CN113727399A

CN113727399A - Target cell determination method and device

Info

Publication number: CN113727399A
Application number: CN202110991214.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李�一; 刘光海; 郑雨婷; 肖天; 薛永备; 朱小萌; 龙青良; 程新洲
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-26
Filing date: 2021-08-26
Publication date: 2021-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-26
Also published as: CN113727399B

Abstract

The application provides a target cell determining method and a target cell determining device, relates to the technical field of communication, and can solve the problem that an important slicing service of a terminal device is interrupted in a switching process. The method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that access network equipment obtains the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell; the access network equipment determines that the slicing service with the slicing priority as the first slicing priority is a target slicing service in at least one slicing service; the access network equipment determines a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell supporting the target slicing service in at least one neighboring cell; if the set of first cells includes one or more first cells, the access network device determines a target cell from the set of first cells. The method and the device are used in the process of determining the target cell.

Description

Target cell determination method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for determining a target cell.

Background

Currently, in the handover process, the signal strength of a cell is generally used as a condition for target cell selection. When the terminal equipment needs to be switched, the surrounding switchable neighbor cells are searched first, then the cell with the highest signal intensity in the surrounding switchable neighbor cells is selected as the target cell, and the terminal equipment is switched to the target cell.

However, when the terminal device accesses the source access network device and is performing an important slicing service, if only the signal strength of the cell is used as a condition for selecting the target cell, the terminal device may be switched to the target cell which cannot support the important slicing service, and the important slicing service may be interrupted.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a target cell determining method and device, which can solve the problem that an important slicing service of terminal equipment is interrupted in a switching process.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme is as follows:

in a first aspect, the present application provides a method for determining a target cell, including: the method comprises the steps that access network equipment obtains the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell; the access network equipment determines that the slicing service with the slicing priority as the first slicing priority is a target slicing service in at least one slicing service; the access network equipment determines a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell supporting the target slicing service in at least one neighboring cell; if the set of first cells includes one or more first cells, the access network device determines a target cell from the set of first cells.

Based on the above technical solution, in the method for determining a target cell provided in the embodiment of the present application, an access network device first obtains a slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device and a slice priority supported by at least one neighboring cell of a serving cell. The access network equipment determines whether a slice service with a first slice priority exists in at least one slice service, and if so, selects a neighboring cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one neighboring cell as a first cell. The access network equipment determines a target cell from the first cell set. Therefore, the target cell determined by the access network equipment can support the target slicing service, and the continuity of the target slicing service is ensured when the terminal equipment is switched to the target cell.

In one possible implementation, the access network device determines one first cell in the set of first cells as the target cell. In the implementation manner, the access network device first obtains the slice priority of at least one slice service of the terminal device and the slice priority supported by at least one neighboring cell of the serving cell, determines whether the slice service with the first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, if so, then screens the neighboring cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one neighboring cell as a first cell, and if only one first cell exists, determines the first cell as a target cell, so that the determined target cell can support the target slice service, and when the terminal device is switched to the target cell, the continuity of the target slice service is ensured

In one possible implementation, the access network device determines slice information of each first cell, where the slice information includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength; the access network equipment determines that the first cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition in the set of the first cells is the target cell. In this implementation, the access network device first obtains the slice priority of at least one slice service of the terminal device, and the slice priority supported by at least one adjacent cell of the service cell, determining whether the slice service with the first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, if so, screening the adjacent cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one adjacent cell as a first cell, if the first cell is multiple, the access network equipment determines a target cell in the multiple first cells according to a preset condition, i.e. in the course of determining the target cell, the number of the same priorities, the same priority level, and the signal strength, so that the determined target cell can better continue the slicing service of the terminal equipment, and can also continue the slicing service of the terminal equipment as much as possible.

In a possible implementation manner, if the set of first cells does not include the first cell, the access network device determines slice information of at least one neighboring cell; the slice information includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength; the access network equipment determines the adjacent cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition as a target cell in at least one adjacent cell. In this implementation manner, the access network device first obtains the slice priority of at least one slice service of the terminal device and the slice priority supported by at least one neighboring cell of the serving cell, determines whether the slice service with the first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, and if not, the access network device determines the target cell in the at least one neighboring cell according to a preset condition, that is, in the process of determining the target cell, the number of the same priority, the same priority level, and the signal strength are combined, so that the slice service of the terminal device can be continued as much as possible.

In one possible implementation, the preset condition includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services is the largest; the number of the same slice services is the largest, and the priority level of the slice services except the same slice services is the highest; the slice service with the same slice service has the highest priority level and the strongest signal strength. In this implementation manner, it is convenient for the access network device to determine the target cell in the case that there are multiple first cells in the first cell set, so that the determined target cell can better continue the slicing service that is being performed by the terminal device, and can also continue the slicing service of the terminal device as much as possible.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a target cell determining apparatus, comprising: a communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used for acquiring the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of the terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of the service cell; the processing unit is used for determining that the slicing service with the slicing priority as the first slicing priority in at least one slicing service is a target slicing service; a processing unit further configured to determine a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell supporting the target slicing service in at least one neighboring cell; the processing unit is further configured to determine a target cell from the set of first cells if the set of first cells includes one or more first cells.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to: one first cell in the set of first cells is determined to be a target cell.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to: determining slice information for each first cell, the slice information including at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength; and determining a first cell of the set of first cells, wherein the slice information meets a preset condition, as a target cell.

In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to: if the first cell is not included in the set of first cells, determining slice information of at least one neighboring cell; the slice information includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength; and determining the neighbor cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition as a target cell in at least one neighbor cell.

In one possible implementation, the preset condition includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services is the largest; the number of the same slice services is the largest, and the priority level of the slice services except the same slice services is the highest; the slice service with the same slice service has the highest priority level and the strongest signal strength.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a target cell determining apparatus, including: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is coupled to a processor for executing a computer program or instructions for implementing the target cell determination method as described in the first aspect and any possible implementation form of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that, when executed on a terminal, cause the terminal to perform the target cell determination method as described in the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a target cell determination apparatus, cause the target cell determination apparatus to perform the target cell determination method as described in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to implement the target cell determination method as described in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

In particular, the chip provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes a memory for storing a computer program or instructions.

Drawings

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

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

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a target cell determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of another target cell determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of another target cell determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a target cell determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another target cell determination apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The following describes a target cell determination method and apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The term "and/or" herein is merely an association describing an associated object, meaning that three relationships may exist, e.g., a and/or B, may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing different objects or for distinguishing different processes for the same object, and are not used for describing a specific order of the objects.

Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, as referred to in the description of the present application, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements but may alternatively include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specified.

As shown in fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application, which may include a plurality of access network devices 101 and a plurality of terminal devices 102. Fig. 1 illustrates two access network devices 101 and one terminal device 102 as an example.

One access network device 101 is a source access network device of the terminal device 102, and the other access network device 101 is a target access network device (i.e., a target cell) of the terminal device 102.

It should be noted that fig. 1 is only an exemplary framework diagram, the number of nodes included in fig. 1 is not limited, and other nodes may be included besides the functional nodes shown in fig. 1, such as: core network devices, gateway devices, application servers, etc., without limitation.

The access network device 101 is mainly used to implement the functions of resource scheduling, radio resource management, radio access control, and the like of the terminal device 102. Specifically, the access network device 101 may be any one of a small base station, a wireless access point, a transmission point (TRP), a Transmission Point (TP), and some other access node.

The terminal device 102 may be located within the coverage area of the access network device 101 and interface with the access network device 101. The terminal device 102 may be a terminal (terminal equipment) or a User Equipment (UE) or a Mobile Station (MS) or a Mobile Terminal (MT), etc. Specifically, the terminal device 102 may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer or a computer with a wireless transceiving function, and may also be a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal, an Augmented Reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city (smart city), a smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, and the like. In the embodiment of the present application, the apparatus for implementing the function of the terminal device 102 may be the terminal device 102, or may be an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device 102 to implement the function, for example, a chip system. The following describes a frame structure determination method provided in an embodiment of the present application, taking an example in which a device for implementing a function of the terminal apparatus 102 is the terminal apparatus 102.

In addition, the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and it is known by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new communication systems. In particular, the apparatus of fig. 1 may adopt the structure shown in fig. 2, or include the components shown in fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic composition diagram of a communication apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the communication apparatus 200 may be an access network device 101 or a chip or a system on chip in the access network device 101. As shown in fig. 2, the communication device 200 includes a processor 201, a communication interface 202, and a communication line 203.

Further, the communication device 200 can also include a memory 204. The processor 201, the memory 204 and the communication interface 202 may be connected via a communication line 203.

The processor 201 is a CPU, a general purpose processor Network (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 201 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as, without limitation, a circuit, a device, or a software module.

A communication interface 202 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The communication interface 202 may be a module, a circuit, a communication interface, or any device capable of enabling communication.

A communication line 203 for transmitting information between the respective components included in the communication apparatus 200.

A memory 204 for storing instructions. Wherein the instructions may be a computer program.

The memory 204 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and/or instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, and the like, without limitation.

It is noted that the memory 204 may exist separately from the processor 201 or may be integrated with the processor 201. The memory 204 may be used for storing instructions or program code or some data etc. The memory 204 may be located inside the communication device 200 or outside the communication device 200, which is not limited. The processor 201 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 204 to implement the measurement method provided by the following embodiments of the present application.

In one example, processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 2.

As an alternative implementation, the communication device 200 includes multiple processors, for example, the processor 207 may be included in addition to the processor 201 in fig. 2.

As an alternative implementation, the communication apparatus 200 further comprises an output device 205 and an input device 206. Illustratively, the input device 206 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, among other devices, and the output device 205 is a display screen, speaker (spaker), among other devices.

It is noted that the communication apparatus 200 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a device with a similar structure as that in fig. 2. Further, the constituent structure shown in fig. 2 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal device 102, and the terminal device 102 may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 2, or combine some components, or a different arrangement of components, in addition to the components shown in fig. 2.

In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

In addition, acts, terms, and the like referred to between the embodiments of the present application may be mutually referenced and are not limited. In the embodiment of the present application, the name of the message exchanged between the devices or the name of the parameter in the message, etc. are only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation, which is not limited.

Currently, in a handover process, in a general case, the selection of a target cell may be applied to scenario 1, where the signal strength of the cell is used as a selection condition of the target cell, and scenario 2, where the number of cells supporting the same slice service is used as a selection condition of the target cell.

Scenario 1, the signal strength of a cell is used as a selection condition of a target cell.

Illustratively, the measurement report reported by the terminal device includes the signal strength of the first neighboring cell, the signal strength of the second neighboring cell, and the signal strength of the third neighboring cell. And comparing the signal intensities of the three adjacent cells, determining that the signal intensity of the third adjacent cell is the highest, and further determining that the third adjacent cell is used as a target cell. In this case, the source access network device will send a handover request to the third neighboring cell (i.e., the third access network device).

Problem with scenario 1:

when the terminal device accesses the source access network device and is performing an important slicing service, if only the signal strength of the cell is used as a condition for selecting the target cell, it is likely that the terminal device is switched to the target cell which cannot support the important slicing service, thereby causing the important slicing service to be interrupted.

Illustratively, the terminal device access source access network device is performing a slicing service #1, a slicing service #2 and a slicing service # 3. According to the measurement report reported by the terminal device, it is determined that the switchable neighboring cells are respectively a first neighboring cell, a second neighboring cell, and a third neighboring cell, and then a first slice service list (for example, the first slice service list includes slice service #1 and slice service #3), a second slice service list (for example, the second slice service list includes slice service #1 and slice service #2), and a third slice service list (for example, the third slice service list includes slice service #2 and slice service #3) that can be supported by the first neighboring cell are respectively determined. Wherein, the slice service #1 is an important slice service.

And if the target cell is determined only according to the condition 1, comparing the signal intensities of the three adjacent cells, determining that the signal intensity of the third adjacent cell is the highest, and further determining that the third adjacent cell is used as the target cell. In this case, the source access network device will send a handover request to the third neighboring cell (i.e., the third access network device). However, the third neighbor does not support the slicing service #1, and switching to the third neighbor may cause the slicing service #1 to be interrupted.

Scenario 2, the number of supported services of the same slice is used as the selection condition of the target cell.

Illustratively, the switchable neighbor cells are determined from a measurement report reported by the terminal device (for example, the switchable neighbor cells include a first neighbor cell, a second neighbor cell, and a third neighbor cell). Firstly, determining a target slicing service list (for example, the target slicing service list comprises slicing service #1, slicing service #2 and slicing service #3) which is currently accessed by a terminal device to a source access network device, then respectively determining a first slicing service list which can be supported by a first neighboring cell (for example, the first slicing service list comprises slicing service #1), a second slicing service list which can be supported by a second neighboring cell (for example, the second slicing service list comprises slicing service #2) and a third slicing service list which can be supported by a third neighboring cell (for example, the third slicing service list comprises slicing service #2 and slicing service #3), then respectively comparing the target slicing service list with the first slicing service list, the second slicing service list and the third slicing service list to know that the first neighboring cell supports the same slicing service with the number of 1, the number of the same slice services supported by the second adjacent cell is 1, and the number of the same slice services supported by the third adjacent cell is 2, so that the maximum number of the same slices supported by the third adjacent cell is determined, and the third adjacent cell is determined to be the target adjacent cell. In this case, the source access network device will send a handover request to the third neighboring cell (i.e., the third access network device).

Problem with scenario 2:

when the terminal device accesses the source access network device and is performing an important slicing service, if only the number of supported same slicing services is used as a selection condition of the target cell, it is likely that the terminal device is switched to the target cell which cannot support the important slicing service, thereby causing the important slicing service to be interrupted.

With reference to the above example, it can be known through comparison that the number of the same slicing services supported by the first neighboring cell is 1, the number of the same slicing services supported by the second neighboring cell is 1, and the number of the same slicing services supported by the third neighboring cell is 2, so that it is determined that the number of the same slices supported by the third neighboring cell is the largest, and it is determined that the third neighboring cell is the target neighboring cell. In this case, the source access network device will send a handover request to the third neighboring cell (i.e., the third access network device). However, the third neighbor does not support the slicing service #1, and switching to the third neighbor may cause the slicing service #1 to be interrupted.

In order to solve the problems in the prior art, an embodiment of the present application provides a target cell determining method, which can solve the problem that an important slicing service of a terminal device is interrupted during a handover process. As shown in fig. 3, the method includes:

s301, the access network equipment acquires the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of the terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of the service cell.

Wherein the slice priority may include: a first slice priority, a second slice priority, and an unset slice priority. The first slice priority is higher than the second slice priority, which is higher than the unset slice priority.

Illustratively, the first slice priority may be represented by 0. The second slice priority may be represented by 1. The non-set slice priority may be indicated by nothing.

It should be noted that the above is merely an exemplary description of the slice priority, and the slice priority may also include other levels of slice priorities (e.g., a third slice priority), which is not limited in this application.

In a possible implementation manner, the at least one slicing service may be all or part of the slicing services performed by the terminal device in the current access network device.

It should be noted that the access network device may determine, through the measurement report reported by the terminal device, the identification information of at least one neighboring cell of the serving cell, and then determine, according to the information of the slice services that are interactively supported by the access network device when the access network device is powered on, and the identification information of the at least one neighboring cell, the priority of all or part of the slice services that are supported by each neighboring cell of the at least one neighboring cell.

Wherein, the information of the slicing service includes at least one of the following items: slice identification, and slice priority.

S302, the access network equipment determines that the slicing service with the slicing priority being the first slicing priority is the target slicing service in at least one slicing service.

Example 1, the target slice service is one (e.g., slice service # 1). Example 2, the target slice service is multiple (e.g., the target slice service includes slice service #1 and slice service # 2).

It should be noted that the first slice priority may be the slice priority with the highest slice priority.

For example, the first slice priority may be a slice priority with a slice priority of 0.

S303, the access network equipment determines a set of the first cells.

The first cell is a neighboring cell supporting the target slicing service in at least one neighboring cell.

With reference to example 1 above, the first cell is a neighbor cell that can support slice service #1 in at least one neighbor cell.

With reference to example 2 above, the first cell is a neighbor cell that supports both the slice service #1 and the slice service #2 in at least one neighbor cell. That is, when there are a plurality of target slice services, the first cell needs to support the plurality of target slice services.

In addition, when the target slicing service is multiple (namely, the slicing service #1 and the slicing service #2), and there is no neighboring cell which simultaneously supports the multiple target slicing services in at least one neighboring cell, the access network device performs screening in at least one neighboring cell according to the number of the same slicing services, the priority levels of the slicing services except the same slicing services, and the signal strength in sequence, so as to determine the target cell. The specific implementation steps of this case can be understood with reference to S501-S502 below, and are not described herein again.

S304, if the set of first cells comprises one or more first cells, the access network equipment determines a target cell from the set of first cells.

It should be noted that, since the target cell is a cell determined from the first set of cells, the target cell must be a cell supporting the target slicing service, so that continuity of the target slicing service is ensured in the handover process.

The application provides a target cell determining method, wherein an access network device firstly acquires the slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device and the slice priority supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell. The access network equipment determines whether a slice service with a first slice priority exists in at least one slice service, and if so, selects a neighboring cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one neighboring cell as a first cell. The access network equipment determines a target cell from the first cell set. Therefore, the target cell determined by the access network equipment can support the target slicing service, and the continuity of the target slicing service is ensured when the terminal equipment is switched to the target cell.

In a possible implementation manner, with reference to fig. 3, as shown in fig. 4, the S304 specifically includes: case 1.1, the set of first cells includes one first cell, and case 1.2, the set of first cells includes a plurality of first cells. Case 1.1 and case 1.2 are described in detail below, respectively:

case 1.1, the set of first cells includes one first cell.

In case 1.1, the access network device determines the target cell by S401 below.

S401, the access network equipment determines that one first cell in the first cell set is a target cell.

Illustratively, the terminal device access source access network device is performing a slicing service #1, a slicing service #2 and a slicing service # 3. Wherein, the priority of the slice service #1 is the first slice priority (i.e. the slice service #1 is the target slice service). The priority of slice traffic #2 is the second slice priority. The priority of the slice service #3 is the third slice priority. The adjacent cells in the measurement report reported by the terminal equipment include a first adjacent cell, a second adjacent cell and a third adjacent cell. Wherein the first neighbor cell supports slice service # 1. The second neighbor supports slice service # 2. The third neighbor cell supports slice service #2 and slice service # 3. By contrast, only the first neighbor cell supports the slice service #1, and thus only the first neighbor cell may be the first cell. At this time, the access network device determines that the first neighboring cell is the target cell.

The application provides a target cell determination method, wherein an access network device firstly acquires the slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device and the slice priority supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell, determines whether the slice service with a first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, and if so, screens the adjacent cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one adjacent cell to be a first cell, and if only one first cell exists, determines the first cell to be the target cell, so that the determined target cell can support the target slice service, and the continuity of the target slice service is ensured when the terminal device is switched to the target cell.

Case 1.2, the set of first cells includes a plurality of first cells.

In case 1.2, the access network device determines the target cell by the following S402-S403.

S402, the access network equipment determines slice information of each first cell.

Wherein the slice information comprises at least one of: the number of same-slice traffic, the priority level of slice traffic other than same-slice traffic, and the signal strength.

It should be noted that the same number of slice services refers to the number of slice services that is the same as at least one slice service supported by the first cell and at least one slice service performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device.

Illustratively, the at least one slice service performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 3. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 4. In this case, the number of the same slice services is 2.

It should be noted that the priority level of a slice service other than the same slice service refers to a priority level of at least one slice service supported by the first cell in other slice services other than the same slice service.

Illustratively, the at least one slice service performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 3. The priority of the above slice service #1 is the first slice priority. The priority of slice traffic #2 is the second slice priority. The priority of the slice service #3 is the third slice priority. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 4. As can be seen from the comparison, the slice service #1 and the slice service #2 are the same slice service, and the slice service #4 is a slice service other than the same slice service. In this case, the priority level of the slice traffic other than the same slice traffic is the priority of the slice traffic # 4.

It should be noted that the signal strength is used to characterize the strength of the signal of the first cell.

Illustratively, the signal strength of the first cell A1 is-67 dBm. The signal strength of the other first cell a2 was-75 dBm. By contrast, the signal strength of first cell a1 is stronger than the signal strength of first cell a 2.

S403, the access network device determines that the first cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition in the set of first cells is the target cell.

In a possible implementation manner, the preset condition may specifically include: condition 1, the first cell having the largest number of services with the same slice is a target cell, condition 2, and condition 3. Condition 1, condition 2, and condition 3 are described in detail below:

condition 1, the first cell having the largest number of services in the same slice is a target cell.

It should be noted that, if the access network device can only determine one first cell in the set of first cells according to the maximum number of the same slices, the access network device determines that the first cell is the target cell. In this case, the preset condition may be that the number of the same slice services is the largest.

Illustratively, the at least one slice service performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device includes: slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 3. The priority of the above slice service #1 is the first slice priority. The first set of cells includes a first cell a1 and a first cell a 2. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell a1 includes: slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 4. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell a2 includes: slice service #1, slice service # 2. In this case, the number of the same slice traffic of the first cell a1 is 2. The number of same slice traffic of the first cell a2 is 1. By contrast, the number of same-slice services of the first cell a1 is higher than the number of same-slice services of the first cell a 2. Therefore, the access network device can only determine the first cell a1 according to the maximum number of the same slices, and further determine that the first cell a1 is the target cell.

And 2, the first cell with the largest number of the same slice services and the highest priority level of the slice services except the same slice services is the target cell.

It should be noted that, if the access network device determines that there are multiple first cells in the set of first cells according to the largest number of the same slices, the access network device may determine that one of the multiple first cells is the target cell according to the highest priority level of the slice services except the same slice service. In this case, the preset condition may be that the number of the same slice services is the largest, and the priority level of the slice services other than the same slice services is the highest. That is to say, when the access network device cannot determine a cell from the first cell set according to the maximum number of slices, it needs to determine, according to the highest priority level of slice services other than the same slice services, a first cell with the highest priority level of slice services other than the same slice services as the target cell from the plurality of first cells screened according to the maximum number of slices.

Illustratively, the at least one slice service performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 3. The first set of cells includes a first cell a1, a first cell a2, and a first cell A3. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell a1 includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 4. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell a2 includes slice service #1, slice service #2, and slice service # 5. The at least one slice service supported by the first cell a3 includes slice service #1 and slice service # 2. In this case, the number of the same slice traffic of the first cell a1 and the first cell a2 is 2.

The slice priorities of the three slice services performed by the terminal device accessing the source access network device are respectively as follows: the priority of the above slice service #1 is the first slice priority. The priority of the above slice service #2 is the second slice priority. The priority of the above slice service #3 is the third slice priority.

The slicing services supported by the first cell a1, except for the same slicing service, are: slice service # 4. The priority of the above slice service #4 is the first slice priority.

The slicing services supported by the first cell a2, except for the same slicing service, are: slice service # 5. The priority of the above slice service #5 is the third slice priority.

In contrast, the slice priority of the slice service #4 is higher than that of the slice service #5, and therefore, the access network device determines that the first cell with the highest priority level of the slice services except for the same slice service is the first cell a 1. In this case, the first cell a1 is determined to be the target cell.

And 3, the number of the services with the same slice is the largest, the priority level of the services with the same slice is the highest, and the first cell with the strongest signal strength is the target cell.

It should be noted that, if the access network device determines that there are multiple first cells in the set of first cells according to the largest number of the same slices, the access network device may determine, according to the signal strength, the first cell with the strongest signal strength as the target cell when there are multiple first cells determined according to the highest priority level of slice services other than the same slice services. In this case, the number of the same slice traffic is the largest, the priority level of the slice traffic other than the same slice traffic is the highest, and the signal strength is the strongest. That is to say, when the access network device cannot determine a cell from the first cell set according to the maximum number of the same slices and the highest priority level of slice services except the same slice services, it needs to determine, according to the signal strength of the cell, the first cell with the highest cell signal strength as a target neighboring cell from the plurality of first cells that have been screened according to the maximum number of the same slices and the highest priority level of slice services except the same slice services.

The slicing services supported by the first cell a1, except for the same slicing service, are: slice service # 4. The priority of the above slice service #4 is the third slice priority.

In contrast, the slice priority of the slice service #4 is equal to the slice priority of the slice service #5, and therefore, the access network device determines that there are two cells (i.e., the first cell a1 and the first cell a2) with the highest priority levels of the slice services except for the same slice service.

The signal strength of the first cell a1 was-85 dBm. The signal strength of the first cell a2 is-80 dBm. In contrast, the signal strength of the first cell a2 is higher than that of the first cell a1, so that the access network device determines that the first cell a2 is the target cell.

The application provides a target cell determining method, an access network device firstly obtains the slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device, and the slice priority supported by at least one adjacent cell of the service cell, determining whether the slice service with the first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, if so, screening the adjacent cell capable of supporting the target slice service from the at least one adjacent cell as a first cell, if the first cell is multiple, the access network equipment determines a target cell in the multiple first cells according to a preset condition, i.e. in the course of determining the target cell, the number of the same priorities, the same priority level, and the signal strength, so that the determined target cell can better continue the slicing service of the terminal equipment, and can also continue the slicing service of the terminal equipment as much as possible.

The above description describes in detail a case where the first cell set includes the first cell. In addition, in the process of determining the set of first cells (i.e., S303), it may happen that no first cell exists in the neighboring cell, that is, no first cell exists in the set of first cells, in this case, the access network device may further determine the target cell by the method described in the following S501-S502. As shown in fig. 5, S501-S502 specifically include:

s501, if the first cell is not included in the set of first cells, the access network equipment determines slice information of at least one neighboring cell.

It should be noted that, regarding the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the description of the signal strength, reference may be made to the above-mentioned part S402 for the above explanation, and details are not described here.

S502, the access network equipment determines that the neighbor cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition is the target cell in at least one neighbor cell.

The specific implementation process of S502 is similar to the implementation process of S403 described above. Only the set of the first cells in S403 needs to be replaced by at least one neighboring cell in S502, and other implementation manners are similar, which is not described herein again.

It should be noted that, regarding the description of the preset condition, reference may be made to the above-mentioned part S403 for the above explanation, and details are not described here.

The application provides a method for determining a target cell, wherein an access network device firstly acquires a slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device and a slice priority supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell, determines whether the slice service with a first slice priority exists in the at least one slice service, and if the slice service does not exist, the access network device determines the target cell in the at least one adjacent cell according to preset conditions, namely, in the process of determining the target cell, the number of the same priority, the same priority level and the signal strength are combined, so that the slice service of the terminal device can be continued as much as possible.

It is to be understood that the above target cell determining method may be implemented by a target cell determining apparatus. In order to implement the above functions, the target cell determining apparatus includes a hardware structure and/or a software module for performing each function. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative modules and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware 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 embodiments disclosed herein.

The target cell determining apparatus generated according to the method example in the embodiments disclosed in the present application may perform functional module division, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the embodiments disclosed in the present application is schematic, and is only one division of logic functions, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a target cell determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the target cell determining apparatus 60 may be used to perform the target cell determining methods shown in fig. 3-5. The target cell determination apparatus 60 includes a communication unit 601, a processing unit 602;

a communication unit 601, configured to obtain a slice priority of at least one slice service of a terminal device and a slice priority of a slice service supported by at least one neighboring cell of a serving cell.

The processing unit 602 is configured to determine that, in at least one slice service, a slice service with a slice priority of a first slice priority is a target slice service.

A processing unit 602, further configured to determine a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell supporting the target slicing service in at least one neighboring cell.

If the set of first cells includes one or more first cells, the processing unit, processing unit 602, is further configured to determine a target cell from the set of first cells.

Fig. 7 shows another hardware configuration of the electronic apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, electronic device 70 may include a processor 701 and a communication interface 702. The processor 701 is coupled to a communication interface 702.

The functions of the processor 701 may refer to the description of the processor 701 above. The processor 701 also has a memory function, and the function of the memory 702 can be referred to.

The communication interface 702 is used to provide data to the processor 701. The communication interface 702 may be an internal interface of the communication apparatus, or may be an external interface (corresponding to the communication interface 704) of the communication apparatus.

It should be noted that the configuration shown in fig. 7 does not constitute a limitation of the electronic device 70, and the electronic device 70 may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 7, or combine some components, or arrange different components, in addition to the components shown in fig. 7.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear for a person skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above functional units is illustrated. In practical applications, the above function allocation can be performed by different functional units according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional units to perform all or part of the above described functions. For the specific working processes of the system, the apparatus and the unit described above, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described here again.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer executes each step in the method flow shown in the above method embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of determining rich media in the above-described method embodiments.

The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, and a hard disk. Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), registers, a hard disk, an optical fiber, a portable Compact disk Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium, in any suitable combination, or as appropriate in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In embodiments of the invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Since the apparatus, the device, the computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program product in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the method described above, for technical effects obtained by the apparatus, the computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program product, reference may also be made to the method embodiments described above, and details of the embodiments of the present invention are not repeated herein.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention are intended to be covered by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining a target cell, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that access network equipment obtains the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of a service cell;

the access network equipment determines that the slicing service with the slicing priority as the first slicing priority in the at least one slicing service is a target slicing service;

the access network equipment determines a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell which supports the target slicing service in the at least one neighboring cell;

if the set of first cells includes one or more first cells, the access network device determines a target cell from the set of first cells.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the case that one of the first cells is included in the set of first cells, the determining, by the access network device, a target cell from the set of first cells comprises:

the access network device determines that one of the first cells in the set of first cells is the target cell.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the case that a plurality of the first cells are included in the set of first cells, the determining, by the access network device, a target cell from the set of first cells comprises:

the access network device determines slice information for each of the first cells, the slice information including at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength;

and the access network equipment determines that the first cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition in the set of the first cells is the target cell.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the first cell is not included in the set of first cells, the access network device determines slice information of the at least one neighboring cell; the slice information includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength;

and the access network equipment determines the adjacent cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition as the target cell.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the preset condition comprises at least one of:

the number of the same slice services is the largest;

the number of the same slicing service is the largest, and the priority level of the slicing services except the same slicing service is the highest;

the number of the same slice services is the largest, the priority level of the slice services except the same slice services is the highest, and the signal strength is the strongest.

6. A target cell determination apparatus, comprising: a communication unit and a processing unit;

the communication unit is used for acquiring the slicing priority of at least one slicing service of the terminal equipment and the slicing priority of the slicing service supported by at least one adjacent cell of the service cell;

the processing unit is configured to determine that, of the at least one slice service, a slice service with a slice priority of a first slice priority is a target slice service;

the processing unit is further configured to determine a set of first cells; the first cell is a neighboring cell which supports the target slicing service in the at least one neighboring cell;

if the set of first cells includes one or more first cells, the processing unit is further configured to determine a target cell from the set of first cells.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in a case that one of the first cells is included in the set of first cells, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

determining that one of the first cells in the set of first cells is the target cell.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in a case that the set of first cells includes a plurality of first cells, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

determining slice information for each of the first cells, the slice information including at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength;

and determining a first cell of the set of first cells, of which the slice information meets a preset condition, as the target cell.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

if the first cell is not included in the set of first cells, determining slice information of the at least one neighboring cell; the slice information includes at least one of: the number of the same slice services, the priority levels of the slice services except the same slice services, and the signal strength;

and determining the neighbor cell of which the slice information meets the preset condition as the target cell in the at least one neighbor cell.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the preset condition comprises at least one of:

the number of the same slice services is the largest;

11. A target cell determination apparatus, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is coupled to the processor for executing a computer program or instructions for implementing the target cell determination method as claimed in any of claims 1-5.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of target cell determination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.