features" refers to AI features supported by the UE, such as beam prediction and CSI prediction. "Applicable features" refers to features applicable to a specific configuration. When a UE reports an applicable feature, it means that the UE has prepared that feature and it can be applied to inference. For example, for a certain AI feature supported by the UE, the network device issues multiple specific configurations. For configuration 1, the UE has prepared the model; for configuration 2, the UE does not have available storage resources to download the model. Therefore, for configuration 1, the UE can report applicability information indicating applicability; for configuration 2, the UE can report inapplicability information indicating inapplicability or not report any applicability information. Furthermore, an "applicable feature" may be active or inactive. Therefore, an "applicable feature" can be applied to inference, but inference may not be executed immediately. If it is inactive, an activation operation must be performed before inference can begin.

[0172] In the aforementioned applicability reporting process, the network device may issue multiple configurations in S203. However, the terminal's local storage resources are limited and may not support storing all the models corresponding to the configurations. After determining the applicability of some configurations, the terminal may run out of storage resources to store more models, resulting in the remaining configurations being directly determined as inapplicable. Currently, how the terminal determines the applicability of a configuration and selects the corresponding model is the terminal's implementation and is invisible to the network side. The network side may have varying requirements for different configurations, and the applicable functions determined by the terminal may not meet the network side's needs. Based on this problem, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that enables the terminal to determine the applicability of a configuration based on its priority.

[0173] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second" are not necessarily different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0174] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first information below) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also instruct only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0175] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0176] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the sending device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0177] In this application embodiment, "predefined," "pre-configured," or "pre-configured" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. For example, it can be burned into the device when it leaves the factory, or configured when it first connects to the network. This application embodiment does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separate settings or integrated into the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separate settings and partially integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0178] The “protocol” mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to a protocol family in the field of communication, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0179] In the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time. They do not require the device to make a judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0180] In this embodiment of the application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, "terminal sending information" can be understood as the terminal sending information to another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal sending information to logical module 2 in the terminal.

[0181] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "terminal receiving information" can be understood as the terminal receiving information from another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal receiving information from logical module 2 in the terminal.

[0182] In this application, phrases such as "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the destination of the information is a terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a terminal. Similarly, phrases such as "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," or "receiving information sent by (e.g., a terminal)," or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is a terminal. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be elaborated further here.

[0183] In this application, in some cases, "including" can be replaced with "is" or "corresponds to" or "corresponds to" can be replaced with "is" or "corresponds to".

[0184] The technical solutions provided in this application can be used in various communication systems, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication systems, 4th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems and their evolution systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, LTE and new radio (NR) hybrid networking systems, NR systems, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, and wireless local area networks (WLANs). Network (WLAN) systems and other communication systems, such as future communication systems. Furthermore, the term "system" is interchangeable with "network".

[0185] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0186] In the communication system applied in this application embodiment, one network element can send signals to or receive signals from another network element. The signals may include information, signaling, or data. The network element can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, device, communication device, communication module, node, communication node, etc.

[0187] Figure 3 illustrates a possible, non-limiting system diagram. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 3, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 3, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 3). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0188] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0189] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as network equipment, access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 3 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 3 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0190] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 3, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 3, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node's functions.

[0191] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0192] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0193] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. A terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication function. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0194] To support artificial intelligence (AI) technology in wireless networks, AI nodes may also be introduced into the network.

[0195] AI nodes can be deployed in one or more of the following locations within the communication system: access network nodes (RAN nodes), terminals, or core network equipment, etc. Alternatively, AI nodes can be deployed independently, for example, in a location other than any of the above-mentioned devices, such as in the host or cloud server of an over-the-top (OTT) system. AI nodes can communicate with other devices in the communication system, which can be one or more of the following: network equipment, terminals, or core network elements, etc.

[0196] It is understood that this application does not limit the number of AI nodes. For example, when there are multiple AI nodes, these nodes can be divided based on function, such as different AI nodes being responsible for different functions.

[0197] It can also be understood that AI nodes can be independent devices, or they can be integrated into the same device to achieve different functions. Alternatively, they can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). This application does not limit the specific form of the aforementioned AI nodes.

[0198] AI nodes can be AI network elements or AI modules.

[0199] Figure 4 illustrates a possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in Figure 4, network elements in the communication system are connected via interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or air interfaces. These network element nodes, such as core network equipment, access network nodes (RAN nodes), terminals, or one or more devices in operations administration and maintenance (OAM), are equipped with one or more AI modules (only one is shown in Figure 4 for clarity). An access network node can be a single RAN node or can include multiple RAN nodes, for example, including CU and DU. The CU and / or DU can also be equipped with one or more AI modules. A CU can also be split into CU-CP and CU-UP, with one or more AI modules configured in the CU-CP and / or CU-UP.

[0200] AI modules are used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. The models of AI modules can achieve different functions depending on the parameter configurations. The models of AI modules can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or biases in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the output parameters). The biases in the activation function can also be referred to as the biases of the neural network.

[0201] In one example, the neural network mentioned above can be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), or a generative adversarial network (GAN).

[0202] An AI module can have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0203] Figure 5 illustrates a possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). For example, the RIC can be the AI ​​module shown in Figure 4, used to implement AI-related functions. RICs include near-real-time RICs (near-RT RICs) and non-real-time RICs (non-RT RICs). Non-real-time RICs primarily process non-real-time information, such as data that is not sensitive to latency, with latency in the order of seconds. Real-time RICs primarily process near-real-time information, such as data that is relatively sensitive to latency, with latency in the order of tens of milliseconds.

[0204] Near real-time (NRT) RICs are used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. NRT RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. NRT RICs can deliver inference results to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs. For example, a NRT RIC delivers an inference result to a DU, which then forwards it to an RU.

[0205] Non-real-time RICs are also used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. Non-real-time RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs; for example, a non-real-time RIC delivers inference results to a DU, which then forwards them to an RU.

[0206] Near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be configured as separate network elements. Near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be part of other devices. For example, near real-time RICs can be set in RAN nodes (e.g., CU, DU), while non-real-time RICs can be set in OAM, cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices.

[0207] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1-5.

[0208] It should be noted that the information name, message name, or parameter name in the embodiments of this application is just an example, and other names may be used in the specific implementation. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0209] It should be noted that the names of various network elements in this embodiment are just examples, and other names may be used in the actual implementation. This embodiment does not impose any specific limitations on this.

[0210] Figure 6 illustrates a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 uses a terminal and a network device as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the illustrated execution entities. For example, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) within the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions; similarly, the method executed by the terminal in this application can be implemented by a communication / processing module within the terminal, or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips / SIP chips containing modem cores, or GPUs / AI processors / ASICs) within the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions.

[0211] As shown in Figure 6, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0212] S601. The network device sends first information to the terminal, and the terminal receives the first information accordingly. The first information includes one or more first configurations.

[0213] Optionally, the first configuration can be an RRC configuration (RRCReconfiguration), and correspondingly, the first message can be an RRC message. Alternatively, the first configuration can also be a configuration other than an RRC configuration, such as OtherConfig, and correspondingly, the first message can be another message.

[0214] Optionally, the first configuration may include a set of parameters (or, a collection of one or more parameters). Alternatively, the first configuration may include a single parameter.

[0215] Optionally, the first configuration may include parameters related to inference. Alternatively, the first configuration may include parameters related to AI characteristics.

[0216] This application does not impose specific limitations on the first configuration in its embodiments. For example, in AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios, the first configuration is a CSI reporting configuration or a CSI reporting-related configuration. For instance, the first configuration may include CSI-ReportConfig. As another example, the first configuration may include at least one set of inference-related parameters. Taking AI-based spatial beam prediction or temporal beam prediction as an example, the first configuration may include inference-related parameters, specifically including at least one of the following parameters: association ID, Set A related information, Set B related information, report content related information, measurement time instance related information, prediction time instance related information, etc. Among these, the association ID is a data element used to ensure the consistency of network-side additional conditions corresponding to model training and inference. If the association IDs corresponding to model training and inference are the same, then the network-side additional conditions can be considered to be the same or similar. Report content related information refers to report information generated based on the output of the AI ​​model, such as top-K beams or RSRP. The time instance information related to the measurement can be the number of time instances measured, such as the number of historical beam information in time-domain beam prediction. The time instance information related to the prediction can be the number of time instances predicted, such as the number of future beam information in time-domain beam prediction. For other AI application scenarios, the first configuration can also include other inference-related parameters, and this invention does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0217] Optionally, the first information can be used to request the terminal to report the applicability of the first configuration. Alternatively, the network device and the terminal can agree in advance that after receiving the first configuration or the first information, the terminal needs to report the applicability of the first configuration.

[0218] Optionally, prior to S601, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include S600: the terminal sends information to the network device indicating the functions supported by the terminal (or, AI features supported by the terminal), such as AI-based beam prediction, AI-based CSI prediction, AI-based CSI feedback, AI-based positioning, etc. Optionally, the information indicating the functions supported by the terminal may be carried in UE capability information, such as a UE Capability Information message.

[0219] Optionally, S600 can be triggered by a query request sent by the network device to the terminal. For example, it can be triggered by a UE Capability Enquiry sent by the network device to the terminal.

[0220] Optionally, the first configuration can be related to the supported AI features reported by the terminal in S600. Alternatively, the network device can determine the first configuration based on the supported AI features reported by the terminal. For example, suppose in S600 the terminal indicates to the network device that it supports AI-based CSI feedback / prediction. In S601, the network device can send a CSI-Report Config to the terminal based on the terminal's support for AI-based CSI feedback / prediction.

[0221] S602. The terminal sends one or more first configuration applicability information to the network device. The first configuration applicability information is used to indicate the applicability of the first configuration. Applicability includes: applicable, or not applicable.

[0222] Specifically, "suitable" for the first configuration means that the terminal side has prepared the corresponding functions / models and can execute the inference corresponding to the first configuration. "Unsuitable" for the first configuration means that the terminal side has not yet prepared the corresponding functions / models and cannot execute the inference corresponding to the first configuration.

[0223] Wherein, if the first information includes multiple first configurations, the applicability information of the multiple first configurations can be carried in the same message, or the applicability information of the multiple first configurations can be carried in different messages.

[0224] Optionally, the terminal may send applicability information for each first configuration to the network device, wherein the applicability information for each first configuration explicitly indicates whether the first configuration is applicable or not. For example, the applicability information for the first configuration indicates the applicability of the first configuration through a 1-bit value; if the bit value is 1, it means that the applicability is applicable, and if the bit value is 0, it means that the applicability is not applicable.

[0225] Optionally, the applicability information of each first configuration sent by the terminal to the network device may indicate the mapping relationship between the identifier of each first configuration and the applicability of the first configuration. Alternatively, if the order in which the terminal sends the applicability information of each first configuration to the network device is consistent with the order in which the first configurations are received, then the applicability information of each first configuration may not contain the identifier of the first configuration, and the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the applicability of the first configuration is implicitly indicated by the order of sending.

[0226] Optionally, the applicability information sent by the terminal to the network device may indicate a first configuration that is applicable (this could be part or all of the first configuration), for example, an identifier indicating the applicable first configuration. The network device and the terminal device may pre-agree, define it through a protocol, or align it in other ways: configurations not indicated in the applicability information sent by the terminal are configurations whose applicability is deemed inapplicable in the configurations issued by the network device. This optional approach is equivalent to the applicability information implicitly indicating the applicability of the first configuration.

[0227] In S602, the applicability of one or more first configurations is determined based on the priority of one or more first configurations included in the first information, or based on the order of one or more first configurations included in the first information.

[0228] In one implementation, the terminal device can determine the applicability of the first configurations sequentially according to their priority. For example, if the first configuration includes three first configurations: configuration 1, configuration 2, and configuration 3, and the priority order of these three first configurations is configuration 3, configuration 1, and configuration 2, then the terminal can first determine the applicability of configuration 3, then determine the applicability of configuration 1, and then determine the applicability of configuration 2.

[0229] In another possible implementation, the terminal device can directly determine the applicable first configuration from one or more first configurations based on the currently available idle resources, the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively, and the priority order of the one or more first configurations. For example, if the first configurations include three first configurations: configuration 1, configuration 2, and configuration 3, and the priority order of these three first configurations is configuration 3, configuration 1, and configuration 2, and the current idle resources are 5, and the resources required by configuration 1, configuration 2, and configuration 3 are 2, 3, and 2 respectively, then the terminal can determine that the applicable configurations are configuration 3 and configuration 1. Optionally, the terminal device can first determine whether the current idle resources are sufficient based on the currently available idle resources and the resources required by one or more first configurations respectively. If it is determined that the current idle resources are insufficient, then the applicable first configuration from one or more first configurations is determined according to the priority order of the one or more first configurations.

[0230] In another possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the applicability of the first configurations sequentially according to their order. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly determine the applicable first configuration from among the one or more first configurations based on the currently available idle resources, the resources required by each of the one or more first configurations, and the order of the one or more first configurations. The order of the first configurations refers to the chronological order in which the first information indicates the first configuration (also known as the sending order of multiple first configurations in the first information). For example, if different fields in the first information indicate different first configurations, then the order of the different fields represents the order of the first configurations in the first information. Optionally, the terminal device can first determine whether the currently available idle resources are sufficient based on the currently available idle resources and the resources required by each of the one or more first configurations. If it is determined that the currently available idle resources are insufficient, then the terminal device determines the applicable first configuration from among the one or more first configurations according to their order.

[0231] The above-described implementation method, which determines the applicability of one or more first configurations based on their priority or order, can be understood as follows: the priority or order of the first configuration is related to the priority of the resources used by the first configuration on the terminal device. Typically, the higher the priority or the earlier the order of the first configuration, the higher the priority of the resources used. That is, the resources on the terminal device are preferentially allocated to the highest priority configuration (e.g., configuration 3 in the example above) or the configuration with the earliest order. After the highest priority or the earliest order configuration has used its resources, the remaining resources are then allocated to the next highest priority configuration or the next earliest order configuration, and so on. In other words, if the currently available resources are insufficient to download all the functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations, then the functions / models corresponding to the higher priority first configuration are downloaded first. Alternatively, it can be stipulated that the lower the priority or the later the order of the configuration, the higher the priority of the resources used, or that the functions / models corresponding to the lower priority first configuration are downloaded first. This invention does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0232] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration according to the priority or order of the first configuration, so that the terminal can determine the applicability of the first configuration according to the needs of the network device, avoiding the situation where the terminal selects a storage model that cannot meet the needs of the network device when there are insufficient resources on the terminal side.

[0233] Optionally, the terminal device determines the applicability of the first configuration according to its priority order or the order of the first configuration, including: determining whether a model corresponding to the first configuration exists according to its priority order or the order of the first configuration. Determining whether a model corresponding to the first configuration exists includes: determining whether the terminal locally stores the model corresponding to the first configuration, and determining whether other devices / network elements / platforms / servers have the model corresponding to the first configuration. If it is determined that other devices / network elements / platforms / servers have the model corresponding to the first configuration, the terminal can obtain the model corresponding to the first configuration from those other devices / network elements / platforms / servers and store it locally. If the terminal's current storage resources are insufficient to store all models corresponding to the first configuration, then the model corresponding to the first configuration with higher priority or earlier order is obtained first. Alternatively, the model corresponding to the first configuration with lower priority or later order is obtained first.

[0234] Optionally, if multiple first configurations with different priorities or orders correspond to the same model, the terminal determines whether to acquire the corresponding model based on the highest priority of the multiple first configurations or the order of the first configurations that appear first in the sequence. Alternatively, the terminal determines whether to acquire the corresponding model based on the lowest priority of the multiple first configurations or the order of the first configurations that appear last in the sequence.

[0235] This application does not limit the specific representation of the priority corresponding to the first configuration, or in other words, the specific implementation by which the terminal device determines the priority corresponding to the first configuration. The following describes several possible implementations provided by this application.

[0236] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the priority corresponding to the first configuration based on pre-obtained rules such as pre-configuration, protocol definitions, or rules pre-agreed with network devices. This implementation can also be understood as the terminal device determining second information based on the first information, whereby the second information indicates the priority corresponding to one or more of the first configurations.

[0237] Optionally, if the first information includes multiple first configurations, the terminal device can determine the priority of the first configurations based on their order. A first configuration appearing earlier in the order has a higher priority, or vice versa. The order of the first configurations refers to the chronological order in which the first information indicates the first configurations (also known as the transmission order of the multiple first configurations in the first information). For example, if different fields in the first information indicate different first configurations, then the order of these different fields determines the order of the first configurations in the first information.

[0238] The priority of the first configuration in the sequence, whether higher or lower, can be determined by the terminal device's pre-configuration, protocol definition, pre-agreement with the network device, or information sent by the network device. For example, suppose the first information includes three CSI-ReportConfigs: CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, and CSI-ReportConfig3. In the first information, the sending order of these three CSI-ReportConfigs is: CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, CSI-ReportConfig3. The terminal device can determine that CSI-ReportConfig1 has a higher priority than CSI-ReportConfig2, and CSI-ReportConfig2 has a higher priority than CSI-ReportConfig3, based on this order and the pre-configured rule that the earlier the configuration appears, the higher its priority, according to this order.

[0239] Optionally, if the first information includes multiple first configurations and multiple specific pieces of information, each specific piece of information corresponding to each first configuration, the terminal device can determine the priority of the first configurations based on the order of the specific pieces of information. The first configuration corresponding to a specific piece of information that appears earlier in the order has a higher priority, or vice versa. The order of the specific pieces of information corresponding to the first configurations is the chronological order in which the first information indicates the specific information (also referred to as the sending order of the multiple pieces of that specific information within the first information).

[0240] Optionally, the first information may include specific information corresponding to the first configuration, which may be outside the first configuration and may be the same as or related to a certain information included in the first configuration. This specific information is used to characterize the correspondence between the specific information and the first configuration. In other words, the terminal device may determine that the specific information corresponds to the first configuration based on the fact that the specific information is the same as or related to a certain information included in the first configuration, and thus determine the priority of the first configuration corresponding to the specific information according to the order of the specific information.

[0241] For example, suppose the first information includes multiple first configurations, each of which includes information 'a' (understandably, the value of information 'a' may differ for different first configurations). For instance, information 'a' could be a configuration identifier. In addition to the multiple first configurations, a new information element is defined within the first information. This information element includes information 'a' for each of the multiple first configurations, and the information 'a' of the multiple first configurations within this information element is arranged sequentially in a certain order. The terminal device can determine the priority order of the first configurations corresponding to information 'a' in the first information based on the order of information 'a' in this information element.

[0242] For example, as shown in Figure 7, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple CSI-Report Configs. The IDs of these multiple CSI-Report Configs (denoted as Report Config ID in Figure 7) are 0, 1, and 2 respectively (optionally, there may be other CSI-Report Configs not shown), hereinafter referred to as CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig1, and CSI-ReportConfig2, respectively. The CSI-Report Configs are carried in csi-ReportConfigToAddModList, csi-ReportConfigToAddModList is carried in CSI-measConfig, and CSI-measConfig is carried in RRCReconfiguration.

[0243] In addition to the multiple CSI-Report Configs, the first piece of information includes a new information element containing the IDs of multiple CSI-Report Configs, and the order of these CSI-Report Config IDs is {0, 1, 2, ...}. Based on the order of the CSI-Report Config IDs in this information element, the priority order of these multiple CSI-Report Configs from high to low can be CSI-Report Config0, CSI-Report Config1, CSI-Report Config2, ..., or conversely, it can be ... CSI-Report Config2, CSI-Report Config1, CSI-Report Config0.

[0244] Optionally, if the first configuration is CSI-ReportConfig, the terminal can determine the priority of the first configuration according to the priority rules of CSI reports in the existing protocol. That is, the priority of the first configuration can be determined according to at least one of the following parameters: reporting type (reportConfigType), reporting quantity (reportQuantity), serving cell identifier (serving cell ID), configuration identifier (report Config ID), maximum number of serving cells, or maximum number of configurable CSI reports. For details, please refer to the introduction of formula (1) above.

[0245] Furthermore, it is understandable that in the scheme of determining the priority of the first configuration according to the priority rules of CSI reports in the existing protocol, since the y value has the greatest impact on priority according to the current protocol's priority rules, the priority of non-periodic CSI-ReportConfig is always higher than that of semi-persistent CSI-ReportConfig, and the priority of semi-persistent CSI-ReportConfig is always higher than that of periodic CSI-ReportConfig. Based on this, for a set of CSI-ReportConfig configuration parameters other than the reporting type, the network device can configure three first configurations: non-periodic configuration, semi-persistent configuration, and periodic configuration and send them to the terminal device. It is understood that the reporting type does not affect the applicability of the configuration. These three first configurations can correspond to the same function / model on the terminal side. Based on this, after receiving the first configurations of the three reporting types, the terminal device can always determine the applicability according to the configuration of one reporting type, such as the non-periodic first configuration, the periodic first configuration, or the semi-persistent first configuration, thereby eliminating the impact of different reporting types on priority. The choice of which reporting type the terminal device uses to determine the applicability of the first configuration can be predefined by the protocol, pre-agreed upon by the network device and the terminal device, pre-configured by the terminal device, or indicated by information sent from the network device to the terminal device. In one optional implementation, the terminal device can determine the applicability of the first configuration based on the highest priority of the three reporting types (i.e., the non-periodic first configuration).

[0246] For example, assuming that the configuration parameters in CSI-ReportConfig, excluding the reporting type, are collectively referred to as configuration parameter groups, the network device can configure three types of configurations for configuration parameter group 1: CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, and CSI-ReportConfig3. Among them, the reporting type in CSI-ReportConfig1 is periodic, the reporting type in CSI-ReportConfig2 is semi-persistent, and the reporting type in CSI-ReportConfig3 is non-periodic. Except for the reporting type, CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, and CSI-ReportConfig3 all include configuration parameter group 1. Network devices can also configure three configurations for configuration parameter group 2 (where at least one parameter differs from that in configuration parameter group 1): CSI-ReportConfig4, CSI-ReportConfig5, and CSI-ReportConfig6. CSI-ReportConfig4 uses a periodic reporting type, CSI-ReportConfig5 uses a semi-persistent reporting type, and CSI-ReportConfig6 uses a non-periodic reporting type. Except for the reporting type, CSI-ReportConfig4, CSI-ReportConfig5, and CSI-ReportConfig6 all include configuration parameter group 2. Taking the determination of applicability based on the non-periodic reporting type of a terminal device as an example, the terminal device determines the priority of CSI-ReportConfig3 and the priority of CSI-ReportConfig6 according to the priority rules of CSI reports in the existing protocol. In one implementation, the terminal device may consider CSI-ReportConfig1 and CSI-ReportConfig2 to have the same priority as CSI-ReportConfig3, and CSI-ReportConfig4 and CSI-ReportConfig5 to have the same priority as CSI-ReportConfig6. Furthermore, the terminal device determines the applicability of CSI-ReportConfig1 to CSI-ReportConfig6 based on their priorities.In another implementation, the terminal device can determine the applicability of CSI-ReportConfig3 and CSI-ReportConfig6 solely based on their priorities. If CSI-ReportConfig3 is deemed applicable, then CSI-ReportConfig1 through CSI-ReportConfig3 are also applicable; similarly, if CSI-ReportConfig6 is deemed applicable, then CSI-ReportConfig4 through CSI-ReportConfig6 are also applicable. This eliminates the influence of reporting type on the priority of CSI-ReportConfig. Subsequently, the network device can select, based on actual needs, whether to activate CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, or CSI-ReportConfig3 for configuration parameter group 1, and whether to activate CSI-ReportConfig4, CSI-ReportConfig5, or CSI-ReportConfig6 for configuration parameter group 2.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the terminal can determine the priority corresponding to the first configuration based on the received second information. The second information indicates the priority of one or more first configurations. Optionally, the second information may be sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0248] It is understandable that the implementation of the terminal device determining the priority corresponding to the first configuration based on the received second information can be combined with the implementation of the terminal device determining the priority corresponding to the first configuration based on the pre-acquired rules mentioned above. This can be collectively referred to as the terminal device acquiring the second information, and the second information indicating (explicitly indicating or implicitly indicating) the priority corresponding to one or more first configurations.

[0249] Optionally, the second information can be carried in the same message as the first information, or it can be carried in a different message from the first information.

[0250] Optionally, the second information can be a newly defined information element used to indicate the corresponding priority of the configuration.

[0251] This application does not limit the specific form of the priority indicated by the second information in the embodiments. For example, the second information can indicate the priority level, such as: low, medium, high. As another example, the second information can indicate a numerical value, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc., and specify that the smaller the value, the higher the priority, or the larger the value, the higher the priority.

[0252] This application does not limit the specific implementation of the second information indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration in the embodiments. The following describes possible implementations of the second information indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0253] Implementation Method 1: The second information corresponds to the first configuration, and the second information indicates the priority of the corresponding first configuration. In Implementation Method 1, the number of second information entries corresponding to the first configurations is equal to the number of first information entries.

[0254] Optionally, the second information includes information in the first configuration indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration. That is, the second information is contained in the first configuration and is information in the first configuration indicating the priority.

[0255] For example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of one implementation method 1. As shown in Figure 8, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple CSI-Report Configs. The IDs of these multiple CSI-Report Configs (denoted as Report Config ID in Figure 8) are 0, 1, and 2 respectively (optionally, there may be other CSI-Report Configs not shown), which are hereinafter referred to as CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig1, and CSI-ReportConfig2. Among them, CSI-ReportConfig is carried in csi-ReportConfigToAddModList, csi-ReportConfigToAddModList is carried in CSI-measConfig, and CSI-measConfig is carried in RRCReconfiguration.

[0256] As shown in Figure 8, the second piece of information is a newly added information element in CSI-ReportConfig used to indicate priority (Figure 8 illustrates this information element as priority). Among them, the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig2 is 2.

[0257] For example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another example of implementation method 1. As shown in Figure 9, assuming the first configuration is a set of inference-related parameters: Inference related parameter set, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple inference related parameter sets, whose IDs (denoted as set ID in Figure 9) are 0, 1, and 2 respectively (optionally, there may be other inference related parameter sets not shown), hereinafter referred to as Inference related parameter set0, Inference related parameter set1, and Inference related parameter set2 respectively. The inference related parameter set is carried in the RRC Reconfiguration.

[0258] As shown in Figure 9, the second piece of information is a newly added information element in the Inference related parameter set used to indicate priority (Figure 9 illustrates this information element as priority). Among them, the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set2 is 2.

[0259] Optionally, the second information can be carried in the same message as the first configuration, but outside of it. The terminal can determine the position of the second information corresponding to the first configuration in the message according to preset rules (preset rules may be pre-agreed upon by network devices and terminals, terminal pre-configuration, protocol definition, etc.). For example, in a message carrying the first configuration, the second information corresponding to that first configuration may follow the first configuration.

[0260] For example, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another example of implementation method 1. As shown in Figure 10, assuming the first configuration is a set of inference-related parameters, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple inference-related parameter sets, which can be referred to in the description of the first configuration in Figure 9 above.

[0261] As shown in Figure 10, the second information can be carried in the RRC Reconfiguration. The second information corresponding to each Inference related parameter set is a newly added information element after each Inference related parameter set to indicate the priority (Figure 10 illustrates this information element as priority). Among them, the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 2 is 2.

[0262] Implementation Method 2: When the first information includes multiple first configurations, the second information includes multiple priorities. The multiple first configurations and the multiple priorities correspond one-to-one. That is, the second information indicates the priority of the multiple first configurations respectively, and the order in which the second information indicates the multiple priorities (or the sending order of the multiple priorities in the second information) is the same as the order in which the first information indicates the multiple first configurations (or the sending order of the multiple first configurations in the first information).

[0263] Optionally, the second information and the first configuration can be carried in the same message. Alternatively, the second information and the first configuration can be carried in different messages. The terminal can determine the position of the second information in the message according to preset rules (preset rules may be pre-agreed upon by network devices and terminals, pre-configured by the terminal, protocol definitions, etc.).

[0264] For example, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of one implementation method 2. Assuming the first configuration is CSI-ReportConfig, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple CSI-ReportConfigs, as can be found in the description of the first configuration in Figure 8 above.

[0265] Optionally, as shown in Figure 11(1), the second information can be a newly added information element in CSI-measConfig used to indicate priority (Figure 11(1) illustrates this information element as priority). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 11(2), the second information can be a newly added information element in another RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 11(2) illustrates this information element as priority). The second information indicates the priority of CSI-ReportConfig in the order of CSI-measConfig, that is, the first priority in the second information is the priority of the first configuration in the first information, and so on. As shown in Figure 11, the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig2 is 2.

[0266] For example, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another example of implementation method 2. Assume that the first configuration is a set of inference-related parameters: Inference related parameter set. The first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple inference related parameter sets. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 9 above.

[0267] Optionally, as shown in Figure 12(1), the second information can be a newly added information element in the RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 12(1) illustrates this information element as priority). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12(2), the second information can be a newly added information element in another RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 12(2) illustrates this information element as priority). The second information indicates the priority of the Inference related parameter set in the order of the Inference related parameter set in the RRC Reconfiguration, where the priority value of Inference related parameter set0 is 0, the priority value of Inference related parameter set1 is 1, and the priority value of Inference related parameter set2 is 2.

[0268] Implementation method 3: The second information includes the mapping relationship between the identifier of the first configuration and the priority corresponding to the first configuration.

[0269] Optionally, the second information and the first configuration can be carried in the same message. Alternatively, the second information and the first configuration can be carried in different messages. The terminal can determine the position of the second information in the message according to preset rules (preset rules may be pre-agreed upon by network devices and terminals, pre-configured by the terminal, protocol definitions, etc.).

[0270] For example, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of one implementation method 3. Assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple CSI-Report Configs, as can be found in the description of the first configuration in Figure 8 above.

[0271] Optionally, as shown in Figure 13(1), the second information can be a newly added information element in CSI-measConfig used to indicate priority (Figure 13(1) illustrates this information element as priority). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13(2), the second information can be a newly added information element in another RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 13(2) illustrates this information element as priority). The second information includes the mapping relationship between the ID of CSI-Report Config and the corresponding priority. For example, this mapping relationship can be represented in the form of ID:priority value, where the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig2 is 2.

[0272] For example, Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another example of implementation method 3. Assume that the first configuration is a set of inference-related parameters: Inference related parameter set. The first information sent by the network device in S601 includes multiple inference related parameter sets. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 7 above.

[0273] Optionally, as shown in Figure 14(1), the second information can be a newly added information element in the RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 14(1) illustrates this information element as priority). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14(2), the second information can be a newly added information element in another RRC Reconfiguration used to indicate priority (Figure 14(2) illustrates this information element as priority). The second information includes the mapping relationship between the ID of the Inference related parameter set and the corresponding priority value. This mapping relationship is represented in the form of ID: priority value, where the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 0 is 0, the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 1 is 1, and the priority value corresponding to Inference related parameter set 2 is 2.

[0274] Optionally, after S601, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0275] S603. The network device sends third information to the terminal. The third information includes one or more second configurations. The third information can trigger the terminal to determine the applicability of one or more second configurations. The terminal can determine the applicability of one or more second configurations based on their priority or their order.

[0276] The second configuration may be the same as or different from the first configuration. Optionally, S603 may be executed once or multiple times. This can also be understood as the network device executing S601 multiple times, sending the first information to the terminal multiple times; the different first information messages may include the same or different first configurations. For details on S603, please refer to the above description of S601.

[0277] Optionally, the terminal and network device may pre-agree, or the protocol may pre-define, or pre-configure the following priority rules: among multiple configurations sent by the network device, the priority of the previously sent configuration is higher or lower than the priority of the next sent configuration. Taking the first configuration and the second configuration as examples, the priority of one or more second configurations may all be higher than the priority of one or more first configurations, or the priority of one or more second configurations may all be lower than the priority of one or more first configurations.

[0278] Since the network device may execute S603 one or more times after S601, this application introduces "configuration effective (or configuration valid)" and "configuration invalid" to clarify how the terminal determines the applicability information according to the priority of the configuration when it receives configurations multiple times. If the configuration is effective, the priority corresponding to that configuration is also effective. When determining the applicability information of the configuration received this time, the terminal needs to consider the priority of previously received configurations that are still effective. If the configuration is invalid, the priority corresponding to that configuration is also invalid. When determining the applicability information of the configuration received this time, the terminal does not need to consider the priority of the invalidated configuration. For example, if the network device first sends configuration 1 and configuration 2, and then sends configuration 3 and configuration 4, after the terminal receives configuration 3 and configuration 4, if it determines that the previously received configuration 1 and configuration 2 are still effective, the terminal can determine the applicability of configuration 3 and configuration 4 according to the priority of configuration 1, configuration 2, configuration 3, and configuration 4. If the terminal determines that the previously received configuration 1 and configuration 2 are invalid, the terminal can determine the applicability of configuration 3 and configuration 4 only according to the priority of configuration 3 and configuration 4.

[0279] This application provides various rules for the activation / deactivation of configurations issued by multiple network devices, which will be described in detail below.

[0280] Rule 1: Each configuration sent by a network device takes effect only once. Correspondingly, the priority of each configuration sent by a network device is only valid for that specific instance; once the configuration expires, its corresponding priority also becomes invalid.

[0281] In Rule 1, if a network device sends multiple configurations, the terminal can automatically assume that the previously received configuration is invalid after each new configuration or configuration received, and the priority of the previously received configuration is also invalidated. In other words, when the terminal determines the applicability information based on the priority of the currently received configuration, it does not consider the priority of the previously received configuration.

[0282] For example, if a terminal receives one or more first configurations included in the first information, and then also receives one or more second configurations included in the third information, the one or more first configurations automatically become invalid after the terminal receives the third information. The terminal determines the priority of the one or more second configurations based on their priority. Optionally, if the terminal has not yet sent the applicability information of the first configurations to the network device before receiving the third information, the terminal may choose not to send the applicability information of the first configurations to the network device.

[0283] Rule 2: Whether one or more configurations sent by a network device in a previous transaction become invalid after the network device sends one or more configurations this time is indicated by the network device.

[0284] For example, if a terminal receives one or more first configurations included in the first information, and then also receives one or more second configurations included in the third information, the terminal can determine whether the one or more first configurations are invalid based on the received first indication information. In this embodiment, the timing of the terminal receiving the first indication information is not limited. The terminal may receive the first indication information before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information, or may receive both the first information and the first indication information simultaneously.

[0285] Optionally, the first indication information may indicate that all or all of one or more first configurations are disabled or not disabled. For example, the first indication information may indicate "TRUE" or "FALSE" to indicate that all or all of one or more first configurations are disabled or not disabled. Alternatively, the first indication information may indicate the identifier of the first configuration that is disabled or not disabled. Alternatively, the first indication information may indicate that each first configuration is disabled or not disabled for each first configuration; for example, the first indication information may indicate "TRUE" or "FALSE" for each first configuration to indicate that each first configuration is disabled or not disabled.

[0286] Rule 3: The terminal may assume that one or more configurations sent by the network device each time are continuously effective (or globally effective), and the priority of each configuration sent by the network device is also continuously effective. Optionally, the network device may send information to the terminal device to indicate which one or more configurations among the already issued configurations are invalid, for example, indicating the identifier of the invalid configuration. The terminal determines the invalid configuration based on the network device's indication.

[0287] Optionally, rule 3 can be applied when the network device sends a configuration to the terminal only once, such as when the network device only sends the first piece of information. Alternatively, rule 3 can be applied when the network device sends multiple configurations to the terminal, such as when the network device sends one or more first configurations and then sends one or more second configurations.

[0288] For example, after sending the first information to the terminal, the network device may send a fourth information to the terminal, indicating that at least one of the one or more first configurations included in the first information has failed. If the network device subsequently sends a second information to the terminal, it may also send information indicating that at least one second configuration has failed. Optionally, the fourth information may indicate the identifier of the failed configuration.

[0289] Rule 4: If the applicable information of the configuration indicates that it is not applicable, the configuration will automatically become invalid after the terminal device sends the applicable information of the configuration to the network device.

[0290] For example, if the applicability information of at least one first configuration sent by the terminal to the network device indicates that it is not applicable, the at least one first configuration will automatically become invalid after the terminal sends the applicability information.

[0291] Optionally, based on the above rules 1-4 for configuration effectiveness / ineffectiveness, if the terminal received one or more configurations before receiving one or more configurations this time, and at least one previously received configuration is still effective when the terminal determines the applicability of the configuration received this time, the specific implementation of the terminal determining the applicability information of the configuration received this time according to the priority of the at least one previously received configuration that is still effective and the priority of the configuration received this time can be referred to the above description of the terminal determining the applicability of the first configuration according to the priority of the first configuration in S602.

[0292] Optionally, in this embodiment, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the configuration (referring to the resources occupied by the function / model corresponding to the configuration) when certain conditions are met. Taking the first configuration as an example, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the third configuration according to the first condition, wherein the third configuration can be any of the first configurations among one or more configurations included in the first information.

[0293] The first condition may include at least one of the following:

[0294] (1) The third configuration has failed. That is to say, after the terminal determines that the third configuration has failed, it releases the resources corresponding to the third configuration.

[0295] (2) The terminal sends the applicability information of the third configuration to the network device, indicating applicability, and the priority of the third configuration is lower than the priority of the second configuration, and the reception time of the second configuration is later than the reception time of the third configuration. That is, after receiving the third configuration, the terminal receives the second configuration. If the terminal determines that the priority of the second configuration is higher than the priority of the third configuration, and if the terminal determines that it has already reported the applicability information of the third configuration, and the applicability information of the third configuration indicates applicability, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the third configuration. Optionally, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the third configuration if it determines that the priority of the second configuration is higher than the priority of the third configuration, and the idle resources are insufficient to acquire the function / model corresponding to the second configuration. Optionally, the released resources can be used to acquire the function / model corresponding to the second configuration.

[0296] Optionally, if multiple third configurations satisfy the conditions described in (2), the terminal may release the third configurations in order of priority from low to high. Optionally, when the terminal releases the resources corresponding to the third configurations in order of priority from low to high, if it is determined that the current idle resources are sufficient to acquire the function / model corresponding to the second configuration, the terminal may stop releasing the resources corresponding to the remaining third configurations.

[0297] (3) The terminal sends the applicability information of the third configuration to the network device, indicating applicability, and the first duration reaches the first threshold. Here, the first duration can be the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration. The start time of the timer corresponding to the third configuration is the time when the applicability information of the third configuration is sent. That is, when the terminal sends the applicability information of the third configuration to the network device, it starts the timer corresponding to the third configuration, and releases the resources corresponding to the third configuration when the timer runtime reaches the first threshold. This can be understood as the first duration being the duration for which the function / model corresponding to the third configuration occupies resources.

[0298] Alternatively, the first duration includes the duration during which the third configuration is not activated or triggered. This inactive duration can begin counting from the timer corresponding to the third configuration started by the terminal device. The start time of the timer is either the time when the applicability information of the third configuration is sent or the time when the third configuration is deactivated. The termination condition of the timer is the activation of the third configuration. After the timer for the third configuration is started, if the network indicates an activation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can terminate the timer (reset the timer's countdown). In other words, the runtime of the timer for the third configuration can be considered as the duration of the third configuration being in an inactive state. When the runtime of the timer for the third configuration reaches a first threshold, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the third configuration. Optionally, if the network device indicates an activation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can also wait for the network device to indicate a deactivation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration. Simultaneously with the network device indicating a deactivation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can restart the timer for the third configuration. If the network device again indicates an activation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can terminate the timer for the third configuration. The terminal can use the runtime of the timer after each restart as the duration during which the third configuration is not activated.

[0299] Alternatively, the first duration includes the cumulative duration during which the third configuration has not been activated or triggered. This cumulative inactivity period can be calculated from the timer corresponding to the third configuration started on the terminal device. The start time of this timer is the time when the applicability information for the third configuration is sent. After the timer for the third configuration is started, if the timer's runtime reaches the first threshold, the terminal device releases the resources corresponding to the third configuration. If the timer's runtime has not yet reached the first threshold, and the network device indicates an activation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can pause the timer (the timer's count will not be reset). Subsequently, if the network device again indicates a deactivation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can restart the timer. The timer continues counting, and if its runtime reaches the first threshold, the terminal device releases the resources corresponding to the third configuration. If, after the timer continues counting, before its runtime reaches the first threshold, the network device again indicates an activation operation for the function corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can pause the timer again, and so on. In other words, the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration can be considered as the cumulative time during which the third configuration has not been activated. When the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration reaches the first threshold, the terminal can release the resources corresponding to the third configuration.

[0300] Optionally, after determining that the first condition is met, the terminal can further determine whether the second condition is met, and if the second condition is met, release the resources corresponding to the third configuration. The second condition includes:

[0301] (4) The function / model corresponding to the third configuration does not have a corresponding running task, which can also be understood as the function / model corresponding to the third configuration not being activated or triggered.

[0302] (5) The third configuration is a configuration indicated by the network device that supports the release of corresponding resources when the first condition is met. For example, the network device sends an indication message to the terminal in advance, indicating that configuration 1, configuration 2, and configuration 3 support the release of corresponding resources when the first condition is met. The terminal determines that the received configuration 1 and configuration 4 meet the first condition. Since configuration 4 is not a configuration that the network device has indicated in advance to support the release of corresponding resources when the first condition is met, the terminal can release the resource corresponding to configuration 1, but not the resource corresponding to configuration 4.

[0303] Optionally, if the terminal has already sent the applicability information of the third configuration to the network device, and the applicability information indicates that it is applicable, after the terminal releases the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal can send the applicability information of the third configuration to the network device again. The newly sent applicability information can indicate that the applicability of the third configuration is not applicable.

[0304] Optionally, if the terminal determines that the applicability of the fourth configuration is inapplicable among the received one or more first configurations, and the fourth configuration has not expired after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal needs to re-determine the applicability of the fourth configuration. If the terminal determines that the applicability of the fourth configuration has become applicable, the terminal can resend the applicability information of the fourth configuration to the network device, and the applicability information of the fourth configuration indicates that it is applicable. The fourth configuration can be any of the one or more first configurations.

[0305] Optionally, if the terminal receives one or more fifth configurations before releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal may have sent applicability information of the fifth configuration to the network device before releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, and the applicability information indicates that it is not applicable, or the terminal has not yet sent applicability information of the fifth configuration to the network device. Optionally, after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the terminal may, if it determines that the fifth configuration has not expired and that the current idle resources are sufficient to obtain the function / model corresponding to the fifth configuration, send applicability information to the network device indicating that the fifth configuration is applicable. The fifth configuration can be any of one or more second configurations.

[0306] To enable network devices to obtain resource information from terminals and reduce unnecessary signaling overhead, this application also provides a communication method for terminals to report resource information, as shown in Figure 15. It is understood that this method can also be implemented in conjunction with the method in Figure 6, for example, in step S602. Figure 15 illustrates this method using a terminal and a network device as the illustrative execution subjects, but this application does not limit the illustrative execution subjects. For example, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by a communication / processing module in the terminal, or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips / SIP chips containing modem cores, or GPU / AI processors / ASICs) in the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions.

[0307] As shown in Figure 15, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0308] S1501. The terminal sends at least one of the following information: first information, or second information. The first information indicates the applicability of one or more first configurations, where applicability includes: applicable or not applicable. The first information also indicates whether the terminal supports one or more first configurations. The second information indicates whether the terminal has available resources, or indicates whether the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configurations.

[0309] Optionally, prior to S1501, the communication method may further include S1500: the network device sends one or more first configurations to the terminal. Wherein, if the network device sends multiple first configurations, these multiple first configurations may be carried in the same message or different messages.

[0310] For details on the S1500, please refer to the above introduction to the S601; further details will not be provided here.

[0311] Optionally, in S1501, the applicability of one or more first configurations is determined based on the priority of the one or more first configurations included in the first information, or based on the order of the one or more first configurations included in the first information. For details on how the terminal determines the applicability of one or more first configurations, please refer to the above description of S602, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0312] Based on the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the network device can determine whether the terminal supports the first configuration based on the first information. For unsupported first configurations, the network device can stop sending them to the terminal, avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead caused by continuously sending unsupported first configurations to the terminal. If the first information indicates that the terminal supports the first configuration, but the applicability of the first configuration is inapplicable, the network device can determine that the terminal's local storage resources are insufficient, causing the first configuration to be inapplicable. This avoids sending many invalid configurations to the terminal even when local storage resources are insufficient. The network device can determine the terminal's idle resource status based on the second information, and thus adjust the configurations sent to the terminal according to the terminal's idle resource status, avoiding sending many invalid configurations to the terminal even when local storage resources are insufficient.

[0313] In S1501, it can be understood that if the first information indicates that the terminal does not support the first configuration, then the applicability of the first configuration is naturally also inapplicable. If the first information indicates that the terminal supports the first configuration, the applicability of the first configuration may be applicable or inapplicable. Based on this, the first information can also be understood as indicating that the applicability of the first configuration satisfies which of the following: applicable and supported, supported and inapplicable, or unsupported and inapplicable.

[0314] Optionally, the terminal may determine that the first configuration is supported but not applicable if it supports the first configuration but its idle resources are insufficient to store the model corresponding to the first configuration. The terminal may also determine that the first configuration is supported and applicable if it supports the first configuration and its local idle storage resources are sufficient to store the model corresponding to the first configuration. Finally, the terminal may determine that the first configuration is not supported and is not applicable if it does not support the first configuration.

[0315] This application does not limit the applicability of the first information indicating the first configuration or the specific implementation of whether the terminal supports the first configuration. Several possible implementation methods provided by this application are described below.

[0316] Implementation method 4: The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value, the second value or the third value, wherein the first configuration corresponds to the first value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable; the first configuration corresponds to the second value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable and the first configuration is supported; the first configuration corresponds to the third value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable and the first configuration is not supported.

[0317] Optionally, the first value, the second value, and the third value can be different bit values ​​of the first information. For example, suppose the first information is a cell corresponding to the first configuration, which includes 2 bits. When the bit value is 00, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is not supported and not applicable. When the bit value is 10, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is supported and not applicable. When the bit value is 11, it means that the bit value is supported and applicable.

[0318] For example, as shown in Figure 16, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Configs in S1500. The IDs of these multiple CSI-Report Configs (denoted as Config IDs in Figure 16) are 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively (optionally, there may be other CSI-Report Configs not shown), hereinafter referred to as CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig1, CSI-ReportConfig2, CSI-ReportConfig3, and CSI-ReportConfig4. CSI-ReportConfig0-4 are carried in RRCReconfiguration. The first information reported by the terminal for CSI-ReportConfig0-4 is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0319] As shown in Figure 16, the first information is the element following the Config ID in RRCReconfigurationComplete. The bit value of the first information corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig0 is 11, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig0 is supported and applicable. The bit value of the first information corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig1 is 00, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig1 is not supported and not applicable. The bit value of the first information corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig2 is 10, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig2 is supported and not applicable. The bit value of the first information corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig3 is 11, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig3 is supported and applicable. The bit value of the first information corresponding to CSI-ReportConfig4 is 11, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig4 is supported and applicable.

[0320] Implementation method 5: The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first or second value, wherein the first configuration corresponds to the first value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponds to the second value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate the first configuration that is not supported. For example, the first information can indicate the identifier of the first configuration that is not supported.

[0321] It is understandable that in implementation method 5, the first configuration not indicated by the first information is the first configuration supported by the terminal.

[0322] Optionally, the first information may include different information elements, wherein some information elements are used to indicate the applicability of the first configuration, and some information elements are used to indicate the first configuration that is not supported.

[0323] Optionally, the first value and the second value can be different bit values ​​of a specific bit. For example, suppose the first information includes a cell corresponding to the first configuration, and the cell includes 1 bit. When the bit value is 0, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is not applicable, and when the bit value is 1, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is applicable.

[0324] For example, as shown in Figure 17, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Config messages in S1500. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Config messages is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0325] As shown in Figure 17, the first information may include an information element indicating applicability carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete after the Config ID, and may also include a newly added information element carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete along with CSI-Report Config0-4 (denoted as notSupport in Figure 17). For CSI-ReportConfig0, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig0 is applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig1, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 0, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig1 is not applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig2, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 0, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig2 is not applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig3, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig3 is applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig4, the bit value of the information element used to indicate applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig4 is applicable. Furthermore, the newly added information element notSupport indicates that CSI-ReportConfig1 is not supported.

[0326] Implementation method 6: The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponds to the first value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponds to the second value and is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether the first configuration whose applicability is not applicable is supported.

[0327] Optionally, the first information may include different information elements, wherein some information elements are used to indicate the applicability of the first configuration, and some information elements are used to indicate whether the first configuration, which is not applicable, is supported.

[0328] Optionally, the first value and the second value can be different bit values ​​of a specific bit. For example, suppose the first information includes a cell corresponding to the first configuration, and the cell includes 1 bit. When the bit value is 0, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is not applicable, and when the bit value is 1, it means that the applicability of the corresponding first configuration is applicable.

[0329] Optionally, the first information can indicate whether a first configuration that is not applicable is supported through different bit values ​​of a specific bit. For example, suppose the first information includes a cell corresponding to a first configuration that is not applicable. When the bit value of this cell is 0, it means that the corresponding first configuration is not supported. When the bit value of this cell is 1, it means that the corresponding first configuration is supported.

[0330] For example, as shown in Figure 18, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Config messages in S1500. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Config messages is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0331] As shown in Figure 18, the first information may include information elements carrying in RRCReconfigurationComplete, following the Config ID, used to indicate applicability. For CSI-ReportConfig0, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig0 is applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig1, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 0, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig1 is not applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig2, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 0, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig2 is not applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig3, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig3 is applicable. For CSI-ReportConfig4, the bit value of the information element indicating applicability is 1, indicating that CSI-ReportConfig4 is applicable. Furthermore, the first information also includes a second information element after Config ID1 and a second information element after Config ID2. The bit value of the second information element after Config ID1 is 0, indicating that the terminal does not support CSI-ReportConfig1, and the bit value of the second information element after Config ID2 is 1, indicating that the terminal supports CSI-ReportConfig1.

[0332] The second information indicates whether the terminal has available resources. This can also be interpreted as indicating whether the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration, or whether the terminal supports adding new configurations based on the existing configuration. Specifically, if the second information indicates that the terminal has available resources, it can be understood as indicating that the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration. If the second information indicates that the terminal does not have available resources, it can be understood as indicating that the terminal does not support the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration.

[0333] This application does not limit the specific implementation of the second information indicating whether the terminal has idle resources or whether the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration. Optionally, the second information can be a newly added information element, which can indicate whether the terminal has idle resources or whether the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration through different bit values. For example, when the bit value of the second information is 0, it indicates that the terminal has no idle resources (or indicates that the terminal does not support the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration). When the bit value of the second information is 1, it indicates that the terminal has idle resources (or indicates that the terminal supports the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration).

[0334] Optionally, the second information and the first information can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages.

[0335] For example, as shown in Figure 19, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Config messages in S1500. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Config messages is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0336] As shown in Figure 19, in RRCReconfigurationComplete, the information cell following the Config ID is used to indicate the applicability of CSI-Report Config. The second information can be a new information cell carried in the same RRC Reconfiguration Complete as CSI-Report Config0-4 (Figure 19 illustrates this new information cell as denoted as resourceindicator). The bit value indicated by this new information cell is 0, indicating that the terminal has no idle resources (or indicating that the terminal does not support the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration).

[0337] For example, as shown in Figure 20, assuming the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Config messages in S1500, and these multiple CSI-Report Config messages are carried in different RRC Reconfiguration Complete messages. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above.

[0338] As shown in Figure 20, the third information can be a new information element in another RRC Reconfiguration Complete (Figure 20 uses the new information element denoted as resourceindicator as an example). The bit value indicated by this new information element is 0, indicating that the terminal has no idle resources (or indicating that the terminal does not support the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration).

[0339] To enable network devices to obtain the correlation between different configurations and facilitate more reasonable configuration, this application also provides a communication method for terminals to report the correlation between configurations. It is understood that this method can also be implemented in conjunction with the methods in Figure 6 or Figure 15, for example, in step S602 or step S1501. Figure 21 illustrates this method using a terminal and a network device as the illustrative execution subjects, but this application does not limit the illustrative execution subjects. For example, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by a communication / processing module in the terminal or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips / SIP chips containing modem cores, or GPU / AI processors / ASICs) in the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions.

[0340] As shown in Figure 21, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0341] S2101, The terminal sends first information to the network device, the first information indicating the association between a first configuration and one or more second configurations. The task corresponding to the first configuration shares a first resource with the tasks corresponding to one or more second configurations.

[0342] In S2101, the first configuration or the second configuration can be a configuration sent by the network device to the terminal, requesting the terminal to determine its applicability. Optionally, the first configuration and the second configuration can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages. If the first configuration and the second configuration are carried in the same message, the specific details of the first configuration and the second configuration can be found in the description of the first configuration included in the first information in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 above. If the first configuration and the second configuration are carried in different messages, the specific details of the first configuration and the second configuration included in the third information in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 above can be found in the description of the first configuration included in the first information and the second configuration included in the third information.

[0343] Optionally, the first configuration and the second configuration can be the active configurations.

[0344] Optionally, the first configuration and the second configuration can be configurations in which the terminal has already sent the corresponding applicability information to the network device.

[0345] Optionally, the association between the first configuration indicated by the first information and one or more second configurations can be reported together with the applicability information. For details on the reporting of the applicability information, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 15 above.

[0346] Optionally, assuming there are N second configurations, where N is a positive integer, and the first information indicates that the first configuration is associated with all N second configurations, then the task corresponding to the first configuration shares the first resource with the tasks corresponding to these N second configurations. Alternatively, the first information indicates that the first configuration is associated with M of the N second configurations, where M is a positive integer less than or equal to N, then the task corresponding to the first configuration shares the first resource with the tasks corresponding to these M second configurations. Optionally, the first information may also indicate that the first configuration is not associated with any of the N second configurations other than the M second configurations. Alternatively, the first information may only indicate the second configurations associated with the first configuration; second configurations not indicated by the first information are not associated with the first configuration.

[0347] Optionally, after the network device issues the first configuration and one or more second configurations, there may be one or more second configurations that are not associated with the first configuration or other second configurations. In other words, there may be second configurations that are not associated with the first configuration or other second configurations. Optionally, the first information may indicate one or more second configurations that are not associated with the first configuration or other second configurations.

[0348] It is understandable that for two unrelated configurations, the tasks corresponding to these two configurations do not share the first resource, or in other words, the tasks corresponding to these two configurations each need to occupy an independent first resource.

[0349] In this context, the task corresponding to a certain configuration refers to the task that the network device instructs the terminal device to perform under that configuration. This task can be periodic, semi-static, or aperiodic. For example, if the first configuration is CSI-Report Config, then the task corresponding to the first configuration is periodic CSI reporting, semi-static CSI reporting, or aperiodic CSI reporting.

[0350] For a task corresponding to a first configuration and a task corresponding to one or more second configurations sharing a first resource, the first resource may include resources in at least one of the following dimensions: time resources, space resources, chip area, logic units, etc. Two tasks sharing a first resource can be understood as the two tasks requiring only one first resource, or the first resource required by the two tasks not being calculated repeatedly, or the two tasks sharing the same first resource, or the two tasks occupying the same first resource. The resources occupied by a task corresponding to a configuration can also be understood as the resources occupied by that configuration. Therefore, a task corresponding to a first configuration and a task corresponding to one or more second configurations sharing a first resource can also be understood as the first configuration and one or more second configurations sharing a first resource. A configuration may correspond to one or more tasks. Therefore, a task corresponding to a first configuration and a task corresponding to one or more second configurations sharing a first resource can also be understood as all tasks corresponding to the first configuration and all tasks corresponding to one or more second configurations sharing a first resource.

[0351] Optionally, the first resource may include at least one of the following: storage resources, activation resources, or applicability resources.

[0352] Storage resources refer to the resources available for storage on the terminal. Storage resources can also be replaced by memory resources, computing resources, processing resources, computing power resources, computing units, processing units, etc. Storage resources can be on-chip storage or off-chip storage. The task corresponding to the first configuration and the task corresponding to the second configuration share storage resources. This can be understood as follows: on the terminal side, the storage resources occupied by the task corresponding to the first configuration are the same as those occupied by the task corresponding to the second configuration. Alternatively, it can be understood as follows: when the task corresponding to the first configuration and the task corresponding to the second configuration exist simultaneously, they occupy the same storage resources. The storage resources occupied by a task corresponding to a configuration can also be understood as the storage resources occupied by that configuration. Specifically, taking AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios as examples, with the first and second configurations being CSI-Report Config, for two related CSI-Report Configs (which can be called CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2), when the network device activates / triggers CSI reporting task 1 for CSI-Report Config1, the terminal device will activate the model corresponding to CSI-Report Config1. Assuming that this model requires 1 unit of storage resource, it can be considered that CSI-Report Config1 or CSI reporting task 1 occupies 1 unit of storage resource. If the network device activates / triggers CSI reporting task 2 for CSI-Report Config2, and if the model is still in an active state due to the configuration / activation of CSI reporting task 1, then CSI reporting task 2 will not cause it to occupy more storage resources. In other words, the total number of storage resources required to run CSI reporting task 1 and CSI reporting task 2 simultaneously is still 1. If the available idle resources on the terminal are 0 after activating / triggering CSI reporting task 1, and the network device then activates / triggers CSI reporting task 2 for CSI-Report Config2, CSI reporting task 2 can still start and run normally. However, if the network device also activates / triggers CSI reporting task 3 for CSI-Report Config3, and CSI-Report Config3 has no association with CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2, then because the available idle resources are 0, CSI reporting task 3 cannot start and run normally. Therefore, after obtaining the association relationships between different configurations, the network device can perform more reasonable configurations. In cases of insufficient storage resources, the network device may not need to configure new tasks.

[0353] The activation resources can be the time resources required to activate the function corresponding to the configuration, and / or the space resources required to activate the function corresponding to the configuration. The time resources required to activate the function corresponding to the configuration refer to the time required for the terminal to activate the function after receiving the instruction information indicating that the function corresponding to the configuration should be activated. Specifically, it can refer to the time required to migrate the function / model corresponding to the configuration stored in off-chip resources to on-chip resources. The space resources required to activate the function corresponding to the configuration can refer to the on-chip resources occupied by the function / model corresponding to the configuration after it has been migrated from off-chip storage resources to on-chip resources. The situation where the task corresponding to the first configuration and the task corresponding to the second configuration share activation resources can be understood as follows: on the terminal side, after the terminal performs an activation operation on the function corresponding to the first or second configuration and consumes the corresponding activation resources, if the terminal needs to perform activation operations on other first or second configurations, the terminal does not need to consume the corresponding activation resources again. Specifically, taking AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios as examples, with the first and second configurations being CSI-Report Config, for two related CSI-Report Configs (which can be called CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2), when the network device activates / triggers CSI reporting task 1 for CSI-Report Config1, the terminal device will activate the model corresponding to CSI-Report Config1. The reporting latency of CSI reporting task 1 needs to consider the activation latency. If the network device activates / triggers CSI reporting task 2 for CSI-Report Config2, and if the model is still in an active state due to the configuration / activation of CSI reporting task 1, then the reporting latency of CSI reporting task 2 does not need to consider the activation latency. In other words, due to the influence of CSI reporting task 1, the latency requirement for CSI reporting task 2 is shorter. Therefore, after obtaining the correlation between different configurations, the network device can align the latency requirements of each task with the terminal device, facilitating more reasonable configuration by the network device.

[0354] Among these, applicability resources refer to the storage resources within the terminal used to provide storage for the functions / models corresponding to the applicable configurations. The tasks corresponding to the first configuration and the tasks corresponding to the second configuration share these applicability resources. This can be understood as follows: on the terminal side, the storage resources occupied by the functions / models corresponding to the first configuration are the same as those occupied by the functions / models corresponding to the second configuration. The storage resources occupied by a task corresponding to a configuration can also be understood as the storage resources occupied by that configuration. Therefore, it can also be understood that when both the first and second configurations exist simultaneously, they occupy the same storage resource; that is, this single storage resource can support the applicability of both the first and second configurations simultaneously. Specifically, taking AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios as examples, with the first and second configurations being CSI-Report Config, for two related CSI-Report Configs (CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2), when the network device first requests the applicability of CSI-Report Config1, the terminal device will obtain the model corresponding to CSI-Report Config1. Assuming that this model requires 1 unit of storage resource, it can be considered that CSI-Report Config1 occupies 1 unit of storage resource. If the network device then requests the applicability of CSI-Report Config2, CSI-Report Config2 will not result in consuming more storage resources. In other words, CSI-Report Config2 is also applicable. The total number of storage resources required to support the applicability of both CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2 is still 1. If the terminal has zero available idle resources after CSI-Report Config1 is reported as applicable, the network device knows that CSI-Report Config2 is also applicable, and therefore can configure CSI-Report Config2. If the network device also wants to configure CSI-Report Config3, and if it is known that CSI-Report Config3 is not associated with CSI-Report Config1 or CSI-Report Config2, then since the available idle resources are zero, the network device knows that configuring CSI-Report Config3 is also inapplicable, and the network device can choose not to configure CSI-Report Config3.Additionally, if the network device still wants to configure CSI-Report Config3, it can instruct the release of resources occupied by the applicable configuration. Since CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2 are related, the network device needs to instruct both CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2 to be invalid before releasing the occupied resources. Therefore, after obtaining the relationships between different configurations, the network device can perform more reasonable configurations. When storage resources are insufficient, the network device may not need to configure new tasks. If the network device wants to release resources corresponding to a certain configuration, it needs to invalidate all related configurations.

[0355] Optionally, a first configuration and a second configuration that are related can correspond to the same function / model. Alternatively, a first configuration and a second configuration that correspond to the same function / model are defined as having a relationship. It can be understood that a first configuration and a second configuration that are not related can correspond to different functions / models.

[0356] This application does not limit the specific implementation of the first information indicating the association between the first configuration and one or more second configurations. Several possible implementation methods are described below.

[0357] Implementation method 7: The first information corresponds to the first configuration, and the first information is used to indicate one or more second configurations. For example, the first information can indicate the identifier of one or more second configurations.

[0358] Here, the first information corresponds to the first configuration, which can be understood as one first configuration corresponding to one first information (it is understood that the value of the first information corresponding to different first configurations may be different). Specifically, it can include: the first information being carried in a message related to the first configuration, or the first information being carried in a dedicated message reporting the first information corresponding to the first configuration. For example, the first information can be carried in the same message as the applicability information corresponding to the first configuration. For details on the applicability information corresponding to the first configuration, please refer to the above description of the applicability information of the first configuration in S602 or S1501. Alternatively, the first information corresponding to the first configuration can be reported independently, that is, the dedicated message carrying the first information corresponding to the first configuration only contains the first information.

[0359] For example, as shown in Figure 22, assuming the first and second configurations are CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Configs to the terminal. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Configs is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0360] As shown in Figure 22, in RRCReconfigurationComplete, the information element `applicable` after the Config ID indicates the applicability of the CSI-Report Config. Following `applicable`, a new information element (denoted as `associatedConfig` in Figure 22) is added to indicate the ID of the CSI-Report Config associated with this CSI-Report Config. Based on the IDs indicated by the `associatedConfig` information element corresponding to CSI-Report Config0 through CSI-Report Config4, it can be seen that CSI-Report Config0 is associated with CSI-Report Config3 and CSI-Report Config4. CSI-Report Config1 and CSI-Report Config2 have no associated CSI-Report Configs. Any configuration from CSI-Report Config0 to CSI-Report Config4 can be understood as the first configuration, and configurations other than the first configuration are the second configurations.

[0361] In the example shown in Figure 22, the first information and the applicability information are reported in the same message. Optionally, the first information can also be carried in other messages, for example, reported separately in a dedicated message.

[0362] Implementation Method 8: The first information indicates a set, which includes a first configuration and one or more second configurations. That is, the configurations in this set are related first configurations and one or more second configurations. For example, the first information could indicate the identifiers of the first configuration and one or more second configurations in this set.

[0363] Optionally, the first information can indicate multiple sets, in which case configurations located in the same set are related configurations, and configurations located in different sets are not related configurations.

[0364] Optionally, the first information may also indicate one or more sets, including only one second configuration. This set including only one second configuration indicates that there is no association between the second configuration in the set and the first configuration or other second configurations.

[0365] For example, as shown in Figure 23, assuming the first and second configurations are CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Configs to the terminal. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Configs is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0366] As shown in Figure 23, the information element following the Config ID in RRCReconfigurationComplete indicates the applicability of the CSI-Report Config. After Config IDs 0-4, a new information element (illustrated in Figure 23 as associatedConfig) is added to indicate three sets. The first set includes Config IDs 0, 3, and 4, representing an association between CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig3, and CSI-ReportConfig4. The second set includes Config ID 1, representing no association between CSI-ReportConfig1 and other CSI-ReportConfigs. The third set includes Config ID 2, representing no association between CSI-ReportConfig2 and other CSI-ReportConfigs. Any configuration among CSI-Report Config0, CSI-Report Config3, and CSI-Report Config4 can be understood as the first configuration, and the configurations from CSI-Report Config0 to CSI-Report Config4 other than the first configuration are the second configurations.

[0367] In the example shown in Figure 23, the first information and the applicability information are reported in the same message. Optionally, the first information can also be carried in other messages, for example, reported separately in a dedicated message.

[0368] Implementation method 9: The terminal sends second information to the network device, wherein the second information corresponds to the second configuration, that is, the terminal sends one or more pieces of second information, each corresponding to one or more second configurations. The first information corresponds to the first configuration, and the first information and the second information are the same.

[0369] For example, the first information indicates an identifier / index number. The second information indicates an identifier / index number. When the first and second information are the same, meaning they indicate the same identifier / index number, the network device can determine a relationship between the first and second configurations based on this shared identifier / index number. Optionally, the identifier / index number indicated by the first information can be the identifier / index number of the function / model corresponding to the first configuration; similarly, the identifier / index number indicated by the second information can be the identifier / index number of the function / model corresponding to the second configuration. Therefore, the same first and second information means that the function / model corresponding to the first configuration is the same as the function / model corresponding to the second configuration, indicating a relationship between the first and second configurations. Optionally, the first information and the applicability information corresponding to the first configuration can be reported in the same message, and the second information and the applicability information corresponding to the second configuration can be reported in the same message. Optionally, the first and second information can also be reported separately in other messages, for example, in a dedicated message.

[0370] For example, as shown in Figure 24, assuming the first and second configurations are CSI-Report Config, the network device sends multiple CSI-Report Configs to the terminal. For details, please refer to the description of the first configuration in Figure 16 above. The first information reported by the terminal for these multiple CSI-Report Configs is carried in RRCReconfigurationComplete.

[0371] As shown in Figure 24, in RRCReconfigurationComplete, an index is added after the Config ID. The index values ​​for CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig3, and CSI-ReportConfig4 are all 0, the index value for CSI-ReportConfig1 is 1, and the index value for CSI-ReportConfig2 is 2. The index values ​​for CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig3, and CSI-ReportConfig4 are the same, indicating a relationship between them. The index value for CSI-ReportConfig1 is different from the index values ​​for all other CSI-ReportConfigs, indicating no relationship between CSI-ReportConfig1 and other CSI-ReportConfigs. The index value for CSI-ReportConfig2 is also different from the index values ​​for all other CSI-ReportConfigs, indicating no relationship between CSI-ReportConfig1 and other CSI-ReportConfigs. Any one of the configurations CSI-Report Config0, CSI-Report Config3, and CSI-Report Config4 can be understood as the first configuration, and the configurations other than the first configuration in CSI-Report Config0 to CSI-Report Config4 are the second configurations.

[0372] Optionally, if the terminal also receives a third configuration, the terminal can also send third information corresponding to the third configuration to the network device (see the above description of the second information corresponding to the second configuration for details). If the first information and the third information are different, then the first configuration and the third configuration are not related.

[0373] Optionally, if the terminal first receives a message carrying at least one third configuration, and then receives a message carrying a first configuration and one or more second configurations, the first information reported by the terminal device to the network device after receiving the message carrying the first configuration and one or more second configurations may indicate the association between the first configuration and one or more second configurations, as well as the association between the first configuration and at least one third configuration. Wherein, if there is no association between the first configuration and one or more second configurations, but there is an association between the first configuration and at least one third configuration, the terminal may report the association between the first configuration and at least one third configuration together with the applicability information of the first configuration.

[0374] In other words, for each configuration issued by the network device, when the terminal reports the association between the configurations received this time and / or the applicability information of the configuration received this time, it can also report the association between the configuration received this time and the configurations received previously. Optionally, for previously received configurations, the terminal device can only report the association between the configuration received this time and the previously reported applicable configurations. Optionally, the information reported by the terminal indicating the association between the configurations received this time can be carried in the same message as the applicability information of the configurations received this time, or it can be carried in different messages. Optionally, the information reported by the terminal indicating the association between the configurations received this time can be carried in the same message as the information indicating the association between the configuration received this time and the configurations received previously, or it can be carried in different messages.

[0375] For example, suppose the network device first sends CSI-ReportConfig0-4. The applicability information and information indicating the association relationships between CSI-ReportConfig0-4 reported by the terminal are shown in Figure 22. Subsequently, the network device sends CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6. After receiving CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6, the terminal determines that CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig1 are associated, and CSI-ReportConfig6 is associated with CSI-ReportConfig0, 3, and 4. However, CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6 are not associated. Therefore, for CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6, the terminal can report information indicating the association relationships between CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig1, and between CSI-ReportConfig6 and CSI-ReportConfig0, 3, and 4. As shown in Figure 25, the terminal sends RRCReconfigurationComplete to the network device. The information element applicable after the Config ID indicates the applicability of the CSI-Report Config. After the applicable information element, a new information element (denoted as associatedConfig in Figure 25) is added to indicate the ID of the CSI-Report Config associated with this CSI-Report Config. Based on the IDs indicated by the associatedConfig information element corresponding to CSI-Report Config5 and CSI-Report Config6, it can be seen that CSI-Report Config5 is associated with CSI-Report Config1. CSI-Report Config6 is associated with CSI-Report Config0, CSI-Report Config3, and CSI-Report Config4.

[0376] For example, suppose the network device first sends CSI-ReportConfig0-4. The applicability information and the information indicating the association relationships between CSI-ReportConfig0-4 reported by the terminal are shown in Figure 23. Subsequently, the network device sends CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6. After receiving CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6, the terminal determines that CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig1 are associated, and CSI-ReportConfig6 is associated with CSI-ReportConfig0, 3, and 4. However, CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6 are not associated. Therefore, for CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig6, the terminal can report information indicating the association relationships between CSI-ReportConfig5 and CSI-ReportConfig1, and between CSI-ReportConfig6 and CSI-ReportConfig0, 3, and 4. As shown in Figure 26, the terminal sends RRCReconfigurationComplete to the network device. The information element after the Config ID is used to indicate the applicability of the CSI-Report Config. After Config IDs 5-6, a new information element is added (in Figure 26, this new information element is denoted as associatedConfig) to indicate three sets. The first set includes Config IDs 0, 3, 4, and 6, representing the association between CSI-ReportConfig0, CSI-ReportConfig3, CSI-ReportConfig4, and CSI-ReportConfig6. The second set includes Config IDs 1 and 5, representing the association between CSI-ReportConfig1 and CSI-ReportConfig5. The third set includes Config ID 2, representing that there is no association between CSI-ReportConfig2 and other CSI-ReportConfigs.

[0377] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, after the terminal sends applicability information to the network device, the network device can send one or more configurations for inference to the terminal device. These one or more configurations for inference may correspond to (or be associated with) one or more applicable first configurations. The one or more configurations for inference are issued by the network device based on the one or more applicable first configurations. For each configuration for inference, the terminal uses the function / model corresponding to the first configuration that corresponds to or is associated with that configuration for inference to perform inference.

[0378] The configuration used for inference can be one or more RRC configurations, such as CSI-ReportConfig for AI-based CSI feedback and AI-based beam management scenarios, or it can be other configurations besides RRC configurations, such as OtherConfig. For other AI application scenarios, the configuration used for inference can also include other inference configurations. The configuration used for inference can include a set of parameters, or it can include a single parameter. For details on the parameters included in the inference configuration, please refer to the introduction of the parameters included in the first configuration in S601 above.

[0379] Optionally, if a first configuration fails, all inference configurations corresponding to that first configuration may automatically fail. The automatic failure of inference configurations corresponding to that first configuration after its failure may be predefined by the protocol, or it may be pre-agreed upon by the network device and the terminal device, or it may be an instruction sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0380] Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the configuration used for inference has failed upon receiving information from the network device indicating that the configuration used for inference has failed. In other words, the configuration used for inference only fails when the network device actively indicates that the configuration used for inference has failed, regardless of whether the first configuration corresponding to the configuration used for inference has failed. Wherein, when the network device actively indicates that the configuration used for inference has failed, the failure of the configuration used for inference can be predefined by the protocol, or it can be pre-agreed between the network device and the terminal device, or it can be an indication sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0381] Optionally, if the configuration used for inference fails, the resources corresponding to the first configuration can be automatically released. Alternatively, the failure of the configuration used for inference may not affect whether the resources corresponding to the first configuration are released. Whether the failure of the configuration used for inference affects the release of the resources corresponding to the first configuration can be predefined by the protocol, or pre-agreed upon by the network device and the terminal device, or indicated by information sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0382] Optionally, after the configuration used for inference fails, the terminal device can start a corresponding timer. After the timer's runtime reaches a certain threshold, the resources corresponding to the first configuration can be released. This certain threshold can be predefined by the protocol, pre-agreed upon by the network device and the terminal device, pre-configured by the terminal device, or indicated by information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0383] In addition, to ensure that the functions / models acquired by the terminal meet the requirements of the network device, this application also provides a communication method for network device decision-making regarding applicable configurations. This method can also be implemented in conjunction with the methods in Figures 6, 15, or 21. In the following embodiments, the method executed by the network device can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the method executed by the terminal can also be implemented by the communication / processing module in the terminal or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips / SIP chips containing modem cores, or GPUs / AI processors / ASICs) in the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions.

[0384] The communication method includes:

[0385] The terminal sends first resource information and / or second resource information to the network device. The first resource information indicates the upper limit of the terminal's available resources, and the second resource information indicates the resource size required by one or more first configurations. The resource size required by a first configuration may be the resource size required by the function / model corresponding to that first configuration. If one first configuration corresponds to multiple functions / models, the second resource information may indicate the resource size required by each function / model corresponding to that first configuration, or the resource size required by the function / model with the largest or smallest resource requirement among the multiple functions / models corresponding to that first configuration, or the sum of the resource sizes required by the multiple functions / models corresponding to that first configuration.

[0386] The upper limit of available resources for the terminal refers to the total size of all resources available for configuration and applicability, or the total size of all resources available for storage functions / models. Specifically, this available storage resource is off-chip resource. Optionally, the terminal can also send third resource information to the network device. This third resource information indicates the upper limit of available on-chip resources, or the total size of all resources available for configuration / function / model activation. The third resource information and the first resource information can have different values. It is understood that, unlike the terminal's idle resources, the upper limit of available resources is unrelated to whether the available resources are currently occupied.

[0387] The first resource information, the second resource information, and the third resource information can be sent in the same message, or in different messages, or two of the information can be sent in the same message.

[0388] The specific details of the first configuration can be found in the description of the first configuration in S601 above. Optionally, the network device may send one or more first configurations to the terminal before the terminal sends the second resource information.

[0389] Optionally, resource information and applicability information of one or more first configurations can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages. In this embodiment, resource information includes at least one of first resource information, second resource information, and third resource information. The applicability information of the first configuration can indicate the applicability of the first configuration, where applicability includes applicable or inapplicable; for details, please refer to the description of the applicability information in S204 above. Optionally, the applicability information can also be used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first configuration. Alternatively, the applicability information can be used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first configuration without necessarily indicating whether the first configuration is applicable or inapplicable. Specifically, the applicability information indicates whether the terminal supports the first configuration; for details, please refer to the description of whether the first information in S1501 indicates whether the terminal indicates one or more first configurations.

[0390] Optionally, the terminal may also send information to the network device indicating one or more functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations, such as function / model identification information, model file address, etc. The information indicating one or more functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations may be carried in the same message as resource information, or they may be carried in different messages.

[0391] Optionally, if the terminal's current idle resources are insufficient to acquire all functions / models corresponding to one or more of the first configurations, the terminal may send a message to the network device indicating insufficient idle resources.

[0392] Optionally, the terminal and the network device may agree in advance, or the protocol may predefine, or the network device may indicate to the terminal, or the terminal may indicate to the network device that if the terminal does not send a message to the network device indicating insufficient idle resources, it means that the terminal's current idle resources are sufficient to obtain all functions / models corresponding to one or more of the first configurations.

[0393] After receiving resource information, the network device can determine the function / model that the terminal needs to acquire based on the upper limit of resources available to the terminal (first resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and then instruct the terminal accordingly. This might include information such as the identifier of the function / model and the file address of the model. Alternatively, the network device can determine the first configuration that the terminal needs to apply based on the upper limit of resources available to the terminal (first resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and then instruct the terminal accordingly. This might include information such as the identifier of the first configuration that needs to be applied.

[0394] Optionally, the terminal may obtain the corresponding function / model according to the function / model required as indicated by the network device, or according to the applicable first configuration.

[0395] Optionally, after receiving the resource information, the network device can determine the function / model that the terminal needs to activate based on the upper limit of the on-chip resources available to the terminal (third resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and indicate this to the terminal, such as indicating the identifier information of the function / model, the file address of the model, etc. Alternatively, the network device can determine the first configuration that the terminal needs to activate based on the upper limit of the on-chip resources available to the terminal (third resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and indicate this to the terminal, such as indicating the identifier of the first configuration to be activated, etc.

[0396] Optionally, if the terminal's current idle on-chip resources are insufficient to activate all functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations, the terminal may send a message to the network device indicating that the idle on-chip resources are insufficient, or ignore the activation of some configurations / functions / models according to preset rules.

[0397] In addition, to ensure that the functions / models acquired by the terminal meet the requirements of the network device, this application also provides another communication method for network device decision-making regarding applicable configurations. This method can also be implemented in conjunction with the methods in Figures 6, 15, or 21. In the following embodiments, the method executed by the network device can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the method executed by the terminal can also be implemented by the communication / processing module in the terminal or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips / SIP chips containing modem cores, or GPUs / AI processors / ASICs) in the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions.

[0398] The communication method includes:

[0399] When the terminal's current idle resources are insufficient to acquire all functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations, the terminal sends resource information to the network device. This resource information includes first resource information and / or second resource information. The first resource information indicates the size of the terminal's current idle resources, and the second resource information indicates the resource size required for one or more first configurations. The resource size required for a first configuration can be the resource size required for the function / model corresponding to that first configuration. If one first configuration corresponds to multiple functions / models, the second resource information can indicate the resource size required for each function / model among the multiple functions / models corresponding to that first configuration, or it can indicate the resource size required for the function / model with the largest or smallest resource requirement among the multiple functions / models corresponding to that first configuration, or it can indicate the sum of the resource sizes required for the multiple functions / models corresponding to that first configuration.

[0400] The specific details of the first configuration can be found in the description of the first configuration in S601 above. Optionally, the network device may send one or more first configurations to the terminal before the terminal sends the second resource information.

[0401] Optionally, the terminal and the network device may agree in advance, or the protocol may predefine, or the network device may indicate to the terminal, or the terminal may indicate to the network device that if the terminal does not send information indicating the size of the current idle resources to the network device, it means that the terminal's current idle resources are sufficient to obtain all functions / models corresponding to one or more of the first configurations.

[0402] Optionally, before sending resource information to the network device, the terminal may send information to the network device indicating that there are currently insufficient idle resources. Based on this information, the network device can send information to the terminal, which queries the terminal's current idle resources and one or more resources required by a first configuration. The terminal can then send resource information to the network device based on this information.

[0403] Optionally, resource information and applicability information for one or more first configurations can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages. The applicability information for the first configuration can indicate the applicability of the first configuration, including applicability or inapplicability, as detailed in the description of the applicability information in S204 above. Optionally, the applicability information can also be used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first configuration. Alternatively, the applicability information can be used to indicate whether the terminal supports the first configuration without necessarily indicating whether the first configuration is applicable or inapplicable. The applicability information indicates whether the terminal supports the first configuration, as detailed in the description of whether the first information in S1501 indicates whether the terminal indicates one or more first configurations.

[0404] Optionally, the terminal may also send information to the network device indicating one or more functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations, such as function / model identification information, model file address, etc. The information indicating one or more functions / models corresponding to one or more first configurations may be carried in the same message as resource information, or they may be carried in different messages.

[0405] After receiving resource information, the network device can determine the function / model that the terminal needs to acquire based on the terminal's current available resource size (first resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and then instruct the terminal accordingly. This might include information such as the function / model's identifier and the model's file address. Alternatively, the network device can determine the first configuration that the terminal needs based on the terminal's current available resource size (first resource information) and the resources required for each configuration (second resource information), and then instruct the terminal accordingly. This might include information such as the identifier of the first configuration that needs to be applied.

[0406] Optionally, the terminal may obtain the corresponding function / model according to the function / model required as indicated by the network device, or according to the applicable first configuration.

[0407] Based on the two communication methods for network device decision-making applicable configurations provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal will report relevant information on storage resources and the storage resources required for each configuration to the network device. Thus, the network device can determine and indicate to the terminal the functions / models that need to be obtained, or indicate to the terminal the applicable configurations, based on the terminal's storage resources and the storage resources required for each configuration, thereby avoiding the situation where the functions / models obtained by the terminal do not meet the needs of the network device.

[0408] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Correspondingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a network device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing the above network device, or a component usable in a network device; or, the communication device can be a terminal in the above method embodiments, or a device containing the above terminal, or a component usable in a terminal. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0409] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be understood that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0410] Figure 27 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 2700. The communication device 2700 includes a transceiver module 2702 and a processing module 2701. Optionally, the communication device 2700 may also include a storage module 2703. The transceiver module 2702, also called a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions; for example, it may be a transceiver circuit, transceiver, transceiver adapter, or communication interface.

[0411] The communication device 2700 can be a network device in the above embodiments, or a chip within the network device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a terminal device in the above embodiments, or a chip within the terminal device. The communication device 2700 can be used to implement the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0412] For example, the transceiver module 2702 is used to support the communication device 2700 in sending and receiving information, or to communicate with other devices. The processing module 2701 is used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 2700, and to execute the processing performed by the communication device 2700 in the above embodiments. Optionally, if the communication device 2700 includes a storage module 2703, the processing module 2701 can also execute programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device 2700 implements the methods and functions involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0413] For example, if the communication device 2700 is the terminal device in the above embodiments, the transceiver module 2702 can be used to execute, for example, steps S601 and S602 in FIG. 6, step S1501 in FIG. 15, step 2101 in FIG. 21, and / or other processes used in the technology described herein. The processing module 2701 can be used to determine the applicability information in S602, the first information and / or the second information in S1501, the first information in S2101, and / or other processes used in the technology described herein. All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0414] For example, if the communication device 2700 is a network device in the above embodiments, the transceiver module 2702 can be used to execute, for example, steps S601 and S602 in FIG. 6, step S1501 in FIG. 15, step 2101 in FIG. 21, and / or other processes used in the technology described herein. The processing module 2701 can be used to determine the first information in S601, and / or other processes used in the technology described herein. The transceiver module 2702 can be used to execute, for example, step S501 in FIG. 5, and / or other processes used in the technology described herein. All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0415] For example, in hardware implementation, the functions of processing module 2701 can be executed by a processor, and the functions of transceiver module 2702 can be executed by a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and / or communication interface. Processing module 2701 can be embedded in or independent of the processor of communication device 2700 in hardware form, or it can be stored in the memory of communication device 2700 in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above functional units.

[0416] Alternatively, the modules in Figure 27 can also be called units. For example, the processing module can be called a processing unit, and the transceiver module can be called a transceiver unit. Furthermore, in the communication device shown in Figure 27, the names of the various units may not be those shown in the figure; for example, the transceiver module can also be called a communication module or a communication unit.

[0417] If the units in Figure 27 are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. This computer software product, stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. Storage media for storing computer software products include various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0418] In this embodiment, the communication device 2700 is presented in an integrated manner, divided into various functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the communication device 2700 can take the form of the communication device shown in FIG28.

[0419] As shown in Figure 28, the communication device 2800 includes one or more processors 2801, a communication line 2802, and at least one communication interface (Figure 28 is only an example illustrating the inclusion of a communication interface 2804 and a processor 2801), and optionally may also include a memory 2803.

[0420] The processor 2801 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program of the present application.

[0421] The communication line 2802 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0422] The communication interface 2804 can be a transceiver module used to communicate with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, terminals, and wireless local area networks (WLAN). For example, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or similar device. Optionally, the communication interface 2804 can also be a transceiver circuit or input / output interface located within the processor 2801, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0423] The memory 2803 can be a device with storage function. For example, it can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions; random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor via communication line 2802. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

[0424] The memory 2803 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 2801. The processor 2801 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2803, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0425] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the processor 2801 may execute the processing-related functions of the communication method provided in the following embodiments of this application, and the communication interface 2804 may be responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks. This embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0426] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0427] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 2801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG28.

[0428] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 2800 may include multiple processors, such as processors 2801 and 2807 in FIG. 28. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processors here may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., and various computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0429] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 2800 may further include an output device 2805 and an input device 2806. The output device 2805 communicates with the processor 2801 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 2805 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 2806 communicates with the processor 2801 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 2806 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0430] The aforementioned communication device 2800 may sometimes be referred to as a communication equipment, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. For example, the communication device 2800 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a web server, a handheld computer (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device with a similar structure to that shown in Figure 28. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of communication device 2800.

[0431] Furthermore, the composition shown in FIG28 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in FIG28, the communication device 2800 may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0432] In the communication device 2800 shown in Figure 28, the processor 2801 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2803 to make the communication device 2800 execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0433] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2702 and processing module 2701 in Figure 27 can be implemented by the processor 2801 in the communication device 2800 shown in Figure 28 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2803. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 2701 in Figure 27 can be implemented by the processor 2801 in the communication device 2800 shown in Figure 28 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2803, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2702 in Figure 27 can be implemented by the communication interface 2804 in the communication device 2800 shown in Figure 28.

[0434] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC or ASIC, or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0435] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0436] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0437] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0438] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0439] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes the network device and the terminal device described in the above method embodiments.

[0440] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0441] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0442] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information including one or more first configurations; Send applicability information of the one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the first configurations being used to indicate the applicability of the first configurations, the applicability including: applicable, or, not applicable; The applicability of the one or more first configurations is determined based on the priority corresponding to the one or more first configurations or the order of the one or more first configurations.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain second information, which is used to indicate the priority corresponding to the one or more first configurations.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The acquisition of the second information includes receiving the second information; The second information includes information in the first configuration indicating the priority corresponding to the first configuration; or, The second information includes the mapping relationship between the identifier of the first configuration and the priority corresponding to the first configuration; or, The first information includes multiple first configurations, and the second information includes multiple priorities. The multiple first configurations and the multiple priorities correspond one-to-one, and the sending order of the multiple priorities in the second information is the same as the sending order of the multiple first configurations in the first information.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes multiple first configurations. The order of the plurality of first configurations in the first information is used to indicate the priority of the plurality of first configurations.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first configuration is the Channel State Information (CSI) reporting configuration. The priority of the one or more first configurations is determined according to at least one of the following parameters: reporting type, reporting quantity, serving cell identifier, configuration identifier, maximum number of serving cells, or maximum number of configurable CSI reports.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, After receiving the first information, the method further includes: Receive third information, the third information including one or more second configurations; Wherein, one or more of the first configurations become invalid after the third information is received; or, the method further includes: Receive the first instruction message; Based on the first indication information, determine whether the one or more first configurations become invalid after receiving the third information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, After receiving the first information, the method further includes: Receive a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate that at least one of the one or more first configurations has failed.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, In the one or more first configurations, the applicability information of at least one first configuration indicates that the applicability of the at least one first configuration is not applicable, and the at least one first configuration becomes invalid after the applicability information of the at least one first configuration is sent.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first condition, the resources corresponding to the third configuration are determined to be released, wherein the third configuration is one of the one or more first configurations.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first condition includes at least one of the following: The third configuration is invalid; or, The applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the third configuration is applicable, the priority of the third configuration is lower than the priority of the second configuration, and the reception time of the second configuration is later than the reception time of the third configuration. or, The applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the applicability of the third configuration is applicable, and the first duration reaches the first threshold, wherein the first duration is the runtime of the timer corresponding to the third configuration, the start time of the timer corresponding to the third configuration is the time when the applicability of the third configuration is sent, or the first duration includes the duration during which the third configuration is not activated or triggered.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, In the applicability information of the one or more first configurations, the applicability information of the third configuration indicates that the applicability of the third configuration is applicable. After releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the method further includes: Send application information indicating that the third configuration is not applicable.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, If the fourth configuration in one or more first configurations is not invalid and its applicability is not applicable, after releasing the resources corresponding to the third configuration, the method further includes: Send applicability information indicating the suitability of the fourth configuration.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first information and / or second information; wherein the first information is used to indicate the applicability of one or more first configurations, the applicability including: applicable, or not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether the one or more first configurations are supported; The second information is used to indicate whether there are available resources, or to indicate whether the applicability of configurations other than the first configuration is applicable.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value, the second value, or the third value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable but the first configuration is supported, and the first configuration corresponding to the third value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable and the first configuration is not supported.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate a first configuration that is not supported.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first configuration and the first value or the second value, wherein the first configuration corresponding to the first value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is applicable, the first configuration corresponding to the second value is used to indicate that the applicability of the first configuration is not applicable, and the first information is also used to indicate whether the first configuration whose applicability is not applicable is supported.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first message, which indicates the association between a first configuration and one or more second configurations. The task corresponding to the first configuration shares the first resource with the tasks corresponding to one or more second configurations.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first resource includes at least one of the following: Storage resources, activation resources, and applicability resources.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the message corresponding to the first configuration, and the first information is used to indicate the one or more second configurations.

20. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The first information indicates a set, which includes the first configuration and the one or more second configurations.

21. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send one or more second messages, each of which corresponds one-to-one with one or more second configurations, wherein the first message and the one or more second messages are the same.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17-21, characterized in that, The first configuration has the same function or model as the one or more second configurations.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes modules or units for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: a processor, the processor being configured to execute instructions stored in a memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device causes the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-22 to be performed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-22 to be performed.

27. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes network equipment and terminal equipment, wherein the terminal equipment is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-22.

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