CN113473553B

CN113473553B - Communication method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN113473553B
Application number: CN202010247497.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 强鹂; 谭佳瑶; 张向东
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2023-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-31
Also published as: WO2021197160A1; CN113473553A

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can solve the problem that the selection of target access network equipment is unreasonable in the process of switching an interface between access network equipment and a core network, and improve the resource utilization rate and the switching efficiency. The method comprises the following steps: the first network element receives a first switching request from the source access network device, determines first capability information, determines whether at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information, and if the terminal device cannot be provided with the service, the switching response sent by the first network element to the source access network device comprises an identifier of at least one second candidate access network device capable of providing the service for the terminal device. The first switching request comprises the identification of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device, and the switching response is used for indicating whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and a communication device.

Background

During the movement of the terminal device, the access network device (i.e. the source access network device) to which the terminal device is being connected selects a target access network device for the terminal device. If there is no interface, such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface, directly connected between the source access network device and the target access network device, the interface, such as an S1 interface or an N2 interface, between the access network device and the core network may be used for handover. The specific process is as follows: the source access network device selects a target access network device according to the signal intensity of other access network devices, sends a switching request to the target access network device through the core network, and then receives a switching response from the target access network device through the core network. If the target access network device can provide service for the terminal device, the source access network device may send configuration information of radio resources included in the handover response to the terminal device, so that the terminal device accesses the target access network device. That is, the above-mentioned handover procedure involves complex signaling interaction between the access network device and the core network, and signaling overhead is large.

However, with the diversification of the service types of the terminal device and the capabilities of the access network device, the target access network device selected only according to the signal strength may not support the service of the terminal device, that is, the target access network device is not reasonably selected, so that the success rate of the above-mentioned switching process is low, thereby leading to that the above-mentioned switching process needs to be executed for many times and can be successfully switched, wasting a great amount of signaling resources, the switching efficiency is low, even the above-mentioned switching process is executed for many times, the switching may fail, and finally, the communication of the terminal device is interrupted.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can improve the selection accuracy of a target base station and the switching efficiency.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical scheme:

in a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: and receiving a first switching request from the source access network equipment, determining first capability information, and determining whether at least one first candidate access network equipment can provide service for the terminal equipment according to the first capability information. Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device, and the first capability information is used for indicating a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device.

Based on the communication method of the first aspect to the second aspect described below, the first network element receives a first handover request from the source access network device, where the first handover request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device, then determines first capability information for indicating service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device, and determines, by the first network element, whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information, and if not, the first network element sends a handover response to the source access network device, where the handover response indicates that service cannot be provided for the terminal device. In this way, the first network element judges whether the first candidate access network device can be used as a legal target access network device, so that complex signaling interaction between the first network element and the first candidate access network device can be reduced, a large amount of signaling resources are saved, and the first network element considers the capability information of the first candidate access network device in the judging process, so that the switching success rate and reliability can be improved, and the switching efficiency is improved.

Optionally, the service type of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: capacity reduction (reduced capablity, REDCAP), multicast broadcast service (multicast broadcast service, MBS), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X), non-public network (NPN).

Optionally, the first capability information is from the second network element. That is, the first network element may determine whether there is first capability information of itself, and if there is no or lack of first capability information of part of the first candidate access network device, may interact with the second network element to obtain the first capability information.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication method of the first aspect may further include: second capability information is received from a second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device. That is, the first network element may also interact with a second network element to obtain second capability information, thereby providing the source access network device with at least one second candidate access network device.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication method of the first aspect may further include: and sending a switching response to the source access network equipment. The switching response comprises identification of at least one second candidate access network device, and the at least one second candidate access network device is determined according to the service type of the terminal device. That is, after the first network element determines that the selection of the target access network device is unreasonable, the suggested target access network device list, that is, at least one second candidate access network device, may be provided to the source access network device, so that the source access network device reselects the target access network device, thereby further improving the switching efficiency.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: and sending a first switching request to the first network element and receiving a switching response from the first network element. The first switching request comprises the identification of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device, and the switching response is used for indicating that the at least one first candidate access network device cannot provide service for the terminal device.

Optionally, the service type of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

Optionally, the handover response may include an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, the at least one second candidate access network device being determined according to the traffic type of the terminal device. That is, the source access network device may receive at least one second candidate access network device for supporting the traffic of the terminal device suggested by the first network element.

In one possible design, the communication method according to the second aspect may further include: and determining the target access network equipment according to the identification of the at least one second candidate access network equipment. In this way, the source access network device can select the target access network device from at least one second candidate access network device proposed by the first network element, and the success rate of switching the terminal device can be improved.

In one possible design, the communication method according to the second aspect may further include: and sending a second switching request to the first network element. Wherein the second handover request comprises an identification of the target access network device. In this way, after the first switching request fails, the source access network device may further send a second switching request to the first network element, where the target access network device is selected from at least one second candidate access network device capable of supporting the service corresponding to the service type of the terminal device, so as to improve the switching success rate and further improve the switching efficiency.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: first capability information is determined, and a target access network device is selected according to the signal strength of at least one first candidate access network device and the first capability information. Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device.

Based on the communication method of the third aspect to the fifth aspect described below, the source access network device considers the service capability of the first candidate access network device when determining the target access network device, so that the problem that the target access network device selected only according to the signal strength does not support the service of the terminal device can be solved, the success rate and reliability of handover can be improved, a large amount of signaling resources can be saved, and the handover efficiency can be improved.

Optionally, the determining the first capability information includes: and sending a capability information request to the first network element or the terminal equipment. Wherein the capability information request may comprise an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. Thus, the method for the source access network device to obtain the first capability information includes: the first capability information is obtained from the first network element and the first capability information is obtained from the terminal device.

Optionally, the capability information request is used to instruct the terminal device to listen to system messages of at least one first candidate access network device and to determine the first capability information.

Optionally, the service type information may include a service type of the terminal device, and the service type of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the first network element receives a capability information request from the source access network device and sends first capability information to the source access network device. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication method according to the fourth aspect may further include: the first network element receives second capability information from the second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device. That is, the first network element may also interact with a second network element to obtain second capability information, thereby providing the source access network device with at least one second candidate access network device.

In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the terminal equipment receives the capability information request from the source access network equipment and sends first capability information to the source access network equipment. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication method according to the fifth aspect may further include: the terminal device monitors system messages of at least one first candidate access network device and determines first capability information. In this way, the terminal device may obtain the first capability information by listening to system messages of several cells.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a first switching request from the source access network equipment. Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device. And the processing module is used for determining the first capability information. Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device. And the processing module is further used for determining whether at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information.

Optionally, the first capability information is from the second network element.

In one possible embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second capability information from a second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send a handover response to the source access network device. The handover response may include an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, which is determined according to the service type of the terminal device.

The transceiver module of the sixth aspect may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving data and/or signaling from the source access network equipment and/or the second network element; the sending module is used for sending data and/or signaling to the source access network device and/or the second network element. The specific implementation manner of the transceiver module is not specifically limited in the present application.

Optionally, the communication device according to the sixth aspect may further include a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communications device of the sixth aspect to perform the method of the first aspect.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus according to the sixth aspect may be the first network element, such as an access and mobility management function (core access and mobility management function, AMF) network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in an access network device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the sixth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which are not described herein.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. The sending module is used for sending a first switching request to the first network element. Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device. The receiving module is further configured to receive a handover response from the first network element, where the handover response is used to indicate that at least one first candidate access network device cannot provide a service for the terminal device.

Optionally, the handover response may include an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, the at least one second candidate access network device being determined according to the traffic type of the terminal device.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus according to the seventh aspect may further include: and a processing module. The processing module is used for determining target access network equipment according to the identification of at least one second candidate access network equipment.

In one possible embodiment, the sending module is further configured to send a second handover request to the first network element. Wherein the second handover request comprises an identification of the target access network device.

It should be noted that the receiving module and the transmitting module may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., the transceiver module. The specific implementation manner of the receiving module and the sending module is not specifically limited.

Optionally, the communication device according to the seventh aspect may further include a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communications device of the seventh aspect to perform the method of the second aspect.

Note that, the communication apparatus according to the seventh aspect may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus according to the seventh aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: and a processing module. The device comprises a determining module and a selecting module, wherein the determining module and the selecting module are used for determining first capability information. Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device. And the selection module is used for selecting the target access network equipment according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network equipment.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication device according to the eighth aspect may further include: and a transceiver module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for sending the capability information request to the first network element or the terminal equipment. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information.

Optionally, the transceiver module of the eighth aspect may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving data and/or signaling from the first network element and/or the terminal equipment; the sending module is used for sending data and/or signaling to the first network element and/or the terminal equipment. The specific implementation manner of the transceiver module is not specifically limited in the present application.

The determining module and the selecting module described in the eighth aspect perform processing functions, which may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, that is, the processing module. The specific implementation manner of the determining module and the selecting module is not specifically limited in the application.

Optionally, the communication device according to the eighth aspect may further include a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communication device according to the eighth aspect to perform the method according to the third aspect.

Note that, the communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, which are not described herein.

In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving the capability information request from the source access network equipment. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. And the sending module is used for sending the first capability information to the source access network equipment.

In one possible embodiment, the receiving module is further configured to receive second capability information from a second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

Optionally, the communication device according to the ninth aspect may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communication device according to the ninth aspect to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

Note that, the communication device according to the ninth aspect may be the first network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the first network element, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication device according to the ninth aspect may refer to technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving the capability information request from the source access network equipment. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. And the sending module is also used for sending the first capability information to the source access network equipment.

In one possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus according to the tenth aspect may further include: and a processing module. The processing module is used for monitoring system messages of at least one first candidate access network device and determining first capability information.

Optionally, the service type information may include a service type of the communication device, and the service type of the communication device may include one or more of: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

Optionally, the communication device according to the tenth aspect may further include a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by the processing module, enable the communications device of the tenth aspect to perform the method of the fifth aspect.

The communication device according to the tenth aspect may be a terminal device, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be provided in the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

Further, the technical effects of the communication device according to the tenth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication device includes: a processor and a communication interface. The processor is configured to communicate with other devices via a communication interface and to perform a communication method as described in any one of the possible implementation manners of the first to fifth aspects. The communication interface may be a transceiver circuit for the communication device to communicate with other communication devices.

In one possible design, the communication device according to the eleventh aspect may further include a memory. The memory is used for storing a computer program. The transceiver may be used for the communication device to communicate with other communication devices.

In this application, the communication apparatus according to the eleventh aspect may be the first network element or the source access network device or the terminal device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components disposed on the first network element or the source access network device or the terminal device.

Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus according to the eleventh aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided. The system comprises a first network element, source access network equipment, target access network equipment and terminal equipment. Wherein the first network element may be an AMF network element. Optionally, the system may further include a second network element, such as an AMF network element, a universal data management (unified data management, UDM) network element, an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) network element.

In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium comprising: the computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions; the computer program or instructions, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the first to fifth aspects.

In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a second flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram III of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wiFi) system, a vehicle-to-object (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication system, an inter-device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle networking communication system, a 4th generation (4th generation,4G) mobile communication system, such as a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5th generation,5G) mobile communication system, such as a new radio, NR) system, and future communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6th generation,6G) mobile communication system, and the like.

The present application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features about a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices, components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these schemes may also be used.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary," "for example," and the like are used to indicate an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term use of an example is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

In the embodiment of the present application, "information", "signal", "message", "channel", and "signaling" may be used in a mixed manner, and it should be noted that the meaning of the expression is consistent when the distinction is not emphasized. "of", "corresponding" and "corresponding" are sometimes used in combination, and it should be noted that the meaning of the expression is consistent when the distinction is not emphasized.

The network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of the new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable. To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system suitable for the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail first with reference to the communication system shown in fig. 1 as an example. It should be noted that the solution in the embodiments of the present application may also be applied to other mobile communication systems, and the corresponding names may also be replaced by names of corresponding functions in other mobile communication systems.

As shown in fig. 1, the communication system includes a first network element, a source access network device, a target access network device, and a terminal device. Optionally, the communication system may further comprise a second network element.

The first network element is a device that is located at a network side of the communication system and provides network services for a terminal device, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that are disposed in the device. The first network element may be a core network element, such as an access and mobility management function (core access and mobility management function, AMF) network element.

The second network element is a device that is located at the network side of the communication system and can communicate with the first network element, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be disposed in the device. The second network element may be a core network element, such as an AMF network element or a unified data management (unified data management, UDM) network element. The second network element may also be another network element, such as an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) network element.

It should be noted that, when the first network element and the second network element are both AMF network elements, the first network element and the second network element may be the same AMF network element, that is, the source access network device and the target access network device are both access network devices managed by the same AMF network element, or may be different AMF network elements, that is, the source access network device and the target access network device are managed by different AMF network elements.

The source access network device and the target access network device may also be collectively referred to as an access network device. The access network device is a device with wireless transceiving function and located at the network side of the communication system, or a chip (system) or other parts or components of the device. Access network devices include, but are not limited to: an Access Point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wiFi) system, such as a home gateway, a router, a server, a switch, a bridge, etc., an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a Node B (Node B, NB), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a wireless relay Node, a wireless backhaul Node, a transmission point (transmission and reception point, TRP, transmission point, TP), etc., may also be a 5G, such as a gbb in a new air interface (NR) system, or a transmission point (TRP, TP), one or a group of base stations (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels in a 5G system, or may also be network nodes constituting a gbb or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed base station unit (base station unit), a distributed unit (rsdu), etc., a base station unit (rsdu), etc.

In this embodiment of the present application, the OAM network element may also be referred to as an OAM device. Further, the AMF network element, the UDM network element, the OAM network element, and the access network device may also be collectively referred to as a network device, and specific names of the first network element and the second network element in the embodiment of the present application are not specifically limited.

The terminal device is a terminal having a wireless transmitting/receiving function and accessing the communication system, or a chip (system) or other parts or components thereof. The terminal device may also be referred to as a user equipment, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in unmanned driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), a vehicle-mounted terminal, an RSU with a terminal function, or the like. The terminal device of the present application may also be an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle component, an in-vehicle chip, or an in-vehicle unit that is built in a vehicle as one or more components or units, and the vehicle may implement the communication method provided in the present application through the in-vehicle module, the in-vehicle component, the in-vehicle chip, or the in-vehicle unit.

It should be noted that, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applicable to communication between the source access network device and the first network element shown in fig. 1. Alternatively, the communication method may also be used for communication between the source access network device and the terminal device shown in fig. 1.

It should be understood that fig. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram that is merely exemplary for ease of understanding, and that other network devices, and/or other terminal devices, may also be included in the communication system, which are not shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device that may be used to perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication means may be the first network element or may be a chip (system) or other part or component applicable to the first network element. Alternatively, the communication means may be the source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other part or component applicable to the source access network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a terminal device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components applicable to the terminal device.

As shown in fig. 2, the communication device 200 includes a processor 201 and a communication interface 202. The processor 201 may be integrated with the communication interface 202 or may exist independently. Optionally, the communication device 200 may further include a memory 203, where the memory 203 may be integrated with the processor 201 or may exist separately, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited in detail.

The following describes the respective constituent elements of the communication apparatus 200 in detail with reference to fig. 2:

the processor 201 is a control center of the communication device 200, and may be one processor or a collective term of a plurality of processing elements. For example, processor 201 is one or more central processing units (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be an integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present application, such as: one or more microprocessors (digital signal processor, DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGAs).

Among other things, the processor 201 may perform various functions of the communication device 200 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 203 and invoking data stored in the memory 203.

In a particular implementation, as one embodiment, processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG. 2.

In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 200 may also include a plurality of processors, such as the processor 201 and the processor 204 shown in fig. 2. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). A processor herein may refer to one or more communication devices, circuitry, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

The memory 203 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage communication device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage communication device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage communication device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

The memory 203 is used for storing a software program for executing the scheme of the application, and the processor 201 controls the execution. The specific implementation manner may refer to the following method embodiments, which are not described herein.

The communication interface 202, which may be a transceiver circuit, is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, the communication apparatus 200 is a first network element, and the communication interface 202 may be configured to communicate with a source access network device or with a second network element. As another example, the communication apparatus 200 is a source access network device, and the communication interface 202 may be configured to communicate with a terminal device or with a first network element. As another example, the communication apparatus 200 is a terminal device, and the communication interface 202 may be configured to communicate with a source access network device. Furthermore, the transceiver circuit may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. The communication interface 202 may also be input/output (I/O) circuitry of the processor 201 to enable signal input and signal output of the processor 201.

It should be noted that the structure of the communication device 200 shown in fig. 2 is not limited to the communication device, and an actual communication device may include more or less components than those shown, or may combine some components, or may be different in arrangement of components.

The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application will be specifically described below with reference to fig. 3 to 6.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method may be suitable for communication between the first network element and the source access network device shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the communication method includes the steps of:

s301, the source access network device sends a first switching request to a first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives a first handover request from the source access network device.

Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device.

In S301 above, before the source access network device sends the first handover request to the first network element, the terminal device may send a measurement report to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device may receive measurement reports from the terminal device.

The measurement report may include measurement results of at least one access network device, such as signal strength, channel status, and the like.

Alternatively, the source access network device may select at least one first candidate access network device from the at least one access network device as a candidate target access network device for the terminal device according to the signal strength. That is, the source access network device may select an access network device whose signal strength meets the requirements of the terminal device as a candidate target access network device.

By way of example, the service type of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: capacity reduction (reduced capability, REDCAP), multicast broadcast service (multicast broadcast service, MBS), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X), non-public network (NPN). It should be noted that the terminal device may also include other types of services, which are not limited in this application.

S302, a first network element determines first capability information.

Optionally, the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device.

Illustratively, the first capability information may include: the identity of the at least one first candidate access network device, whether the service type of the terminal device is supported.

If the first candidate access network device supports the service type of the terminal device, the first capability information may further include: specific capabilities of the access network device.

For example, the first capability information may include: the access network device 1 supports REDCAP, and the maximum access bandwidth value of the supported REDCAP terminal device.

For another example, the first capability information may include: the access network device 1 supports MBS, and specifically, which MBS services are supported.

As another example, the first capability information may include: the access network device 1 supports whether the scheduling mode of the V2X, PC5 port is mode 2 (mode 2) or mode 3 (mode 3).

As another example, the first capability information may include: the access network device 1 supports NPN and closed access group identification (closed access group ID, CAG ID) supporting access.

As another example, the first capability information may include: the access network device 2 does not support REDCAP, MBS, V2X and NPN.

It should be noted that, the first capability information may further include other types of capability information of at least one first candidate access network device, such as a current load situation, a congestion control policy, a security control policy, a subscription situation (such as a usage right of the access network device), other management and control policies, and so on.

The step S302, where the first network element determines the first capability information may include: the first network element determines the first capability information based on the known information and/or the first network element obtains the first capability information from the second network element. The second network element may be an AMF network element, a UDM network element, or an OAM network element, etc. The source of the first capability information in the embodiments of the present application is not specifically limited.

In particular, the specific principle of the first network element determining the first capability information using the above manner is as follows.

Alternatively, if the first network element can determine the first capability information of all the first candidate access network devices according to the known information, the first network element may determine the first capability information according to the known information only.

Optionally, if the first network element can only determine the first capability information of a part of the first candidate access network device according to the known information, or the first capability information of a part of the first candidate access network device, the first network element may determine a part of the first capability information according to the known information, and obtain another part of the first capability information from the second network element.

Alternatively, the first network element may omit the step of determining the first capability information from the known information, and obtain all the first capability information directly from the second network element.

Specifically, the first network element obtains the first capability information from the second network element, which may specifically include S303 to S304 described below.

S303, the first network element sends a first capability request to the second network element. Accordingly, the second network element receives a first capability request from the first network element.

Wherein the first capability request may include: identification of at least one first candidate access network device.

The first capability request illustratively comprises an identification of the access network device 1, an identification of the access network device 2, so that the first network element can request all service capabilities of the access network device 1, the access network device 2 grasped by the second network element from the second network element.

Alternatively, the first capability request may include: the identity of the at least one first candidate access network device and the traffic type information of the terminal device.

The first capability request includes, for example, an identifier of the access network device 1, an identifier of the access network device 2, and an MBS, and the first network element requests, from the second network element, a service capability of the access network device 1 to the MBS of the terminal device, and a service capability of the access network device 2 to the MBS of the terminal device.

S304, the second network element sends a first capability response to the first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives a first capability response from the second network element. Wherein the first capability response includes first capability information.

Assuming that the access network device 1 supports MBS, the access network device 2 does not support MBS, and the first capability request comprises: the identification of the access network device 1, the identification of the access network device 2 and the MBS, the first capability information may have the following several implementations.

Illustratively, the first capability information may include: an access network device 1. Alternatively, the first capability information may include: the access network device 1 supports MBS. That is, the second network element may return only capability information of the access network device supporting the service type requested in the first capability request.

Illustratively, the first capability information may include: an access network device 1 supporting MBS; the access network device 2 does not support MBS. That is, the first network element requests which access network devices and which service types of the terminal devices, and the second network element returns which capability information.

Optionally, the first capability information may further include capability information that is not requested by the first network element.

Illustratively, the first capability information may include: an access network device 1 supporting MBS; the access network device 2 does not support MBS; an access network device 3 supporting MBS; the access network device 4 does not support MBS. That is, the second network element may return the MBS service capabilities of the access network device to the terminal device that are not requested by the first network element.

Illustratively, the first capability information may further include: the access network equipment 1 supports MBS and does not support NPN; the access network device 2 does not support MBS and supports NPN. That is, in addition to the information about whether the first candidate access network device supports MBS, the second network element may also return other service capabilities of the first candidate access network device, and may also return other types of capability information such as the current load situation, congestion control policy, and so on.

Illustratively, the first capability information may further include: the access network equipment 1 supports MBS and does not support NPN; the access network equipment 2 does not support MBS and NPN; an access network device 3 supporting MBS and NPN; the access network device 4 does not support MBS and supports NPN. That is, in addition to the service capability of the first candidate access network device requested by the first network element to the MBS of the terminal device, the second network element may also return other service capabilities of the first candidate access network device, and/or the service capability of the access network device not requested by the first network element may also return other types of capability information such as the current load situation, congestion control policy, and so on.

It should be noted that the implementation manner of the first capability information is not limited in the present application, so that the first network element can determine whether at least one first candidate access network device can provide services for the terminal device.

S305, the first network element determines whether at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information.

In one possible design, the first network element may determine, according to the first capability information, that at least one first candidate access network device can provide services for the terminal device, where the first network element may perform S308 described below, and send an N2handover message (N2 handover) to the second network element, so as to complete handover of the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the first capability information includes: an access network device 1 supporting MBS; the access network device 2 supports MBS, and both the access network device 1 and the access network device 2 can provide MBS services for the terminal device, and the first network element may execute S308 described below.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the first capability information includes: an access network device 1 supporting MBS; the access network device 2 does not support MBS, and the access network device 1 can provide services for the terminal device. That is, as long as any one of the plurality of first candidate access network apparatuses can provide a service for the terminal apparatus, the first network element may perform S308 described below.

For example, assume that the service types requested by the terminal device are MBS and V2X, the MBS has a higher priority than V2X, and the first capability information includes: the access network equipment 1 supports MBS and does not support V2X; the access network device 2 does not support MBS and V2X, and may determine whether the access network device can provide services for the terminal device according to the priority of the service type, which is not limited in this application.

In another possible design, if the first network element determines that none of the at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information, the first network element may determine the second capability information, and determine the at least one second candidate access network device according to the second capability information. Wherein the at least one second candidate access network device is an access network device capable of providing services for the terminal device.

Optionally, the second capability information may be used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

Alternatively, the second capability information may include capability information of an access network device capable of providing services to the terminal device, which is determined according to a service type of the terminal device.

Optionally, the second capability information comprises at least capability information of an access network device capable of providing services to the terminal device, so that the first network element determines the second candidate access network device. The specific content of the second capability information may refer to the specific content of the first capability information in S302, which is not described herein.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the first capability information includes: the access network device 1 does not support MBS; the access network device 2 does not support MBS, i.e. neither the access network device 1 nor the access network device 2 can provide services for the terminal device, the first network element may determine the second capability information, and determine at least one second candidate access network device according to the second capability information.

That is, if it is determined that the at least one first candidate access network device cannot provide the service for the terminal device, the first network element may further determine a suggested target access network device list (suspended target-RAN-list) for the source access network device, that is, the at least one second candidate access network device, and the source access network device may select the target access network device based on the at least one second candidate access network device and initiate the handover request again, thereby improving the handover success rate and reliability.

It should be noted that, at least one first candidate access network device is a candidate access network device determined by a source access network device, whether the candidate access network device can be used as a target access network device is determined by a first network element, at least one second candidate access network device is an access network device determined by the source access network device and capable of providing services for a terminal device, the target access network device is determined by the source access network device, and the at least one second candidate access network device does not include the at least one first candidate access network device. That is, when the first network element determines the second candidate access network device list, at least one first candidate access network device which is determined to be unable to provide service for the terminal device is excluded, so that the selection range of the second candidate access network device is reduced, and the switching efficiency is improved.

The determination of the second capability information by the first network element is described in detail below.

Optionally, the determining, by the first network element, the second capability information may include: the first network element determines the second capability information based on known information and/or the second capability information may also come from the second network element.

That is, the first network element may determine the second capability information only according to the known information, the first network element may also obtain the second capability information from the second network element, and the first network element may also determine the second capability information by combining the information known to the first network element and the information fed back by the second network element. The source of the second capability information in the embodiments of the present application is not specifically limited.

Specifically, the first network element obtains the second capability information from the second network element, which specifically may include the following steps one to two:

step one, the first network element sends a second capability request to the second network element. Accordingly, the second network element receives a second capability request from the first network element.

Wherein the second capability request may include: the service type information of the terminal device, i.e. the first network element may request from the second network element a second candidate access network device capable of providing services for the terminal device.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the second capability request includes MBS.

The second capability request includes MBS and NPN, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS and NPN.

And step two, the second network element sends a second capability response to the first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives a second capability response from the second network element. Wherein the second capability response includes second capability information.

Assuming that the at least one first candidate access network device comprises an access network device 1, an access network device 2, an access network device 3, an access network device 4, the second capability request comprises MBS, V2X, NPN, the second capability information may have the following several implementations.

Illustratively, the second capability information may include: an access network device 5 supporting MBS, supporting V2X, and supporting NPN; the access network device 6 supports MBS, V2X and NPN. That is, the second network element may return only the capability information of the access network device supporting all the service types requested in the second capability request, i.e. the second network element returns only the capability information of the access network device 5 and the access network device 6 supporting MBS and V2X, NPN simultaneously.

Illustratively, the second capability information may include: an access network device 5 supporting MBS, supporting V2X, and supporting NPN; an access network device 6 supporting MBS, V2X, NPN; the access network device 7 does not support MBS, supports V2X, and supports NPN. That is, when the service types included in the second capability request are plural, the second network element may also return capability information of the access network device supporting part of the service types included in the second capability request, that is, the second network element may return capability information of the access network device 5 and the access network device 6 supporting MBS and V2X, NPN simultaneously, and may also return capability information of the access network device 7 supporting no MBS, V2X and NPN.

Illustratively, the second capability information may include: an access network device 5 supporting MBS, supporting V2X, supporting NPN, and not supporting REDCAP; an access network device 6 supporting MBS, V2X, NPN and REDCAP; the access network device 7 does not support MBS, supports V2X, supports NPN, and supports REDCAP. That is, the second network element may also return other service capabilities of the access network device supporting part or all of the service type information included in the second capability request, for example, whether to support the REDCAP, and may also return other types of capability information such as the current load situation, the congestion control policy, and the like.

It should be noted that the implementation manner of the second capability information is not limited in this application, so that the determination of at least one second candidate access network device can be achieved.

It should be noted that, the first network element may also obtain the second capability information in the process of the first network element interacting with the second network element in S303 to S304, which is not limited in this application.

The determination of at least one second candidate access network device by the first network element according to the second capability information is specifically described below.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the second capability information includes: an access network device 5 supporting MBS; an access network device 6 supporting MBS; the access network device 7 does not support MBS, the at least one second candidate access network device comprises an access network device 5, an access network device 6.

When the service types requested by the terminal equipment are multiple, the access network equipment which supports all the services requested by the terminal equipment simultaneously can be selected as the second candidate access network equipment preferentially, the access network equipment with the largest number of the service types requested by the supported terminal equipment can be selected as the second candidate access network equipment, and the second candidate access network equipment can be selected according to the priority of the service types.

Illustratively, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, V2X, NPN, the second candidate access network device may be selected based on the following rules:

the access network equipment supporting MBS and V2X, NPN simultaneously is preferentially selected;

if there is no access network device supporting MBS and V2X, NPN at the same time, selecting access network device supporting partial service, such as selecting access network device supporting MBS and V2X at the same time, and/or supporting MBS and NPN at the same time, and/or supporting V2X and NPN at the same time;

if there is no access network device supporting MBS and V2X, NPN, selecting a second candidate access network device according to the priority of the service type.

For example, assuming that priority of MBS > priority of V2X > priority of NPN, the access network device supporting MBS and V2X may be preferentially selected as the second candidate access network device, the access network device supporting MBS and NPN may be selected as the second candidate access network device, and the access network device supporting MBS may be selected as the second candidate access network device.

It should be noted that, the first network element may determine at least one second candidate access network device according to an actual requirement of the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

And S306, the first network element sends a switching response to the source access network equipment. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a handover response from the first network element.

Wherein the handover response is for indicating that the at least one first candidate access network device is not capable of providing service to the terminal device.

For example, assuming that the service type requested by the terminal device is MBS, the first capability information includes: the access network device 1 does not support MBS, the handover response indicates that the access network device 1 cannot provide services for the terminal device.

Optionally, the handover response may include an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, the at least one second candidate access network device being determined according to the traffic type of the terminal device. The process of determining the at least one second candidate access network device may refer to S305, which is not described herein. That is, the handover response may further include a list of target access network devices, i.e. an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, for use by the source access network device when selecting the target access network device again, the source access network device may select the target access network device based on the at least one second candidate access network device and initiate the second handover request.

S307, the source access network device may further send a second handover request to the first network element. Accordingly, the first network element may also receive a second handover request from the source access network device.

Wherein the second handover request comprises an identification of the target access network device, which may be determined from at least one second candidate access network device.

Alternatively, the source access network device may determine the target access network device from the at least one second candidate access network device based on the signal strength. That is, when the source access network device redetermines the target access network device, the access network device with the strongest signal strength can be selected from the access network devices proposed by the first network element and capable of providing services for the terminal device as the target access network device, so that the access network device incapable of providing services for the terminal device is eliminated, and the selection efficiency of the target access network device can be improved.

Optionally, the source access network device may further select the target access network device from at least one second candidate access network device according to other types of capability information of the access network device, for example, the access network device with the lightest current load may be selected as the target access network device according to the current load condition of each access network device, the access network device with the fastest transmission rate may be selected as the target access network device according to the access bandwidth of the access network device, and the target access network device may be determined by comprehensively considering the current load condition, congestion control policy, security control policy, subscription condition, other management and control policy of the access network device, and the specific implementation manner may be set according to actual requirements.

S308, the first network element sends an N2handover message (N2 handover) to the second network element.

It should be noted that, after the first network element receives the second handover request from the source access network device, it may also determine whether the target access network device included in the second handover request can provide services for the terminal device, or may not perform judgment any more, which is not limited in the present application.

Specifically, after the first network element determines that the selected target access network device can provide services for the terminal device, the first network element sends an N2handover message to the second network element, and the specific implementation manner can refer to the prior art, which is not repeated in the present application.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 3, the source access network device sends a first switching request to a first network element, where the first switching request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device, then the first network element determines first capability information for indicating service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device, and the first network element determines whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information, if the terminal device cannot be provided with service, the first network element sends a switching response indicating that the terminal device cannot be provided with service to the source access network device. In this way, the first network element judges whether the first candidate access network device can be used as the target access network device, so that complex signaling interaction between the first network element and the first candidate access network device can be reduced, a large amount of signaling resources are saved, and the first network element considers the capability information of the first candidate access network device in the judging process, so that the switching success rate and reliability can be improved, and the switching efficiency is improved.

In the communication method shown in fig. 3, the capability determination of the access network device is performed by the first network element. In the embodiment of the present application, this determination may also be performed by the source access network device, see in particular the communication methods shown in fig. 4-6 described below.

Fig. 4 is a second flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method can be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and performs the function of the source access network device. As shown in fig. 4, the communication method includes the steps of:

s401, the source access network device determines first capability information.

Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device. For the specific content of the first capability information, reference is made to S302, and details are not repeated here.

Specifically, in S401, the source access network device determines the first capability information, which may include: the source access network device S501 to S505 described below obtains the first capability information from the first network element, or the source access network device S601 to S603 described below obtains the first capability information from the terminal device.

Alternatively, in S401 described above, the terminal device may send a measurement report to the source access network device before the source access network device determines the first capability information. Accordingly, the source access network device may receive measurement reports from the terminal device.

S402, the source access network device selects a target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of at least one first candidate access network device.

In particular, the source access network device may select an access network device capable of providing services for the terminal device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device.

That is, the source access network device may select, according to the signal strength, an access network device whose signal strength meets the requirement of the terminal device from at least one first candidate access network device, and determine, according to the first capability information, an access network device capable of providing services for the service type of the terminal device from the access network devices whose signal strength meets the requirement of the terminal device, as the target access network device.

It should be noted that, the source access network device may also select, according to other types of capability information of the access network device, a target access network device from the access network devices capable of providing services for service types of the terminal devices, for example, may select, according to a current load condition of each access network device, the access network device with the lightest current load as the target access network device, may select, according to an access bandwidth of the access network device, the access network device with the fastest transmission rate as the target access network device, and may comprehensively consider information such as the current load condition, congestion control policy, security control policy, subscription condition, other management and control policy, signal strength of the access network device to determine the target access network device, where a specific implementation manner may be set according to actual requirements.

When the service types requested by the terminal equipment are multiple, the access network equipment which simultaneously supports all the services requested by the terminal equipment can be selected as target access network equipment, the access network equipment with the largest number of the service types requested by the supported terminal equipment can be selected as target access network equipment, and the target access network equipment can be selected according to the priority of the service types. Specific examples may refer to the example of selecting the second candidate access network device in S305, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the source access network device sends a handover request to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives a switching request sent by the source access network device. Wherein the handover request includes an identification of the target access network device.

That is, after the source access network device determines the target access network device for the terminal device, the source access network device may send a handover request to the first network element. The first network element may directly perform S308 described above, where the first network element sends an N2 handover message to the second network element. The first network element may also first determine whether the selected target access network device is reasonable, and if so, execute S308 described above. If not, the first network element may execute S306, where the first network element sends a handover response to the source access network device, and instructs the source access network device to reselect the target access network device.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 4, the source access network device considers the service capability of the first candidate access network device when determining the target access network device, so that the problem that the target access network device selected only according to the signal strength does not support the service of the terminal device can be solved, the success rate and the reliability of switching can be improved, a large amount of signaling resources can be saved, and the switching efficiency can be improved.

In one possible design method, the step S401, where the source access network device determines the first capability information may include: the source access network device obtains the first capability information from the first network element, see in particular the communication method shown in fig. 5 described below.

In another possible design method, in S401, the determining, by the source access network device, the first capability information may include: the source access network device obtains the first capability information from the terminal device, see in particular the communication method shown in fig. 6 described below.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method may be adapted for communication between the source access network device and the first network element as shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 5, the communication method includes the steps of:

s501, the source access network device sends a capability information request to a first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives a capability information request from the source access network device.

Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information.

Optionally, the service type information includes a service type of the terminal device, and specific content included in the service type of the terminal device may refer to S302 described above, which is not described herein.

Illustratively, the capability information request may include an identification of the access network device 1, an identification of the access network device 2, and the source access network device may request all service capabilities of the access network device 1, 2 from the first network element.

Illustratively, the capability information request may include an MBS, and the source access network device may request service capabilities of the MBS of the one or more access network devices to the terminal device from the first network element.

Illustratively, the capability information request may include an identifier of the access network device 1, an identifier of the access network device 2, and an MBS, and the source access network device may request, from the first network element, a service capability of the access network device 1 to the MBS of the terminal device, and a service capability of the access network device 2 to the MBS of the terminal device.

S502, a first network element determines first capability information.

Specifically, in S502 above, the first network element determining the first capability information may include: the first network element determines the first capability information based on the known information and/or the first network element obtains the first capability information from the second network element.

Specifically, the specific principle of determining the first capability information by the first network element in the above manner may refer to the specific explanation of the specific principle in S302, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the first network element obtains the first capability information from the second network element, which may specifically include S503 to S504 described below.

S503, the first network element sends a third capability request to the second network element. Accordingly, the second network element receives a third capability request from the first network element.

Optionally, the third capability request may comprise an identification of at least one first candidate access network device. Specific examples may refer to the example of the first capability request in S303, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the third capability request may include identification and traffic type information of the at least one first candidate access network device. Specific examples may refer to the example of the first capability request in S303, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the third capability request may include service type information. That is, the first network element may request from the second network element the service capabilities of the MBS of the one or more access network devices to the terminal device, including MBS-supporting access network devices, and non-MBS-supporting access network devices.

And S504, the second network element sends a third capability response to the first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives a third capability response from the second network element. Wherein the third capability response includes the first capability information.

Exemplarily, it is assumed that the access network device 1 supports MBS, the access network device 2 does not support MBS, and the third capability request comprises: the identification of the access network device 1, the identification of the access network device 2, and the MBS, the implementation manner of the first capability information may refer to the specific implementation manner of the first capability information in S304, which is not described herein again.

Exemplarily, it is assumed that the access network device 1 supports MBS, the access network device 2 does not support MBS, and the third capability request comprises: MBS, the first capability information may include: an access network device 1 supporting MBS; the access network device 2 does not support MBS.

It should be noted that the implementation manner of the first capability information is not limited in this application, so that the service capability of at least one first candidate access network device can be expressed.

In one possible embodiment, the first network element may determine the second capability information, which includes at least capability information of an access network device that is capable of providing services to the terminal device. The specific content of the second capability information may refer to the specific content of the first capability information in S302, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device, where the at least one second candidate access network device is an access network device capable of providing service for the terminal device, so that the source access network device can select the target access network device from the at least one second candidate access network device, and avoid selecting the target access network device from the access network devices incapable of providing service for the terminal device, thereby improving the success rate and reliability of the handover.

The specific implementation manner of the first network element to determine the second capability information may refer to the specific description of the first network element to determine the second capability information in S305, which is not repeated herein.

S505, the first network element sends the first capability information to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives the first capability information from the first network element.

Optionally, the first network element may also send second capability information to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives second capability information from the first network element. That is, the first network element may send only the capability information of the access network device supporting the service type information to the source access network device, exclude the access network device incapable of providing the service for the terminal device, and reduce the selection range of the target access network device, thereby improving the switching efficiency.

S506, the source access network device selects a target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of at least one first candidate access network device.

Specifically, in S506, the specific implementation manner of selecting the target access network device by the source access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device may refer to S402 described above, which is not described herein.

Optionally, the source access network device may determine the target access network device according to the signal strength and the second capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device, and the specific implementation manner is similar to the specific implementation manner in which the source access network device selects the target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device, which is not described herein again.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 5, the source access network device obtains first capability information including service capability of at least one first candidate access network device from the first network element, and selects the target access network device according to signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device, so that the problem that the target access network device selected according to the signal strength only does not support services of the terminal device can be solved, and the selection accuracy of the target access network device can be improved, thereby improving the switching efficiency.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method may be applied to the communication between the source access network device and the terminal device shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 6, the communication method includes the steps of:

s601, the source access network equipment sends a capability information request to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives a capability information request from the source access network device.

Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. For the implementation of the capability information request, reference may be made to S501, which is not described herein.

S602, the terminal equipment monitors system messages of at least one first candidate access network equipment and determines first capability information.

Optionally, the terminal device determines the first capability information according to the capability information request, that is, the terminal device listens to the system message of at least one first candidate access network device according to the indication of the source access network device, and determines the first capability information requested by the source access network device from the monitored system message.

Optionally, the terminal device may also monitor system messages of other access network devices except for the at least one first candidate access network device that the source access network device instructs to monitor, and determine capability information of the other access network devices from the monitored system messages.

S603, the terminal equipment sends the first capability information to the source access network equipment. Accordingly, the source access network device receives the first capability information from the terminal device.

Optionally, the first capability information may further include capability information that is not requested by the source access network device. For specific implementation, reference may be made to S304 above.

It should be noted that, the terminal device may screen out capability information of the access network device supporting the service type information of the terminal device from the monitored system message, and return the capability information to the source access network device.

S604, the source access network device selects a target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device.

Specifically, in S604, the specific implementation manner of selecting the target access network device by the source access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device may refer to S402 described above, which is not described herein.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 6, the source access network device obtains the first capability information including the service capability of at least one first candidate access network device from the terminal device, and selects the target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device, so that the problem that the target access network device selected according to the signal strength only does not support the service of the terminal device can be solved, the selection accuracy of the target access network device can be improved, and the switching efficiency is improved.

The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to fig. 3 to 6. The following describes in detail the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application with reference to fig. 7 to 11.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and perform the function of the first network element in the communication method shown in fig. 3. For ease of illustration, fig. 7 shows only the main components of the communication device.

As shown in fig. 7, the communication apparatus 700 includes: a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702.

The transceiver module 701 is configured to receive a first handover request from a source access network device. Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device. A processing module 702 is configured to determine first capability information. Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device. The processing module 702 is further configured to determine whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide services for the terminal device according to the first capability information.

In one possible design, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to receive second capability information from a second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

In one possible design, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to send a handover response to the source access network device. The handover response may include an identification of at least one second candidate access network device, which is determined according to the service type of the terminal device.

It should be noted that, the transceiver module 701 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module (not shown in fig. 7). The receiving module is used for receiving data and/or signaling from the source access network equipment and/or the second network element; the sending module is used for sending data and/or signaling to the source access network device and/or the second network element. The specific implementation of the transceiver module 701 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication device 700 may further comprise a storage module (not shown in fig. 7) storing programs or instructions. The processing module 702, when executing the program or instructions, enables the communication device 700 to perform the functions of the first network element of the communication method shown in fig. 3.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 700 may be the first network element shown in fig. 1 or the communication apparatus 200 shown in fig. 2, such as an access and mobility management function (core access and mobility management function, AMF) network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in an access network device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 700 shown in fig. 7 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown in fig. 3, and will not be described herein.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a third configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus is applicable to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and performs the function of the source access network device in the communication method shown in fig. 3. For convenience of explanation, fig. 8 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

As shown in fig. 8, the communication apparatus 800 includes: a receiving module 801 and a transmitting module 802.

The sending module 802 is configured to send a first handover request to a first network element. Wherein the first handover request comprises an identification of the at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of the terminal device. The receiving module 801 is further configured to receive a handover response from the first network element, where the handover response is used to indicate that at least one first candidate access network device cannot provide a service for the terminal device.

In one possible design, the communication device 800 may further include: a processing module 803. Wherein the processing module 803 is configured to determine the target access network device according to the identification of the at least one second candidate access network device.

In one possible design, the sending module 802 is further configured to send a second handover request to the first network element. Wherein the second handover request comprises an identification of the target access network device.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 801 and the transmitting module 802 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, that is, a transceiver module (not shown in fig. 8). The specific implementation manner of the receiving module 801 and the transmitting module 802 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication device 800 may further comprise a storage module (not shown in fig. 8) storing programs or instructions. The processing module 803, when executing the program or instructions, enables the communication apparatus 800 to perform the functions of the source access network device in the communication method shown in fig. 3.

The communication apparatus 800 may be the source access network device shown in fig. 1 or the communication apparatus 200 shown in fig. 2, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 800 shown in fig. 8 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown in fig. 3, and will not be described herein.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus is applicable to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and performs the function of the source access network device in the communication method shown in fig. 4. For convenience of explanation, fig. 9 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

As shown in fig. 9, the communication apparatus 900 includes: a determination module 901 and a selection module 902.

Wherein, the determining module 901 is configured to determine first capability information. Wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device. The selecting module 902 is further configured to select the target access network device according to the signal strength and the first capability information of the at least one first candidate access network device.

In one possible design, the communication device 900 may further include: transceiver module 903. The transceiver module 903 is configured to send a capability information request to a first network element or a terminal device. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information.

Alternatively, the transceiver module 903 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module (not shown in fig. 9). The receiving module is used for receiving data and/or signaling from the first network element and/or the terminal equipment; the sending module is used for sending data and/or signaling to the first network element and/or the terminal equipment. The specific implementation of the transceiver module 903 is not specifically limited in this application.

It should be noted that, the determining module 901 and the selecting module 902 perform processing functions, which may be separately provided, or may be integrated in one module, i.e., a processing module (not shown in fig. 9). The specific implementation manner of the determining module 901 and the selecting module 902 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module (not shown in fig. 9) storing programs or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by the processing module, enable the communications apparatus 900 to perform the functions of the source access network device in the communications methods illustrated in fig. 4, 5 and 6.

The communication apparatus 900 may be the source access network device shown in fig. 1 or the communication apparatus 200 shown in fig. 2, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 900 shown in fig. 9 may refer to the technical effects of the communication methods shown in fig. 4, 5 and 6, and will not be described herein.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and perform the function of the first network element in the communication method shown in fig. 5. For convenience of explanation, fig. 10 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

As shown in fig. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 includes: a receiving module 1001 and a transmitting module 1002.

The receiving module 1001 is configured to receive a capability information request from a source access network device. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. A sending module 1002, configured to send the first capability information to the source access network device.

In one possible design, the receiving module 1001 is further configured to receive second capability information from a second network element. Wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 1001 and the transmitting module 1002 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module (not shown in fig. 10). The specific implementation manner of the receiving module 1001 and the transmitting module 1002 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further comprise a processing module 1003 and a storage module (not shown in fig. 10), which stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1003 executes the program or instructions, the communication apparatus 1000 is enabled to perform the function of the first network element in the communication method shown in fig. 5.

Note that the communication apparatus 1000 may be the first network element shown in fig. 1 or the communication apparatus 200 shown in fig. 2, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the first network element, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1000 shown in fig. 10 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown in fig. 5, and will not be described herein.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus is applicable to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and performs the functions of the terminal device in the communication method shown in fig. 6. For convenience of explanation, fig. 11 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

As shown in fig. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes: a receiving module 1101 and a transmitting module 1102.

Wherein, the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive a capability information request from a source access network device. Wherein the capability information request comprises an identification of at least one first candidate access network device and/or service type information, the capability information request being for requesting the first capability information, the service type information being for indicating a range of the first capability information. The sending module 1102 is further configured to send the first capability information to the source access network device.

In one possible design, the communication device 1100 may further include: a processing module 1103. The processing module 1103 is configured to monitor system messages of at least one first candidate access network device and determine first capability information.

Alternatively, the service type information may include a service type of the communication device 1100, and the service type of the communication device 1100 may include one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

It should be noted that the receiving module 1101 and the transmitting module 1102 may be separately disposed, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module (not shown in fig. 11). The specific implementation manner of the receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1102 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 may further include a storage module (not shown in fig. 11), which stores a program or instructions, when executed by the processing module 1103, enable the communication apparatus 1100 to perform the functions of the terminal device in the communication method shown in fig. 6.

The communication device 1100 may be the terminal device shown in fig. 1 or the communication device 200 shown in fig. 2, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be provided in the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown in fig. 6, and will not be described herein.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication system. The system comprises a first network element, source access network equipment, target access network equipment and terminal equipment. Wherein the first network element may be an AMF network element. Optionally, the system may further comprise a second network element, such as an AMF network element, a UDM network element, an OAM network element.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium comprising: the computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions; the computer program or instructions, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method described in the method embodiments above.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method described in the method embodiments above.

It should be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), which may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It should also be appreciated that the memory in embodiments of the present application may be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (random access memory, RAM) which acts as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (random access memory, RAM) are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM).

The above embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware (e.g., circuitry), firmware, or any other combination. When implemented in software, the above-described embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more sets of available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid state disk.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" is merely an association relationship describing the associated object, and means that three relationships may exist, for example, a and/or B may mean: there are three cases, a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the associated object is an "or" relationship, but may also indicate an "and/or" relationship, and may be understood by referring to the context.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "at least one of" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements or modules and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units or modules may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described embodiments of the apparatus are merely illustrative, and for example, the above-described division of units or modules is merely a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation, for example, a plurality of units or modules may be combined or may be integrated into another system, or some units or modules may be omitted, or their corresponding functions may not be performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via interfaces, devices or units/modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units/modules described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units/modules may or may not be physically units/modules, may be located in one place, or may be distributed over a plurality of network units/modules. Some or all of the units/modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit/module in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit/module, or each unit/module may exist alone physically, or two or more units/modules may be integrated in one unit/module.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units/modules, and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, applied to a first network element, comprising:

receiving a first switching request from source access network equipment; wherein the first handover request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of a terminal device; the at least one first candidate access network device is selected by the source access network device according to signal strength;

determining first capability information; wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device;

determining whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide service for the terminal device according to the first capability information;

if the fact that the at least one first candidate access network device cannot provide service for the terminal device is determined, a switching response is sent to the source access network device; the switching response comprises identification of at least one second candidate access network device, wherein the at least one second candidate access network device is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and can provide service for the terminal device, and the second candidate access network device supports all or part of the service types requested by the terminal device; the at least one second candidate access network device does not include the at least one first candidate access network device.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that the service type of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

3. A communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first capability information is from a second network element.

4. A method of communication according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises:

receiving second capability information from a second network element; wherein the second capability information is used to determine the at least one second candidate access network device.

5. A method of communication, applied to a source access network device, comprising:

sending a first switching request to a first network element; wherein the first handover request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of a terminal device;

receiving a handover response from the first network element; wherein the handover response is for indicating that the at least one first candidate access network device is not capable of providing service to the terminal device; the switching response comprises the identification of at least one second candidate access network device, wherein the at least one second candidate access network device is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, and can provide service for the terminal device, and the second candidate access network device supports all or part of the service types requested by the terminal device; the at least one second candidate access network device does not include the at least one first candidate access network device.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the service type of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

7. A method of communication according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the method further comprises:

and determining the target access network equipment according to the identification of the at least one second candidate access network equipment.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that the method further comprises:

sending a second switching request to the first network element; wherein the second handover request includes an identification of the target access network device.

9. A communication device, for use in a first network element, comprising: a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein,,

the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a first switching request from source access network equipment; wherein the first handover request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of a terminal device; the at least one first candidate access network device is selected by the source access network device according to signal strength;

the processing module is used for determining first capability information; wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a service capability of the at least one first candidate access network device;

The processing module is further configured to determine, according to the first capability information, whether the at least one first candidate access network device can provide services for the terminal device;

the transceiver module is further configured to send a handover response to the source access network device if it is determined that none of the at least one first candidate access network device can provide services for the terminal device; the switching response comprises the identification of at least one second candidate access network device, wherein the at least one second candidate access network device is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and can provide service for the terminal device, and the second candidate access network device supports all or part of the service types requested by the terminal device; the at least one second candidate access network device does not include the at least one first candidate access network device.

10. The communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the service type of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

11. The communication apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first capability information is from a second network element.

12. A communication device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that,

the transceiver module is further configured to receive second capability information from a second network element; wherein the second capability information is used to determine at least one second candidate access network device.

13. A communication apparatus, for use with a source access network device, comprising: a receiving module and a transmitting module; wherein,,

the sending module is used for sending a first switching request to a first network element; wherein the first handover request includes an identifier of at least one first candidate access network device and service type information of a terminal device;

the receiving module is further configured to receive a handover response from the first network element; wherein the handover response is for indicating that the at least one first candidate access network device is not capable of providing service to the terminal device; the switching response comprises the identification of at least one second candidate access network device, wherein the at least one second candidate access network device is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and can provide service for the terminal device, and the second candidate access network device supports all or part of the service types requested by the terminal device; the at least one second candidate access network device does not include the at least one first candidate access network device.

14. The communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the service type of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: reduced capability, multicast broadcast services, internet of vehicles, non-public networks.

15. The communication apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising: a processing module; wherein,,

the processing module is configured to determine a target access network device according to the identifier of the at least one second candidate access network device.

16. The communication device of claim 15, wherein the communication device is configured to,

the sending module is further configured to send a second handover request to the first network element; wherein the second handover request includes an identification of the target access network device.

17. A communication device, the communication device comprising: a processor and a communication interface; wherein,,

the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the communication interface and to perform the communication method according to any of claims 1-8.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium comprises a computer program or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1-8.