Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are suitable for a terminal device to perform cell access, cell camping, cell handover or cell reselection. The method comprises: a network apparatus determines first cell graph information and saves the first cell graph information. The first cell graph information comprises information of a correspondence between at least one position and information of at least one cell. Alternatively, the first cell graph information is used for indicating a correspondence between at least one position and at least one cell. By means of the method, cell information can be effectively managed. A terminal device can determine, without performing RRM measurement, a cell to be accessed, camped on, handed over to, or reselected, thereby saving the energy consumption of the terminal device. Moreover, by means of the method, the cell to be accessed / handed over to / reselected can be determined more quickly, thereby improving the efficiency of cell access / handover / reselection for the terminal device.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411999416.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on December 31, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Effective cell management within a network is beneficial to network capabilities. For example, cell access, cell handover, and cell reselection for terminal devices are based on radio resource management (RRM) measurement results. The RRM measurement process involves access network equipment sending signals for RRM measurement based on measurement configurations, which are then measured by the terminal devices. This results in significant power consumption for both access network equipment and terminal devices. Therefore, effective cell management within a network remains a challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can effectively manage a cell and further enable energy saving in terminal devices.

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

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network-side device (hereinafter referred to as a network device). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the network device can be a network equipment; or a module or unit for performing some functions of the network equipment (e.g., a circuit or chip / chip system in the network equipment); or the network device can be a logical node, logical module, or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network equipment. The network device has the function of managing cell maps, for example, the network device has a graph management function (GMF). In one example, the network device is a core network device with GMF, or the network device is an access network device with GMF. In another example, the network device is a core network device deployed on the core network side, or a network device deployed on the access network side, for example, the network device is a GMF network element / entity.

[0008] The method includes: a network device determining first cell map information and storing the first cell map information. The first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information on at least one cell. Alternatively, the first cell map information is used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell.

[0009] In this context, "saving the first cell map information" can be replaced with "managing or maintaining the first cell map information." The first cell map information is determined and maintained / managed by the network device, achieving effective management of cell information. Furthermore, this method enables energy saving for terminal devices. For example, the first cell map information can be used to determine the cell that the terminal device needs to access, camp, hand over, or reselect. Based on this method, the terminal device can determine the cell it needs to access, camp, hand over, or reselect without going through the RRM measurement process, thereby saving energy consumption for both the terminal device and the access network equipment. Moreover, compared to determining the cell to access / handover / reselect based on RRM measurement results, determining the cell that the terminal device needs to access, camp, hand over, or reselect based on the first cell map information can be done faster, thereby improving the efficiency of the terminal device accessing, camping, handover, or reselecting cells.

[0010] In one design, the first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following and the at least one cell: quality of service (QoS) requirements, terminal device handheld posture, or service type. This design allows the terminal device to select a cell that meets its actual needs (e.g., QoS requirements) for access, camping, handover, or reselection based on the first cell map information.

[0011] In one design, the information of the at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information. This design, based on the first cell map information, enables terminal devices to select cells with better performance for access, camping, handover, or reselection.

[0012] In one design, the method further includes: the network device sending second cell map information, the second cell map information being based on the first map information.

[0013] In this design, the second cell map information can be obtained based on the first cell map information. For example, the second cell map information can be the first cell map information, applicable to multiple terminal devices. Alternatively, the second cell map information can be a portion of the information in the first cell map, applicable to a specific terminal device. The network device can send the second cell map information to one or more terminal devices. In this way, appropriate cell map information can be sent adaptively to reduce signaling overhead.

[0014] In one design, the network device sending second cell map information includes: the network device obtaining context information of a first terminal device, determining a first geographical location of the first terminal device based on the context information, determining second cell map information based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information, and sending the second cell map information to the first terminal device. Wherein, at least one location in the first cell map information includes the first geographical location.

[0015] In this design, one terminal device corresponds to one cell map information, and the cell map information corresponding to different terminal devices may be different. For example, the second cell map information can be from the first terminal device. For the first terminal device, the network device determines the second cell map information based on the first geographical location of the first terminal device. In this way, the amount of data in a single cell map information is relatively small, which facilitates network device maintenance.

[0016] In one design, the network device determines the second cell map information based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information by: the network device determining the second cell map information based on the first geographical location, the first cell map information, and one or more of the following: capability information of the first terminal device, or radio resource control (RRC) status of the first terminal device.

[0017] This design allows at least one cell in the second cell map information to match the RRC status of the first terminal device, facilitating the first terminal device's camping, access, handover, or reselection to a better cell. Furthermore, matching the second cell map information with the capability information of the first terminal device enables the first terminal device to correctly interpret the second cell map information. In one design, at least one cell in the second cell map information includes: the serving cell or the cell currently camped by the first terminal device; and / or, neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell currently camped by the first terminal device. Alternatively, at least one cell in the first cell map information may also include one or more cells located at a certain distance from neighboring cells.

[0018] This design lists at least one cell from the second cell map information. For example, at least one cell in the second cell map information includes neighboring cells. The terminal device can know the neighboring cells in advance based on the second cell map information, which helps improve the efficiency of handover or cell reselection. Furthermore, when there are a large number of at least one cell in the second cell map information, the terminal device updates the stored cell map information less often, thus saving energy consumption.

[0019] In one design, the method further includes: the network device sending an identifier of a first cell that the first terminal device accesses or resides in, the first cell being determined based on a first geographical location of the first terminal device and first cell map information.

[0020] In this design, the first cell that the first terminal device accesses or resides in is decided by the network device, which can save the energy consumption of the first terminal device and reduce the processing complexity of the first terminal device.

[0021] In one design, the network device determines the first cell map information by: the network device determining the first cell map information when a first event occurs in a first event set. The first event set includes one or more of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or an emergency requirement.

[0022] This design allows the network device to determine the first cell map information on demand, reducing unnecessary determination / updating of cell map information and thus contributing to energy conservation in the network device.

[0023] In one design, the occurrence of a first event in the first event set includes: the network device receiving a first request for requesting an update to the current cell map information.

[0024] In this first event set, some events can be determined by the network device itself, while others are unknown to the network device. In this design, based on the first request, the network device can clearly determine whether to update the current cell map information. This design reduces the likelihood of the network device failing to update cell map information in a timely manner, thereby lowering the failure rate of terminal devices accessing, handover, or reselecting cells.

[0025] In one design, the first request includes a first cause value, which indicates at least one of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency need.

[0026] In this design, the first request includes a first cause value, which enables the network device to clearly understand the reason for needing to update the cell map information. Based on the first cause value, the network device determines the strategy for updating the cell map information so that the updated first cell map information matches the event that occurred, thereby minimizing the failure rate of the terminal device performing cell access, handover, or reselection based on the first cell map information.

[0027] In one design, when the first request originates from a core network device, the first reason value is used to indicate at least one of the following: a change in authentication of the first terminal device, a change in network planning, or an emergency requirement. Alternatively, when the first request originates from an access network device, the first reason value is used to indicate a network failure and / or carrier change.

[0028] In one design, the network device determines the first cell map information by: receiving third cell map information from a map management function, and determining the first cell map information based on the third cell map information and a first parameter. The first parameter includes at least one of the following: carrier load or QoS requirements.

[0029] This design allows network devices (such as RAN equipment) to adjust cell maps based on certain parameters. For example, the third cell map can be adjusted based on carrier load or QoS requirements. This results in higher real-time performance of the obtained first cell map information, which is beneficial for terminal devices to access, handover, or reselect to a better cell.

[0030] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device (hereinafter referred to as a terminal device). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the terminal device can be a terminal equipment; or a module or unit for performing some functions of the terminal equipment (e.g., circuits or chip / chip system in the terminal equipment); or the terminal device can be a logical node, logical module, or software module that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal equipment. In one example, the terminal device is a terminal equipment or a component in a terminal equipment (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core). The following example illustrates the application of this method to a first terminal equipment.

[0031] The method includes: a first terminal device receiving first cell map information, and accessing or camping on a first cell in the first cell map information corresponding to a first geographical location. The first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell. The first geographical location is the location of the first terminal device. At least one geographical location includes the first geographical location. At least one cell in the first cell map information includes the first cell.

[0032] In one design, the first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following and at least one cell: QoS requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

[0033] In one design, the information of the at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

[0034] In one design, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes: the serving cell or the currently camped cell of the first terminal device; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the currently camped cell of the first terminal device.

[0035] Optionally, when the first terminal device is not connected to the network, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell it is currently camped on. When the first terminal device is in RRC state, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes a neighboring cell of the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell it is currently camped on.

[0036] The beneficial effects of the second aspect and its various designs can be referred to the aforementioned beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various designs, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for performing the methods described in the first or second aspect and any of their designs. The beneficial effects can be found in the relevant descriptions of the first or second aspect, and will not be repeated here. For example, the communication device may be a network device as described in the first aspect, or it may be a device capable of supporting the functions required by a network device to implement the methods provided in the first aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in a network device. As another example, the communication device may be a terminal device as described in the second aspect, or it may be a device capable of supporting the functions required by a terminal device to implement the methods provided in the second aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in a terminal device.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means, modules, or units for performing the methods of the first or second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit or processor) and / or input / output interfaces. Input / output interfaces include input interfaces and / or output interfaces, which can be interface circuits, output circuits, input circuits, pins, or related circuits, etc. Optionally, the communication device also includes a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit or transceiver). The transceiver module is capable of both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the transmitting function, it can be called a transmitting module (sometimes also called a transmitting unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules. These input / output interfaces and units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the first or second aspect above. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0039] In one possible design, the processing module includes a baseband device, and the transceiver module includes a radio frequency device.

[0040] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the corresponding function in the method example of the first aspect, the processing module is used by the network device to determine the first cell map information and save the first cell map information. The first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information on at least one cell. Alternatively, the first cell map information is used to indicate the correspondence between at least one location and at least one cell.

[0041] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the corresponding function in the method example of the second aspect, the transceiver module is used to receive cell map information, which includes the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information about at least one cell; the processing module is used to access or camp on the first cell in the cell map information corresponding to the first geographical location. The first geographical location is the geographical location where the terminal device is located, and the at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location. The at least one cell in the cell map information includes the first cell.

[0042] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor configured to execute the methods described in the first aspect or the second aspect and any of their designs. This application does not limit the specific type of processor. For example, the processor can be a baseband device, a central processing unit (CPU), or other specific integrated circuits. As another example, the processor can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0043] Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer programs (also referred to as code or instructions), data, etc. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program, data, etc., from the memory, the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect and any of their designs are executed.

[0044] In one design, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0045] In one design, the memory is located within the communication device.

[0046] In one design, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0047] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor and a communication interface for implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect. Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory stores computer programs (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor retrieves and executes the computer programs from the memory, causing a device equipped with the chip system to perform the methods of the first or second aspect and any of their designs. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0048] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including an input / output interface and logic circuitry. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information. The input / output interface may be an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, pins, or related circuits, etc. The logic circuitry is used to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0049] In one implementation of the sixth aspect, when the communication device is a terminal device, the interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the terminal device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the terminal device. When the communication device is a network device, the interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the network device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the network device.

[0050] In one implementation of the sixth aspect, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the logic circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, or various other logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver; the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the input / output interface and the logic circuit.

[0051] The aforementioned communication device may be the network device described in the first aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may be a means capable of supporting the network device to perform the functions required by the method provided in the first aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in the network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be the terminal device described in the second aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may be a means capable of supporting the terminal device to perform the functions required by the method provided in the second aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in the terminal device. The chip may be a baseband chip and / or a radio frequency chip, and the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a spectrum management function device. The spectrum management function device is used to implement the function described in the first aspect, and the terminal device is used to implement the function described in the second aspect.

[0053] In one design, the map management function device is a network element / entity on the core network side, a core network device with map management functionality, or an access network device with map management functionality. Optionally, when the map management function device is a network element / entity on the core network side, a core network device with map management functionality, the communication system further includes access network equipment. When the map management function device is an access network device with map management functionality, the communication system further includes core network equipment.

[0054] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any of their designs to be implemented.

[0055] Ninthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any of their designs to be implemented.

[0056] The beneficial effects of the third to ninth aspects and their implementation methods mentioned above can be referenced to the beneficial effects of the first or second aspects and any one of their designs. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of the communication system;

[0058] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a cell map provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the cell map provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the process for updating cell map information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of the process of updating cell maps based on event triggering provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0063] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, "transmission" includes "sending" and / or "receiving." "Sending" and "receiving" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, including direct sending as well as indirect sending through other units, modules, devices, or network elements. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, including receiving directly from YY via the air interface as well as receiving indirectly from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0066] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A / B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "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, and / or c means the following combinations: a exists alone, b exists alone, c exists alone, a and b exist simultaneously, a and c exist simultaneously, b and c exist simultaneously, or a, b, and c exist simultaneously, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0067] In the embodiments of this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" can be substituted, and "when" and "in the case of" can be substituted. "When" and "if" / "if" can be substituted.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0069] In the embodiments of this application, "correspondence" can also be replaced with "mapping", "related", or "association". For example, "the correspondence between at least one geographic location and the identifier of at least one cell" can be replaced with "the association between at least one geographic location and the identifier of at least one cell". There is no limitation on the specific implementation of the correspondence. For example, the correspondence can be a table, and sending the correspondence between at least one geographic location and the identifier of at least one cell can be sending a table representing the correspondence.

[0070] In this application, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, "first geographical location" and "second geographical location" refer to two different locations, and do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two locations.

[0071] In the embodiments of this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be used in a reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the embodiments, without limitation.

[0072] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems / new radio (NR) communication systems, or future mobile communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, internet of things (IoT) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) (e.g., satellite communication systems), or wireless local area networks (WLANs), etc. The WLAN can be a WLAN employing any of the protocols in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include the Internet (Figure 1 uses this as an example).

[0074] The wireless access network 100 may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device. For example, the wireless access network 100 includes two access network devices, 110a and 110b, and terminal devices 120a to 120j. The network architecture shown in Figure 1 is only schematic; the number of terminal devices and / or access network devices may be fewer or more. The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of this application apply. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0075] In this embodiment, the access network device refers to a radio access network (R)AN device / RAN node. R)AN and RAN are interchangeable; for ease of description, RAN is used as an example below. RAN can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 5G / NR mobile communication system or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), a virtualized RAN (vRAN), a non-terrestrial network (NTN), etc. RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. RAN equipment can also be called a RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, etc.

[0076] In one possible scenario, a 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), or a base station in a future mobile communication system. RAN nodes can also be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor / host nodes, or radio controllers. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, the RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU). An AP can be a base station with a Wi-Fi chip, a router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge. This AP can support the 802.11be standard or its next generation, such as Wi-Fi 8 or other WLAN standards. The AP can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0077] In another possible scenario, the RAN node can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of the base station; or multiple RAN nodes can cooperate to assist terminal equipment in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes performing some of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The function of the CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the function of the CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the function of the RAN node. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0078] 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.

[0079] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the RRC layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer). The DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC), Medium Access Control (MAC), and / or Physical (PHY) layers). For detailed descriptions of the various protocol layers mentioned above, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0080] The above division of CU and DU processing functions according to the protocol layer is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0081] For example, in one design, the CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are located in the DU. As another example, in another possible design, the DU and RU cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer, or it can be described as moving some of the PHY layer functions of the DU to the RU for implementation.

[0082] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRT RIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / near-RT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and model updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0083] In the embodiments of this application, the device used to implement the function of the RAN device can be the RAN device itself, or it can be a device that supports the RAN device in implementing the function, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the function of the RAN device. This device can be installed in the RAN device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the RAN device.

[0084] In this application embodiment, anything capable of data communication with a base station can be considered a terminal device. A terminal device is also called a terminal, terminal apparatus, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, a terminal device can be: a mobile phone, computer, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, station (STA), robotic arm, camera, robot, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, or smart home device (e.g., television, air conditioner, robot vacuum cleaner, speaker, set-top box), relay, customer premises equipment (CPE), etc. An STA can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, set-top box, smart TV, smart wearable device, vehicle communication equipment, computer, router, switch, and bridge, etc. STA supports the 802.11be standard, as well as various WLAN standards in the 802.11 family, including 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, or their next generation.

[0085] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a water meter or electricity meter. When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, an unmanned car, a driverless car, a pilotless car, or an automobile, or a roadside unit (RSU). All the terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed / installed inside the vehicle), can be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices can be built into a vehicle's in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit. The vehicle terminal equipment can be a complete vehicle equipment, vehicle module, vehicle, on-board unit (OBU), RSU, vehicle infotainment system (or on-board transmitter unit) (telematics box, T-box), chip or SoC, etc. The above-mentioned chip or SoC can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU or T-box.

[0086] In the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0087] In this embodiment, the core network 200 may include equipment for processing and forwarding user signaling and data. For example, it may include core network equipment such as access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, and user plane gateways. The user plane gateway may be a server with functions such as mobility management, routing, and forwarding of user plane data, generally located on the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW), packet data network gateway (PGW), or user plane function (UPF) network element. The core network 200 may also include other network elements, which are not listed here.

[0088] In this application, a network element may also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity. For example, an AMF network element may also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity. Optionally, the device name mentioned in the embodiments of this application may omit "network element". For example, AMF network element and AMF have the same meaning.

[0089] The network elements / functional entities in the above network architecture can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above network elements or functional entities can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or different functional modules within a single device; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this. In actual deployment, the above network elements can be co-located.

[0090] Cell access, cell handover, and cell reselection for terminal devices are performed based on RRM measurement results. The RRM measurement process involves the RAN equipment configuring measurements, transmitting signals for RRM measurements based on this configuration, and then the terminal devices measuring the received signals. This results in significant power consumption for both the RAN and terminal devices. As the number of terminal devices in the network increases, the RAN equipment needs to transmit signals for RRM measurements across more cells, further increasing its power consumption.

[0091] Therefore, the solution provided in this application embodiment is as follows. In this application embodiment, a cell map can be maintained to achieve effective management of cell information. Furthermore, the cell map may include the correspondence between geographical location and cell information. Thus, the terminal device can determine the cell to camp on, access, handover, or reselect without performing an RRM measurement process, thereby saving energy consumption of the terminal device and access network equipment. Moreover, compared to determining the cell to camp on, access, handover, or reselect based on RRC measurement results, the terminal device can determine the cell to camp on, access, handover, or reselect more quickly based on the cell map, thereby improving the efficiency of camping on, accessing, handover, or reselecting cells.

[0092] To better understand the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant terms / concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below.

[0093] (1) Community map

[0094] A cell map can be a structure used to describe the correspondence between geographical locations and cells. For example, a cell map includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell. Alternatively, a cell map can be used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell. The cell information may include one or more of the following: cell number / index / identifier (ID), cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access information, etc.

[0095] In this embodiment, the cell map can be used by the terminal device to determine the cell for camping, access, handover, or reselection. For ease of description, "the cell for camping, access, handover, or reselection" can be simply referred to as "the cell for which the terminal device determines". In other words, in this embodiment, "the cell for which the terminal device determines" can be replaced with "the cell for which the terminal device determines". Geographical location can be considered as information that affects the terminal device's cell determination. There are various types of information that affect the terminal device's cell determination, such as QoS requirements, the terminal device's handheld posture, etc. From this perspective, the cell map can be used to indicate the correspondence between the information affecting the terminal device's cell determination for camping, access, handover, or reselection and at least one cell. For example, the cell map can be used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location, QoS requirements, and at least one cell.

[0096] The location of the terminal device can be, for example, its geographic location information. This geographic location information can be natural or human-based, as long as it represents the location. Natural geographic location information can be absolute or relative. Absolute geographic location information can be represented by at least one of the following: geographic coordinates, the park or building it is located in, or the location range / region it is located in. Relative geographic location information describes the location of a location relative to other geographic features. Human-based geographic location information can be, for example, an economic geographic location, such as the European Union, etc., which will not be listed here. QoS requirements include at least one of the following: transmission rate requirements, transmission quality requirements, etc.

[0097] Holding postures for terminal devices include single-handed grip, two-handed grip, side grip, single-handed reverse grip, landscape grip, and portrait grip. Single-handed grip refers to holding the phone with one hand while the other hand is typically used for touchscreen operation. Single-handed grip can affect the stability of the terminal device, especially for larger devices (such as large-screen phones), thus affecting signal reception. Two-handed grip refers to holding the phone with both hands simultaneously. In this posture, the terminal device is usually held more firmly, contributing to more stable signal reception and a better user experience, and also reducing hand obstruction of the signal. Side grip refers to holding the terminal device vertically or horizontally to one side. In this posture, the user's hands usually grip both sides of the phone, with less impact on the signal, but if the palm excessively blocks the antenna, it may reduce signal strength. Single-handed reverse grip refers to holding the terminal device upside down, palm down, with the screen facing the user's face, typically used for selfies, photos, or video recording. In this posture, the device's antenna may be partially blocked by the hand, affecting signal strength. The landscape grip posture refers to holding the device horizontally, with both sides gripped by the hands. In landscape mode, the user's hands are usually more likely to hold the device steadily, reducing signal interference. The portrait grip posture refers to keeping the device vertical. In portrait mode, it is generally suitable for one-handed operation, as the user's fingers or palm can easily reach the screen, minimizing the possibility of affecting the antenna and signal reception.

[0098] The information that influences a terminal device's determination of a cell, as described above, is merely an example. This application does not limit the quantity or type of information that influences a terminal device's determination of a cell. For example, information influencing a terminal device's determination of a cell may also include at least one of the following: data transmission service type, antenna characteristics of the terminal device, etc. The cell information described above is also merely an example. This application does not limit the quantity or type of cell information. For example, cell information may also include at least one of the following: cell access control information, cell tariff information, etc.

[0099] Cell maps can be used to indicate: the correspondence between geographic location and information of at least one cell; or the correspondence between geographic location and QoS requirements and information of at least one cell; or the correspondence between geographic location, QoS requirements, handheld gesture of terminal device and information of at least one cell.

[0100] In this context, a geographical location can correspond to one or more cells, and a cell can also correspond to one or more geographical locations. For example, taking a first geographical location as an example, if both the first and second cells cover the first geographical location, then the first geographical location corresponds to both the first and second cells. When a terminal device moves to the first geographical location, it can choose to access either the first or the second cell corresponding to that location. As another example, if the first cell covers both the first and second geographical locations, then the first cell corresponds to both. When a terminal device moves to the first geographical location, it can choose to access the first cell corresponding to that location; when it moves to the second geographical location, it can choose to access the second cell corresponding to that location.

[0101] Similarly, a QoS requirement can correspond to one or more cells, and a single cell can also correspond to one or more QoS requirements. For example, given a first cell, a second cell, and a third cell, where the first and third cells have relatively large bandwidths, and the second cell has a relatively small bandwidth, the first QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a first threshold. If the first and third cells can satisfy the first QoS requirement, but the second cell cannot, then the first QoS requirement corresponds to the first and third cells. As another example, if the first QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and the first threshold is greater than the second threshold, then the bandwidth of the first cell can satisfy the first QoS requirement, and therefore the bandwidth of the first cell can also satisfy the second QoS requirement. Accordingly, the first cell corresponds to both the first and second QoS requirements.

[0102] Regarding handheld postures for terminal devices, one posture can correspond to one or more cells, and one cell can also correspond to one or more postures. For example, a side-grip posture has minimal impact on signal strength; even in cells with low signal strength, the impact on normal terminal device operations is minimal. Therefore, a side-grip posture can correspond to cells with both high and low signal strength. Conversely, a single-handed reverse grip posture has a greater impact on signal strength. Therefore, a single-handed reverse grip posture can correspond to cells with high signal strength to reduce the impact on normal terminal device operations. For cells with strong signal quality, multiple handheld postures can be used. For cells with low signal quality, handheld postures with less signal impact (such as a side-grip posture or a portrait grip posture) can be used.

[0103] The specific structure and content of the cell map are not limited. For example, a cell map can be a data structure, function, table, AI model, or graph relationship / graph structure. For instance, a cell map may include the correspondence between geographical locations and cell identifiers, or it may include the correspondence between geographical locations, QoS requirements, and cell identifiers, or it may include the correspondence between geographical locations, QoS requirements, terminal device handheld posture, and cell identifiers. The following examples illustrate the structure and content of a cell map.

[0104] In Design 1, the cell map is a hash map. Taking the mapping between geographic locations and cell identifiers as an example, geographic locations can be used as keys, and cell identifiers as values. The values ​​can be sets, lists, or arrays. For example, the cell map could be {A1:[B1,B2], A2:[B2,B3], A3:[B1,B3]}, where A1, A2, and A3 represent geographic locations, and B1, B2, and B3 represent cell identifiers.

[0105] In Design 2, the cell map is presented as a table. For example, the rows of the table represent at least one piece of information about the terminal device (e.g., geographical location), and the columns of the table represent cell identifiers; or, the rows of the table represent cell identifiers, and the columns of the table represent at least one piece of information about the terminal device (e.g., geographical location).

[0106] In Design 3, the cell map can be an AI model, the input of which is at least one piece of information from the terminal device, and the output of which is at least one piece of information about the cell.

[0107] In Design 4, the cell graph is a graph structure represented by an adjacency list. Information about a terminal device can be considered a node, and information about a cell can also be considered a node. The nodes in this graph structure have a multi-level hierarchy. For example, information about a terminal device or a cell can be the root node. This root node can connect to one or more first-level child nodes. Each first-level child node can connect to one or more second-level child nodes, and so on, forming a tree structure called a node tree. It can be understood that a node tree includes at least one root node and one child node connected to that root node. The lowest-level child node can be called a leaf node of the root node. As an example, the cell ID is the root node, the location is a first-level child node, and the QoS requirement is a second-level child node. As another example, the location is the root node, the QoS requirement is a first-level child node, and the cell ID is a second-level child node. It should be understood that when the cell ID is not the root node, the cell ID should be the lowest-level child node.

[0108] Optionally, sub-nodes at multiple levels can be divided according to priority. For example, geographical location has a higher priority than QoS requirements, and QoS requirements have a higher priority than the handheld posture of the terminal device. When determining which cell to camp, access, handover, or reselect, the terminal device can prioritize the cell corresponding to the sub-node with the higher priority.

[0109] As shown in Figure 2, which uses a cell map as an example of a node tree, the node tree in this cell map includes a root node and first-level, second-level, and third-level child nodes under the root node. A circle in the figure represents a node, and the text within the circle represents the information corresponding to that node, or in other words, the name of the node. For example, a circle containing the text "Location" is the root node, named "Location"; a circle containing the text "Quality of Service Requirement" is a first-level child node of the root node, named "Quality of Service Requirement," and so on. The node tree in Figure 2 is only one example; in other embodiments, the node tree related to the cell may include more or fewer nodes, or have other topologies, which are not limited in this application.

[0110] In one implementation, the correspondence between at least one piece of information of the terminal device and at least one piece of information of the cell can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment or network. Alternatively, the cell map can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment or network. Typically, the locations of base stations, obstacles, etc., are relatively fixed, and the cells provided by base stations are also relatively fixed. Therefore, the correspondence between the geographical location of the terminal device and the cell identifier can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment or network. For example, the correspondence between the geographical location of the terminal device and the cell identifier can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment or network, or the correspondence between the geographical location of the terminal device and the cell identifier is related to the location of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment / network.

[0111] For example, location information of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network, as well as the cells that base stations can provide, can be collected. The collected dataset can then be trained using machine learning to obtain a cell map. Alternatively, based on QoS requirements, the location information of base stations, obstacles, etc., and the cells that base stations can provide, a cell map can be obtained using machine learning to ensure that the cell map meets QoS requirements as much as possible, thereby improving user experience. This application does not restrict the method of generating the cell map.

[0112] Terminal devices can determine suitable cells for camping, access, handover, or reselection based on the cell map. In other words, in different scenarios, terminal devices can determine suitable cells for camping, access, handover, or reselection based on the cell map.

[0113] Figure 3 illustrates one structure of a cell map. In Figure 3, X, Y, and Z are three-dimensional geographic coordinate axes; f1, f2, f3, and f4 represent cell numbers. For example, a location (x, y, z) may correspond to one or more cells. For instance, a location with coordinates (100, 20, 7) could correspond to cell f3, or cell {f3, f4}. The terminal device can perform camping, access, handover, or reselection in cell f3, or it can perform camping, access, handover, or reselection in one of cells f3 and f4. As another example, a location (x, y, z) and QoS requirements may correspond to one or more cells. For instance, a location with coordinates (100, 20, 7) may correspond to cells {f1, f2}, where cell f1 has a smaller bandwidth and cell f2 has a larger bandwidth. When QoS requirements are high, the terminal device can perform camping, access, handover, or reselection in cell f2.

[0114] In this embodiment of the application, the cell map can be pre-stored in the network device or in the terminal device.

[0115] Optionally, network devices can update cell maps, for example, when a base station is added to the environment or the network is redesigned. Terminal devices can also update cell maps. For example, a terminal device can receive the latest cell map from other devices and replace its stored cell map with the acquired or received cell map. Other devices can periodically send cell maps to the terminal device; or, when the cell map changes, other devices can send the updated cell map to the terminal device; or, at the request of the terminal device, other devices can send the latest cell map to the terminal device.

[0116] In one implementation, the cell map can be included in the application's installation package. When the installation package is run on a terminal device, the cell map in the installation package will be saved on the terminal device. Optionally, the application's update package contains an updated cell map. When the terminal device runs the update package, the previously stored cell map on the terminal device is replaced with the updated knowledge graph.

[0117] (2) Atlas Management Function

[0118] The cell map management function can be used to manage / maintain cell maps. Managing / maintaining cell maps includes generating cell maps, updating cell maps, scheduling / allocating cell maps, and so on.

[0119] In this embodiment, the map management function can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware that manages / maintains the cell map. The map management function can be a GMF (Gross Memory Function). In future communication systems, the map management function may have other names, without limitation.

[0120] Optionally, the graph management function incorporates AI technology. For example, the graph management function can be a core network device, RAN device, CU, or DU with an AI model at its core. Alternatively, the graph management function can be viewed as a network-side device driven by an AI agent, independent of the RAN device. When the AI ​​model is located on a device (e.g., RAN device or core network device), for a specific functional module, that device may have one or more AI models capable of implementing the functionality of that module. For example, for the graph management function, that device may have one or more AI models providing the graph management functionality.

[0121] In one design, the graph management function can be deployed on the core network side. For example, the graph management function can be an independent network element in the core network. Alternatively, it can be co-located with another network element in the core network, as a newly added functional module within that network element. As an example, the graph management function can be a functional module within an AMF (Application Function Framework), and an AMF with graph management functionality can be considered an enhanced AMF. When two network elements are co-located, the interaction between these two network elements provided in this embodiment becomes an internal operation of the co-located network element or can be omitted.

[0122] When the network map management function is deployed on the core network side, it can communicate with terminal devices; for example, the network map management function has an interface for communicating with terminal devices. Alternatively, the network map management function and terminal devices can communicate indirectly through other network elements. For example, the network map management function can communicate with terminal devices through the AMF (Advanced Network Component).

[0123] In another design, the map management function can be deployed on the RAN side. For example, the map management function can be an independent network element in the RAN side, or it can be a newly added functional module of the RAN equipment. When the map management function is deployed on the RAN side, it can communicate with the terminal equipment. For example, the map management function has an interface for communicating with the terminal equipment. Alternatively, the map management function and the terminal equipment can communicate indirectly through the RAN equipment.

[0124] (3) RRC status

[0125] Terminal devices may have three RRC states, for example: RRC connected (RRC_connected) state, RRC idle (RRC_idle) state, and RRC inactive (RRC_inactive) state. The above are examples of RRC states; other RRC states or names are also possible, and this application does not limit these.

[0126] RRC connection state (or, can also be simply called connection state. In this article, "connection state" and "RRC connection state" are the same concept and the two terms can be used interchangeably): The terminal device has established an RRC connection with the network and can transmit data.

[0127] RRC idle state (or simply idle state; in this article, "idle state" and "RRC idle state" are the same concept and the two terms are interchangeable): The terminal device has not established an RRC connection with the network, and the base station has not stored the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to transition from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state, it needs to initiate an RRC connection establishment process.

[0128] RRC inactive state (or, also known as RRC inactive state, or simply inactive state or inactive state. In this article, "inactive state," "deactivated state," "deactivated state," "inactive state," "RRC inactive state," or "RRC deactivated state" are all the same concept and these terms are interchangeable): The terminal device previously entered the RRC connected state at the anchor base station, and then the anchor base station released the RRC connection, but the anchor base station preserved the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to re-enter the RRC connected state from the RRC inactive state, it needs to initiate an RRC connection recovery process or an RRC connection re-establishment process at the currently camped base station. Because the terminal device may be in a mobile state, the base station currently camped by the terminal device and the anchor base station of the terminal device may be the same base station or different base stations. The RRC recovery process has shorter latency and lower signaling overhead than the RRC establishment process. The terminal device is initially in the RRC idle state, and the terminal device needs to search for the network serving it and then access the network. The terminal device first determines the cell where it can camp based on the search and measurement of common signals (such as synchronization signals). After the terminal device initiates random access to the cell and establishes an RRC connection, the terminal device enters the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state.

[0129] The relevant technologies / concepts involved in the embodiments of this application have been introduced above. The solutions provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0130] In the following description, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is applied to the architecture shown in Figure 1 as an example. The network architecture and application 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 application scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems without limitation. In the embodiments of this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be reasonably combined and used, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the various embodiments without limitation.

[0131] The method provided in this application embodiment can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The steps executed by the first communication device can be implemented by the first communication device itself, or by components within the first communication device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules), or by logic modules or software that perform some or all of the functions of the first communication device. For example, the first communication device is a GMF device, which is an entity independent of the core network equipment or RAN equipment. The steps executed by the first communication device can be implemented by the GMF device, or by components (such as chips, processing units, or processor modules) that perform some of the functions of the GMF device. As another example, if the first communication device is a GMF device, the steps executed by the first communication device may include device implementation of the GMF device. For instance, if the GMF device is a functional module in the RAN equipment, then the steps executed by the GMF device can be implemented by the RAN equipment. If the GMF device is a functional module in the core network equipment, then the steps executed by the GMF device can be implemented by the core network equipment.

[0132] The steps performed by the second communication device can be implemented by the second communication device itself, or by components within the second communication device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules), or by logic modules or software that perform some or all of the functions of the second communication device. For example, if the second communication device is a terminal device, the steps performed by the second communication device can be implemented by the terminal device, or by the baseband chip or SoC chip containing a modem core within the terminal device.

[0133] Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0134] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating the method provided in this embodiment. Figure 4 uses a first communication device as a network device and a second communication device as a terminal device as an example to introduce the method from the perspective of interaction between the network device and the terminal device. The network device can be a RAN device or core network device with a GMF deployed / equipped, or it can be an independent entity. For ease of description, the GMF, as an independent entity, will be referred to as a GMF network element, and the core network device with a GMF will be referred to as the first core network device. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes the following steps.

[0136] S401, The network device determines the map information of the first cell.

[0137] For example, a network device determines first cell map information, which is information about a first cell map and can be used to indicate the first cell map. The first cell map information includes information about the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information about at least one cell; alternatively, the first cell map information is used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information about at least one cell. For details regarding the content included in the first cell map information, please refer to the preceding description of cell map information.

[0138] For example, the first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and the identifier of at least one cell; or, the first cell map information is used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location and the identifier of at least one cell. As another example, the first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location, at least one QoS requirement, and the identifier of at least one cell; or, the first cell map information is used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location, at least one QoS requirement, and the identifier of at least one cell.

[0139] The first cell map information can be a data structure, function, table, AI model, or graph relationship / graph structure. For details, please refer to the relevant explanation in the aforementioned term "cell map", which will not be repeated here.

[0140] As can be seen above, the first cell map information can be used to indicate the correspondence between at least one piece of information (e.g., geographical location) of the terminal device and at least one piece of information (e.g., cell identifier) ​​of at least one cell. Therefore, the first cell map information can be used by the terminal device to determine the cell to camp, access, hand over, or reselect.

[0141] In this embodiment, the network device can maintain cell maps / cell map information. Optionally, the network device can maintain cell maps applicable to multiple terminal devices, or it can maintain cell maps specific to a single terminal device; that is, the granularity of the cell map information maintained by the network device may differ. Depending on the granularity of the cell map information maintained by the network device, the determination of the cell map information by the network device will also vary, as illustrated below. For ease of description, in the following description, cell map information applicable to at least one terminal device will be referred to as cell map information 1, and cell map information applicable to a single terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device) will be referred to as cell map information 2.

[0142] In scenario 1, the network device determines the cell map information 1.

[0143] In this case, the first cell map information can be referred to as cell map information 1, or cell map information 1 / first cell map information can be referred to as multi-terminal cell map information. In case 1, "network device determines first cell map information" and "network device determines cell map information 1" can be interchanged, or "first cell map information" and "cell map information 1" can be interchanged.

[0144] The cell map information 1 includes at least one cell, which may be a cell provided by at least one base station in the network. This cell map information 1 is applicable to at least one terminal device. For example, cell map information 1 includes one or more of the following: the serving cell or the cell in which the terminal device is currently camped; neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell in which the terminal device is currently camped; or, a range of cells including the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell in which the terminal device is currently camped.

[0145] The network device can acquire a dataset used to determine cell map information 1, and determine cell map information 1 based on the acquired dataset. For example, the network device can acquire the location information of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment / network, as well as the cells that the base stations can provide, to determine cell map information 1. Alternatively, based on QoS requirements, the location information of base stations, obstacles, etc., and the cells that the base stations can provide, cell map information 1 can be determined, thereby ensuring that the cell map indicated by cell map information 1 meets QoS requirements as much as possible and improves user experience. This application does not limit the method of generating the first cell map. For example, if the network device is equipped with AI functionality, it can continue to train the collected dataset through machine learning to obtain cell map information 1.

[0146] The network device can be a GMF (Government Network Provider) element, a RAN (Radio Network) device with a GMF, or a core network device (e.g., a first core network device). When the network device is a GMF element, it can request the dataset used to determine cell map information 1 from other core network devices in the core network. When the network device is a RAN device with a GMF, other functional modules in the RAN device besides the GMF can obtain the dataset used to determine cell map information 1 and send the obtained dataset to the GMF. Optionally, the GMF is deployed in the CU (Core Network Unit) or DU (Dedicated Unit). When the network device is a first core network device, other functional modules in the first core network device besides the GMF can obtain the dataset used to determine cell map information 1 and send the obtained dataset to the GMF.

[0147] In scenario 2, the network device determines cell map information 2, which is applicable to the first terminal device.

[0148] In this case, the first cell map information can be referred to as cell map information 2, or the cell map information can be referred to as cell map information at a specific terminal granularity. In case 2, "network device determines first cell map information" and "network device determines cell map information 2" can be interchanged, or "first cell map information" and "cell map information 2" can be interchanged.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the cell map information 2 includes fewer cells than the at least one cell included in the first cell map information / cell map information 1 in case 1. For example, the at least one cell included in the cell map information 2 includes: the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently camped; or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently camped (which may be simply referred to as the neighboring cells of the first terminal device); or, the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently camped, and the neighboring cells of the first terminal device; or, the neighboring cells of the first terminal device, and cells containing a certain range of the neighboring cells.

[0150] The network device can determine the cell map information 2 based on the current geographical location of the first terminal device (e.g., the first geographical location). For example, the first geographical location is used to access or camp on a cell, and correspondingly, at least one cell in the cell map information 2 includes cells that the first terminal device can access or camp on. As another example, the first geographical location can be used for cell handover or cell reselection, and correspondingly, at least one cell in the cell map information 2 includes cells that the first terminal device can handover or reselect. For example, this at least one cell may include the serving cell of the first terminal device or a neighboring cell of the currently camped cell, and may even include one or more previous cells other than neighboring cells.

[0151] Optionally, the network device may maintain cell map information 1 or cell map information 2 separately. Alternatively, the network device may not maintain cell map information 2 separately; for example, the network device may obtain cell map information 2 based on cell map information 1. For example, the network device generates / determines cell map information 2 based on the current geographical location (e.g., a first geographical location) of the first terminal device and cell map information 1. For example, the network device selects at least one cell matching the first geographical location from the first cell map information to obtain cell map information 2. Optionally, the network device may send cell map information 2 to the corresponding terminal device. It is understood that, for multiple terminal devices, the network device may generate / determine cell map information 2 corresponding to each terminal device based on cell map information 1.

[0152] For example, for a first terminal device, the network device can determine the geographical location of the first terminal device based on its context information. For a first terminal device in a connected state, the network device can determine cell map information adapted to the first terminal device based on its context information. The context information of the first terminal device may include location-related information (e.g., the location area, access point, geographical location, etc.). The context information may also include movement information (e.g., the direction of movement, target location, etc.). The network device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device, determine its geographical location (e.g., a first geographical location) based on the context information, and obtain cell map information 2 suitable for the first terminal device based on the first geographical location and cell map information 1. At least one geographical location included in the cell map information 2 includes the first geographical location. Alternatively, at least one location included in the cell map information 2 is an area covering the first geographical location. The size of this area is not limited. Optionally, at least one cell in the cell map information 2 includes a neighboring cell of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is stationed, so that the first terminal device can know the neighboring cells in advance based on the cell map information 2, which helps to improve the efficiency of the first terminal device in switching or reselecting cells.

[0153] When the network device is a GMF (Government Network Element), the RAN (Radio Array) device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF (Advanced Network Element) and send the context information of the first terminal device to the GMF. When the network device is a first core network device with GMF, the network device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF. When the network device is a RAN device with GMF, the network device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF.

[0154] Optionally, the context information of the first terminal device includes the terminal device's request for the latest cell map. For example, for a mobile first terminal device, when the network device is a GMF (General Function) network element, the RAN (Radio Access Provider) device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF (Advanced Function) network element and send the context information of the first terminal device to the GMF network element. When the network device is a first core network device with GMF, the network device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element. When the network device is a RAN device with GMF, the network device can obtain the context information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element.

[0155] It should be understood that the amount of data that can be transmitted in the network varies for terminal devices in different RRC states, and correspondingly, the content of the cell map information also varies in adaptability.

[0156] As an example, for a terminal device in idle state, the number of at least one cell in the cell map information sent by the network device is relatively small. For example, this at least one cell may include one or more cells corresponding to the terminal device's current geographical location, including the terminal device's serving cell or the cell it is camped on. For a terminal device in connected state, the number of at least one cell in the cell map information sent by the network device is relatively large. For example, this at least one cell may include at least the terminal device's neighboring cells. Considering the terminal device's movement, this at least one cell may include one or more cells corresponding to an area larger than the terminal device's current geographical location. For example, this at least one cell may include the terminal device's neighboring cells, and one or more cells at a certain distance from the neighboring cells. This certain distance may be a certain distance in the direction of the terminal device's movement.

[0157] For terminal devices, when their RRC state changes, the cell map information also changes accordingly. For example, see Figure 5, which illustrates the process of cell map information changing as the terminal device's RRC state changes. In Figure 5, when the terminal device is in the camping phase, the GMF network element can send cell map information A to the network device, which then sends it to the terminal device. At least one cell in cell map information A may include the terminal device's serving cell or camping cell. When the terminal device enters the RRC connected state, the network device can send the terminal device's context information to the GMF network element. The GMF network element can determine the terminal device's geographical location based on the context information and then update cell map information A accordingly, for example, updating it to cell map information B. Cell map information B may include the terminal device's serving cell, camping cell, and neighboring cells. When the terminal device moves, the network device can send context information including the terminal device's movement information to the GMF network element. This movement information may include, for example, the terminal device's direction of movement, location, and speed. GMF network elements can update cell map information B to cell map information C based on the mobility information of the terminal device. At least one cell in cell map information C may include an area larger than the neighboring cells of the terminal device, for example, one or more cells at a certain distance from the neighboring cells.

[0158] As mentioned above, there are various ways to implement cell map information. Network devices can determine the implementation form of cell map information based on the capabilities of terminal devices. For example, if the first terminal device supports an AI model, the cell map information corresponding to the first terminal device can be an AI model. The input of the AI ​​model can be at least one piece of information from the terminal device (e.g., location), and the output of the AI ​​model can be information from at least one cell (e.g., cell ID).

[0159] Considering the changes in base stations and obstacles in the environment, as well as the influence of other factors, cell maps should also adapt to improve the success rate of terminal devices camping, accessing, handing over, or reselecting cells based on the cell map. In this embodiment, the network device determining the cell map includes updating the already saved cell map. From the perspective of updating, there are multiple times when the network device determines the cell map, as illustrated below. For ease of description, the cell map information before the update will be referred to as the fourth cell map information. The network device determining the first cell map information can also be understood as the network device updating the fourth cell map information to the first cell map information. It is understood that the following method of determining the first cell map information applies to both cell map information 1 and cell map information 2.

[0160] In implementation method 1, the network device can periodically update the cell map information. For example, the network device can periodically determine the first cell map information.

[0161] The frequency of updating the cell map can be pre-configured or pre-defined. The frequency of updating the cell map can be determined based on one or more factors. For example, the frequency of updating the cell map can be determined based on network operation and maintenance needs, such as increasing the frequency of cell map updates during high-load periods or holidays. Alternatively, the frequency of updating the cell map can be determined based on the network maintenance cycle; for example, the frequency of updating the cell map may be the same as the network maintenance cycle.

[0162] Network devices can determine the first cell map information according to the cell map update cycle. For example, when the first cell map is an AI model, the network device can deploy an AI function. This AI function periodically collects location information of base stations, obstacles, etc. deployed in the environment / network, as well as datasets such as cells that the base stations can provide. The collected dataset is then used to train the device to obtain the first cell map information. Optionally, the AI ​​function can use federated learning to train the collected dataset according to a pre-configured number of iterations and iteration cycle to ensure high accuracy of the first cell map. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the data types collected by the AI ​​function. For example, the AI ​​function can also periodically collect signal quality data obtained by terminal devices based on environmental perception to ensure high signal quality in the cells of the obtained first cell map information.

[0163] In implementation method 2, the network device determines the first cell map information based on the triggering of an event.

[0164] For example, if the first event in the first event set occurs, the network device determines the first cell map information. The first event set includes one or more events. The first event can be one or more events. Depending on the specific implementation of the network device, the first event set may vary, and the network device's determination of whether a certain event in the first event set has occurred may also vary, as illustrated in the following example. In the following description, updating the second cell map to the first cell map is taken as an example.

[0165] In Example 1, the network device is a GMF network element.

[0166] The first event set may include at least one of the following events: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency need. The first terminal device may include one or more terminal devices. An authentication change of the first terminal device refers to a change in the authentication of a terminal device.

[0167] When a network failure occurs, access services may not be available for one or more cells in the fourth cell map information. For example, if the first RAN device fails, cells in the fourth cell map information provided by the first RAN device will not be able to provide access services. In this case, the fourth cell map information is no longer applicable, and the GMF network element can update the fourth cell map information. For example, the network device can delete the cells in the fourth cell map information provided by the first RAN device, along with their corresponding geographical locations, QoS requirements, etc., to obtain the first cell map information.

[0168] When the network load is heavy, the RAN device can activate more carriers (e.g., millimeter-wave site activation) for load balancing. In this case, the RAN can provide more cells, and the fourth cell map information becomes inapplicable. The GMF network element can then update the second cell map. For example, the network device can add the cells provided by the activated carriers, along with their corresponding geographical locations and QoS requirements, to the fourth cell map information to obtain the first cell map information. Similarly, when the RAN disables some carriers, it can provide fewer cells, and the fourth cell map information becomes inapplicable. The GMF network element can then update the fourth cell map information. For example, the network device can delete the cells provided by the disabled carriers, along with their corresponding geographical locations and QoS requirements, from the fourth cell map information to obtain the first cell map information.

[0169] When the authentication of a terminal device changes, its service requirements may also change. One or more cells in the fourth cell map information may no longer meet the terminal device's service requirements, rendering the fourth cell map information inapplicable. The GMF network element can update the fourth cell map information. For example, if the terminal device's service package changes, and the new service package requires higher-bandwidth high-frequency cells, the network device can add higher-bandwidth high-frequency cells, their corresponding geographical locations, QoS requirements, etc., to the fourth cell map information to obtain the first cell map information.

[0170] When a network is redesigned or changed, for example, if the operator changes within a certain area, the services of the radio access network in that area will also change accordingly. The fourth cell map information will no longer be applicable, and GMF network elements can update the fourth cell map information. For example, network devices can obtain the first cell map information by adding / modifying cell information (such as cell identifiers), geographical locations, QoS requirements, etc., for areas where the operator has been added or changed in the second cell map.

[0171] When the core network provides emergency services, and there is an emergency need (such as a natural disaster), adaptability takes priority in emergency response. Thus, cells at any location are prioritized for emergency response. Accordingly, GMF network elements can update the fourth cell map information, for example, by changing the optimal access cell in the fourth cell map information to a temporary cell located in the emergency frequency band, thereby obtaining the first cell map information.

[0172] When an event occurs in the first event set, the GMF network element can be triggered to update the cell map. For example, when an event occurs in the first event set, a first request can be sent to the GMF network element. The first request can be used to request an update of the current cell map information. The "current cell map information" can be the most recently saved cell map information or the most recently known cell map information. The specific name of the first request is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the first request can be called a cell map update request.

[0173] Depending on the event, the entity sending the first request may differ. For example, in the event of a network failure or carrier change, the first request may be sent by the RAN device, or in other words, the first request may originate from the RAN device. As another example, in the event of a change in authentication for the first terminal device, a change in network planning, or an emergency need, the first request may be sent by the core network device, or the first request may originate from the core network device. When the GMF network element receives the first request, it updates the cell map.

[0174] In possible implementations, the first request may include a first reason value, which indicates the reason for updating the cell map. For example, the first reason value may include one or more of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or an emergency need. When the first request originates from RAN equipment, it may include network failure and / or carrier change; when the first request originates from core network equipment, it may include one or more of the following: authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or an emergency need.

[0175] Optionally, the first request may also include information to assist in updating the cell map. For example, in the event of a network failure, the first request may also include information about the malfunctioning RAN equipment, or information about one or more cells provided by the malfunctioning RAN equipment. As another example, in the event of a carrier change, the first request may also include information about the activated / deactivated carrier, or information about one or more cells provided by the activated / deactivated carrier. As yet another example, in the event of a change in the authentication of the first terminal device, the first request may also include information about the changed authentication, or the QoS requirements corresponding to the changed authentication. As yet another example, in the event of a network planning change, the first request may also include information about the area where the planning has changed, and information about the operators that have changed within that area. As yet another example, in the event of an emergency need, the first request may also include information about the area requiring emergency services, and the QoS requirements corresponding to those emergency services.

[0176] Optionally, the first terminal device may also request the GMF network element to update the cell map. For example, the first terminal device sends a first request to the GMF to request the GMF network element to update the cell map. The first terminal device may send a first request to the GMF network element under one or more of the following circumstances: the first terminal device cannot parse the current cell map; the first terminal device cannot obtain access information for accessible, camped, handed over, or reselected cells based on the current cell map.

[0177] In one implementation, the first terminal device requests the GMF network element to update the cell map through the RAN device. For example, the first terminal device sends a second request to the RAN device, which requests an update to the current cell map. The RAN device receives the second request and sends a first request to the GMF network element. The second request may include a second reason value indicating the reason for requesting an update to the current cell map. For example, the second reason value may include: the current cell map cannot be resolved; or access information for available, camped, handed over, or reselected cells cannot be obtained based on the current cell map.

[0178] Optionally, the specific implementation of the second request is not limited. For example, the second request could be a report sent by the first terminal device to the RAN device, which, upon receiving the report, determines that the first terminal device requests an update to the current cell map. This second request could be included in an uplink message, such as carried in a PUSCH.

[0179] Optionally, the GMF network element updates the cell map, obtains the first cell map information, and can send the first cell map information to the RAN device or core network device, which in turn sends the first cell map information to the terminal device.

[0180] For example, please refer to Figure 6A, which illustrates one process for updating the cell map. Figure 6A uses the core network device sending a first request as an example. As shown in Figure 6A, when the authentication of the first terminal device changes, the network planning changes, or there is an emergency need, the core network device can send a first request to the GMF network element. The GMF network element receives the first request and updates the fourth cell map information to the first cell map information. The GMF network element can then send the first cell map information to the network device. The network device receives the first cell map information and forwards it to the terminal device.

[0181] Optionally, the GMF network element can also indicate to network devices that the cell map has been updated or send indication information to network devices indicating that the cell map has been updated, as shown by dashed lines in Figure 6A. The steps indicated by dashed lines are not mandatory. The GMF network element can also indicate to core network devices that the cell map has been updated or send indication information to network devices indicating that the cell map has been updated, as not shown in Figure 6A. Optionally, the GMF network element sends the first cell map information to one network device managed by the GMF network element via unicast. Alternatively, the GMF network element sends the first cell map information to multiple network devices managed by the GMF network element via multicast or broadcast.

[0182] Optionally, the first cell map information and the indication information for indicating that the cell map has been updated are carried in one signaling message, or the first cell map information and the indication information for indicating that the cell map has been updated are carried in different signaling messages.

[0183] For example, please refer to Figure 6B, which illustrates another process for updating the cell map. Figure 6B uses the example of a network device sending a first request. As shown in Figure 6B, when there is a network failure or carrier change, the network device can send a first request to the GMF network element, or the network device can send a first request to the GMF network element through the AMF. The GMF network element receives the first request and updates the fourth cell map information to the first cell map information. The GMF network element can then send the first cell map information to the network device. The network device receives the first cell map information and forwards it to the terminal device.

[0184] Optionally, when a network failure or carrier change occurs, the network device can update the fourth cell map information with the first cell map information. The network device can then send the first cell map information to the GMF network element. In this case, the network device can also indicate to the GMF network element that the cell map has been updated or send indication information to the GMF network element indicating that the cell map has been updated. Alternatively, the network device can forward the first cell map information to the terminal device. In this case, the network device can also indicate to the terminal device that the cell map has been updated or send indication information to the terminal device indicating that the cell map has been updated.

[0185] In Example 2, the network device is a RAN device with a GMF, or the GMF is a functional unit of the RAN device. For example, the GMF is deployed in a CU or DU, or the GMF is a functional unit in the RAN independent of the CU and DU.

[0186] When the network device is a RAN device with a GMF (Global Network Provider), the GMF or RAN device can update the cell map based on the triggering of event A, or the GMF or RAN device can determine the first cell map information based on the triggering of event A. Event A may include, for example, network failure and / or carrier change.

[0187] For example, in the event of a network failure or carrier change, the GMF can determine the first cell map information. The GMF can independently determine whether the network has failed or the carrier has changed. For example, if the GMF is deployed at the CU, it can independently determine whether the network has failed or the carrier has changed. Alternatively, the GMF receives a first request from a functional module in the RAN equipment other than the GMF (e.g., the CU or DU), determines whether there is a network failure or carrier change, and then determines / updates the current cell map information. For example, if the GMF is deployed at the DU, the DU receives a first request from the CU or from the core network equipment to determine / update the current cell map information.

[0188] For details regarding the content of the first request, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0189] In Example 3, the network device is the first core network device with GMF.

[0190] When the network device is a first core network device with a GMF (Government Network Function), the GMF or the first core network device can trigger an update of the cell map based on event B. In other words, the GMF or the first core network device determines the first cell map information based on the triggering of event B. Event B may include one or more of the following: authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency needs.

[0191] For example, in the event of a network failure or carrier change, the GMF can determine the first cell map information based on event triggering. The GMF can independently determine whether there is an authentication change for terminal equipment, a network planning change, or an emergency need. Alternatively, the GMF receives a first request from a functional module other than the GMF in the first core network equipment to determine / update the current cell map information. Another example is that the first core network equipment receives a first request from the RAN equipment to determine / update the current cell map information.

[0192] For details regarding the content of the first request, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0193] In possible implementations, updating the cell map can be jointly implemented by multiple entities, or a portion of the updated cell map can be determined by one entity while another portion is determined by a different entity. Alternatively, updating the cell map may involve adaptive adjustments to the already acquired cell map. For example, when the network device is a GMF (Government-Machine Function) element, updating the cell map (or determining the first cell map information) can be jointly implemented by the GMF element and the RAN (Radio-Relational Equipment) device. Alternatively, a portion of the first cell map information can be determined by the GMF element, and another portion by the RAN device. Or, the RAN device can adaptively adjust the cell map information obtained from the GMF element to obtain the latest cell map information. Similarly, when the network device is a RAN device with a GMF, updating the cell map (or determining the first cell map information) can be jointly implemented by the GMF and functional modules (e.g., CU or DU) within the RAN device other than the GMF.

[0194] For ease of understanding, the following example illustrates how the first cell map information is obtained by the RAN device based on adjustments to the third cell map information. Here, the third cell map information can be a GMF network element, a first core network device with GMF, or determined by the GMF within the RAN device.

[0195] For example, if the GMF determines the third cell map information, it can send the third cell map information to the RAN device. The GMF can be a GMF network element, a first core network device with a GMF, or a GMF within the RAN device. It should be understood that when the GMF is a GMF within the RAN device, the GMF sends the third cell map information to the RAN device through an interface within the RAN device.

[0196] The RAN device acquires third cell map information and can adjust this information based on a first parameter to obtain first cell map information. The first parameter may include at least one of the following: carrier load or QoS requirements. It should be understood that information such as carrier load and QoS requirements has high real-time requirements. Therefore, the first cell map information determined by the RAN device based on the first parameter has high real-time performance, which is beneficial for terminal devices to camp, access, handover, or reselect to a better cell.

[0197] For example, if the third cell map information includes at least one cell, including cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, and the carrier corresponding to cell 2 has a heavy load, cell 2 and its corresponding geographical location can be deleted from the third cell map information to obtain the first cell map information. As another example, if the third cell map information includes at least one cell, including cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, and cell 1 cannot meet QoS requirements, cell 1 and its corresponding geographical location can be deleted from the third cell map information to obtain the first cell map information.

[0198] Optionally, after determining the first cell map information, the RAN device can send the first cell map information to the GMF, which will then maintain the first cell map information. Alternatively, the RAN device can send the first cell map information to the terminal device.

[0199] S402, Network devices store the map information of the first cell.

[0200] The network device determines the first cell map information and can save it. In S402, "the network device saves the first cell map information" can be replaced with "the network device manages / maintains the first cell map information". Maintaining / managing the first cell map information includes updating / modifying the first cell map information and scheduling / allocating the first cell map information. For example, updating / modifying the first cell map information to the fifth cell map information. Another example is that the network device can allocate the first cell map information to one or more terminal devices. Yet another example is that, for a first terminal device, the network device determines the second cell map information based on the first terminal device's geographical location and the first cell map information, and sends the second cell map information to the first terminal device.

[0201] In this embodiment, the first cell map information can be used to indicate the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information of at least one cell (e.g., cell identifier). Therefore, the first cell map information can be used by the terminal device to determine the cell for access, handover, and reselection. Maintaining the first cell map information by the network device facilitates cell access, handover, and reselection for the terminal device, and eliminates the need to perform RRM measurement procedures, thus promoting energy conservation for both the network device and the terminal device.

[0202] S403, the network device sends the second cell map information.

[0203] The second cell map information can be obtained based on the first cell map information. For example, the second cell map information can be the first cell map information, or it can be a portion of the information in the first cell map information. The second cell map information can be applied to multiple terminal devices, or it can be applied to a specific terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device). Optionally, the second cell map information can be obtained based on the geographical location of the terminal device and the first cell map information. For each terminal device, the network device can determine the second cell map information applicable to that terminal device based on its geographical location and the first cell map information. For example, the network device selects at least one cell from the first cell map information that matches the geographical location of a terminal device, and obtains the second cell map information corresponding to that terminal device. For each terminal device, the network device can obtain the context information of that terminal device and determine its geographical location based on the context information.

[0204] Understandably, for multiple terminal devices, network devices can generate / determine the corresponding second cell map information for each terminal device based on the first cell map information. For example, for a first terminal device, the network device can determine the corresponding second cell map information based on the first terminal device's geographical location and the first cell map information. Similarly, for a second terminal device, the network device can determine the corresponding second cell map information based on the second terminal device's geographical location and the first cell map information.

[0205] Network devices can send second cell map information to one or more terminal devices. The second cell map information sent by the network device to multiple terminal devices can be the same or different. For example, when the second cell map information is applicable to multiple terminal devices, the network device can send the second cell map information to multiple terminal devices, and then these multiple terminal devices will receive the same cell map information. As an example, the network device can send the second cell map information to multiple terminal devices through system messages. When the second cell map information is applicable to a specific terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device), the network device can send the second cell map information to the first terminal device. For example, the network device can send the second cell map information to the first terminal device through an RRC message.

[0206] When the network device is a GMF (Government Network Element), it can send second cell map information to one or more terminal devices through core network equipment (such as AMF) and RAN (Radio Router) equipment. For example, the GMF sends the second cell map information to the AMF, the AMF receives the second cell map information and sends it to the RAN equipment, and the RAN equipment receives and sends the second cell map information. If the second cell map information is applicable to multiple terminal devices, the RAN equipment can broadcast or multicast the second cell map information to provide the cell map to the camped terminal devices.

[0207] When the network device is a first core network device with GMF, the network device can send the second cell map information to one or more terminal devices, or it can send the second cell map information to one or more terminal devices through other core network devices (such as AMF) or RAN devices.

[0208] Taking the first terminal device as an example, the first terminal device receives the second cell map information. Having obtained the second cell map information, the first terminal device can determine which cell to camp on, access, handover to, or reselect based on this information. For example, if the first terminal device's current geographical location is a first geographical location, and this first geographical location corresponds to a first cell in the second cell map information, the first terminal device can access or camp on the first cell. As another example, if the first terminal device's current geographical location is a first geographical location, and this first geographical location corresponds to multiple cells in the second cell map information, the first terminal device can access or camp on one of these multiple cells.

[0209] Optionally, when the first geographical location in the second cell map information corresponds to multiple cells, the first terminal device can randomly select one cell from these multiple cells for access or camping. Alternatively, when the first geographical location in the second cell map information corresponds to multiple cells, the first terminal device can select one cell from these multiple cells for access or camping according to specific rules. For example, specific rules include selecting one cell from multiple cells according to cell priority. The definition of cell priority is not limited. For example, cell priority can be determined based on cell signal quality; the higher the signal quality, the higher the cell priority. Alternatively, cell priority can be determined based on the distance between the terminal and the cell center; the closer the terminal device is to the cell center, the higher the cell priority. Alternatively, cell priority can be determined based on cell load; the lighter the cell load, the higher the cell priority. Alternatively, cell priority can be determined based on cell bandwidth; the wider the cell bandwidth, the higher the cell priority. The factors affecting cell priority mentioned above, such as signal quality, distance between the terminal device and the cell center, cell load, and cell bandwidth, are merely examples. This application embodiment does not limit the types and number of factors affecting cell priority.

[0210] In this embodiment of the application, multiple cells in the cell map information (e.g., the first cell map information) are geographically adjacent. The more cells in the cell map information, the fewer times the terminal device needs to update the stored cell map information.

[0211] Optionally, the network device can send multiple cell map information to the terminal device. A cell can belong to at least one cell map. The coverage areas of different cells in multiple cell maps are geographically adjacent to each other, or the coverage areas of different cells in multiple cell maps are subsets in geographical space.

[0212] Optionally, the network device sending the second cell map information to the terminal device includes: the network device sending the terminal device the change in the second cell map information compared to the sixth cell map information (referred to as incremental information), wherein the sixth cell map information is the previous cell map information of the second cell map information, or the sixth cell map information is the cell map information saved by the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device can determine the second cell map information based on the sixth cell map information and the incremental information. In other words, the network device sends the sixth cell map information to the terminal device before sending the second cell map information. When the cell map changes, the network device sends incremental information to the terminal device to minimize signaling overhead. For example, if the terminal device is camped on a cell, it can obtain the sixth cell map information through the broadcast message of that cell. The sixth cell map information may include cell information available for access, handover, and reselection within the coverage area of ​​that cell, but does not include cell information available for access, handover, and reselection within the coverage area of ​​neighboring cells of that cell. Accordingly, the content included in the sixth cell map information is less, and the load overhead of the network device sending the sixth cell map information is smaller. After a terminal device accesses the network through this cell, the network device can update the sixth cell map information, for example, by updating it to the second cell map information. This second cell map information may include information on cells within the coverage area of ​​the current cell that are available for access, handover, or reselection, as well as information on cells within the coverage area of ​​neighboring cells that are also available for access, handover, or reselection. The network device can then indicate the second cell map information to the terminal device. For example, the network device can send incremental information to the terminal device via a unicast message for the cell (e.g., an RRC configuration message), which includes information on cells within the coverage area of ​​neighboring cells that are available for access, handover, or reselection. The terminal device can obtain the second cell map information based on the sixth cell map information and the incremental information. In this way, the network device can send incremental information without sending the entire second cell map information, reducing signaling overhead.

[0213] As described above, the terminal device decides which cell to camp on, access, hand over, or reselect based on the cell map. Alternatively, the network device may decide which cell the terminal device should camp on, access, hand over, or reselect. In this case, step S403 is not mandatory and is illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 4.

[0214] For example, the network device determines the first cell corresponding to the first geographical location based on the first geographical location of the first terminal device and the first cell map information, and sends the identification information of the first cell to the first terminal device. In other words, the network device sends the identification information of the first cell that the first terminal device accesses or camps on to the first terminal device. The first terminal device receives the identification information of the first cell and accesses or camps on the first cell. Thus, compared to the first terminal device determining the cell to access or camp on based on the results of RRM measurements, this application allows the first terminal device to know the cell to access or camp on in advance, thereby improving the efficiency of the first terminal device accessing or camping on a cell.

[0215] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described using network devices and terminal devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the network device can be implemented by the network device itself, or by the hardware and / or software that makes up the network device. The steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by the terminal device itself, or by the hardware and / or software that makes up the terminal device. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the network device and the terminal device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0216] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be repeated.

[0217] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 700 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by network devices in the various method embodiments described above. For example, the communication device 700 can be a GMF network element; or, the communication device 700 can be a chip (system) in a GMF network element; or, the communication device 700 can be a software module of a GMF network element; or, the communication device 700 can be a RAN device with GMF or a core network device with GMF. Alternatively, the communication device 700 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by terminal devices in the various method embodiments described above. For example, the communication device 700 can be the terminal device in Figure 1; or, the communication device 700 can be a chip (system) in a terminal device; or, the communication device 700 can be a software module of a terminal device. The communication device 700 may include a processing module 710 and a transceiver module 720. Optionally, it may also include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The storage module may be, for example, a memory. The processing module 710 and the transceiver module 720 can be coupled to the storage module. For example, the processing module 710 can read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage module to implement the corresponding method. When the communication device 700 is a chip in an intelligent agent, the storage module can be a storage module within the chip, such as a register or cache. For example, the storage module can also be a storage module located outside the chip within a terminal device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM). The above-mentioned units can be set independently or partially or completely integrated.

[0218] Processing module 710 may be a processor or controller, such as a CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. Transceiver module 720 is a transceiver, interface circuit, bus, pin, or other possible communication interface for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, transceiver module 720 is an interface circuit for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit for the chip to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0219] In one implementation, the communication device 700 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant content of the foregoing method embodiments; further elaboration is omitted here.

[0220] For example, the processing module 710 is used to determine the first cell map information and save the first cell map information. The first cell map information includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and information about at least one cell.

[0221] As an optional implementation, the first cell map information may also include information on the correspondence between one or more of the following information and the at least one cell: QoS requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

[0222] As an optional implementation, the information of the at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

[0223] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 720 is used to send second cell map information, which is based on the first cell map information.

[0224] As an optional implementation, the processing module 710 is specifically used to obtain the context information of the first terminal device, determine the first geographical location of the first terminal device based on the context information, and determine the second cell map information based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information. Wherein, at least one location in the first cell map information includes the first geographical location.

[0225] As an optional implementation, the processing module 710 is specifically used to determine the first cell map information based on the first geographical location, the first cell map information, and one or more of the following: the capability information of the first terminal device, or the RRC status of the first terminal device.

[0226] As an optional implementation, at least one cell in the second cell map information includes: the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell it is currently camped on; and / or, neighboring cells of the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell it is currently camped on. Alternatively, at least one cell in the first cell map information may also include one or more cells located at a certain distance from the neighboring cells.

[0227] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 720 is also used to send the identifier of the first cell that the first terminal device accesses or resides in, which is determined based on the first geographical location of the first terminal device and the first cell map information.

[0228] As an optional implementation, the processing module 710 is specifically used to determine the first cell map information when the first event in the first event set occurs. The first event set includes one or more of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency needs.

[0229] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 720 is also used to receive a first request, which is used to request an update to the current cell map information.

[0230] As an optional implementation, the first request includes a first cause value, which indicates at least one of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency need.

[0231] As an optional implementation, when the first request originates from a core network device, the first reason value is used to indicate at least one of the following: a change in authentication of the first terminal device, a change in network planning, or an emergency requirement. Alternatively, when the first request originates from an access network device, the first reason value is used to indicate a network failure and / or carrier change.

[0232] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 720 is also used to receive third cell map information for the map management function. The processing module 710 is also used to determine first cell map information based on the third cell map information and the first parameter. The first parameter includes at least one of the following: carrier load or QoS requirements.

[0233] In one implementation, the communication device 700 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant content of the foregoing method embodiments; further elaboration is omitted here.

[0234] For example, the transceiver module 720 is used to receive first cell map information, which includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell. The processing module 710 is used to access or camp on the first cell in the first cell map information corresponding to a first geographical location. The first geographical location is the location of the communication device 700, and at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location. At least one cell in the first cell map information includes the first cell.

[0235] As an optional implementation, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes: the serving cell or the currently camped cell of the communication device 700; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the currently camped cell of the communication device 700.

[0236] Optionally, when the communication device 700 is not connected to the network, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the communication device 700 or the cell it is currently camped on. When the communication device 700 is in RRC state, at least one cell in the first cell map information includes a neighboring cell of the serving cell of the communication device 700 or the cell it is currently camped on.

[0237] When the communication device 700 is a chip-based device or circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0238] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 can be a network device or a terminal device as described in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 800 can be a network device or a chip (system) within a network device. As another example, the communication device 800 can be a terminal device or a chip (system) within a terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments.

[0239] The communication device 800 includes one or more processors 801, used to implement or support the communication device 800 in implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method examples, which will not be repeated here. The processor 801 can also be called a processing unit or processing module, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 801 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it includes: a baseband processor, a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor, etc. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 800 (e.g., a network device or a terminal device), execute software programs, and / or process data. Different processors can be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0240] In one design, processor 801 may include program 803 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be executed on processor 801 to cause communication device 800 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In yet another possible design, communication device 800 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG8) for implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0241] In one design, the communication device 800 may include one or more memories 802 storing a program 804 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the memory 802 to cause the communication device 800 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0242] In one design, the processor 801 and / or memory 802 may include an AI module 807 and an AI module 808, which are used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​modules can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RIC module. For example, the AI ​​module may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0243] In one possible design, the processor 801 and / or memory 802 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0244] In one possible design, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 805 and / or an antenna 806. The processor 801, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device 800. The transceiver 805, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 800 through the antenna 806.

[0245] In one possible design, the communication device 800 may further include one or more of the following components: a wireless communication module, an audio module, an external memory interface, internal memory, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a power management module, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an input / output module, a sensor module, a motor, a camera, or a display screen, etc. It is understood that in some embodiments, the communication device 800 may include more or fewer components, or some components may be integrated, or some components may be separated. These components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0246] The communication device in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal device, a circuit, a chip applied in a network device or terminal device, or other combined devices or components having the aforementioned network device or terminal device. When the communication device is a network device or terminal device, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc., and the processing module can be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication device is a chip system, the communication device can be an FPGA, a dedicated ASIC, a SoC, a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips. The processing module can be the processor of the chip system. The transceiver module or communication interface can be the input / output interface or interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in memory and can be read directly from memory or through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can be used to run the code instructions to execute the methods in the above method embodiments. For example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the communication processor and the transceiver.

[0247] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a map management function device. The map management function device is used to implement the network device-related functions described in the above embodiments, and the terminal device is used to implement the terminal device-related functions described in the above embodiments.

[0248] In one design, the map management function device is a network element / entity on the core network side, a core network device with map management functionality, or an access network device with map management functionality. Optionally, when the map management function device is a network element / entity on the core network side, a core network device with map management functionality, the communication system further includes access network equipment. When the map management function device is an access network device with map management functionality, the communication system further includes core network equipment.

[0249] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method executed by the network device or terminal device in the above-described communication method to be executed.

[0250] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer program code, which, when executed, causes the method executed by the network device or terminal device in the above-described communication method to be executed.

[0251] This application provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the functions of a network device or terminal device in the aforementioned communication method. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0252] To achieve the functions of the communication devices shown in Figures 7 and 8, this application embodiment also provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory for storing necessary computer programs, instructions, and data for the communication device.

[0253] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0254] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0255] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0256] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0257] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0258] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contributing part of the technical solution of this application, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0259] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Determine the first cell map information, which includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell information; Save the map information of the first cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following information and the at least one cell: Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The information of at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second cell map information, which is based on the first cell map information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, Send the second cell map information, including: Obtain the context information of the first terminal device; The first geographical location of the first terminal device is determined based on the context information; The second cell map information is determined based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information, wherein the at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location; Send the second cell map information to the first terminal device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The step of determining the second cell map information based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information includes: The second cell map information is determined based on the first geographical location, the first cell map information, and one or more of the following: the capability information of the first terminal device, or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) status of the first terminal device.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein, At least one cell in the second cell map information includes: The serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The method further includes: Send the identifier of the first cell that the first terminal device accesses or camps on, wherein the first cell is determined based on the first geographical location of the first terminal device and the first cell map information.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The determination of the first cell map information includes: In the event of the first event in the first event set, the map information of the first cell is determined. The first event set includes one or more of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency needs.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The occurrence of the first event in the first event set includes: Receive a first request, which is used to request an update to the current cell map information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first request includes a first cause value, which indicates at least one of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency need.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The first request originates from the core network equipment, and the first reason value indicates at least one of the following: a change in the authentication of the first terminal device, a change in network planning, or an emergency need; or, The first request originates from the access network device, and the first reason value is used to indicate network failure and / or carrier change.

13. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The determination of the first cell map information includes: Receive third-cell map information from the map management function; The first cell map information is determined based on the third cell map information and the first parameter, wherein the first parameter includes at least one of the following: carrier load or quality of service (QoS) requirements.

14. A communication method, comprising: include: Receive first cell map information, which includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell; Accessing or residing in the first cell corresponding to the first geographical location in the first cell map information, where the first geographical location is the location of the first terminal device, the at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location, and the at least one cell includes the first cell.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following information and the at least one cell: Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein, The information of at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

17. The method of any one of claims 14-16, wherein, At least one cell in the first cell map information includes: The serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first terminal device is not connected to the network, and at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell where it is currently stationed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first terminal device is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) state, and at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the first terminal device or a neighboring cell of the cell currently in which it is camped.

20. A communications device, characterized by include: The processing unit is configured to determine first cell map information, which includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell. The storage unit is used to store the map information of the first cell.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein, The first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following information and the at least one cell: Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein, The information of at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 20-22, wherein, The device further includes a transceiver unit for transmitting second cell map information, which is based on the first cell map information.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: obtain context information of a first terminal device, determine a first geographical location of the first terminal device based on the context information, and determine a second cell map information based on the first geographical location and the first cell map information, wherein the at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location; The transceiver unit is also used to send the second cell map information to the first terminal device.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The processing unit is specifically used for: The second cell map information is determined based on the first geographical location, the first cell map information, and one or more of the following: the capability information of the first terminal device, or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) status of the first terminal device.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 or 25, wherein, At least one cell in the second cell map information includes: The serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed.

27. The apparatus of any one of claims 20-22, wherein, The transceiver unit is also used for: Send the identifier of the first cell that the first terminal device accesses or camps on, wherein the first cell is determined based on the first geographical location of the first terminal device and the first cell map information.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 20-27, wherein, The processing unit is specifically used for: In the event of the first event in the first event set, the map information of the first cell is determined. The first event set includes one or more of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency needs.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein, The transceiver unit is also used for: Receive a first request, which is used to request an update to the current cell map information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein, The first request includes a first cause value, which indicates at least one of the following: network failure, carrier change, authentication change of the first terminal device, network planning change, or emergency need.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that, The first request originates from the core network equipment, and the first reason value indicates at least one of the following: a change in the authentication of the first terminal device, a change in network planning, or an emergency need; or, The first request originates from the access network device, and the first reason value is used to indicate network failure and / or carrier change.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20-31, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is also configured to: receive third cell map information from the map management function; The processing unit is further configured to: determine the first cell map information based on the third cell map information and the first parameter, wherein the first parameter includes at least one of the following: carrier load, or quality of service (QoS) requirements.

33. A communications device, characterized by include: The transceiver unit is used to receive first cell map information, which includes information on the correspondence between at least one geographical location and at least one cell information. The processing unit is configured to access or reside in the first cell in the first cell map information that corresponds to the first geographical location, wherein the first geographical location is the location of the first terminal device, the at least one geographical location includes the first geographical location, and the at least one cell includes the first cell.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein, The first cell map information also includes information on the correspondence between one or more of the following information and the at least one cell: Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, handheld posture of the terminal device, or service type.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 or 34, wherein, The information of at least one cell includes one or more of the following: cell identifier, cell frequency band, cell bandwidth, cell access permission information, cell tariff information, or cell access information.

36. The apparatus of any one of claims 33-35, wherein, At least one cell in the first cell map information includes: The serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed; and / or, the neighboring cells of the serving cell or the cell where the first terminal device is currently stationed.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein, The first terminal device is not connected to the network, and at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the first terminal device or the cell where it is currently stationed.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein, The first terminal device is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) state, and at least one cell in the first cell map information includes the serving cell of the first terminal device or a neighboring cell of the cell currently in which it is camped.

39. A communication system, characterized by The system includes a network device and a terminal device, the network device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, and the terminal device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-19.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein, The network device is an access network device with a map management function, or the network device is a core network device with a map management function.

41. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-19.

42. A chip or chip system, characterized by The chip or chip system includes: At least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, such that when the at least one processor executes the instructions, the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-13 is executed, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 14-19 is executed.

43. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-13 to be performed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 14-19 to be performed.

44. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-13 to be performed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 14-19 to be performed.

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